The Cathedral of St. Philip labyrinth
“Walking the labyrinth” is often a metaphor for a spiritual pilgrimage. While you stroll the intricate paved outdoor maze, you can pray, meditate, or just let your mind drift. The church’s bookstore stocks multiple titles on the practice, plus desk-sized versions to take home. 2744 Peachtree Road, 404-365-1034
Photograph by Laura Rubinstein
The Carter Presidential Center gardens
The grounds of the center are a 35-acre park that includes waterfalls, a rose garden, a koi pond, and even a cherry orchard. Wander amid colorful blooms in the cut flower garden, or sit in a pavilion with a view of the Atlanta skyline. 453 Freedom Parkway, 404-420-5100
Swan Woods Trail, Atlanta History Center
This serene path winds through 10 acres of oak, hickory, and pine trees and a former cotton field. Sit in the quiet Garden for Peace, where you’ll see a life-sized sculpture of a tree surrounded by figures holding hands. The bronze work, called The Peace Tree, came from the Republic of Georgia in 1989. 130 West Paces Ferry Road, 404-814-4000
Japanese Zen Garden at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta, Buckhead
The Grand Hyatt was formerly a Hotel Nikko and was fortunate to inherit a very feng shui garden designed by a Kyoto architect. The soothing sounds of a trickling water feature and cascading waterfall just might make you late to your next conference breakout session. 3300 Peachtree Road, 404-237-1234
Big Trees Forest Preserve
This tranquil 30-acre urban forest has a 1.5-mile soft-mulch walking trail meandering through a forest of oak trees that are between 100 and 200 years old. There are creeks and plenty of benches for pensive moments. 7645 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, 770-673-0111
This article originally appeared in our 2015 Health issue.
