I'm a New Yorker who visited Atlanta for the first time. Here are 7 things that surprised me.

The author in Atlanta, Georgia.Talia Lakritz/Insider

• I live in New York City and visited Atlanta, Georgia, for the first time.
• I didn't know Piedmont Park looks like Central Park or that pride celebrations are held in October.

I grew up in the Midwest, but New York City has been my home for the past decade.

In October, I visited Atlanta, Georgia, for the first time to see friends who have moved there from New York over the past few years.

With its gorgeous public parks, plentiful museums, and apartments with in-unit laundry, I definitely saw the appeal of living in Atlanta. I also made a few surprising discoveries about the city during my five days there.

Here are seven things that surprised me about Atlanta during my first visit.