Atlanta...what to do
 

As you may have read in my other thread, I'm going to Atlanta for spring break. I'll be there for about 2 full days. For those who are from there, or have visited there, what kinds of things should we see and do while we're there?

Thanks!

Depends on the kind of stuff you are interested in.

I always like visiting the Coke Museum and Underground Atlanta. Stone Mountain is pretty neat as well. I haven't gotten a chance to visit the new aquarium, but I know several people who have visiter who have said its great.

I'm sure those who live in ATL could give you more advice, its been awhile since I've visited.

Co-sign on the Coke Museum and Underground Atlanta. I haven't been to the aquarium yet, but I heard it's great.

CNN Center is also a good place to visit, as well as the King Center. I don't know if Six Flags has opened back up. If the Hawks and/or Thrashers are in town, that would also be good (if you're into sports). Centennial Park is another good one (it's right across from the CNN Center).

Get drunk at a bar, if you cant find anything to do, if you look halfway decent, something to do will find you in the form of a decent looking man.

Go shopping in Little Five Points & eat at Little Five Points Pizza. :D

MLK Center is definitely worth a visit. They've got a lot of interesting exhibits/interactive stuff if you're traveling with kids, and if I remember correctly, it's free to go.
http://www.thekingcenter.org/ecomm/index.asp

cafe intermezzo is a nice spot to eat!

go to THE MAX. I hear that place is hot.

either that or The Peach Pit. ask for Nat. He'll hook you up.

That's where I grew up!!

I, too, recommend Cafe Intermezzo.

The Aquarium was over rated. I don't think it was worth the $25. It actually made me kinda dizzy, the way most of the tanks are set up. The whale sharks and the guitar fish are about the ony thing thats different. And the staff were not the brightest crayons in the box.

I enjoyed Sweatwater Brewery...gotta look at the times thought. I went on Thursday.

LOL, I'm not even sure where to begin. It really depends on what you want to see and/or experience. Let's see ...

If you like to eat out, make sure you check out the Two Urban Licks. This is a funky restaurant where Atlanta Yuppies go to, and it is a renovated warehouse into a modern restaurant. It is located in Midtown, and it has a side where big open windows overlook skyline of Atlanta. Very recommended, but make sure you have a reservation to have a dinner here. :cool: Ditto on Cafe Intermezzo on Peachtree Road.

Buckhead is a posh neighborhood of Atlanta, where multi-million dollar mansions are lined up, including the Governor's Mansion. Many ppl like to visit Lenox Mall, which adjacent to very elite Phipps Plaza to shop. One of the best malls in the nation, and I live within five minutes driving from here. ;)

Hm, of course the Georgia Aquarium, holding the biggest aquarium tank in North America. Haven't been there yet, because it is still very busy. But from what I've heard, nothing negative yet. Definetely recommended.

If you're interested in architecture, definetely visit the new addition of the High Museum, designed my world famous Italian architect Renzo Piano (who also designed Paris' Pompidou Centre).

A typical tourist would visit the
Coke Museum and also do the tour at CNN Center in front of the hostorical 1996 Summer OlympicCentennial Olympic Park. And maybe the Five Points.

If you like culture, check out the Virginia Highland and Midtown Atlanta, where most yuppies and gay population live. Atlanta has one of the biggest gay population in the nation, and the best way to experience it is by going to gay bar. Hoedown has very country theme, with line dance and "Brokeback" cowboys. Sunday night is the drag queen show "The Gospel Show" at Burkhart's Pub, which is very entertaining.

Piedmont Park, the Atlanta's Central Park, is the best spot to overlook and admire Atlanta's skyline in a park setting by a pond.

New urbanism neighborhood can be seen at the new addition of IKEA Atlanta, adjacent to the now Atlanta famous Atlantic Station. Atlantic Station is a new trend of Atlanta yuppies community, as many places now are copying the trend, including from outside Atlanta.

Our firm designs many Atlanta famous building, just check out our website if you want to: SRSSA

That's it for now, I will add some more later if you want me to. Hope this helps, from an insider, lol :D

Hijack - IKEA--

We had their frozen meatballs for din-din tonight:D

***

Varsity! Cheap but great food..okay, it is greasy, lol.

LOL don't forget the one-dollar ice cream cone.

Thanks for the tips, guys. I love museums of all kinds especially. What kind of art museums/galleries are there?

Huummm .. not much art museum/gallery here, really. The High Museum has some of the contemporary art and some Rembrandt, Monet, Seurat and Renoir, but nothing really famous or striking. Last year they have the van Gogh Exhibition from the Mueller collection in Netherlands, and tickets were sold out for days ... crazy time. If you want to extend out your stay in Atlanta till next year, there will be a loan collection from the Louvre ... :D

You might want to check out Margaret Mitchel's Gone With The Wind museum in downtown, along with the Georgian Terrace hotel where all the actors/actress spent the night during the movie's premiere.

Also I think the GA State Capitol and Governor's Mansion might have some open house and tours, and definetely there are some arts. Coca Cola HQ itself is a museum, depends on which perspective you look at it.

Interesting facts about Atlanta

How about the famous big chicken of Marietta? ;)
http://www.atlabama.com/big_chicken.jpg

Tee-hee. I remember when I first moved here and someone was giving me directions. He said, "Make a right at the big chicken...". I was so confused and didn't think I'd see it. Oh, I definitely could not miss the big chicken.

Am I the only one who thinks The Varsity is awful?

Anyway, I'd recommend going shopping around Buckhead. There's great stores and boutiques. Also, Filene's Basement tends to be a favorite.

Okay, One word about the Varsity: Grease. I LOOOOVE the Varsity - I grew up in Dallas, GA and as a kid everytime we went to Atlanta for a concert or something, it was always a treat to stop at The Varsity. Unfortunately, as I've gotten older, even though I still love the food, um....be prepared to be sick about 20 minutes after you eat it. (sorry guys...just giving a fair warning)

On another note, Stone Mounatin - even as local, I can never get enough of Stone Mountain. I LOVE the lazer shows. OOOH! I just checked the website! and the first lazer show of the season is on march 18th! You should DEFINTELY go....

http://www.stonemountainpark.com/att...ttractionID=52

I wasn't impressed with Underground Atlanta. And I was kinda scared. Especially when a homeless guy stopped me in front of a sign that read "Gold Teeth! Made While You Wait!" and told me I looked too nice to continue down that road, and would I happen to have any money?

Coca Cola was pretty cool though. Oh, and if you like country music check out the largest country dance club in the US - I forget what it's called, but it's awesome. Brad Paisley was there when we happened to stop by.

Underground Atlanta
 

A couple of weeks ago my 13 year old was a page at the state capitol--when I picked him up we walked up MLK by the Underground parking garage and then over about 2 blocks on Peachtree to get to where I'd parked. We were pushing through quite the scary crowd hanging around, and was doing my "city walk" like you do in NYC, Paris, Rome, etc. where basically you go fast with that "don't mess w/me" body language. We finally got to the other side of the street above Underground and my son looked at me and said, "well, that was fun". Then I took him to the Haagen Daz and we saw tourists walking that direction and I'm thinking what a great impression of Atlanta they'll take home!

We used to go to Underground a lot before they tore down the old baseball stadium. We'd park there, eat at Groundhog Tavern, then walk to the stadium. The new stadium is too far away, so haven't been there for years and haven't a clue what it's like now.

I'm pretty sure I read that Six Flags opened last weekend.

I'm in May-retta, so I often get to say......"just go up to 41 Hwy and take a right at the Big Chicken"......quite a site to see.

Underground Atlanta is not what it use to be. I remember when I visited Atlanta when I was young and we went there in conjuction with the Coca Cola Museum tour (they're right nearby each other). Underground Atlanta was relatively safe and nice. Now....not so much. I went there about two years ago and it was really, really scary. I don't recommend it to tourists.

And Six Flags is open. I highly recommend going there! You'll need a full day for that park but it's a lot of fun.

Things to do in Atlanta
 

Fernbank Museum is very cool. Definitely go to Martinis and IMAX there on Friday night (buy your tickets in advance online, though, because it's really crowded). Also, take cash with you if you're going to drink... most of the martini bars only accept cash, so the one or two that accept plastic have enormous lines at all times.

Zoo Atlanta is fun - check out the pandas.

Georgia Aquarium is phenomenal, but book your tickets online well in advance or you won't get in.

Virginia Highlands is a great place to go bar hopping. Dress nice -- it's a hotspot for 20-something professionals.

If you're in Little 5 Points, you might want to brunch at Front Page News. Great french toast and fabulous Bloody Mary bar. For something more casual, try the Vortex (for brunch only -- it can be a bit scary the rest of the time). If you like funky shopping, check out Junkman's Daughter.

The Varsity down near Georgia Tech is an Atlanta fixture. Great greasy burgers and hot dogs and fabulous fried apple and peach pies. I've been stopping there before Tech games since I was 4 years old. Yum!

I don't know exactly when you're going to be in town, but if the Braves are having a spring training game at home, you could check that out at Turner Field.

Hope this helps! There's a lot to do in Atlanta; I'm sure you'll have fun!

ETA: Piedmont Park is a nice place to go for a picnic, rollerblading, etc.

I've never been, but have heard that Coca-Cola's museum is a good tourist destination, too. You get to taste all these crazy Coke flavors from around the world during your visit.

Mary Mac's Tea Room is a fabulous place to go if you want some real Southern cooking.

I'd advise staying away from Underground also.

Six Flags is a great idea - can't believe I forgot about it.

I went to Underground Atlanta a few years ago and I remember my relatives telling me it's not what it used to be. It's probably going to get worst when World of Coke moves next to the aquarium.

Some of those international Coke flavors are NASTY!:(

I tried googling it, but I couldn't find anything.


What is Varsitys?

oh I see why I couldn't find anything now. The Varsity, not Varsitys.


That place looks really good.

Is that strip club where all the NBA players go still open?

-Rudey
--Cuz I would go there if I were you

Nope, it was shut down and taken over by the federal government, after the owner was arrested for connections to the mob or something like that. They leased it out to a Church for a while. That was big news. I understand a few former dancers attended the church for a while. It was eventially torn down and I think some resturants are in that space now.

I think you're referring to Goldcoast. I don't believe it's open anymore. A few of my co-workers were talking about how it was THE place to see strippers.

There's also the Claremont Lounge. A lot of the rappers go there. I was "fortunate" enough to go there for a friend's birthday last month. It's an Atlanta establishment that's never talked about outside a close group of friends. It's one of those places you have to go to once and then promise to never return. Think smokey bar, 70's decor, and gross people. Have you ever wondered what happens to strippers when they start sagging and can't perform at the nicer strip clubs? They come to Claremont. Think fat, 60-year-old women who dance and strip for you. There's one named Goldie and she can crush a beer can with her boobs. I saw it with my very own eyes. I wish I was joking.

I was scared to touch anything in there out of fear of getting an STD.

I just got an STD after reading this post


Stay classy Atlanta

What'll ya have, what'll ya have.....
 

The Varsity....eat there while you're young. When you're old....the gut can't take it. I'm too slow with the lingo, and I always get flustered, so I'd rather eat at the one at Town Center....they're not so demanding!

2 chili dogs, onion rings and a frosted O......yum.

Nope, it's gone. It was the Gold Club.

Cheetah is still around, though.

I remember that the lady who was in charge of training at one of our clients always said that it was really easy to plan night time activities when a group from their offices in Alabama came to town--she'd just put them in a cab with some cash and send them to the Cheetah!

I think since the Gold Club closed, that is reputed to be the best place to see reasonably attractive "nekkid women dancin'" (but can't say its ever been on my list of Top Ten Things To Do In Atlanta...my list is more like...go to Kroger, stop by Walgreen's, drop off clothes at the dry cleaner, go to Target....nope, no nekkid women dancin' on that list!).

Re: Atlanta...what to do
 

You can go see a play starring Edwin Link. He is a very fine actor.