, it is also a beacon for change as well as a Southern Hub for corporate America.I will say that the six lane highways can be daunting at first, and that this is not a place I would recommend visiting if you don't have a GPS. Once you have mastered the highways Atlanta can be a beautiful city with plenty to do, and for all my fellow Floridians there are actually seasons here, so check the weather first! This winter it actually snowed!
Currently the blossoms, tulips and other colorful spring time flora can be seen in front of every business. Emory University is one such institution, and its signature Marble walls offer students an academic environment worth its private tuition.
Activities
Stone Mountain
If you live in Atlanta I would recommend getting a seasonal pass, as paying for parking each visit can add up. I love going for walks during the good weather around the lakes and hiking up the mountain. Its great outdoor exercise and you can take it at your leisure. During the winter you can go tubing down an icy slide as a family or in your single tube. I love looking at the mountain face with Jackson, Leigh, and Jefferson Davis all proudly looking ahead, a tribute to the South. You can learn more about the monolith at the small museum at the entrance to the walking trail up the mountain. For those that prefer just to take in the scenery there is always the cable cart, but it is closed during windy weather. http://www.stonemountainpark.com/default.aspx
Carter Center
The Carter Center was about 6$ to get into and gave me insight into Georgia’s home town Peanut Farmer Jimmy Carter. I personally was inspired by his humanitarian work and his breakthrough at Camp David. http://www.cartercenter.org/index.html
World of Coca-Cola
Get a picture with Dr. Pemberton outside the famous World of Coca-Cola and take a tour and sample flavored sodas from around the world. I enjoyed it, and if you have kids they will enjoy meeting the polar bear. It’s not the most exciting tour but one of those must sees in Atlanta. http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/
Atlanta Zoo
Pandas! Need I say more, and I was lucky enough to be here when you could watch the Panda cubs on the webcam on the zoo’s website. Fun day trip and the otters are really cute. http://www.zooatlanta.org/
Georgia Aquarium
Georgia had a right to be proud of its aquarium. The shark tunnel, amazing cafeteria and WeekiWatchi Mermaids made it a wonderful place to visit in the holidays. The cafeteria was amazing, maybe I was just hungry but the food was delicious. The Beluga Wales and Wale Sharks were among my favorites, and the video I got of the piranhas munching on a fish was a horrific site, and I now understand why it is the title of a horror movie. http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/
CNN Tour
The CNN Tour was brief, do not buy anything to eat or drink prior because you will have to throw it away. Also you should use the bathroom prior as you cannot go on the tour. There are also a lot of stairs so if you have a problem walking down lots of stairs I would recommend skipping it. We were not prewarned and poor mum and I struggled to keep up with the tour.
Olympic Park
The park is great to walk around in, and during Christmas especially because there is a big Christmas Tree and small skating rink. This has been one of my favourite things to do in Atlanta, very romantic although you may get blisters so bring thick socks!
Wear sunscreen! Braves games are a lot of fun; for all Florida fans try to ignore the Chic-Fil-A cow signaling the FSU chant. Re
asonabely priced seats can be found for the upper levels behind home plate ranging from about $10 to $15. It's a great way to see the city; as a marketing person I think it's kind of neat how the bussinesses who sponsor the Braves are mostly corporate giants which made their start in Georgia.
asonabely priced seats can be found for the upper levels behind home plate ranging from about $10 to $15. It's a great way to see the city; as a marketing person I think it's kind of neat how the bussinesses who sponsor the Braves are mostly corporate giants which made their start in Georgia.(Delta, Home Depot, Chic-Fil-A)
Fox TheatreThe Fox Theatre is beautiful; I saw Beauty and the Beast there and it was the perfect theatre for the performance. It has an Arabian theme and an antique grandeur not frequently found today. Tickets can be expensive so book early. http://www.foxtheatre.org/heatre.org/
High Museum of Art
Take your allergy medication! I enjoyed the High; especially the marble statues located one level above the entrance. I got an allergy attack as soon as I arrived so may not have appreciated all it had to offer. We did get in free so I cannot complain...residents get in free on select days so plan your visit.
http://www.high.org/
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
Callanwolde is a historical building just of off Briarcliff Rd, today it is used for art classes. I wouldn't recommend visiting but if you end up driving past you may want to stop by for a quick look.
Little 5 Points
Little 5 points is a great small arsty community. If you are into the strange and bohemian way of life than continue down Briarcliff to this little community. The stores are wacky and the beer is good. Front Page News is located at the end of the community, yet another exampled of great food in Atlanta. Enjoy the patio and take in the scene.
Freedom Park
Freedom Park is a great place for dog owners. The area is so big and people are really dedicated to keeping it dog friendly...so scoop the poop. It is a wonderfull place to walk around in and there is even a bike trail.
Food
International Farmers Market
The International Food Market was a lot bigger than I expected, it was a giant store with a meat, fish vegetable, bakery and other common sections. I can’t say all the fish caught my eye but the fresh produce, bread and gourmet cheeses took my fancy. I also bought a tub of Hibiscus Tea and it was absolutely delicious for those who enjoy Starbuck’s Passion Tea. Bring cash or a debit card as credit is not expensive and with the size of the store you will most likely end up spending a little more than you planned on.
Restaurants
Atlanta has the usual chains, but for food lovers like me who love poking in new little spots, this is the perfect city to do so in. I have rarely been disappointed with the food here, and perhaps am being a bit to spoiled. I would like to direct you to a company called ScoutMob which offers 50% off coupons for signing up, and you simply show your text message. http://scoutmob.com/atlanta/past_deals
Here are just some of the restaurants I recommend:
Hob Knob
The best fried goat cheese salad and orange flavoured beer I have ever had! Great atmosphere and many many beers to choose from.
The Laughing Skull, also a comedy club!
Fun atmosphere and loads of good fried food. One of the most reccomended places in Atlanta for first-timers.
The Sun Dial
A complete rotating view of Atlanta, pricey but great for visitors to see the city from above while enjoying a drink.
http://www.sundialrestaurant.com/
http://www.sundialrestaurant.com/
Day and Weekend Trips From Atlanta
Helen Georgia
Helen Georgia is a Bavarian Town about an hour and a half away from Atlanta. We actually camped at a place called Jenny’s Creek for 20$ a night about 15 minutes away. Having just been to Germany I found it rather novel, but definitely a tourist trap if ever there was one. However if you are in the mood for some beer, live music and an escape from the city this a fun little weekend trip to take. I would also recommend stopping in at the glass blowing store just to take a look at the owner in action as he bends glass into custom names. I personally ate at the Heidelberg Restaurant, and typical to a German diet everything had meat on it, including the salad, so vegetarians beware!
Beware however for those of you who stay in Cleveland, that it is a dry county, and after walking around the Ingles about four time we couldn’t understand why there was no beer or wine to be found anywhere! During the summer there is tubing nearby, and you can spend the day floating down the river. I definitely will be going back for the tubing, the upcoming beer festival and some mountain air. There are also great barbeque places to be found for those of you who enjoy pulled pork sandwiches.
Ana Ruby Falls is a short distance away and definitely worth a look. I was happy that the main path was shadowed underneath trees, but the incline was heavy on my calves after hiking around all weekend. On the way home we stopped at the BabyLand General Hospital. For those of you who were as confused as I was, it is not a really hospital but an adoption centre for Cabbage Patch Kids. I didn’t take the tour, but read up on it after our visit, and Xavier Robert and his famous babies certainly have come a long way since he first came up with the idea of customer sculpted material babies with Birth Certificates. Being marketing major I do salute his simple idea which certainly created a worldwide obsession in the 80’s and 90’s.
Click here for more info
Beware however for those of you who stay in Cleveland, that it is a dry county, and after walking around the Ingles about four time we couldn’t understand why there was no beer or wine to be found anywhere! During the summer there is tubing nearby, and you can spend the day floating down the river. I definitely will be going back for the tubing, the upcoming beer festival and some mountain air. There are also great barbeque places to be found for those of you who enjoy pulled pork sandwiches.
Ana Ruby Falls is a short distance away and definitely worth a look. I was happy that the main path was shadowed underneath trees, but the incline was heavy on my calves after hiking around all weekend. On the way home we stopped at the BabyLand General Hospital. For those of you who were as confused as I was, it is not a really hospital but an adoption centre for Cabbage Patch Kids. I didn’t take the tour, but read up on it after our visit, and Xavier Robert and his famous babies certainly have come a long way since he first came up with the idea of customer sculpted material babies with Birth Certificates. Being marketing major I do salute his simple idea which certainly created a worldwide obsession in the 80’s and 90’s.
Click here for more info
Callaway Gardens
Callaway Gardens is just west of Atlanta it’s also about an hour or so drive depending on traffic. You can rent boats, bikes, go golfing or fishing. Parking was free when we went, but renting bikes was expensive, and the bikes were too hard to peddle. Bring your own bike or rent the more expensive bikes, trust me it’ll make your day far more pleasurable. There is a buttery garden, and this was free too, but this may have been due to the fact that a bird had somehow made its way inside….and alas the butterfly population had greatly diminished. It is the perfect place to set up a picnic and walk around the grounds. I want to rent a boat next time if anyone wants to come visit for a day or two !
Click here for more info
Amicalola Falls, West Ridge Staircase
Ready to train Rocky style....you will need all of your strenght to climb to the top of this waterfall. I made it! (But you bet the theme song was playing in my head the whole way up)
