Absolutely stay in Little 5 Points. There is sooo much to do and see. Visit Inman Park for architecture. Don’t miss eating at the Vortex. Have a great stay!

I totally agree on eating at the Vortex and generally checking out Little 5 points. Do note that that’s Little 5 points which is oh-so-different from the 5 points MARTA station and the has-been-sadness that is the “underground” aka a pitiful strip mall. I also agree that “Blondie” at the Clairmont Lounge is a must do, as is going to Piedmont park in the hopes of seeing the Majorette. Piedmont park is just pretty and great for people watching. You can rent roller blades, bicycles (built for two even) and what not at the Skate Escape next to the old major entrance.

We have season passes to the GA Aquarium so I’m a little bias. It’s a hard call on a weekend as it can still be pretty crowded. If you’re going to do it + any other area attraction I suggest checking out their special offers page. Also, if you’ve got an iPod download the audio tour.

Although probably to expensive to stay in, the Westin Peachtree Plaza is home to the Sundial. If you want 5 star kind of dining with an unbeatable rotating view of the city it’s the way to go. If you’re a tad budget minded go for the bar and get one expensive but fabulous drink to sip whilst enjoying the view. Of course, I’m biased here too since it’s where my husband proposed.

If you’re up for fun and quirky try the Center for Puppetry Arts for an “adult” show… and I do mean adult themes. Or, Whole World Theatre puts on some mean improv.

Whatever you do and wherever you stay, don’t let one jerk spoil your stay; Atlantan’s are secretly super friendly and sweet, we just take a minute to warm up and we’re never afraid to tell it like it is.

Definitely stay in Virginia Highlands, and visit Vortex!

Yes, avoid Buckhead. Midtown is a great place to hang out and walk to lots of places. Start at Mid City Cafe on West Peachtree and 6th. Then go to Halo. Vortex is touristy with bad food. Eat at Esso. Or one of the restaurants on 5th street. I’d hang with you but I’m out of town.

You want to stay in the downtown area for the architecture. There are neighborhoods right outside of there teoo, such as Virginia-Highlands, Midtown, Decatur (east of the city) and the Piedmont Park area and even the northern part of the city like Buckhead. It depends on what you are into. Little Five Points (they have the best Heatlth food Co-op, Sevananda ( I worked there for 5 years). East Atlanta Village for some laid back fun, eating and bar-hopping. Virginia Highlands is upscale and some cool shops, Midtown has a big gay population and good restaurants and shops. It really is a beautiful city and if you are going now, it’s perfect because the weather is crisp and the trees are changing colors. You can take the train anywhere, or ride bikes. Anywhere inside the perimeter of Atlanta. Check out Creative Loafing, the free weekly for stuff to do. Are you renting a car? Some of the neighborhoods are fantastic this time of year. Also the West End, used to be rally run down and is now coming together. I just can’t say enough good stuff.
Have Fun! I’m jealous!

hi LeoDesi,

Atlanta…

Atlanta is a big suburb with a smallish city in the center. There is almost nothing to recommend in the suburbs. In the city, there are a few things, though. I am going to give you just enough to find these places w/ a map, so get a map.

Although there are trees wherever you go in ATL, it’s all suburbs. If you want to see nature, you have to get out of the city. A long way out. Here are two ideas, one North, one South.

If you are arriving in the next few weeks, the leaves are changing in north GA. This is very nice. Get on I-85 go N, outside the city I-85 splits into I-85 and I-985. Take I-985. I-985 gradually regresses into a something much more modest road, but stay with it all the way to Clayton GA.

Around Clayton there are a lot of places that are just simply pleasant. If you like driving, stop in town (the dq might be a good place) and ask around. If you like walking, (trails and such) they have that too. Black Rock Mountain State Park (which is N of Clayton, just a bit) is one of GA’s most lovely places.

Going the other way, there are the gardens at Callaway. This is a bit further drive than Clayton, but it is one of the nicer areas in GA. It is located near Warm Springs and FDR State Park (which are also nice).

If you really like driving, you could go down to Savannah. Savannah is very different from the rest of GA, and it’s got a bit of street life where you can walk around. Not too hard to find once you get down there.

Each of these jaunts are 2+ hours away from the city. That’s 5+ hours round trip. If you have the cash and the time, do an overnight.

Now, if you don’t have the time or cash….

Some of the scenes in ATL

Buckhead
Fraternity mentality. Lots of bars and yuppies. Take I-85 to
the Peachtree St exit, head north. The center of Buckhead is
the intersection w/ West Paces Ferry. There are shops and bars
in either direction.
Little 5 Points
Not to be confused w/ 5 Points, which is in the center of
town, near the Underground and the Mariott. Bohemian
mentality. Some of homeless, hippies, and yuppies. Located at the
intersection of Moreland and Euclid. Google will get you
there.
Virginia/Highland
Also near Little 5, a lot more yuppies, but a nice area to
stretch your legs. I like to take the side streets in this
area and see the houses. I like older houses :) Start at the
intersection of Ponce de Leon and North Highland Ave. Most of
the eateries, shops and bars are on N. Highland. Find a place
to park and look around.
Piedmont Park.
This is the one place in the city where you can find people
cycling and skating and such. Near Little 5,
Virginia/Highland. Nice to just wander around.
the Underground
I don’t go here very much, but it must be included. You may
like it, and whether you like it or not, you might have an
interesting time there. Pay for parking. The underground is
also near the CNN center (where they film CNN) and the Coke
Museum and all those touristy places. You could do all this on
foot.
the Varsity
From I-85, the North Avenue exit. You’ll be able to see it
before you get there. And you’ll be able to smell it before
you go in. It’s fast food the way it was done in the 50’s.
Really. The onion rings are to die for. Possibly the best
anywhere. A chili dog and one of those orange ice-creamy
drinks (I forget the exact name) is the “traditional” meal.
Fried pies are good too. AND it’s got a drive-in area where
you can eat in your car w/ those trays that clip onto a
window.
the Mariott Marquis.
Right in the center of the city are a group of rather large
hotels that are pretty much in walking distance of each other.
The Peachtree Center was once the tallest hotel in the world,
but I like the Mariott. It has an unusual bulging shape. But
the attraction is inside. Go in and take an elevator to the
top if they will let you, or as high as you can. I would say
more, but just go and see it.

That’s all I can coax out of my head at the moment. I hope you have a great time. I love traveling, traveling-mind can make any place fun.

oh, maybe one more. Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Located on Piedmont Ave near Morningside Dr. This is a special place. If you eat meat and like bbq, you must try it. On the way there you will go through some pretty neighborhoods and pass near Piedmont Park. In fact, combine the park w/ a visit to Matt’s. A good time.

Take care, and thank you for the opportunity to share some stuff.

I think the Virginia highlands area, around the intersection of Virginia Ave and North Highland, is the best in Atlanta. Loads of good restaurants, shops, and fun bars. If you like Mexican, Caramba Cafe http://www.carambacafe.com/ has the best Margaritas and Mexican food around. You should also check out Little 5 points, which is walking distance from the Highlands area, Just be careful walking around on Ponce De Leon, it can get shady at night.
Make sure you do get Downtown to check out the sites like centennial park, world of coke, CNN building and the high rises. Also spend some time in Midtown; Fox Theatre is a must, along with Piedmont Park and the Botanical Gardens. As was said earlier you could probably skip Buckhead and not miss much, most of the old Clubs and Bars it was famous for are closed now, they kind of sucked anyway, and there is better architecture around. For a side trip go to Stone Mountain Park, if you come while the weather is warm they have laser shows at night on the mountain, which you can also hike during the day anytime. Well enjoy your stay and contact me if you want to know any more specifics.

See the “world of coke” museum. It’s slightly overly touristy…but it is neat. If you have a chance, go see an Atlanta Thrashers hockey game. They’re a blast!!!

The Varsity is disgustingly greasy fried foodness, but it’s an experience that shouldn’t be missed.