Atlanta, Georgia

[zannli]

My DH and I will be taking a mini vacation there the first weekend in Sept.
Coming down from TN. I however have no clue where to stay or even what part of Atlanta would be best to stay in. These are the things we plan to do.
1. See Phantom of the Opera at the Fox Theater
2. Go to the Zoo
3. Visit Centennial Park
4. Visit Coca Cola
So going from that, where would you suggest staying and eating? What part of town would be best and most convenient to the things we wish to do.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Z

[Larissa]

Are you driving or flying? Atlanta doesn't have the best public transport so I'm not even sure that Marta goes to all those places...

[zannli]

We will be driving.

[tandt]

If you want an awesome burger in a fun area, try going to The Vortex in Little Five Points.

There is one in downtown, but it certainly doesn't have the 'flavor' as the original.

DH and I LOVE this place and miss it since we moved out of ATL.

Check it out here. (http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/TheVortex/index.htm)

[Blondeinabmw]

Another vote for the Vortex, but I happen to prefer the one on Peachtree instead of Little 5 Points.

Places to stay: if you want to go high-end, I recommend the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead or the Four Seasons in Midtown. In the more moderate side, you might want to consider a B & B in Midtown - there are several. One in particular that comes to mind is the Shellmont Inn on Piedmont Avenue. There are also several hotels in the Midtown area that would be fun - near to bars, clubs and restaurants, but out of the business district of downtown. I think there is a Wyndham (www.wyndham.com/hotels/ATLMA/main.wnt) and Sheraton in the area close to the High Museum at Colony Square (www.sheraton.com/colonysquare). You mentioned going to the Fox - another WONDERFUl hotel is the Georgian Terrace (www.thegeorgianterrace.com). Really classic Atlanta. I've heard that the new Georgia Tech Hotel is neat too (www.gatechhotel.com)

Places to Visit: Fernbank Natural History Museum is lovely. Gorgeous building and fun exhibits appealing to all ages.
Atlanta History Center - more than a museum, it also has the Swan House, one of Atlanta's most famous residences and the Tullie Smith House, which is a slice of the Old South.
IKEA - If you haven't ever been, that store is an experience in and of itself! At Atlantic Station off 17th Street. Plan on spending HOURS there.
Stone Mountain - Honestly, I haven't been there in YEARS. Everyone who brings someone in from out of town seems to recommend it.
High Museum - recently renovated and expanded (I haven't been since they reopened), the permanent collection is pretty good. Special revolving exhibits abound.
Virginia-Highland neighborhood - a cute, hip neighborhood with really expensive homes, darling shops and fun places to eat. I like Mai-Lee (think that's how you spell it) and Panita for Thai food. Nice thirty-something professional bar scene. Not too many folks looking to hook up so much as hang out and enjoy each other's company. I also like Atkins Park for steakhouse-type food but if you really want a great steak, the Highland Tap is the way to go. Neighbors, Hand in Hand and Dark Horse Tavern are good to hang out in with a pint. Or four.

Places to eat (And Drink): By far, the best Mexican food in the city has to be at Nuevo Laredo Cantina on Chattahoochee Avenue. It looks like a dive, is in a really industrial area, but it's consistently PACKED and is incredibly good. Closed Sundays!
If you want to go fancy, Seegers is consistently rated the top in Atlanta.
You cannot go wrong with any of the Buckhead Life restaurants either. I love Nava for Southwestern fare. Chops is EXCELLENT, but be prepared to drop about $150 for two people. Pricci is also great Italian food.
For affordably priced meals, I like Figo (really fresh pasta) with several locations, though I'm partial to the one at Huff/Howell Mill Roads. Taqueria Del Sol is also great and don't be intimidated by the line that runs waaaaaaaay outside the door. It moves relatively quickly.
For pizza, everyone goes to Fellini's (several locations!)

Midtown has a happening club scene. I've really only been down there a couple of times (with out of town company) but I hear that Eleven50 is fun and so is Vision (a place to see and be seen with the beautiful people). I've been to the Leopard Lounge, which is kind of trendy, but okay. I'm more of a Virginia-Highlands kind of girl.

I HOPE THAT HELPS!

[zannli]

Excellent Tips girls! This is great. We still haven't booked anything but that is my weekend project. Thank you so much for all your help. Keep the ideas coming.

[isign]

DH and I are going on our first 'vacation' since our wedding that doesn't directly revolve around anyone but us. We are going to go to Atlanta, making a few stops along the way to see family. I've always driven through but never stayed. We are looking to take a nice romantic trip over New Year for our 2nd anniversary. What's there to do, where should we eat and stay?

[LandR02]

When we were dating, my DH lived in Atlanta. So even though I don't know much about where to stay (possibly Buckhead?), I do have some recommendations. You can look all of these places up online to get more info.

Places to go:

Martin Luther King Center
Sweet Auburn Market
World of Coca Cola (the Coke muesum - kinda neat, but touristy)
CNN center tour

Neighborhoods to walk around:
Virginia Highlands
Little Five Points

Food (cheap, but yummy):
Flying Biscuit Cafe (GREAT breakfast/brunch)
Doc Chey's Noodle House
La Fonda Latina
The Vortex (I don't eat burgers, but have been told it's the place to go)

Food (more $):
Sotto Sotto
Bacchanalia
Babette's Cafe

[isign]

Where is a good place to stay? I do like Marriott but I'm not whating to pay big $$ (over $150) I just want to make it a really sweet relaxing and romantic weekend.

[KarenS]

Ooh .. Atlanta things. What are you and DH into? History? Art? Funky little shopping districts? High end shopping? Outdoors stuff? Zoo/Aquarium (the new aquarium should be open over the holidays)? There really is a lot to do and I can give you some good suggestions on what to do and where to stay depending on what you're looking for. Some of my favorite places include:

The Atlanta History Center, Tully-Smith Farm, and Swan House
The High Museum of Art
The Fernbank Natural History Museum
The Fox Theater (fabulous old building that looks like something out of the Arabian Nights)
Stone Mountain (kind of cheesy family park area, but it will be *gorgeous* around Christmas time and it's a lot of fun)
Little Five Points and driving around the Inman Park neighborhoods
The Carter Center Museum
shopping at Lenox and Phipps Mall (tres high end - fun to browse and look)
Touring the historical homes and old mill in Roswell (part of the Atlanta metro area, just north, with lots of Civil War era history)
Martin Luther King, Jrs tomb (it's an amazingly moving and peaceful placeand there's a really nice small history center documenting the civil rights movement attached)
The Cyclorama (worlds largest painting in the round - documenting the Battle of Kennesaw during the Civil War)
Atlanta Botanical Gardens (just completed a huge renovation and has a gorgeous hothouse area)
Piedmont Park (next to the Botanical Gardens - a true Atlanta experience is just going down to the park and people watching)

Of course you'll have to visit Centennial Olympic Park, the Coca-Cola building, and CNN - it's part of the Atlanta experience. And if you're into it, there's Six Flags Over Georgia, but I kind of think that's the kind of thing you can do anywhere really.

Oh, and you *must* go to the Varsity drive in (the original one in Midtown) and order an "FO, a yellow dog, and ring one" (a frosted orange, a hot dog with mustard, and a side of onion rings). It's a total grease bomb meal, but it's sooooo good. :)

Karen

[LandR02]

Where is a good place to stay? I do like Marriott but I'm not whating to pay big $$ (over $150) I just want to make it a really sweet relaxing and romantic weekend.

We once stayed at the Swissotel in Buckhead and really enjoyed our stay. We got a ridiculously low rate on Hotwire. Even though you don't know until after you book it, you can specify the neighborhood (Buckhead only) and then select based on the star-ratings of the property. I did a quick search over the holiday weekend, and it looks like you can get a four-star hotel for $150/night. I think one of the challenges to finding a more affordable rate will be the holiday.

Also forgot to mention in my last post - another Atlanta institution is the Varsity - burgers, fries, etc. I don't eat meat, but it's still fun to go (just for the experience!). And if you like ice cream, a stop at Zesto is well worth it! :)

(jinx - KarenS posted about the Varsity before I posted my reply! It really is a trip!)

[juliemag]

I was just in Atlanta a few weeks ago and stayed at the Embassey Suites in Buckhead. The overall area is nice in Buckhead, but I thought it was REALLY far (like a $27-$30 cab ride) from the main downtown area.

We ate one night at this Tapas bar called Twist - it was soooo good! It was in buckhead near the Lenox Mall.

[isign]

Wow thanks for all the ideas - I am into shopping, but of course he is not. He likes archtechture, I like history. We've toured the Braves stadium before, and he liked that. He's going to want to stay some place where we don't have to ride very far to get anywhere. My goal is for him to relax alot (and have a 2nd honeymoon ;) ) I will check out hotwire.com Thanks for that hint.

[njdiva]

Hi,
I will have to agree with the group... Buckhead. My job's national office is in ATL - so I am there 2-3x a year. Yes, it is a drive from the downtown area but isn't everything in Atlanta. So if you rent a car - just be prepared for a 20-30min drive everywhere. And people use the Atlanta very loosely... somethings are not in Atlanta but in the suburbs outside of the city.
Anything near the Lennox Mall is a nice place to stay: Double Tree, JW Marriott, Embassy Suites, etc. There is a new hotel that I heard was very nice but a bit pricey in the area - Intercontinental.

As far as places to eat --- there are alot of places to eat in Atlanta. Just do your research once you guys decide on a hotel. Last business trip, DH & I went to Ruth Chris' Steakhouse and it was the utmost best experience we had... DH is still talking about it. (hopefully you guys are meat eaters ;) ) b/c it is also a bit pricey but it can be your 'treat' night.

and I agree with all of the attractions are a must see in the downtown area...

Good luck!

[KarenS]

He likes archtechture, I like history.Definitely visit the Atlanta History Museum and the Swan House (you can buy admission to both at the museum). The museum includes admission to the Smith farm -which is a working Civil War era farm that was relocated to the museum grounds from just outside the city. The Swan House is an early 20th Century mansion that was built for the Inman family (an Atlanta cotton exchange family). It's built entirely designed around 2 large swan buffets in the formal dining room. If your DH is into architecture, it's a can't miss. It's gorgeous and the history is pretty fascinating, too.

And, on the same street, just down the road, is the Governor's mansion and one of the nicest neighborhoods in Atlanta - a really pretty drive. There's also a photography gallery close by (heh), the old Roxy Theater, and some really good restaurants.

Karen

[shillikm]

Another good (and cheap) restaurant is Osteria del Figo (http://www.figopasta.com/index.htm) - Westside

I agree with the recommendations for Stone Mountain, especially if you can get to the laser show. It's cheesy, but it (and the people watching) can be pretty entertaining too.


Sweetwater Creek Park (http://gastateparks.org/net/go/parks.aspx?locationid=80&siteid=5) has the ruins of a cotton mill burned during the civil war. I've been there once, and there happened to be a history tour, and we actually went down and walked around the ruins. Very cool. But I'm not sure when they run the tours.

[meatpie]

I'll be in town for business and need to take young alumnae from our school out for a drink or casual dinner. Any other recommendations out there? I'm staying in Buckhead, but would want to host the alumnae somewhere they can easily get to. Thanks!

[KarenS]

I'll be in town for business and need to take young alumnae from our school out for a drink or casual dinner. My favorite place in Buckhead for a casual dinner is Rock Bottom Brewery. It's on the corner of Peachtree and Piedmont. Big, casual, got a bar area with some pool tables, got great high backed booth seating... and the food is good too! :)

Karen

[smartgrrl]

CNN is pretty cool. Personally, I'd probably skip the High Museum, it's probably the most disappointing museum I've ever been to in my lifetime. Have fun!

[meatpie]

My favorite place in Buckhead for a casual dinner is Rock Bottom Brewery. It's on the corner of Peachtree and Piedmont. Big, casual, got a bar area with some pool tables, got great high backed booth seating... and the food is good too! :)

Karen

Karen - I think they have closed?!?! Number is disconnected and the location is not listed on their website. Any other ideas?? It would have been perfect...

[KarenS]

Karen - I think they have closed?!?! Number is disconnected and the location is not listed on their website. Any other ideas?? It would have been perfect...Nooooooooooo! *sob* I just visited their website and they've removed their GA listing. I'm so upset!

Ok, um, in the Buckhead area just down the road on Peachtree there is a Cheesecake Factory - it's a chain, but the food is good and you can get a big booth for a bunch of people. I am drawing a total blank on anything else. I used to have a studio down in Buckhead about 7 years ago ... but since we moved the business to the house I really don't go down there very often. Let me ask around and see if anyone else I know has some suggestions.

karen
(bummed ... sigh)

[meatpie]

Thanks, Karen. I was bummed, too. I love Rock Bottom from my Denver-living days and it would have been perfect for this event. But oh well. And thanks for poking around.

This is totally unrelated to Atlanta, but you are a photographer, correct? I'm thinking of getting some pregnancy shots done for a rpesent for the husband. Is that something you do? Any suggestions? I think I remember you from WC (I was Joanna&Ben over there)

[KarenS]

Oh yeah, I do those. In fact, I'm doing some on Saturday ... I'll send you a link when they're done. :)

Are they for here - for your friend, or do you want a referral for a photog in LA - I know a really amazing photog there who does them too! :)

Karen

[meatpie]

Karen,

Since I'm away from the Hus I was thinking about trying to schedule them with you in Atlanta. If we can't manage that - could you give me the name of an LA photog? Thanks!

I'll be in Atlanta Nov. 29 and 30.

[KrissyCat7]

Hi girls,

My DH and I will be staying at the Westin Atlanta Premier North....is there anything close by that you would recommend?

The address of the hotel is 7 Concourse Parkway

Atlanta, Georgia 30328

[Hello Kitty]

I'm staying in ATL by GA Tech for work and want to know if I'm cool walking around by myself in the evening. I probably will want to grab some dinner and head over to whole foods to get breakfast for the next day. Most of the time I'll be stuck in the office, but I'll have a couple of hours to myself and want to know what I can do besides sit in my incredibly small hotel room.

I'd also like to get up and go for a run or walk in the morning (such an idealist!) so is that okay?

Sorry if it's a dumb question and the answer is 'duh, yes of course you'll be safe!' but I know cities can go from fine to sketchy in a matter of blocks. FWIW, I lived in Chicago for a couple of years, so I'm comfortable in cities, I just want to know what to expect. :cool:

[Adaya]

I teach part-time there sometimes, and most of my classes end in the evening, and I feel pretty safe walking from the building to my car...sometimes it's pretty far. I think you'll be fine. The GA Tech area has a lot of those "blue light" security stops, so that might make you feel a bit more secure too. I'd stick to the major streets, and not go off on the side streets which tend to be a bit darker and sometimes have quite a few panhandlers.

They've really built it up nicely in the last few years. There is a nice area with a Barnes and Noble and a quite a few nice restaurants.

[Hello Kitty]

Adaya, thanks for the insider info - I'm actually east of there on Peachtree & North if that makes a difference.

That sounds fair, and that's pretty much what I do in other cities anyway - just common city sense. I can deal with panhandlers.

[KarenS]

I think it's pretty safe. What Adaya said about common sense is dead on. :)

Karen

[KrissyCat7]

I posted this in the other Atlanta thread but I thought Id cross post in this Atlanta thread.



My DH and I will be staying at the Westin Atlanta Premier North....is there anything close by that you would recommend?

The address of the hotel is 7 Concourse Parkway

Atlanta, Georgia 30328

Any suggestions?

[Adaya]

I posted this in the other Atlanta thread but I thought Id cross post in this Atlanta thread.



My DH and I will be staying at the Westin Atlanta Premier North....is there anything close by that you would recommend?

The address of the hotel is 7 Concourse Parkway

Atlanta, Georgia 30328

Any suggestions?

I think that is the Westin at Perimeter. I just checked out the info on the web and it says that Perimeter Mall is 1 mile away. So that being the case, there's quite a bit around there. I'm not sure about nightlife, but you won't be too far away from downtown and Buckhead if you have access to a car.

Anyway, Perimeter Mall is very nice. There are a ton of restaurants close by. Cheesecake Factory, Houston's, P.F. Changs, Brio, McCormick and Schmick's (which has an AWESOME happy hour from 3:30-7pm with $1.95-$3.95 bar menu with drink purchases), Garrison's Steakhouse, and tons more. If you let me know what kind of food you like, I may be able to tell you what else is around. They have the typical chains and then some other good restaurants too.

I just discovered a really good bbq restaurant called Shane's Rib Shack. Love love love that place!! It's in a new part of that area that they just built up. It's so pretty. There's a Super Target, Kohl's, Carrabba's, Outback, Panera and a bunch of other stuff in that circle. It's really neat. There's also a bunch of neat little shops to check out.

Hope this helps a little. Let me know if you have any questions or if I can be more specific.

[KarenS]

My DH and I will be staying at the Westin Atlanta Premier North....is there anything close by that you would recommend?ACtually it's Perimeter North. As in I-285, which is the Perimeter around the city. :) As Adaya said, there's a huge mall in that area - lots of little shops, a couple of new shopping areas, etc.

What do you like to do and eat and will you have a car? Oh, and how long will you be here?

Karen

[KrissyCat7]

Thank you Adaya and Karen.


What do you like to do and eat and will you have a car? Oh, and how long will you be here? We love zoo's, aquariums, malls, sporting events. We will be there a week, DH will be there on business so I will have to entertain myself during the day. I will have a car.

[Adaya]

Oh you'll have to check out the new aquarium which is downtown. The thing is you have to get tickets in advance since it's so new. I don't think you can just walk up and expect to get in. I believe all you need is like a day or so advance. I haven't been yet, but I hear it's awesome. Here's a link to their website.

GA Aquarium (http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/)

Not sure if the Braves will be in town, but here's the homepage to get the scoop on them.

Braves (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=atl)

There is a movie theater in that area just in case you want to catch up on your movies. I'm sure the hotel can give you the info on where it is. I don't know much about our zoo. In all the 14 years, I've been here, I haven't checked it out.

I'm thinking of some more things...I'll be back.

[KarenS]

Malls - you should definitely visit Lenox Mall, then. You'll be near Perimeter Mall, but Lenox is not far away and is our high end mall. Tiffany's, Niemans, Saks Fifth Ave, etc., etc. Phipps Plaza is just kitty-corner to Lenox and continues the upscale shopping theme with Bob Ellis Shoes, etc.

I can spend a whole day just wandering thru Lenox and Phipps and I'm not even a shopper. :)

I'm not all that fond of our zoo - I don't think it's great. But I've heard the aquarium is fantastic and we've got some pretty decent museums as well. Also check out Swan House at the Atlanta History Center for a tour of a really cool turn of hte century mansion that's entirely designed around two marble swan tables. :)

Karen

[skb]

Just checking to see if anybody is familiar with downtown Atlanta. My husband and I will be visiting for the first time at the end of September for 5 days. We will be staying in the downtown area and do not plan to rent a car at this time. I'm curious about shopping, entertainment and restaurants. I've read that the Atlanta Grill is supposed to be good. I'm uncertain about shopping in the area...Peachtree Plaza? Hoping to pick up an outfit for a wedding and a dress for a semi-formal function this fall. Besides shopping and eatting, what is a must-see while we are there? Thanks for your help.

[KrissyCat7]

We were just in Atlanta in August. Some of the things I would suggest are Phipps Plaza http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=210 , Lenox Mall http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=207, and the Georgia Aquarium http://www.flaquarium.org/ (make reservations a few days in advance).

There are a few other threads in the travel section on things to do in Atlanta.

[HeatherFL]

I've been to Atlanta several times, and done some of the touristy stuff (Aquarium, restaurants, etc.) but I'm just bumping for more ideas, or maybe any festivals or stuff possibly going the weekend of June 15th? I'll have a car. :) Thanks! (Also recs for the Duluth area are welcomed!)

[psusna]

Heather: Two best restaurants in the Duluth area -- Stoney River Steakhouse and Garrison's. They sit across the intersection from each other (141 and Pleasant Hill Road) and both attract A-listers from Atlanta.

As far as things to do in Duluth this weekend, I'm not sure but I can check. There is good shopping in Norcross (the town next door) at The Forum (it's on 141 so it would be good shopping followed by good dinner at either of the two restaurants mentioned). Even better shopping in Alpharetta and Roswell (both north of Duluth).

I'll keep thinking....DH works in Duluth so I can enlist his help as well.

Also, if you are going to be in downtown Atlanta, have you visited the new Atlantic Station area yet?

[HeatherFL]

Thank You! :)

[Adaya]

Heather:

Also, if you are going to be in downtown Atlanta, have you visited the new Atlantic Station area yet?

Atlantic Station is a great place to spend some time shopping and possibly dining. I love it down there and always take people when they visit from out of town.

eta: Also, if you like art museums, the High has 2 great exhibits, the Louvre Atlanta and the Annie Leibovitz Photo gallery just opened up. Finally, on Friday night they have Jazz at the High and it's a really fun event. It's from 5-10 and it's usually around $15. This week's artist is Dan Baraszu, a jazz guitarist. It's great b/c you can check out the musuem, listen to great jazz and sip on some yummy cocktails. If I wasn't going out of town, I'd be there as I try to go every month. Here's a link: High (http://high.org/)

[HeatherFL]

Adaya Thank you so much! That sounds so awesome. I am going to try really hard to do that on Friday night!

I have been to Atlantic Station, LOL did a lot of good shopping there with Todd as a matter of fact. And we ate there and saw a movie too. It was really cool! Our cab driver kept telling us it was indoors, LOL, and when we got there it was cool to see the way it was set-up.

~H.

[numberlady]

Bumping up to see if there are any recommendations for really good antique malls/shops in Atlanta. DH and I are going this weekend.

[j*east]

My sister and I are visiting my brother in Atlanta at the end of March. I'm PG and craving meat; they'll both be looking to get liquored up. Any steakhouse recommendations? My sister and I are treating my brother (who's in law school) so we're looking for something fun and tasty.

We'll be staying at the Marriott Century Center (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlne-atlanta-marriott-century-center/). I've never been to Atlanta, but it's about 5 miles or so from the Lenox Mall, right off 85, and my brother lives in Brookhaven (? that's what Mapquest calls it).