Here's a list of some
of the places to eat, shop and hang in Atlanta. I've culled it down to only
the places that I would go, or would recommend others to go, or that deserve
a mention despite the fact I wouldn't be caught dead there, which actually
might be a poor choice of words in respect to Underground. So here it is.
If you have any questions about any of these places, you can just click the
associated link. If you want a deeper take, simply drop me a line and I'll
give you the best information I can.
You can get to many of these places using MARTA,
the city's transportation system. It stops near the Perimeter mall, within
walking distance of the hotel. You can get to Buckhead and any of the downtown
attractions using MARTA.
They just raised the rates to $1.75 and it doesn't come that frequently, but
the ride is quiet and it's relatively safe. It stops running at 1am on weekdays
and 12:20 on weekends, at which point you're encouraged to drink and drive.
Just kidding!!!
For additional information, check out Atlanta CitySearch.
Things to do near the hotel
These are places that are pretty close to the hotel. Some places you can walk to, others are just a short drive away.
Shopping
Perimeter
Mall
There's a Nordstrom's, a Macy's, a Rich's and a JC Penney's
plus a bunch of the standard mall fare. I go here for lunch often, but I can't
recommend anything in the food court. There's a CompUSA up the road from here
and a Best Buy across the street in case you need to shop for any last minute
wedding gifts!
More information
WalMart
Plaza
Sometimes WalMart is the only place that will have something
that you need. It's right up Ashford Dunwoody, about a mile on your right.
Restaurants
California Pizza Kitchen
I hate this place, but you can walk to it from the hotel.
Il Fornaio
This is a good place. It's up Ashford Dunwoody to the left,
opposite the WalMart Plaza.
P.F. Chang's
Americanized Chinese food. It's pretty good. I recommend the
duck. Same complex as Il Fornaio.
Maggiano's
Just like the one in Chicago only newer. It's just outside
the mall, within walking distance.
The Cheesecake
Factory
They have generous portions of American food of all types.
The menu is half food choices, half advertisements. Tres classe. The desserts
are very good, and they better be based on the name.
Mick's
Casual eatery that I kinda like. Sarra doesn't, though. It's across the street
from the mall.
Houston's
Sorta classy chain restaurant, right out front of the WalMart Plaza. Generally
these places are pretty good, but I've heard the service is bad at this particular
one. *shrug*
Things to do here and there
Shopping
Phipps
Plaza
This is the chi chi mall. I rarely go here 'cause my tastes
aren't that good, but this is where you'll find Tiffany's and..um…other
stores like that. There's a movie theater too. A pretty annoying one, too
- you buy your tickets on a different floor than the actual theaters. Whatever.
Lenox
Mall
Lenox Square is the shining star of malls in a city full of
them. This is the centerpiece of Atlanta. It's where they light off the 4th
of July fireworks and set up the big Christmas tree. Leave it to Atlanta to
house their cultural center in a mall. It really is nice though.
Culture
Ok, well not all culture is in the mall.
High Museum
Art. Hanging on walls.
Woodruff
Arts Center
This is one of the Coca Cola founders. He gave lots of money
to Atlanta, so you often see the name Woodruff. It's a complex that holds
the Atlanta Symphony, the High Museum, and other cultural stuff.
Fernbank Museum
This is Atlanta's our natural history museum.
ZooAtlanta
This is Atlanta's Zoo! Duh! It's pretty nice. We've got pandas,
thanks to our very own Dr. Rebecca Snyder. Check out the pandacam
if you don't plan on visiting.
Bars/Nightlife
Virginia Highland
This is my favorite district in Atlanta, and I lived there
for 8 years as a result. The atmosphere is generally yuppie-ish with a good
amount of grunge thrown in. But that's not hip anymore…so I guess it
would be Gen-X? Whatever.
Atkins Park
Ah…memories of pitchers of screwdrivers on a lazy Saturday
morning. No wait, that was Wednesday…check that! These aren't my memories!
Anyway, it's often crowded, but it's got charm and the food is excellent.
Dark Horse Tavern
Major yuppie place. I hate the upstairs part, but downstairs
you can catch some local bands and the atmosphere is much much cooler, if
louder. If you want to eat here, you'll have to go upstairs. The food is great,
but there you go with that atmosphere issue again.
Moe's
and Joe's
Our social group has been frequenting this bar on Tuesday's
for a decade. The description you get to via the link is spot on. You rarely
go wrong with the wings or a burger.
Neighbors
Pub
I hate this place, but I know a lot of my friends like it,
so I listed it.
Limerick
Junction
This is the Irish pub in the Highlands. Grab a Guinness. Sometimes
live folk singing which really grates on my last nerve, but some may like
it.
The
Highland Tap
A dark, musty, stone-walled cavern with great martinis, and
great rum and cokes. It's also an excellent steak house. It's evolved into
quite the meat market, however, and I don't go there very much anymore. The
steak sandwich is recommended!
Blind
Willie's
Blues bar featuring, well, blues acts. Not much of a bar when
there's nothing going on. When there is, it's usually packed. If you like
the blues and you can't get to Chicago, this is the place to go -- unless
you wanna go to Northside, which I rarely do. Ask Jason and Hamish about that
place.
Little Five
Points
This is the Greenwich Village of Atlanta.
Euclid
Avenue Yacht Club
The coolest place in Little 5. Small dive-y bar with so-so
food.
The
Brewhouse Cafe
This is the place to go if you're into foreign sports.
Manuel's Tavern
Democratic hangout. If you're lucky, you'll see Jimmy Carter
and Bill Clinton quaffing a few…or maybe you'll be unlucky if you see
that. Food is adequate.
The Vortex
Best burgers in Atlanta. So-so bar though. There's another
in midtown on Peachtree.
Buckhead
Into the cheese factor? This is your place. Lots of thumping
bass tracks, slick backed hair and luxury cars with tacky gold trim. It's
the largest bar district in Atlanta.
Fado
Irish Pub
Takes that good ole' Irish pub feeling and infuses it with
Buckhead cheese.
Atlanta
Beer Garten
Takes that good ole' German beer garden feeling and infuses
it with Buckhead cheese.
World
Bar
Takes that good ole' dance club feeling and…oh, well it
doesn't do anything to that.
ESPN
Zone
Just like on TV.
BAR
We used to go here 'cause they had a free keg of Milwaukee's
Best. It's based on the NY club scene, but I haven't been to either in years.
3
Dollar Cafe
Best wings in Atlanta.
Many many more…
Sandy Springs
Taco Mac
Lots and lots of beer on tap. Decent food - especially wings.
Good place to hang after work.
3 Dollar Café
See Buckhead description.
American Pie
A good sized bar/dance place where the waitresses wear blue
hotpants ala Hooters.
The Prado (Frankie's,
Kobe Steaks, Phoenix Brewery)
The Prado is on Roswell Rd., just south of 285 (the Perimeter).
Frankie's is the same as Jocks and Jills (see description below). Kobe Steaks
is a Japanese steakhouse of good repute. Phoenix Brewery is a brewpub with
good food and decent beer.
Things to do downtown
There's not much to do downtown, but if you've never been,
you should check it out while you're here.
Attractions
World
of Coke
Coke from around the world! And many other choices! If you
like carbonated sugar water, this is your place.
Underground Atlanta
An underground mall ostensibly a stronghold that survived the
Sherman conflagration. Basically a tourist trap, and a dangerous one in the
nighttime. Avoid this place.
CNN Center/Sports
Complex
Go say "Hey" to Ted, and maybe Elliot. The CNN tour
is kinda fun and you're within walking distance of the Georgia Dome and Philips
Arena. Lots of fast food and a couple of sports bars.
Restaurants
Hard Rock Café
Ever been to one? This one is just as hokey and overpriced.
Planet Hollywood
See above.
Jocks & Jills
A local establishment that has grown national. It was started
by Hawks players Scott Hastings and Randy Whittman and sportscaster Craig
Sager. Later Doc Rivers and John Battle bought in. The food is pretty good
(avoid the pasta salad), and there are plenty of TV sets.
Things to do outside of Atlanta
Stone Mountain
Park
If the weather's nice and you like to walk around in the out
of doors, this might be a nice diversion. Check
the link to find out everything you need to know.
