I am in Atlanta a couple days for work and we have hit the ground running.
Joel found Varsity, The World's Largest Drive-in Restaurant. It has been in Atlanta since 1928. The cheeseburgers were okay, the fries good and the chocolate shake fantastic. I love the tray they hook onto your window.
I made a mess of myself eating in the car however. When we got to our hotel I discovered I had ketchup and chocolate shake all over the front of my shirt.
We don't have much time here... but are there any "must see's"?
Yeah there are must sees! Me for one! I'm only 4 hours away. Dag, if only the timing were better. OK, there's an IKEA there, and the Coke museum, the Atlanta underground.
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
Go to the Olympic Centennial Park. It's not far from the Varsity, and in that same area is the Georgia Aquarium, the CNN Center and the World of Coca-Cola Museum. Just be aware that since it's summer, expect very long lines. However, the Park is a lot of fun, and best of all, it's free. I've never been the biggest fan of Underground Atlanta, but it's worth a walkaround.
ReplyDeleteFinally, tour the Martin Luther King center. There's his church, his home and the memorial center where he and Coretta are both buried.
As for restaurants, try the Virginia-Highlands area. There is a good mix of different kinds of fare. My favorite is American Roadhouse because they give you enough food for lunch that you don't have to eat dinner. Also, VAHI has great gelato shops.
Have a great time there!
The Flying Biscuit! There's a location in midtown - get the Love Cakes (black bean cakes) and a biscuit. So good! The Coke museum is also sorta a must do, although expect to feel really sick afterward.
ReplyDeleteThere is Huey's and the Georgia Grille, both on Peachtree Street. Ha, get around that one. On West Peachtree, you will find the Vortex, best burgers around - IMHO! I cannot believe you're in Atlanta! Yayyy!
ReplyDeleteI second the Flying Biscuit. It will change your life. Go to the original in Candler Park at any time other than weekend brunch- don't worry the breakfast is always available. And you will NEED to pick up a cookbook, trust me.
ReplyDeleteCafe Sunflower is one of my very favorite restaurants in Atlanta. It is all vegetarian but most of the patrons are not vegetarian... they are there for the creative menu. My very carnivorous husband enjoys it very much. www.cafesunflower.com
ReplyDeleteGo to the aquarium. You have to buy tickets in advance for a particular time, it is definitely worth a visit.
ReplyDelete:) that's "THE Varsity". When I lived in Athens GA they had one and always had funny radio commercials with people shouting "Meet me at the V!!"
ReplyDeleteGo to The votex in Little 5 Points for the best Hamburgers in the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree ... Coke museum is great. A must, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteJenny, I live in Rochester now, but used to live in ATL. Go to Mary Mac's Tea Room on Ponce de Leon - it's a few minutes east of the Varsity (my favorite place in all of Atlanta). Good old fashioned southern food. Fried chicken to die for. Or try the Dwarf House in East Point near the airport--it's the original Chick Fil-A--a diner with hilarious dwarf decorations. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI was just in Atlanta myself (my boyfriend is from there). If you are a coffee person try Cafe Intermezzo http://www.cafeintermezzo.com/
ReplyDeleteand the Mellow mushroom http://www.mellowmushroom.com/main1.html has great pizza. The locals consider the Coke Museum a tourist trap. I did enjoy the High Museum of Art http://www.high.org/
Have fun!
I used to live there, still visit now and then ---
ReplyDeleteI second previous votes for the Aquarium and Cafe Intermezzo. I'd also recommend Eats on Ponce de Leon (pasta and veggies) and Everbody's Pizza (especially the cheese sticks) in the Virginia Highland Neighborhood.
The Stone Mountain Laser Show (take a picnic with you) is also a popular summertime stop.
(Should have gotten a chili dog.) I recommend the Aquarium, depending on your available time. Takes a few hours to see it properly. Virginia Highlands-great neighborhood with shops/restaurants. Are you here Thurs. night? Screen On The Green at Piedmont Park (if it doesn't rain) is lots of fun. Movie is "E.T." Skip Underground. Historical, but that's about it. BTW: Best burger is at the E.A.R.L. in East Atlanta.
ReplyDeleteLittle Five Points is very cool and funky, and seconding burgers at the Vortex. The Braves are at home through tomorrow night, there are dollar seats available 3 hours before gametime (7:35 pm). Don't look anyone who's hanging out on the street in the eye, because that's license (to them) for them to ask for money. And if you are there this weekend, check this out: http://www.secretroom.net
ReplyDeleteI have to put in word in for my 'hood, East Atlanta. East Atlanta: Where Hipsters Go To Breed (TM me). Check out the Earl, which is a kick-ass little music venue (badearl.com) and some damn good bar food.
ReplyDeleteI live in Atlanta, yeah! I second the GA Aquarium, CNN Center, and High Museum of Art. And yes, the World of Coca-Cola is a tourist trap, but I still love to go at least once a year. Learning the history is cool, and where else can you try all the cool European and Asian samples like Lychee Cola and the likes??
ReplyDeleteKaren
Glad that you got to experience the Varsity, it's an ATL institution. I second some of the other recommendations - breakfast at Flying Biscuit, burgers at the Vortex and southern food at Mary Mac's. Six Feet Under on Memorial Drive is a seafood restaurant that's right next to a beautiful historic cemetery, very cool place w/ great food. Taqueria del Sol has wonderful super-fresh tacos, guacamole and margaritas. I'd skip World of Coke and hit the aquarium if you have a few hours to spend. Oh, and the High Museum is also good, there's an Annie Lebowitz exhibit there right now. Have a great time in Atlanta!
ReplyDelete