Atlanta, Georgia – Sweet Spots and Hot Spots

The Atlanta Scene

 

Welcome to Atlanta, Georgia!  Home of the Braves (baseball team), Southern Belles, and down home cooking.  Oh, and let’s not forget that most of the Daily Chefs for the Petit Fours and Hot Tamales blog happen to call this part of the country home.  Who better than our very own PF&HT sisters to give our readers tips and tricks about navigating this fabulous city and to kick off a whole new series for the blog; travel the world in words.  Welcome and we hope you find something useful, whether you are planning to visit or even write about the wonderful city of Atlanta!

 

 Cinthia Hamer

 

My favorite restaurant in Atlanta is Dante’s Down The Hatch. The food is fondue, so plan on a couple hours minimum.  Inside it looks like a nineteenth century waterfront with a ship tied up to the dock.  There are real crocodiles in the water. If you want chocolate fondue for dessert, you need to call ahead and make arrangements for it.

 

If you’re into yarns (the kind you make socks and sweaters with) head to Virginia Highlands and check out Knitch.

 

About an hour and a half southeast of Atlanta is the tiny town of Juliette, Georgia. This was where the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes was filmed.  Check out the restaurant where the movie was filmed, The Whistle Stop Café.   It’s a fun side trip worth the time it takes to get there. A few miles down the road from there is the Jarrell Plantation, a restored antebellum plantation with a self-guided tour. If you’re interested in this era, this is a great place to go. The gardens are beautiful and show examples of many different plants that were grown on a farm–some for eating, some for dyes and some for medicinal purposes.

 

Just south of Atlanta, in Morrow, is The National Archives. We’re one of the few lucky cities in the US to have this valuable resource. So, if you’re visiting and have the time to do some research, this is a wonderful place to go if you’re writing historical books or have an interest in genealogy.

 

Sandy Elzie

 

Medieval Times. It’s a fun escape back to another era where you eat a feast with your hands and cheer your knight as he jousts with others in a display of skill that is worth the price of admission.  The horses are well-trained, the service is good and the food is great.
I highly recommend you spend an evening in a bygone time and tip a stein with friends.

 

Marilyn Baron

 

The Big Fish. Everyone in Atlanta has heard of The Big Chicken, a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Marietta, GA, which features a 56-foot-tall steel-sided structure in the shape of a chicken. But I want to tell you about another landmark and my favorite restaurant in the city, Atlanta Fish Market. You could also call it The Big Fish, because as you drive up to the establishment at 265 Pharr Road, in an area of the city known as Buckhead, you come upon a 65-foot copper fish sculpture. In my opinion, this restaurant serves the freshest and best fish in town and offers a great selection, all displayed in a glass seafood case. The signature dish and my favorite is the fried lobster tail. The sea bass is also delicious and any entrée my family has ever tried has met with rave reviews. Even the bread is good. The service is gracious, and the atmosphere is comfortable. It’s part of the successful Buckhead Life Restaurant Group. We go there for all our family celebrations. This would be a great place to set a scene or be seen.

 

Linsey Lanier

 

One of my very favorite places to eat around Atlanta is The Cheesecake Factory. Several years ago, my husband worked for a company who liked to reward employees by taking them to great restaurants for lunch. When they took him to the Cheesecake Factory, afterward, he told me “You’ve got to see this place!”

 

With its thick Grecian columns painted in a fanciful peach-hued style, the décor and ambiance is fabulous. The entrees are to-die-for, and the cheesecakes are . . . a surreal experience. I gain pounds just thinking about them. Now we go there every year for special occasions. We’ve discovered several around the area, Buckhead, Perimeter Mall, Alpharetta.

 

My favorite dinner starts with Endive, Pecan, and Blue Cheese salad, which hubby and I share. Then comes my entrée of choice, Herb Encrusted Filet of Salmon with asparagus and mashed potatoes, in an unbelievable lemon sauce. (I never finish it all.) And for dessert? My very favorite cheesecake – Kahlua Cocoa Coffee. Yum, yum!

 

J. Perry Stone

 

For my husband and me, the temperature of a city can only be taken by mouth.    It’s all about the food, people, and if you’re traveling to Atlanta (or any other worthy urban destination); your best bet is haunting the city’s offering of ethnic fare.   The following are my favorites:

 

Indian:  Udipi Café (404) 325-1933.  1850 Lawrenceville Hwy Ste 700 Decatur, GA 30033.  Amazing Vegetarian buffet that never leaves you wondering “Where’s the meat?”  It’s all in the spice.

Thai: Red Elephant (770) 980-1890.  3000 Windy Hill Road, South East Marietta, GA 30067.  Fresh, savory food served by the sweetest servers ever.

Cuban: Coco Loco Cuban and Caribbean Café (404) 261-0198.  2625 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324.  The shredded flank steak (ropa vieja) is to die for.

Persian: Rumi’s Kitchen (404) 477-2100.  6152 Roswell Rd, NE Atlanta, GA 30328-3909.  Best Persian in the city.  Try the Koobideh Kabob.

 

Susan C May

 

The High Museum of Art is my favorite place in Atlanta. I enjoy the traveling art exhibits as well as the regular pieces. I’ve gotten to see Monet, Picasso, pieces from the Louvre and many others. The High offers world class art without having to travel to other countries. The museum has been enlarged and improved in recent years and is very visitor friendly. Parking is below the building and located for easy in and easy out.

 

The High Museum of Art is located at 1280 Peachtree Street, between 15th and 16th Streets in Midtown Atlanta next to the Woodruff Arts Center’s Memorial Arts Building.

 

Tami Brothers

 

Atlanta is one of my very favorite places.  For a girl who grew up in a small rural town in Wyoming, Atlanta has EVERYTHING I could ever dream of wanting.  Some of my favorites are;

 

Must See!

 

Cyclorama Atlanta – This is a really neat Civil War museum with a 360 degree cyclorama painting depicting a famous battle fought in this area.  Located right next to Zoo Atlanta, this is a great add on to your zoo trip or even a terrific solo excursion.

 

The Children’s Museum Atlanta – This is a great place to take the kids.  Lots of interactive places and even day camp programs.

 

If you think you might like to take in a show, you have to check out the Fox Theatre.  There is always something new to see.

 

Dig your hands into a block of clay at Wired and Fired, a pottery playhouse.  This is fun for people of ALL ages.

 

Emory Michael C. Carlos Museum is a little known place that my family happened on by accident.  This trip was also the first time my son saw a real “live” mummy.  He was beyond thrilled.

Food and More

 

Sun Dial Restaurant – Take a ride in a glass elevator (outside) to the top of the building, grab a table by the window and dine on some fabulous food.  Or check out the observatory deck and the 360 degree view of the Atlanta skyline.  Breathtaking!

 

The Swan House – For a neat, southern experience, take a trip to the Swan House.  This is a fun tea house, gift shop and art gallery.  It’s described as “one of the most recognized and photographed landmarks in Atlanta.”

 

How about a ride on the wild side of life at the Opera Nightclub?  You can rub elbows with some of Atlanta’s elite citizens while enjoying the Opera’s various themed rooms as the party rocks on around you.

 

Check out Fogo De Chow, an authentic Brazilian Steakhouse.  Seriously, if you go to this place, don’t eat for a week beforehand.  They just keep bringing you more and more food.

 

You can’t visit Atlanta without stopping in at the Varsity.  Advertised as the “world’s largest drive-in,” it’s not just the food that makes this place a must see.  It’s the nostalgic feel that brings people back again and again. But be prepared for very long lines and possibly a wait for a seat.  This place is definitely a popular destination.

 

Don’t forget about Dekalb Farmers Market where you can get just about anything you are looking for.

 

Something Physical?

 

Daucet Trails – This is a bit of a drive south of Atlanta, to Jackson, Georgia; but well worth the trip.  If you are into hiking, biking, or Geocaching, you’ll find your niche here.

 

Do you like fishing, tennis, hiking, golfing, swimming or camping?  Then definitely check out Big Canoe.   Heck, they even have a spa.  They don’t allow motor homes or tents, but you can rent a cabin in the North Georgia Appalachians an hour north of Atlanta and soak up the ambiance.

 

Sports

 

You can’t come to Georgia without talking sports of some kind.

• If you are here, you definitely have to check out Turner Field and the Atlanta Braves.

 

• You can’t visit Atlanta for very long without hearing about the football rivalry between Georgia Tech and University of Georgia (from Athens).  I have friends who went to school at both these locations and the rivalry is pretty serious.  It’s actually kind of funny to listen to my son’s doctor joke around with the other doctor in his office who went to the ‘rival’ school.

 

• Don’t forget about NASCAR and the Atlanta Georgia Speedway.  They also have the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

 

Nicki Salcedo

 

Atlanta: Why a City So Hot Can Be So Cool

 

If you are coming to Atlanta for business, you may want to come early or stay late.  Here’s a local’s guide for everything that is hot and good places to stop.

Atlanta History

Atlanta has strong ties to all things civil.  Local history is steeped in everything from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement. One of my favorite spots is the lesser know Stone Mountain Village just outside the more widely known Stone Mountain Park.  It’s not your typical shot glass and keychain tourist experience. When you’re ready for more Atlanta history, try these hot spots.

 

Atlanta that was…

Stone Mountain Park http://www.stonemountainpark.com

Margaret Mitchell House & Museum http://gwtw.org

Atlanta History Center http://www.atlantahistorycenter.com

Historic Oakland Cemetery http://www.oaklandcemetery.com

 

Kings and Presidents…

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. http://thekingcenter.com

Jimmy Carter Library and Museum http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov

 

Spiritual Interests…

Ebenezer Baptist Church www.historicebenezer.org

Congregation Beth Jacob http://www.bethjacobatlanta.org/

Cathedral of Christ the King www.cathedralofchristtheking.org

Peachtree Presbyterian Church www.peachtreepres.org

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir http://atlanta.baps.org/

 

New ATL

No one calls it Hotlanta anymore.  ATL is the home of quaint intown neighborhoods, night spots, shopping, and eateries galore.

 

Day Play

You don’t have to wait for the sun to goes down to have fun in Atlanta.

• Fernbank Science Center through August 31, 2006. http://www.fernbank.edu
• World of Coca-Cola http://www.woccatlanta.com
• Georgia Aquarium http://www.georgiaaquarium.org
• Stroll through Piedmont Park http://www.piedmontpark.org or Centennial Olympic Park http://www.centennialpark.com

 

Shopping Paradise 

You know Southern ladies like to shop.   It’s okay to buy a pair of shoes while you’re here.

• Atlantic Station. Outdoor shopping complex with a movie theater at 17^th Street. http://www.atlanticstation.com
• Lennox Square Mall for Neiman Marcus, The Gap, Ann Taylor. Eat at Prime. http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=207
• Phipp’s Plaza for Gucci, Tiffany, Versace, Nordstrom, Saks. Eat at Twist Restaurant & Tapas Bar. http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=210

 

Keeping it Real

Every time you go on vacation, you wonder where the locals are.  I’ll tell where to see real Atlanta.  If you have a few hours to shop, stroll, and eat then check out these intown neighborhoods not found on a tourist map.

 

• Virginia Highlands, also known as “The Highlands.”  This neighborhood’s epicenter is located at the corner of Virginia Avenue and North Highland Avenue.  There are some unique boutiques and eateries.  Several of my favorite bars and restaurants are found along this strip.  Hungry?  Try Surin (810 N Highland Ave) for Thai or Murphy’s (997 Virginia Ave) for American.

 

• Little Five Points.  Atlanta’s answer to San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district. Wouldn’t it be cool if you and your critique partners got matching tattoos that said “RWA 2006?”  If not, then take stroll with the crunchy, granola, tattooed, pierced, and avant-garde.  I would recommend shopping at Junkman’s Daughter (464 Euclid Ave) or Abbadabba’s (421-B Moreland Ave) and a fish and chips at the Brewhouse (401 Moreland Ave).

 

• Decatur.  Atlanta’s first suburb is now considered “intown.” If you make it this far out of the city you should try the Cakes & Ale or Watershed Restaurant (both on Ponce De Leon Ave) or have coffee at Dancing Goats or Java Monkey (also both on Ponce De Leon Ave).  My favorite place just outside of Decatur is the DeKalb Farmer’s Market (3000 E Ponce De Leon Ave).  This is the best place in Atlanta to see food and people from 100 countries.  If you want to try the public transportation, take MARTA on the east line to Decatur and you’ll end up in the City of Decatur Square.

 

Nightlife in ATL

 

Appletini Girls: So, you will never live like those women in Sex in the City, but you can pretend.  Strap on your stilettos and push-up bras and find other pretty people like you!

• Leopard Lounge http://www.leopardlounge.biz
• Sutra Lounge Atlanta http://www.sutraloungeatl.com

 

The After Party: From Bobby Brown to Big Boi, Atlanta has more than its fair share of entertainment professionals.  Wanna know where the cool kids go?

• MJQ http://www.mjqatlanta.com/
• Dugan’s Bar & Restaurant (777 Ponce de Leon Avenue)

 

The Devil went down to Georgia: If you know who Gretchen Wilson is, try one of these country and blues hot spots.

• Blind Willie’s Blues Club http://www.blindwilliesblues.com
• Wild Bill Gentry’s Saloon http://www.wildbillsatlanta.com
• The Swallow at the Hollow http://www.theswallowatthehollow.com

 

Where things go bump in the Atlanta night: Goth girls, bondage, and vampires haunt these places.

• Vortex http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com
• Jungle http://www.jungleclubatlanta.com/
• The Masquerade http://www.masq.com/

 

Drop the drama: You want to go out at night, but without loud music, skeezy men, and alcohol.

• Café Intermezzo for coffee and people watching http://www.cafeintermezzo.com
• Go to the Turner Field, also known as “The Ted,” and catch a Braves game. http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com
• The High Museum of Art Atlanta for Friday Jazz http://high.org
• A local favorite is Martinis and IMAX at Fernbank Science Center Friday nights.  Get dressed up, sip martinis under the world’s largest dinosaur, and then watch a flick about Antarctica or Mount Everest.  Educational fun for grownups! http://www.fernbank.edu/museum/martinis.html.
• Fox Theater  http://foxtheatre.org

 

Recreation

 

There’s a TON of fun and interesting things to do in Atlanta!

 

We’ve tried to list the most popular ones below with links to sites where you can glean more information on pricing, hours of operation, location, travel and parking. If you plan to see several attractions, an Atlanta City Pass may be something you want to consider, with one low price for six attractions. For a wider range of attractions the Atlanta area has to offer, visit Welcome to Downtown Atlanta or the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.

 

Atlanta Botanical Gardens – Several gardens are included within the grounds, including the Storza Woods nature walk, a conservation garden for many of the world’s endangered plants, and several water features and sculptures scattered throughout.

 

Atlanta History Center – This 33-acre attraction in the heart of Atlanta’s Buckhead district encompasses the Atlanta History Museum, Centennial Olympic Games Museum, historic gardens and tours of two historic houses: Swan House and Tullie Smith Farm.

 

Fernbank Museum of Natural History and IMAX Theatre – With its permanent exhibitions, special limited-time exhibitions, and exciting IMAX presentations that sweep you into the world of nature, the Fernbank is a happening place. In addition, programs like Star Talk, Weekend Wonders and Martinis and IMAX give visitors the ability to individualize their experience.

 

Georgia Aquarium – It’s a must-see with more aquatic life than in any other aquarium. GA Aquarium’s eight million gallons of marine and fresh water is unprecedented. Experience a living coral reef, the world’s largest fish- the whale shark, playful Beluga whales and a host of other creatures of the deep blue. Five exhibits: Cold Water Quest, Georgia Explorer, Ocean Voyager, River Scout and Tropical Diver and a 4D Theatre.

 

High Museum of Art – Housed in an architectural masterpiece in midtown Atlanta, the High is “one of the nation’s great museums of the twenty-first century.” Nearly 450,000 visitors a year peruse the exhibits in 312,000 square feet of the High’s elite gallery spaces. It’s a cultural experience you won’t soon forget.

 

Inside CNN Atlanta Studio Tour – Take a 50 minute, guided tour of the CNN studios, and see the history of the CNN News Group Networks. Everything from hard-hitting news to the Cartoon Network.

 

Margaret Mitchell House and Museum and the Gone With the Wind Movie Museum – Do you get caught up in the romance and drama of Gone With the Wind no matter how many times you’ve seen it? Is the book a favorite? Then you won’t want to miss these tributes to the author and the movie.

 

Six Flags Over Georgia – If you’re a thrill seeker, this is the place for you. Six Flags Over Georgia boasts “some of the fastest, tallest, wildest, gut-wrenchingest rides in the country-including a few record-breakers.” Well all-righty then! Once you’ve worked up a sweat there, beat the heat with Six Flags White Water“>Six Flags White Water – a Travel Channel Top 10 Water Park with 50 amazing attractions. It’s just what you need to cool off.

 

Underground Atlanta – experience the shopping, dining, history and entertainment that gives Atlanta its unique flavor.

 

World of Coca-Cola – Located across from the GA Aquarium, this new and improved attraction opened this year with twice the space, new exhibits, a 4D theatre, and exciting memorabilia. Seeunce bottles of Coke produced before your eyes and taste over 70 different flavors from around the world.

 

Zoo Atlanta – You better believe this is the wildest place in town. Lions, tigers and bears? Oh, My! And that’s only the beginning. Check out their schedule of events happening every day and enjoy learning more about the critters in our world.

 

A Southern Blessing

 

We hope you have a wonderful time in Atlanta.  May your days in Atlanta be tempered with cool breezes and good memories of Southern fun.

 

For more ATL secrets, tips, and restaurants go to http://www.8headedhydra.com.