atlanta

[themooge]

Im going to be heading out to atlanta at the end of may for a huge volleyball tournament and will be staying downtown. Any tips for atlanta? How far away is DT from the airport? DT a fun place?

 

[random horn]

No, downtown is boring, but it does have the aquarium which I hear is awesome. ATL is a good bit from downtown (but MARTA goes there!). For nightlife, you'll have to go over to Midtown, Buckhead, Little Five Points, or the Highlands.

 

[GatorHorn]

Yeah, I've heard that Buckhead isn't what it once was. And I think ATL is about a 30-40 minute ride on MARTA to downtown.

Downtown doesn't have much going on, though. During the day you've got the tourist trap type places like the World of Coke exhibit, the Underground and CNN Center but after the work day ends, it's pretty much a ghost town.

 

[unpaintedhuffhines]

many of the **** bars in Buckhead are now closed with condos being built everywhere.

I was just in Buckhead and it's cleaned up significantly. I can't vouche for the entire area, but the part I was in was nice again.

 

[EuroHorn]

Take the MARTA from the airport to downtown and get off at Peachtree Center. Not sure where you are staying but that is right in the middle of the city and close to all the major hotels. Only about a 15 minute ride from ATL and it costs $1.75 for a one way trip

I live in Midtown and there is a lot here. You can take the MARTA from downtown, 3 stops, to Midtown. Or a 10 minute walk right up Peachtree. Twisted Taco is pretty good on the weekends. Lots of talent. I also like the Vortex for hamburgers and a pretty cool bar to hang out in.

Another good area is Virginia Highlands which is about a $10 cab ride from Midtown or Downtown. Lots of cool bars and restautants.

A pretty cool place, and very unique, is the Clermont Lounge. It is where old strippers go to die. It starts getting busy late, i.e., 11-12ish on a weekend. Somewhat of a novelty in Atlanta and a very unique place.

 

[hullabelew]

I'm assuming the volleyball tourney is at the Georgia World Congress Center. There is a train stop one stop west of the 5 Points station for Philips Arena/CNN that dumps you out very close to the GWCC. Personally, I would take a cab, especially if you have a lot of luggage or if you getting there after dark or have 3 or more people in your party.

I have been to a couple of those volleyball events there and you really need a drink after being in that room for most of the day.

Don't know what your travel companion situation is. If you are single, take Eurohorn's advice.

With kids: the aquarium is in that area and is cool but is going to be crowded as hell with the tournament going on, especially if it is Memorial Day weekend. If you want to go, get your tickets ahead of time at their web site. You buy your tickets in a time window, so that may give you more flexibility with your match schedule. Also, next door is the World of Coke. I haven't been to the new one since it moved but I have heard decent things about it.

STAY AWAY FROM UNDERGROUND ATLANTA, no matter what people tell you. Cheezy tourist trap during the day/taking your life into your hands at night. It used to be a cool place 15 years ago. Not so much anymore.

Not a lot going on downtown, but there are a few bars in that area, most noteably, a new sports bar called Stats. It is on Marietta about 2 blocks from the GWCC. Also, I think they opened up 2 other bars/restaurants in that plaza with Stats. Some tables have taps that come out of the table, and you swipe your credit card and serve yourself. Kind of cool. The Tabernacle and Cotton Club are very close as well, but I don't think they have reopened since the tornado. They had a lot of damage.

Some really good restaurants, just ask at your hotel.

Also a place called Gibney's Pub is kind of a neighborhood type bar in Peachtree Center, about 6 blocks east of there. If I was stuck at that tournament and needed to shed the wife for a couple of hours, I would head here. I know a couple of the bartenders there, both cool people so it must be OK. Mostly get hotel guests stopping in but I know they get a lot of other bartenders/servers from other bars that like to hangout there.

I will post more later when I find out about a couple of places that are supposed to be opening soon. Also, I'll ask around about some other downtown ideas.

 

[drycreek]

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