Atlanta. What should I do there?

[cmlancas]

So I have this conference in Atlanta from 11/9 to 11/11. I am looking for things to do. The Lightning don't play the Thrashers there until the week after (sob) we will be there.

Also, I am looking for a decent place to stay, considering the hotel I wanted to stay is too expensive for my travel grant.

My conference is at this hotel, so being close to it is a big plus.


Suggestions?

[WayAbvPar]

I bet you can find a Michael Vick jersey on clearance.

[SnakeCharmer]

Catch a taxi to Buckhead.  Blow your per diem on booze.

[Murgos]

Catch a dog fight?  I heard that they can be quite entertaining and lucrative.

[cmlancas]

I think WayAbvPar beat you to the punch. Where is Yegolev? Doesn't he live in the ATL? ><

[Evildrider]

Have a Coke.   :-D

[CmdrSlack]

Go to the Varsity, the world's largest drive-in.

Also, Little 5 Points used to be kinda nifty back in the mid 90s, maybe it's still nifty.

[Paelos]

Yeg and I both live in Atlanta. I have some questions for you regarding your stay.

1 - What's your max cost per night in a room?
2 - What kind of food are you interested in?
3 - What kind of bars do you typically frequent? High-end? Dive? Pub? Euro?

Other than that, I can give you two places you can't miss in Atlanta.

1 - The new Aquarium. You may think, yeah yeah, fish, I've seen that. You'd be wrong. This is the biggest one in the world. Make sure to visit the web and get a ticket.
2 - The Varsity for lunch. It's just cool to go to the biggest drive-thru.

[cmlancas]

Well, downtown looks really expensive, but I want to be somewhere around $100-150. Three star is a plus, but a few of the three stars I have seen have gotten terrible, terrible reviews on Priceline. I have a $600 scholarship at the moment for travel and the rest is coming out of student loans, so a little more expensive won't break the bank. Also, I am driving from Tampa, and I need to be near downtown (At least a half hour by car).

As far as the aquarium goes, mark that down as a big fat checkmark. I love aquariums, and my girlfriend and I will definitely be going to this one. The one in Monterey, CA is really nice, and the Florida Aquarium/Mote Marine aren't bad either (if you're in the neighborhood).

Largest drive-in sounds fun as well.

Bars? Well, if we can get some f13ers together and have some drinks, I prefer atmosphere over anything else. I want a bartender who isn't afraid to look me in the eye and ask me how my day was. You don't find that very much in Tampa Bay anymore. I was thinking as I went to click Post that I am pretty against clubbing. Sorry.

Food? I love food. Italian is my favorite, but I can definitely do Greek, BBQ, Mexican, Thai, Indian -- whatever. Oh, and did I mention I like Italian?

If this helps, I'm leaving Nov. 8 (day) or Nov. 7 (night) by car to Atlanta. I'll be returning Nov. 14 (day).

Edit: Random k lurking in the post. Sorry.

[Oban]

Stay inside, it is really hot and humid.

If you have a car, stay in a hotel North of the city, it will be cheaper and nicer.

Suite hotel for less than 150:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=111

W Hotel, upscale, for less than 150:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1114

Upscale Westin, for less than 150:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1022

Oh, and stay inside, it is really hot and humid.

[Roac]

Avoid the Underground and MARTA.

[Paelos]

Definitely avoid the Underground. I use MARTA everyday, but I'm a student. Avoid Buckhead unless you like bars with a never-ending supply of high-priced drinks, rap and possible bullet wounds. Seriously, I hate what Buckhead has become. The best place in Atlanta to hang out for cool happenings is the Virginia Highlands, imo. There are numerous bars, events, and music going on in that part of town. Here's my bars/restaurants I like in the Highlands:

Limerick Junction Pub
The Dark Horse
George's Bar

as far as Italian goes:

Sotto Sotto - it won best Italian restaurant in Atlanta's Creative Loafing 5 years in a row


Look up addresses on the net. If you follow that lineup, I promise you can't go wrong.

[cmlancas]

W Hotel, upscale, for less than 150:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1114
Upscale Westin, for less than 150:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1022
Oh, and stay inside, it is really hot and humid.

These two look super nice. I live in Tampa, so I can't imagine it would be hotter in Atlanta than here. My face practically melts off every time I walk outside.

I'm browsing through the website, but where the hell did you see them for less than $150? I can't find them for less than $248.

Anyway, thanks Paelos. Sotto Sotto looks like the equivalent of Donatello down here (Super-upscale delicious Italian where practically no one speaks a lick of English). I'm assuming reservations are a must for a weekend.

Are any F13ers interested in an Atlanta meeting? I'm there Friday to Monday, so we could work around what is good for you all. :)

Edit: If you can find the link where you found their rooms for $150/night or around there, I'll book immediately -- they have a pet friendly policy that I didn't notice. This would make things unbelievably easier.

Double Edit: I found it for $218 on average at Travelocity.

[CmdrSlack]

The W is pretty damn kickass, assuming that the chain is equally nice world-wide.

[bhodi]

The funniest thing is riding the public transportation and watching people get confused over the subway map. It's an X people, with the beltway making a circle on the edge.

Enjoy Hotlanta. It might be OK around November.

[cmlancas]

The W is pretty damn kickass, assuming that the chain is equally nice world-wide.

It looks pretty neat, but there are a ton of reviews on different sites for the Atlanta W that suck. Not just on one, but on three different sites.

[Signe]

I like Atlanta.  I could just go up and down in the Marriott Marquis elevator all day long. 

[Yegolev]

Limerick Junction Pub
The Dark Horse
George's Bar

I will second this suggestion.  Somehow I never get past Limerick, though.  That's the place where I got sick from too much Guiness.  Used to be a guy I knew somewhat named Ossian Gilebert that played there, good authentic Irish music, but that was ten years ago.  Pretty sure there's a Thai restaurant next to it, or down at the intersection, yellow awnings.

When you go to the aquarium, there's a new bar opened across Ivan Allen Drive called Luckie, which I have been meaning to try out.  It is rather $$$, though.  I might be able to meet for lunch but I cannot predict anything that far ahead.  I work more-or-less next to the aquarium, so it might work out.

Weather in November will be chilly.  I assume.  With 105-degree weather this summer, it could swing the other way come winter.  Haven't had snow here in, what, ten years?

[cmlancas]

I'm not sure where I will be staying. I am trying to figure out if it is worth it be a little more spendy and stay in a trendy place or just drive into the city every day. I'm looking at about $400-600 extra here, so I'm trying to do it very carefully. The W and the super-tall one in downtown look freakin' sweet, but they are very, very spendy. I'm reading reviews of the places online and they are mixed half and half. Some people loved them, and some people hated them due to different things.

However, the Hilton at the airport looks to be a pretty good deal. $130/night isn't bad for a Hilton hotel. Sure would be nice to stay downtown though -- my conference and the aquarium are right there.


I know that November is pretty touch and go for now, but perhaps I could set up a lunch date for us someplace downtown.

[Paelos]

Were I to be around the weekend you are there, I would hang out. However, I'm gone all that weekend until Monday afternoon for the Georgia v. Auburn home game and surrounding festivities that weekend in Athens, GA. It's an unmissable game as every family member is coming in that weekend to stay.

[Yegolev]

Are you getting there early for the parade?

[Paelos]

Are you getting there early for the parade?

I leave Friday afternoon with all the tailgate supplies, load up the Gameday truck, and head on down to my fraternity house to mark the spot that night. We spend the nights at a friend's house there. Usually we're up, set up, and drinking screwdrivers with our Chik'fil'A chicken biscuits at 9AM in our side yard. We continue like this mixing drinks from the wetbar and cooking the food on our grills until gametime. We usually get about 20-30 ppl off and on, so we do a lot of hand-shaking and general gabbery. After the game, it's pack up, and head downtown. Next morning, it's recovery time on the couches, and lounge all day eating delivery chinese and watching every pro football game on TV. Monday we leave (some of us late Sunday if they have work, I don't have class until Tuesday). If we feel better on Sundays, we play golf in the afternoon.

That's how the big football weekends work for my tailgating crew and I. This Auburn weekend the rest of my family roles into town in the huge RV, which just adds to the chaos.

[Yegolev]

It occurred to me that "home game" means the opposite for you.  Heh.

[cmlancas]

Were I to be around the weekend you are there, I would hang out. However, I'm gone all that weekend until Monday afternoon for the Georgia v. Auburn home game and surrounding festivities that weekend in Athens, GA. It's an unmissable game as every family member is coming in that weekend to stay.

I'm going to be leaving for home on the 13th. That would give you time, good sir.

[Paelos]

Were I to be around the weekend you are there, I would hang out. However, I'm gone all that weekend until Monday afternoon for the Georgia v. Auburn home game and surrounding festivities that weekend in Athens, GA. It's an unmissable game as every family member is coming in that weekend to stay.

I'm going to be leaving for home on the 13th. That would give you time, good sir.

Fair enough, we can work something out for lunch then.

[Oban]

I'm not sure where I will be staying. I am trying to figure out if it is worth it be a little more spendy and stay in a trendy place or just drive into the city every day. I'm looking at about $400-600 extra here, so I'm trying to do it very carefully. The W and the super-tall one in downtown look freakin' sweet, but they are very, very spendy. I'm reading reviews of the places online and they are mixed half and half. Some people loved them, and some people hated them due to different things.

However, the Hilton at the airport looks to be a pretty good deal. $130/night isn't bad for a Hilton hotel. Sure would be nice to stay downtown though -- my conference and the aquarium are right there.


I know that November is pretty touch and go for now, but perhaps I could set up a lunch date for us someplace downtown.

Not sure what you are doing, but assuming you meant November the ninth to the eleventh, here is what I get for the W on starwood.com:

1 King     Wonderful Room Non-smoking, W Signature Bed, Non Smoking Cityside, Shower Only, Highspeed Internet For A Fee     Best Available Rate
Terms & Addt'l
Charges    
USD 129.00
+ charges & taxes
= USD 144.48

As for hotel reviews, I am really not sure what some people expect with a chain hotel.  If you do not like a room, ask to be moved...  The W is quite nice, so are the other two I linked for you.  I have not stayed in the W since last year, but it is relatively easy to get to and from downtown using the highway.

edit...

and the other two:

Sheraton Suites: 

1 King     Suite Non-smoking, Separate Living Rm/w Sofa Bed, Wireless Internet/fee, Sweet Sleeper Bed, Refrigerator     Internet Only Rates - Fully Prepaid, Cancel Rules Apply, No Changes Allowed
Terms & Addt'l
Charges USD 119.00
+ charges & taxes = USD 135.66

...and the Westin:

1 King     Traditional Non-smoking, Heavenly Bed, Lake View, Highspeed Internet For A Fee, High Floor Room     Local Package Promo
Terms & Addt'l
Charges    USD 129.00
+ charges & taxes = USD 147.06

[cmlancas]

At the same site, I am getting:

1 King     Wonderful Room Non-smoking, W Signature Bed, Non Smoking Cityside, Shower Only, Highspeed Internet For A Fee     Best Available Rate
Terms & Addt'l
Charges    
USD 239.00
+ charges & taxes
= USD 267.68

Weird.

[rattran]

I'll also recommend Limerick and the Dark Horse. And the Vortex in Little 5 for a burger and sweet potato fries.

[CmdrSlack]

Is Star Bar still in Little 5?  I really liked their Elvis shrine w/ golden toilet.

[Khaldun]

Downtown Atlanta really blows. Used to live in Decatur, which wasn't bad. Buckhead is where I would go if I were looking for good booze/food.

If you've got a car, there's some places nearby that are kind of interesting. Atlanta as a whole is a decent place to live, lousy place to visit. In visit terms, it's like LA without the beaches, mountains, interesting people, major cultural industries or occasionally interesting architecture. Oh, yeah, and without the good weather, though the spring in Atlanta is great, usually. Basically it has good restaurants and nice people. That's about it. It's sprawling and kind of generic otherwise.

[Oban]

...  In visit terms, it's like LA without the beaches, mountains, interesting people, major cultural industries or occasionally interesting architecture. Oh, yeah, and without the good weather, though the spring in Atlanta is great, usually. Basically it has good restaurants and nice people. That's about it. It's sprawling and kind of generic otherwise.

Best summary of Atlanta I have ever seen.  You forgot to mention that place South of Peach Street, just after Peachtree at the intersection of Peach Highway and Peach Blvd that has the BBQ pork.

[Paelos]

What the hell is a cultural industry?

[Murgos]

What the hell is a cultural industry?

I was guessing he meant Hollywood but YMMV.

[Yegolev]

Isn't dog fighting a cultural industry?

[schild]

Clothing for black people is a cultural industry.

Everyone loves dog-fighting.