Atlanta, Georgia

History

Atlanta was originally founded as Terminus in 1836, the name reflecting its function as a railway terminus, and renamed Atlanta in 1847. Atlanta remains a key junction point of the US rail system, with several lines connecting in a complex of junctions within the downtown area.

During the American Civil War, the city became the target of a major Union invasion in the American Civil War as part of Union General William T. Sherman's March to the Sea. Union forces entered Atlanta on September 2nd, 1864 and Sherman ordered Atlanta burned to the ground on November 11 in preparation for his march south. As a consequence almost all of buildings in Atlanta date from after 1864.

In the late 20th century, Atlanta has grown to be a major commercial center and is the home of several major enterprises, including Delta Airlines, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, UPS and CNN. At the same time, Atlanta became one of the major centers of the American civil rights movement. Martin Luther King was born in the city, and his boyhood home on Auburn Avenue in the Sweet Auburn district is preserved by the National Park Service as a National Historic Site; his final resting place is in the tomb at the center of the reflecting pool at The King Center.

In 1996, Atlanta hosted the 26th Olympic Summer Games of the modern era. Sadly the games were marred by a terrorist attack on the Centennial Olympic Park, which killed 2 and wounded many more. Subsequently the games were also criticized for poor transport facilities and consequent traffic congestion, and are regarded by many (usually those far outside Atlanta) as the least successful games of recent times. However they have left a legacy of civic improvements and sporting facilities which benefit the visitor.

The Metro area is now home to a huge immigrant population from 176 countries. It also has one of the largest Gay population's in the Country.

Visitors

Atlanta is essentially a place to live and work. There are many interesting things to see in the city, and it is well worth the trip from cities such as Chattanooga, TN or Athens, GA for big name concerts and excellent dining.

Because of this, Atlanta has become a major conference and exhibition city. Most of the conference venues are located around Peachtree Center, and when there is a large show in town, it can sometimes seem as though every other person in the city is wearing a nametag.

Neighborhoods

Intown neighborhoods are located inside of the "Perimeter", i.e., highway I-285, which circles the city. Areas outside of the perimeter are not considered part of the city and locals universally refer to this as "OTP" (outside of the perimeter).

Intown neighborhoods:

• Downtown
• Midtown
• Buckhead
• GA Tech
• Westside
• Sweet Auburn
• Castleberry Hill
• Virginia-Highland
• Poncey-Highland
• Morningside
• Druid Hills
• Emory
• Decatur
• Oakhurst
• Avondale
• Candler Park
• Edgewood
• East Point
• College Park
• Inman Park
• East Atlanta
• Cabbagetown
• West End
• Garden Hills
• Grant Park
• Kirkwood
• Brookhaven
• Duluth

Get in

By plane

Atlanta's principal airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, situated approximately 8 miles south of downtown Atlanta. It is the busiest airport in the world.

Hartsfield is largely set up as a hub airport for Delta Air Lines, with much of its traffic being transfer rather than arrival or departure traffic. The airport has a single groundside terminal, connected to 5 mid-airport concourses by underground walkways and rail transit. The concourse furthest from the terminal (concourse E) is dedicated to international flights and all immigration and customs formalities are conducted there. Passengers arriving from overseas will need to clear immigration controls, reclaim hold baggage from a baggage carousel, clear customs, check hold baggage back in, ride the underground transit to the main terminal, reclaim hold baggage again from another carousel, and finally exit the airport.

The airport offers a full range of ground transportation services, including taxicabs, airport shuttle vans, and car rental offices.

Hartsfield airport is also the terminus of the southern branch of the MARTA rail system (see 'Get Around' below), and for travellers going to locations in downtown, midtown or northern Atlanta this forms a convenient, and at $1.75 per one-way ticket, economic way of getting there. Most MARTA stations have taxi stations to aid completion of the journey, and some hotels have free shuttles which will collect from either the airport or nearest MARTA station on telephone request.

The Parking Spot provides covered and uncovered parking near Hartsfield Airport with two separate lots, The Parking Spot and The Parking Spot 2.

By train

Atlanta is served by Amtrak 1-800-872-7245. Amtrak's Crescent train, which runs daily and serves New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Charlotte, Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans (and vice-versa). Southbound, the train leaves New York just before 3PM, calls at Atlanta at around 9AM and reaches New Orleans by 8PM. Northbound, the train leaves New Orleans at around 7AM, calls at Atlanta at around 8PM and reaches New York by 2PM.

In Atlanta, the Amtrak station is located at 1688 Peachtree St. N.W., which is several miles north of the airport and downtown. MARTA Bus route 23 stops in front of the station. However, because much of the city is not accesible by MARTA, a taxi may be required to complete the journey.

By bus

Greyhound Bus Lines, 1-800-229-9424, provides bus service to Atlanta from many locations throughout the United States. Buses arrive at and depart from the Greyhound terminal at 232 Forsyth Street, located in a less affluent neighborhood on the southern edge of the downtown area and directly beneath MARTA's Garnett Station (see 'Get Around' below).

By car

Atlanta is linked to the rest of the US by the interstate highway network. The principal interstates serving the city are I-75 (serving traffic from Chicago and Detroit to Florida), I-85 (connecting the Mid-Atlantic to New Orleans) and I-20 (connecting California and Texas to South Carolina), all of which cross through Downtown.

I-285 (commonly called the Perimeter by Atlantans, and the Atlanta Bypass on overhead signs) circles the city at a distance of about 10 miles out, crossing and connecting with all the above freeways as well as the airport.

Get around

By foot

Walking is a reasonable way to get around within pedestrian-friendly areas of Midtown, Downtown, Decatur and the Virginia Highlands. If travelling outside of those areas, renting a car is recommended.

By transit

Atlanta is served by MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority), +1 404-848-4711, [6], which operates both rapid rail and bus networks in the city of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton and Dekalb.

For out-of-town visitors, the MARTA is a convenient way to travel to and from the airport from downtown or midtown, or to travel between downtown and midtown. Those who want to travel out of those areas or at night, however, may be better served by taking taxis or renting a car, as the city often becomes empty at nighttime or in other areas, and travel may feel unsafe to those who do not know the city.

The rail network comprises two principal lines making up a cross. The north-south line runs from a southern terminus at Hartsfield airport through downtown and midtown Atlanta, before splitting into two branches serving terminals in north metro Atlanta at North Springs and Doraville respectively. The east-west line runs from an western terminal at Hamilton E. Holmes, via an interchange with the north-south line at Five Points station in downtown Atlanta, to an eastern terminal at Indian Creek. Trains run on all lines every 10 minutes during peak periods, reducing to every 20 minutes on Sundays.

The bus network comprises over one hundred different bus routes, with many routes operating every 20 minutes or so. One feature of MARTA is the close integration of rail and bus services. Many rail stations have integral bus stations, and in some cases the buses enter the station's 'paid area' thus avoiding the need to use transfers.

A single ride on MARTA costs $1.75 including transfers. Single use Breeze Cards are sold in vending machines at all rail stations or at RideStores at Airport and Five Points stations. When starting the journey by bus, swipe the card at the fare post next to the driver. When starting the journey by train, swipe the car at the fare gate, your now cash depleted card will act as your transfer. When transferring to a bus, give the operator your breeze card. When transferring to a train, swipe the transfer ticket through the reader on the turnstile.

Note for Weekend Travel: MARTA has a tendency to run slower on the weekends. Typical wait times are 30 minutes for trains and up to an hour for buses. Be sure to accommodate for this.

By taxi

It is usually possible to flag taxicabs down near tourist attractions and in Midtown and Downtown. However, calling ahead is recommended.

24-Hour Taxicab Services:

• Checker Cab, +1 404-351-1111.
• Atlanta Lenox Taxi, +1 404-872-2600.
• Atlanta Yellow Cab, +1 404-521-0200.
• Buckhead Safety Cab, +1 404-233-1152.
• Decatur Best Taxi Services, +1 404-289-6603.

Flat rates to and from the airport are listed on Hartfield-Jackson International Airport's website.

By car

Cars are the most popular form of transport in and around Atlanta, and in order to get around the sprawling city and to experience Atlanta's various unique neighborhoods, renting a car is recommended. Rush hour runs from around 8-10am and 4-7pm on weekdays and often results in congestion when travelling intown in the mornings and outbound in the afternoons. Major shopping districts such as Buckhead can also get crowded on weekends. Most restaurants and shops in the area offer complimentary or low-cost valet services ($1-2 tip expected) and on the rare occasion where parking is scarce, public lots are usually nearby for a reasonable fee. Free road maps are available at.

Car Rental Companies:

• Alamo Rent A Car, Toll free: 1-800-462-5266.
• Avis Rent A Car, Toll free: 1-800-331-1212.
• Budget Rent A Car , Toll free: 1-800-527-0700.
• Dollar Rent A Car, Toll free: 1-800-800-3665.
• E-Z Rent-A-Car, Toll free: 1-800-277-5171.
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car , Toll free: 1-800-261-7331.
• Hertz Car Rental, Toll free: 1-800-654-3131.
• Thrifty, Toll free: 1-800-847-4389.

See

Downtown Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta is the central area of Atlanta, which, despite the rise of Midtown and Buckhead, still contains much of the commercial activity of the city. All the places to see here are within 10 minutes walk of each other, and within a similar walking distance of any of the MARTA stations at Five Points, Peachtree Center or Omni-Dome-World-Congress Center.

• Centennial Olympic Park, The focal point of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, Centennial Park has now become the center for tourism. The Georgia Aquarium, the new World of Coke (under construction), the CNN Center, Phillips Arena and Georgia Tech are all in walking distance. In the winter there is an ice skating rink and in the summer there are free concerts.
• CNN Center, Marietta Street (adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park), +1 404-827-2300. The world headquarters of CNN shares the CNN center with a large tourist oriented shopping mall and food court. Here you can eat food from around the world whilst watching CNN's multi-channel output to the world on large screens. In addition studio tours are available, which include demonstrations of the technology used and visits to viewing galleries overlooking the newsrooms and newsreaders of CNN, CNN Headline News and CNN En Espanol. Tours run 9AM-5PM every day. Admission to the center is free; tours cost $12 (adult); $11 (senior); $9 (child).
• Georgia Aquarium. The largest aquarium in the world with over 100,000 animals in 8 million gallons of water. M-Su 9AM-6PM; $24.00 (adult); $17.00 (child age 3-12); $20.00 (senior age 55+).
• Underground Atlanta, +1 404-523-2311 (fax: +1 404-523-0507). A shopping and entertainment district under Downtown Atlanta.
• The King Center and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, 449 Aubum Avenue, +1 404-526-8900. The memorial of Martin Luther King Jr. Which was established in 1968. The place shows Martin Luther King, Jr's nonviolent Social Change works. The historic site features a museum and preserves the neighborhood that includes Dr. King's birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church. This is an important place to visit in downtown Atlanta.
• Philips Arena, Home to the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers as well as the Georgia Force. Philips also hosts concerts and other major events.
• World of Coca-Cola, +1 404-676-5151, South of Centennial Olympic Park, next to the Georgia Aquarium. Experience the reach of the world's most iconic brand in a new, highly interactive expanded space open in May 2007. Open M-Sa 9AM-5PM (9AM-6PM during Summer); Su 11AM-5PM. $15 (adult); $13 (senior); $9 (ages 5-12); under 5 free and admission includes access to all exhibits and a commemorative Coke bottle). Booking online saves $1 as well as gets you a time slot due to increased traffic to the new exhibit.

Midtown Atlanta

Midtown Atlanta is the area immediately north of Downtown. It has significant commercial activity, but it is also a major restaurant and arts quarter, with much 'urban living' apartment coverage. All the places listed are within 15 minutes walk of each other, and within a similar walking distance of the MARTA stations at Midtown and Arts Center.

• Woodruff Arts Center, Home of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the High Museum of Art, the Alliance Theatre, and the Atlanta College of Art.
• Atlanta Botanical Gardens, 1345 Piedmont Avenue NE, +1 404-876-5859. Relatively small but interesting botanic gardens, with displays of local plants and the Fuqua Conservatory of tropical and desert plants. Accessible by car but parking is limited, at weekends park at Old Colony Square adjacent to the Arts Center and catch the shuttle bus provided. By transit, catch MARTA rail to Arts Center station then catch bus 36 (27 on Sunday) or walk via the Arts Center courtyard, 15th Street and Piedmont Avenue (15 min walk). Open Apr-Sep Tu–Su 9AM–7PM; Oct–Mar Tu-Su 9AM–5PM. $12 (adult); $9 (senior); $7 (student).
• Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, +1 404-688-3353 for tour information or +1 404-817-8700 for the box office. A fabulous and historic Moorish style cinema and theater dating from the 1920s and now designated a National Historic Landmark. Tours available M,W-Th 10AM; Sa 10AM and 11AM. $10 (adult); $5 (senior/student).
• Margaret Mitchell House, 990 Peachtree Street, +1 404-249-7015. A museum dedicated to Margaret Mitchell, the author of Gone With The Wind and based in her original home. Open every day (except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Thanksgiving Day) 10AM-5PM. $12 (adult); $9 (senior/student); $5 (child).
• Piedmont Park, Atlanta's largest park at over 189 acres. Great for spending a sunny week-end dog walking, sleeping, reading a book or picnicking. Parking is tough to come by so try to look out by finding street parking or pay about $2-5 at the public parking lots on Juniper (1 block to the West). Not visiting Piedmont Park on your trip to Atlanta would be like not visiting Central Park on a trip to New York.
• Shakespeare Tavern, It is a place out of time; a place of live music, hand-crafted period costumes, outrageous sword fights with the entire experience centered on the passion and poetry of the spoken word. With an authentic British Pub Menu and a broad selection of British and Irish ales and premium brews, the Shakespeare Tavern is a place to eat, drink, and nourish the soul.
• Crescent Avenue, Area off Peachtree near the Margaret Mitchell house. Just north of the Federal Reserve Building at 10th St. Lots of hip nightclubs and restaurants located in renovated homes on side streets. With Virginia-Highland, has taken much of the nightlife from the Buckhead area which mostly attracts hip-hoppers now.

Intown Atlanta - Other

• Zoo Atlanta, Grant Park, +1 404-624-5822, This zoo specializes in primates and African animals but also has a Giant Pandas and a children's zoo. Open every day 9:30AM-4:30PM; Sa-Su during daylight savings time 9:30AM-5:30PM; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. $17.99 (adults); $13.99 (seniors); $12.99 (children).
• Cyclorama Home of the world's largest painting, "The Battle of Atlanta" and home of the historic Civil War locomotive, "TEXAS" (hero of the "Great Train Race") Located next to Zoo Atlanta in Grant Park.
• Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW. The Atlanta History Museum, the Swan House, (an opulent 1920's mansion), and the Tullie Smith House.
• Fernbank Science Center and Museum of Natural History, Planetarium, dinosaurs, IMax theater. Great for kids.
• Virginia-Highland, Area east of Piedmont Park in the center of town known for its pubs and restaurants. Pedestrian friendly and packed sidewalks until late at night.
• Castleberry Hill, Artsy and eclectic transitioning area east of downtown with galleries, restaurants and bars.
• Carter Center Library and Museum, Includes historical memorabilia from Carter's presidency.
• Sweetwater Brewery, Offers tours every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 6PM and 7PM.

Sports

• Braves Baseball, If you're heading down to "The Ted" (the local nickname for Turner Field), take MARTA to the Five Points station and hop on the $1 Braves Shuttle. This is MUCH easier than parking, and MARTA makes a great designated driver should you want to drink at the game.
• Falcons Football
• Hawks Basketball
• Thrashers Hockey
• Georgia Force Arena Football
• Georgia Tech Athletics
• Georgia State Athletics
• Emory Athletics

Do

• Have breakfast at the Flying Biscuit Cafe on McLendon or Piedmont Avenue.
• Eat anything--anything--at the Varsity, but make sure you're prepared for heartburn.
• Meet up with the Goths and dance all night at The Masquerade.
• See the wall Hank Aaron hit #715 over at Turner Field--this section of the original outfield wall from Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium was preserved when the new ballpark was built.
• Visit Centennial Olympic Park, where you can play in the fountain and pay your respects to the victims of the 1996 Olympic Park Bombing.
• Hike up Stone Mountain and watch the sunset, then come down and see the bizarre, kitschy Laser Light Show.
• Visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and Museum.
• Check out the mummies and the Moche pottery exhibition at the Michael C. Carlos Museum.
• Check out dinosaur fossils at the Fernbank Natural History Museum.
• Take a tour of the World of Coca Cola and get a drink of various Coke products from around the world, Don't forget to try Beverly from Europe.
• Tour the largest aquarium in America, located in the heart of downtown Atlanta.
• Take a tour through the CNN newsrooms.

Learn

Higher Learning Atlanta is home to some of the nation's best universities and colleges.

• Emory University, located just east of downtown in Druid Hills. Emory is a private research university, and is home to the excellent (and free) Michael C. Carlos Museum of Art and Archeology. There are two undergraduate colleges, Emory College and Oxford College (in Oxford, Georgia); graduate and professional programs include the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Medical School, Law School, Goizueta Business School, Woodruff School of Nursing, Allied Health School, and the Rollins School of Public Health. Admission is highly competitive.
• Georgia Tech, just across I-75/85 from midtown, is one of the US' best research universities, and is also a basketball and baseball powerhouse. Georgia Tech offers a multitude of activities including concerts and plays at the The Ferst Center for the Arts and athletics. Visitors can pay for wireless internet while on campus and can stay at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center.
• Georgia State University is located in the heart of downtown and is a predominantly commuter university without a centralized campus; however, this is changing rapidly. For example, a new four-building, 2000-bed housing complex is scheduled to open in fall 2007. Georgia State University is home to the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts, which was voted "Best World Music Venue" in 2004 by Creative Loafing.

Among the most distinguished of Atlanta's educational institutions are Morehouse College (men) and Spelman College (women), the best-known historically black colleges in the United States. Morehouse and Spelman are part of the Atlanta University Center, a consortium of historically black colleges that includes Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse School of Medicine, The Interdenominational Theological Center and Morris Brown College.

Atlanta is also home to Agnes Scott College, a women's college located in Decatur.

Specialized colleges and universities in the Atlanta area include the Columbia Theological Seminary, the Art Institute of Atlanta, and Savannah College of Art and Design's Atlanta campus.

High Schools In addition to the public school system, Atlanta is well-supplied with private high schools of all types. Well-known parochial/religious high schools include St. Pius X (Catholic); Marist (Catholic); Holy Innocents' (Episcopal); W.D. Muhammad (Muslim); Landmark School (Evangelical Christian); and Yeshiva High School (Jewish).

The best-known of the prep schools are Woodward Academy, the Westminster Schools, Pace Academy, and the Lovett School. The Paideia School, Atlanta's 'hippie prep school' is a funky cousin to this group. All the schools in this category are expensive and highly competitive.

Work

Atlanta (and the surrounding region) is home to 24 Fortune 1,000 companies including United Parcel Service, Bellsouth, Coca-Cola Company, Georgia-Pacific, The Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, The Southern Company and Equifax.

Buy

Malls

• Phipps Plaza Mall ($$$$) Buckhead. Anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, this upscale mall has higher-end chain stores such as Barney's Co-op, Intermix, Versace, Armani, Gucci, Jimmy Choo and Tiffany's, including the only Jeffrey store outside of New York, as well as an AMC movie theatre.
• Lenox Square Mall ($$$) Buckhead. Across from Phipps Plaza and anchored by Nieman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, and Macy's, this mall is an extremely popular mall for chain-store shopping in Atlanta, and encompasses a range of price-points. Stores include upscale Hermes, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and David Yurman, mid-high range stores like Kate Spade, Coach, and Polo, mid-range stores like Banana Republic, Kenneth Cole, J. Crew, Abercrombie, Aldo, and Urban Outfitters, and a few mid-low range stores like the Gap. Also has a large Apple store for electronics junkies. Outside of and next to the mall is a strip of stores which includes a number of boutiques like Blue Gene's, which carries a huge selection of designer jeans, as well as trendy apparel and accessories.
• Perimeter Mall ($$) Dunwoody. A little further out of the city, this mall is anchored by Nordstrom and Macy's and has many of the same stores as Lenox Square Mall with a slightly lower price-point, and is frequently less crowded.
• Atlantic Station ($$) Midtown. This open-air shopping district on the edge of Midtown is one of the largest "live-work-play" communities constructed. Anchored by Dillard's and Ikea, shopping includes chain stores such as DSW, City Sports, Express and Old Navy, as well as a large Regal movie theater. Also contains some trendy new restaurants that have generated (mixed) buzz, such as the Lobby at Twelve, Dolce, and Rosa Mexicana.
• Underground Atlanta ($) Downtown. This popular tourist attraction is literally underground and is close to other downtown attractions such as the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. Stores include Foot Locker, African Pride, and Unica.

Boutiques

Atlanta has a large selection of boutiques for various budgets and styles. While many of them are scattered throughout the city, there are a few neighborhoods that offer pedestrian-friendly shopping.

Virginia Highlands: Has a mix of clothing and gift stores, many with Southern flair, mostly catering to the 20-30s-something woman.

• Bill Hallman ($$$) 792 N Highland Ave NE. Hip clothing boutique.
• Mitzi and Romano ($$$) 1038 N Highland Ave NE. Slightly more conservative clothing and accessories store carrying brands like Tessuto, For Joseph, Sharagano, and Easel.
• Ten Thousand Villages ($$) 1056 St Charles Ave NE. Nonprofit store that offers multicultural goods and handmade wares.

Little 5 Points: This neighborhood caters to the alternative crowd and has become a hangout for hipsters, punks, goth high school students, and some individuals who defy description. It's also a great location for vintage-everything (clothing, record, book, etc.) shopping.

• Psycho Sisters ($) 428 Moreland Ave. Funky vintage clothing, new items from other stores that overstock, and second-hand goods.
• Junkman's Daughter ($) 464 Moreland Avenue NE. A warehouse full of quirky gifts and funky fashions.
• Criminal Records ($) 466 Moreland Avenue NE. Large and varied selection of CDs, records, used CDs, comics, toys, posters and magazines.

Midtown: Has a number of stores catering to young urban professionals and to the gay crowd, including hip furniture stores and a few trendy clothing boutiques. The city has planned the "Midtown Mile," a mile-long retail shopping district to develop gradually over the next few years, and retail shops are popping up all over midtown, seemingly on a weekly basis.

• Fab'rik ($$) 1114 W Peachtree St. Adorable clothes for both men and women at affordable prices.

• Kuhlman ($$$) 3500 Peachtree Rd Ste 1106. Trendy European-styled and affordably priced mens' and womens' shirts and suits suitable for work or play.
• Twelve ($$$) 860 Peachtree St Ste F. Unique gift shop carrying a mix of original artwork, home accessories, handbags, and handcrafted jewelry.

Decatur: With a more earthy-vibe, this neighborhood has a number of cute boutiques.

• Stella Bella ($$) 225 E Ponce de Leon Ave. Cosmetic boutique with custom-blended mineral cosmetic and bath and body treatments.
• Boogaloos ($$) Flirtatious fashions and locally-designed jewelry.

Bargain Shopping

• Loehmann's ($) 2480 Briarcliff Rd NE. Chain store offering bargains on discounted designer brands.
• Plato's Closet ($) 2480 Briarcliff Rd NE. Teen-conscious consignment shop with brand name finds.
• Discover Mills ($) Lawrenceville. A large outlet mall outside of Atlanta with stores ranging from Ross to Saks Off 5th.
• Mall of Georgia ($) Buford. A massive mall outside of Atlanta anchored by Nordstrom, Dillard's, Macy's, Belk, J.C. Penny and Target.

Eat

Buckhead

• Anis Cafe and Bistro, 2974 Grandview Ave, Extremely romantic and charming authentically French bistro-cafe tucked away in an old house near Pharr Road. ($$)
• Au Pied de Cochon, 3315 Peachtree Rd, Outrageously-decorated Atlanta location of a France-based restaurant where patrons can order the restaurant's namesake, pig's foot. Located in Inter-Continental Buckhead. ($$$)
• Buckhead Diner, Popular faux-diner with black tie waiters serving up heaping portions of greasy upscale "diner" food. ($$)
• Bone's, 3130 Piedmont Ave, A traditional steakhouse in every sense, this Atlanta power-dining institution has been around since 1979. Ranked as one of the high-rated steak houses across the board, Bone's was the highest-rated steakhouse in the nation by Zagat in 2006. ($$$)
• Eclipse di Luna, 764 Miami Circle, Vibrant and extremely fun tapas restaurant and bar hidden away in the antique district of Buckhead serving up pitchers of Sangria and Mojitos with its tasty small plates. Has live music on weekends. ($$)
• Fogo De Chao, A Brazilian churrascaria for those looking for a less-unique but still meat-filled dining experience. Gauchos carrying spools of meat cut slices at the table. ($$$)
• Justin's, 2200 Peachtree Rd. Caribbean-Southern restaurant and bar pioneered by P. Diddy is a favorite of local celebrities. ($$$)
• Taka Sushi Cafe, 385 Pharr Rd NE. Locals swear by the premium sushi and service offered by this this little sushi restaurant tucked away from the main drag of Buckhead amidst upscale salons. A hidden find that its patrons hope won't be discovered. ($$$)
• Restaurant Eugene, Inviting continental restaurant with fresh and innovative fare. ($$$)
• Seasons 52, Health-conscious gourmet restaurant and wine bar where each entree is under 475 calories. ($$)
• The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton, Nationally-recognized French restaurant run by Chef Arnaud Berthelier that offers both a la carte and prix fixe options is one of the best known in Atlanta and has received the Mobil Five Star award. ($$$$)

Midtown

• Nan Thai Restaurant, One of the most beautifully appointed restaurants in the city, where sexy Asian servers attend to elegantly-dressed couples and businessmen. The food served up by the husband and wife chef team of Charlie and Nan Niyomkul, who run both Nan and its more casual sister restaurant, Tamarind, is a favorite of many celebrities, including Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and Brooke Shields. ($$$)
• MF Sushibar, 265 Ponce De Leon Ave, +1 404-815-8844. The name of one what is generally regarded as one of the top sushi restaurants in Atlanta derives from the nickname of the sushi chef - "Magic Fingers." Excellent fresh sushi flown in from Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market served in a sleek setting. ($$$)
• South City Kitchen, 1144 Crescent Ave, +1 404-873-7358. Located amidst the bars and restaurants of Crescent Ave., this bustling and vibrant midtown eatery serves some of the best nouveau southern food in the city. Rather than going to a kitschy meat and three or a mediocre BBQ joint, this may be the choice locale for visitors looking for a "true" Southern cooking experience. ($$$)
• Trois, 1180 Peachtree St, +1 404-815-3337. Sleek French restaurant hyped-up as the 2007 hot spot. ($$$)
• The Globe, Trendy restaurant offering simple continental fare in Georgia Tech's pedestrian-friendly Technology Square. ($$)
• Fune Sushi Bar, Extremely trendy yet relaxing sushi bar at 7th and Peachtree. The fish is fresh and rolls and other sushi circles around on the conveyor belt delivery system. ($$)
• Baraonda, Peachtree and 3rd St. This little Italian restaurant just a few steps away from the Fox Theatre offers some of the best pastas and gourmet thin-crust pizzas in town. ($$)
• Flying Biscuit Cafe, 1005 Piedmont Ave, +1 404-874-8887. Serves breakfast all day everyday and famous for brunch. Great place for kosher and vegetarian eaters as they have no beef or pork products--just great free-range chicken sausage (soysauge can be substituted), turkey bacon, black bean cakes. Long wait on the week-end so get there early when they open at 7AM. The original location, which is still open, is in Candler Park, 1655 McLendon Ave. ($$)
• Mary Mac's Tea Room, 224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, +1 404-876-1800, Daily 11AM-9PM. A landmark of of old Atlanta cooking, this meat-and-three on Ponce has become an old Atlanta institution. ($$)
• Joe's on Juniper, Fun bar and grill blaring 80's music with energetic gay servers (though clientele is mixed) and juicy burgers.
• Las Palmeras 368 5th St. Charming local Cuban favorite tucked away in a residential neighborhood. ($)
• Willy's Mexicana Grill, 1071 Piedmont Ave, +1 404-249-9054, The Piedmont Park location of an Atlanta chain. Has lots of outdoor seating, and it is not uncommon to see dogs leashed to the tables. This place has great, cheap burritos served in the California style (they add the fresh ingredients and roll it up in front of you). Similar to burrito chains such as Moe's Southwestern Grill (which also originated in Atlanta). ($)
• Kool Korners Grocery, 349 14th Street NW (corner of State St), +1 404-892-4424. Take-out lunches Monday through Saturday. Known for making the best Cuban sandwiches in Atlanta (with jalapeños upon request). With its friendly owner, Ildefonso Ramirez, and its hole-in-the-wall atmosphere, Kool Korners is a local landmark. One can expect 5-15 minute lines of students, construction workers, and corporate executives from 11:30AM onwards. As-yet-untoasted cubanos are pre-made in the morning, and the store can run out of them later in the day. Call ahead for large orders. Locals often eat the sandwiches in their cars. Cubano, plantain chips, Latin soft drink, and a Moon Pie: $8. ($)
• Fat Matt's Rib Shack, 1811 Piedmont Ave. Tourist-favorite BBQ destination located toward the Midtown side of the industrial section of town between Midtown and Buckhead where heaping portions of cheap ribs and chicken are served up in a literal shack.($)

Downtown

• Nikolai's Roof, 255 Courtland St NE. Located at the top of the downtown Hilton, this glamorous AAA four-diamond restaurant serves French cuisine from a popular prix fixe menu and a limited a la carte menu. ($$$$)
• The Sun Dial, 210 Peachtree St. Perched 723 feet atop the tallest hotel in the Western Hemisphere (the Westin Peachtree Atlanta), this restaurant is known primarily for its breathtaking views and slowly rotates around on a platform 360 degrees. Frequented by tourists and popular for Sunday brunch. ($$$)
• Dailey's, 17 (Andrew Young) International Boulevard. An old Atlanta landmark with nightly entertainment. ($$$)
• Les Fleurs de Lis Cafe, 7 Forsyth St. Romantic and unpretentious extremely French cafe near many of the downtown tourist attractions. ($$)
• Loaf and Kettle, 57 Forsyth St NW. Sunny lunch spot serves a variety of soups and creative sandwiches.($)

Castleberry Hill

• No Mas Cantina, 180 Walker St. Festive cantina with large patio. ($$)
• Wasabi, 180 Walker St. Trendy and minimalist sushi bar and sake lounge frequented by local artists and hipsters and known more for its rolls than its fish. ($$)
• Slice, 259 Peters St. Where locals gather for pizza and drinks. ($)

Westside

• Bacchanalia, 1198 Howell Mill Rd, +1 404-365-0410. Consistently regarded as one of the best restaurants in Atlanta, and rated number one in the Atlanta Zagat guide for many years. Offers a seasonal four-course prix fixe continental menu. ($$$$)
• The Food Studio, 887 West Marietta St. A sophisticated AAA Four-Diamond restaurant serving regional American fare. ($$$)
• Spoon. Simple yet sleek Thai restaurant on the Southwest side of GA tech offers up flavorful Thai basics. ($$)
• The Real Chow Baby. Popular create-your-own stir-fry restaurant in a sleek modern loft space. ($)
• Osteria del Figo, 1210 Howell Mill Rd. Fresh pasta at cheap prices makes this sunny eatery a favorite lunch spot. ($)
• West Egg Cafe, 1168-A Howell Mill Rd. Charming breakfast-all-day cafe that's part restaurant, part indie coffeehouse. ($)

Virginia Highland

• Murphy's, 997 Virginia Avenue NE, Classic Highlands bistro serves reliable American cuisine and is packed to capacity for its weekend brunches. ($$)
• Food 101, Hearty homegrown comfort food with a modern twist. ($$)
• Vine, 1190 North Highland Ave, Modern American cuisine with Mediterranean influences. Charming restaurant has a large wine selection and a great patio. ($$)
• La Tavola, 9992 Virginia Ave, Quaint Italian restaurant in the heart of the highlands. ($$)
• Pozole, 1044 Greenwood Ave, Fun Nuevo Latino restaurant with a cozy neighborhood vibe located in an old house near the Highland bar scene. ($)
• Alon's, 1394 North Highland Ave, European bakery and market is a prime destination for locals and offers gourmet sandwiches, freshly baked breads, artisan cheeses, beautiful desserts and baked goods, and gourmet prepared foods. ($)
• Paolo's Gelato, 1025 Virginia Ave, Extremely cute and charming gelateria where an Italian native makes homemade gelato, marzipan, and other goodies. A must-stop for gelato lovers. ($)
• Everybody's Pizza, 1040 North Highland Ave, Popular local pizza joint. ($)
• Blind Willie's, 828 North Highland Ave, +1 404-873-BLUE, An established blues club featuring live blues, and a selection of Chicago, Memphis, and New Orleans-style food. ($)

Poncey Highland/Inman Park

• Rathbun's, 112 Krog St, +1 404-524-8280, Extremely popular restaurant tucked away in Inman Park serves contemporary continental fare. ($$$)
• Babette's Cafe, 573 North Highland Ave, Rustic cafe decorated like a European farmhouse serving earthy seasonal fare. ($$$)
• Two Urban Licks, Ultra-trendy Inman Park restaurant filled with fashionistas. Southwestern-inspired and meat-friendly American cuisine. ($$$)
• Sotto Sotto, 313 North Highland Ave, Basic pasta served in a sophisticated, simple setting is the trademark of this local favorite Italian restaurant.($$)
• Fritti, 309 North Highland Ave, +1 404-880-9559, European-style pizza next to its sister restaurant, Sotto Sotto. ($$)
• Pura Vida, 365 North Highland Ave, Vibrant locale in Poncey-Highland is one of the favorites for tapas in Atlanta. ($$)

Decatur

• Watershed, 406 West Ponce De Leon Ave, Southern-influenced contemporary cuisine is served in a breezy, cottage-like setting of a style popularized by Martha Stewart. ($$)
• Sage, 121 Sycamore St, Casual bistro with friendly waiters and eclectic American fare. ($$)
• Eurasia Bistro, 129 East Ponce De Leon Ave, Romantic pan-Asian restaurant on Decatur square hailed for its food and service that many locals describe as the best kept secret in town. ($$)
• Sushi Avenue, 308 West Ponce De Leon Ave. Fresh sushi and other Japanese cuisine in a quirky, friendly neighborhood atmosphere. ($$)
• Cafe Lilly, 308 West Ponce De Leon Ave, Cozy Mediterranean family-owned cafe. ($$)
• Crescent Moon, 174 West Ponce De Leon Ave, A favorite greasy spoon in Decatur with a kitschy retro sci-fi decor and is popular for its eggs all day and weekend brunches. ($)
• Taqueria del Sol, 359 West Ponce De Leon Ave, The lines pour out of this restaurant where patrons order dirt cheap tacos, spicy turnip greens, and blue plate specials. ($)
• Nathalie's Fish House, 308 West Ponce De Leon Ave, This fish fry joint has been voted "Decatur's Restaurant" and decorated like a Florida tourist trap, but locals keep returning for the heaping portions of cheap and fresh seafood. ($)
• Viet Chateau, 254 W Ponce De Leon Ave. Welcoming Vietnamese restaurant is a bargain find in downtown Decatur. ($)
• Zyka, 1677 Scott Blvd, +1 404-728-4444, North Indian cuisine with fast and friendly service. The decor is simple, and the food is served on plastic plates, but the food is served hot and quickly.($)

Little Five Points

• The Vortex, 438 Moreland Ave, +1 404-688-1828. Founded in 1992 by three siblings, the Vortex serves some of the best burgers in a pseudo biker-bar setting where rock and alternative music blasts and patrons enter through the facade of a giant human skull. (Note: must be 18 or older to enter due to smoking laws.) ($)
• Savage Pizza, 484 Moreland Ave NE, +1 404-523-0500. Cheap pizza in a setting with wall mural art. Next to Criminal Records and Junkman's Daughter. ($)
• Front Page News, 351 Moreland Ave. Lively bar/restaurant with a large patio serving cocktails and Cajun-style fare.

East Atlanta

• Crave, 1314 Glenwood Ave. Eclectic New American cuisine with a hint of Asian flair.($$)
• Cantina La Casita, 560 Gresham Ave. Hipsters and local families fill this casual Mexican restaurant. ($)
• The Earl, 488 Flat Shoals Ave SE. A bar/grill that locals flock to for the burgers and beer. ($)
• Ann's Snack Bar, 1615 Memorial Dr, +1 404- 687-9207. A dive located in an industrial part of East Atlanta where the proprietor, Miss Ann, flips her own burgers and serves up her specialty, the "Ghetto Burger," which was recently rated the "Best Burger in America" by Raymond Sokolov in the Wall Street Journal. ($)

Other Intown

• Canoe, Elegant New American restaurant located on the Chattahoochee River with what many consider to be the most scenic views in Atlanta. ($$$)
• Harold's Barbecue, 171 Mcdonough Blvd SE. Local politicians and lawmakers deal and schmooze while blue collar workers lunch at this classic Southern barbecue joint in a seedy neighborhood of Atlanta near the penitentiary. Southern accents abound. Best known for its Brunswick stew. ($)
• Buford Highway Restaurants. District where locals venture for ethnic cuisine. Dozens of ethnic restaurants, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Mexican, and Indian are located in the area.

Drink

There is plenty to do at night in Atlanta, though local regulations have most places closing by 3am. On weekdays, drinks in the Highlands or at local bars will be the best bet, as most clubs are empty until Thursday or Friday nights, when the clubbers emerge. Friday night is rap/hip-hop night in Atlanta, and most bars/clubs cater an African-American demographic.

Midtown

Midtown is the destination for trendsetters and fashionistas, though due to increasing pressures to keep the area more upscale and to reduce noise at night, the legislature has begun to enact ordinances which have had the result of pushing club activity downtown. Several bars and clubs are within hopping-distance of one another on Crescent Street, and others are scattered about the area.

• Compound ATL Hot Midtown club located in a former high-end car showroom.
• Halo Sleek, trendy lounge with electronic grooves.
• Shout Popular with the thirty-something crowd and offering great views of the surrounding skyline from a roof-top deck.
• Park Tavern A brewpub located on a corner of Piedmont Park.
• Twisted Taco Small, rowdy bar that's usually packed and all about drinking.
• MJQ Concourse Late-night dance club with an eclectic crowd.
• Loca Luna Live latin music and dancing draw a large crowd.]
• Smithe's Olde Bar Laid-back bar and music venue that has showcased great musicians before they became famous on its MTV unplugged-like circular stage.
• Churchill Grounds Serious live jazz, laid-back locals, and bartender who seriously knows his stuff about beer makes this bar worth visiting.

Buckhead

Buckhead used to be the premier party destination in Atlanta before Midtown and other areas of the city began gentrifying. The main drag at Peachtree St. and E. Paces Ferry is packed on the weekends and largely draws a young, rowdy partying crowd and tourists.

• Tongue and Groove Crazy club on the main strip draws the 20-something set that likes to dance.
• Hole in the Wall Former teeny-boppers and current college greeks down drafts and Jaeger Boms at this wild party bar.
• Fado A popular Irish pub chain on Buckhead's main drag.
• Aiko Ultra-sexy restaurant/club with an international crowd.
• Beluga Martini Bar Martinis, cigar and live music entertain an older, uppercrust Buckhead crowd.

Virginia-Highland

Virginia-Highland is a popular area for twenty- and thirty-somethings. Most of the bars are places to laze around with friends or to indulge in the laid-back singles scene rather than to dance the night away. Dress is casual and drinks flow by the pint.

• Limerick Junction Where the drinks are cheap and the Irish drinking tunes rock.
• Neighbors Large patio and cheap drinks draw grad students, young professionals, and anyone who wants to hang out.
• Moe's and Joe's College bar crammed with Emory and Georgia Tech undergrads.
• Atkin's Park One of Atlanta's oldest bars and popular among all ages. Ask for the Key Lime Pie shot if you're in a girly mood. The adjacent restaurant offers lunch and dinner.
• Manuel's, at Highland and North Avenue, an Atlanta Democratic Party institution where you're likely to find campaign staffers and off-duty cops knocking back stiff drinks under a portrait of JFK.
• The Righteous Room, at Ponce de Leon and North Highland. Great jukebox and one of the best veggie burgers in town. Arrive early as seating fills up quickly.
• Pura Vida Serves up great mojitos and draws a Latin crowd for music and tapas.
• Dark Horse Well-known singles bar for the 20's & 30's crowd. Try to arrive early (8:30-9 PM) if you intend to find a seat, as this bar fills up quickly and a line will form.
• Highland Tap Dimly-lit basement bar & restaurant. Often voted for having one of the best martini's in the city.

Decatur

• Brick Store Pub Has one of the largest beer selections in the city, particularly Belgian beer. Laid-back and cozy feeling, this pub also offers some pub food as well (try The Brat or Fish & Chips). Be sure to arrive early on Friday & Saturday, as seating fills up quickly.

Gay and Lesbian

• WetBar Ultra-trendy Midtown club with revolving dance floors, a video lounge and skyline deck.
• Bulldogs An Atlanta Midtown institution that draws a largely African-American crowd.
• Mary's A gay-friendly neighborhood bar in East Atlanta.
• Blake's on the Park Friendly neighborhood boy-bar near Piedmont Park.
• The Oscars Atlanta Glam Midtown Bar offers a throwback to old Hollywood.

Other

• The Mark An ultra-cool Downtown haven for displaced New Yorkers and the Prada-toting set.
• Fever Long waits don't deter club-goers from going to this Euro-style club between Midtown and Buckhead.
• The Royal Sophisticated Castleberry Hill club.
• Piebar White, space-ship like bar between Midtown and Buckhead serves up strong drinks and unusual pizzas.
• Krog Bar Hidden gem of a wine bar where conversation goes on into the night with great wine and tapas.
• The Earl Where post-punk locals gather for a good beer and burger and live indie music.
• Metalsome Sing Karaoke with a live rock band backing you up.

Sleep

Budget

• Holiday Inn Express Buckhead. A surprisingly nice location for a budget hotel and tucked away from the main traffic, this Buckhead hotel is within easy driving distance of all intown attractions.
• The Highland Inn Quaint and unusual Poncey-Highlands inn surrounded by unique restaurants and coffee shops.
• Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Atlanta Built into a historic office building, this Hampton Inn is close to all downtown attractions and features complimentary wireless internet for business travelers.
• Atlanta Hostel Dirt-cheap, centrally-located Midtown hostel runs from $23/night for shared facilities.

Mid-Range

• Hotel Indigo Hip midtown hotel with nouveau New England decor across from the Fox Theatre and close to the MARTA train. Includes events like a doggie happy hour.
• Georgian Terrace Southern charm abounds at this grandly-appointed historical hotel across from the Fox Theatre.
• Twelve Hotel Located in Atlantic Station, this sleek, contemporary hotel features stainless steel appliances and LCD televisions, and is located amidst the Atlantic Station shopping district.
• Emory Inn Located on Emory University's main campus close to the CDC, this inn is the more charming and less expensive sister hotel to the Emory Conference Center.
• Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, 800 Spring Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30308, P: 404-347-9440, Located in the pedestrian-friendly area of Midtown on the GA Tech technology square surrounded by shops and restaurants. Features extensive state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities.
• Laurel Hill Bed and Breakfast Romantic bed and breakfast that's all Southern Charm. Located in a quiet residential neighborhood of Atlanta within short driving distance of all intown attractions.
• Gaslight Inn Nestled right in the heart of the charming Virginia Highlands neighborhood, this bed and breakfast is just a block away from restaurants, bars and boutiques.
• W Hotel Perimeter Center. For those who favor the quieter suburbs, this W is located about 15-minutes away from the city and 45-minutes from the airport.
• Holiday Inns of Atlanta Consider one of the many Holiday Inn® Hotels throughout the greater Atlanta area for your next visit.

Splurge

• The Glenn Hotel 110 Marietta St NW. Sexy new downtown boutique hotel CNN Center, Philips Arena, Georgia Dome, and Georgia Bar and within walking distance to the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park as well as the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coke.
• Inter-Continental Buckhead 3315 Peachtree Rd. NE. Classy hotel catering to the business set within walking distance of shopping malls and power-dining.
• Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta Luxurious Midtown hotel close to midtown businesses, surrounded by restaurants and clubs, and within walking distance of Piedmont Park.
• Ritz-Carlton Buckhead This Buckhead destination also houses one of the most highly-regarded restaurants in the city.

Other

• Amberley Suite Hotel, 5885 Oakbrook Parkway Atlanta/Norcross, Georgia 30093 Toll Free: 1-800-365-0659 Phone: 770-263-0515 Fax: 770-797-3894, Amberley is situated in the high-tech Oakbrook Campus Business Park (Perimeter Northeast), near the historical district of Norcross, GA's prestigious Gwinnett County.
• AmeriSuites - Airport North, 3415 Norman Berry Drive.
• Hyatt Place - Buckhead, 3242 Peachtree Road N.E.
• AmeriSuites - Downtown, 330 Peachtree Street.
• Comfort Inn, 6800 Shannon Way, Union City, Georgia 30291 Phone: 770-306-2677 Fax: 770-306-8141 Located right outside the city limits / perimeter, near Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and just fifteen miles to the heart of Atlanta.
• Courtyard - Downtown, 175 Piedmont Ave NE.
• Crowne Plaza - Airport, 1325 Virgina Ave.
• Crowne Plaza - Perimeter NW, 6345 Powers Ferry Rd NW.
• Embassy Suites - Airport, 4700 Southport Rd.
• Embassy Suites - Buckhead, 3285 Peachtree Rd NE.
• Embassy Suites - Centennial Olympic Park, 267 Marietta St.
• Embassy Suites - Galleria, 2815 Akers Mill Rd SE.
• Embassy Suites - Perimeter Center, 1030 Crown Pointe Parkway.
• Fairfield Inn - Downtown, 175 Piedmont Ave.
• Hawthorn - Northwest, 1500 Parkwood Cir SE, 770-952-9595, 800-338-7812.. 50 luxury suites with daily complimentary hot breakfast buffet each morning and social hour Monday through Thursday in the evenings.
• Holiday Inn - Airport South, 6288 Old Dixie Hwy..
• Holiday Inn - Airport North, 1385 Virginia Ave.
• Holiday Inn Select Atlanta Capitol Conference Center, 450 Capitol Avenue SW.
• Holiday Inn Select - Perimeter, 4386 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd.
• Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport-South, 1899 Sullivan Road.
• Hyatt Place Atlanta - Perimeter Center, 1005 Crestline Parkway.
• Microtel Inns & Suites Atlanta Buckhead Area, 1840 Corporate Blvd. Tel: (404) 325-4446.
• Microtel Inns & Suites Atlanta Perimeter Center, 6280 Peachtree Dunwoody Road. Tel: (678) 781-4000.
• Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, 165 Courtland Street.
• Sheraton Gateway - Airport, 1900 Sullivan Rd.
• Sheraton Suites - Galleria, 2844 Cobb Parkway SE.
• Wyndham Garden - Northwest, 1775 Parkway Pl NW.
• Wyndham - Vinings, 2857 Paces Ferry Rd.
• Wyndham - Midtown, 125 10th St NE.
• Wyndham, 160 Spring St NW.
• Atlanta Vacation Rentals, View photos and descriptions for vacation rentals in atlanta.

Contact

• Local Calls: Atlanta area codes are 770, 404, and 678. All 10 digits of the phone number are required when making local calls.
• Directory Assistance: dial 411.
• Free Wireless Hotspots

Get out

• Stone Mountain, The world's largest exposed piece of granite. A hike or cable car ride up to the top of the mountain offers a spectacular view of Atlanta. A free laser light show is open to the public every Saturday after sunset in the summer.
• Chateau Elan Resort and Winery, A spa, winery, and recreation resort located in the Georgia foothills approximately 40 minutes away from the city. Offers luxurious spa accommodations and treatments, as well as tennis, golf and winery tours.
• Punchline Comedy Club, Casual comedy club that showcases both big names and up-and-coming comics.
• Vinings, A charming town with a historical town center.
• Six Flags Over Georgia, Classic theme park located just west of Atlanta.
• The Big Chicken, For those who like roadside photo opportunities, visit this 56-ft. chicken that has become a Marietta landmark.

Metro Area Cities

• Alpharetta
• Chamblee
• College Park
• Cumming
• Decatur
• Doraville
• Duluth
• East Point
• Fayetteville
• Griffin
• Hapeville
• Jonesboro
• Kennesaw
• Lawrenceville
• Lithonia
• Marietta
• Norcross
• Peachtree City
• Roswell
• Sandy Springs
• Smyrna
• Stone Mountain
• Union City

For those more interested in scenic beauty and outdoor activities, the Appalachian mountain chain begins about sixty miles north of Atlanta. The southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail is on Springer Mountain in north-east Georgia, an easy drive from metro Atlanta.