My Hotlanta Take
Atlanta, or Hotalanta as the ENTIRE world corrects me every time I say it, is quite a unique city. It is fairly spread out, so unless you plan to just stick to downtown you’ll probably need a car. On the upside, it is full of hidden food gems, lots of casual beer hangouts and a very laid back Southern vibe. If you’ve never been to the South you might not know about that southern hospitality, but it is prevalent all over Atlanta and it’s one of the things I love most about this city, besides all the fried food.
I’ve been to Atlanta a few times, and now one of my best friends lives there so I’m sure it will be a few more times in the near future, but this list is based mostly on my experiences and some of others who I trust. Take it as a starter kit for Atlanta and it will serve you well. Shout out to @hellofoodny for being my Atlanta partner and picture taker.
For the Tourist in You
Every city has a classic list of tourist sites that people flock to. On my first trip to Atlanta I did as many of these as I could and have some mixed reviews. Any place I think is a must see has a colored in star, anything that is worth seeing if you’re nearby is an uncolored star and anything that’s skippable has a half star.
- Georgia Aquarium - Even in giant fish tanks, mother nature does not disappoint. This aquarium is massive and you can very easily spend hours roaming around following the little fishies or the giant whales. There's one room with floor to ceiling glass where you can just sit and pick an adorable turtle or fish or shark to follow and you'll be there for hours, entranced. Well worth the time and money.
- World of Coca Cola - There's really not much to this "factory" but since you're in Atlanta you're basically required to come visit. Plus it's just across the way from the Aquarium. You can get through it in a very quick amount of time, and drink an insane amount of sugar in that same time frame.
- CNN Tower - Honestly, probably skippable. You get a walking tour of their studios for almost an hour where you find out how the news is done. While it is interesting, it's a bit pricey and long for what it actually is.
-
Atlanta Zoo -If you're seeing a trend, you're right. I love animals! I could wander around in awe of animals all day. When I went, there were a few exhibits that were under construction, nevertheless, plenty of pandas and tigers and cuddly creatures to see. If you've been to any of the other great zoos in America though, this may feel redundant.
- Centennial Park - It was built for the 1996 Olympics and it's evolved into a park where locals and tourists alike relax. It's also right next to most of the attractions above (minus the zoo) so if you need a breather in between, away from the other crazy tourists, this is the spot. Just as a side note, the Skyview Ferris Wheel is right next to the park and it's a solid skip for me. Sorry Atlanta, your skyline is just not that interesting to warrant paying money to see.
For Exploring off the Beaten Path
For every tourist attraction, there is at least 10 or more places that are waaay better to see, explore and understand the culture of city. Atlanta is full of these, and unfortunately I haven’t had time to really explore too many, nonetheless, the 3 below really gave me a flavor of the city.
- Ponce City Market - This is technically off the BeltLine, but it really is it's own place. It's a repurposed Sears, Roebuck & Co. building that's full of light, restaurants and bars. There are better places to eat nearby, yet I think it's worth a wander around this market. You can grab an ice cream and chat with friends, or whip out that Monopoly Deal I tell you to carry everywhere with ya. The vibes are so chill.
- The Battery - So first thing first, I HIGHLY recommend going to a Braves game because not only are baseball games always fun but Braves Stadium is one of the nicer stadiums I've been to and the fans have all kinds of weirdly interesting traditions. More than the game though, there are lots of places to eat and drink right outside the stadium that make it a cool destination on it's own, even if you're not going to a game.
For Those All About the Food
If you’re anything like me, you travel for the food, so it’s important to find the best food joints wherever you go. There are tons of choices in Atlanta to wine and dine for every taste bud. Plus, you can’t go too wrong with some southern comfort cooking. Below are just some of mine, and my friends’ favorites.
- Krog Street Market - While I give the nod to Ponce City Market on coolness, I definitely pick Krog on food because there are way more and delicious choices. From fried chicken to dumplings, there's something for everyone (seriously, get the hot fried chicken, trust me).
- Daddy Dz BBQ - It's a shack, but it's damn good bbq. Don't expect anything fancy, it comes on a styrofoam plate with plastic utensils and it will be filled with locals, which, I think is how you know you've found a true gem.
- Victory Sandwich Bar - I usually only post about places I've been but I also trust the opinions of those who've lived there for years and my fabulous friend Damon says it's his favorite in ALL of Atlanta, and if he says that, it must be damn good.
- Atlanta Breakfast Club - Fried chicken & waffles, peach cobbler, shrimp and grits... are you getting the gist here? Southern cooking in all it's glory, though there will be a line. You have been warned.
For Those All About the Dranks
Ok Ok FINE, I also travel for the drinks and the good vibes and Atlanta is full of those. From breweries to bars to fancy bowling alleys, my trips to Atlanta have been full of beer. These are only 3 of probably thousands of different places you could get your drink on, so be sure to yelp as needed!
- Hopstix - sushi and beer sounds like a weird combo, and it kind of is. Yet it manages to work somehow. The best part is the staff that were laid back and chill and let us play exploding kittens and drink beer for hours without trying to push us out the door.
- Monday Night Brewing - I love that this place exists to encourage human interaction and deepen friendships. Plus local beer is always a must to try.
- The Painted Pin - This is definitely different than the 2 breweries above because it's a little more bougie which is not usually my scene. Nevertheless, there are so many games that it actually is my kind of place to wind down. Besides bowling, there's also bocce ball, shuffleboard, ping pong, and all sorts of fun. It is a little swanky and with that comes a little more money, but it's a change of pace spot if you've been all about the brewery scene.
All in all, Atlanta is a pretty cool city. The people are friendly, the food is delicious and the beer is cold. What more could you ask for?
Leave a reply