How to find things to do in Atlanta

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Internet
GPS or a map helps, the streets can be confusing!

Step 1

The Sundial offers contemporary Southern cuisine and amazing views.

To start off, you can take in a gorgeous panoramic view of Atlanta at the Westin Peachtree Plaza's Sun Dial Restaurant. If you are interested in a drink or an upscale meal, you can dine at this restaurant in the sky - 72 floors, to be exact. This Westin is the second tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere and offers breathtaking views. If you simply want to walk around the outer ring of the restaurant, you can take the elevator up from the lobby and tell the host before you go up that you're going up for a drink. This way you won't have to pay the fee they charge for people who are just sightseeing.
Step 2

Atlanta is known for hot shopping and everyone from celebrities to bargain hunters travel to the city for its wide array of stores and brands. Atlanta is also home to the fastest growing millionaire population in the U.S. and therefore offers many high-end shopping destinations. For luxury brands, you can hit Phipps Plaza, Atlanta's most exclusive mall, located in the upscale Buckhead neighborhood. Many designer stores have locations at Phipps, including Valentino, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Versace and Tiffany & Co. Phipps is located right across the street from Lenox Square Mall, Atlanta's best-known and most popular shopping destination. Lenox stores include Diesel, Bloomingdale's, French Connection, Puma Store, Sony Style, Urban Outfitters, Macy's, the Apple Store and True Religion. For bargain hunters, Filene's Basement is within walking distance of Lenox and offers big discounts on many designer brands, including Seven Jeans, Paper Denim, French Connection, Kenneth Cole, Charles David, Puma and lots more. For more bargains, shoppers can head out of the city to the North Georgia Premium Outlets in Dawsonville, about an hour north of the city. The outlets offer Gucci, Hugo Boss, Prada, Nike, Puma, Coach, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein and Timberland, to name a few. For more bargains, check out Discover Mills discount mall in Lawrenceville, northwest of the city. Brands here include Kenneth Cole, Nike, Saks Fifth Avenue and more.
Step 3

For family fun or a relaxing date spot, check out Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park, the place that put Atlanta on the map during the 1996 Olympic Games and got the ball rolling for the rapid growth and development to come. This 21-acre park in downtown Atlanta offers seasonal festivities like ice skating and an extensive village of lights in winter and picturesque fountains, children's events and family fun days year-round. The park offers a gathering place for all visitors and residents alike and is a fun way to spend a sunny day or a mild winter night. The park also commemorates the Olympic games with statues, monuments and personalized brick walkways.
Step 4

Across from Centennial Park is CNN Center, at 190 Marietta St NW in Atlanta. CNN Center is where Ted Turner revolutionized television news and built upon his media empire with the idea of offering a 24-hour news service. The multi-billion dollar conglomerate is still thriving today and offers tours of the facilities, including a behind-the-scenes look at the on-air anchors and the people who keep the cameras rolling 24/7. The building itself is a beautiful construct that is a news junkie's dream, chock full of news memorabilia, large-screen news coverage everywhere you turn, a souvenir shop and, for a nice refreshment break, a rather large food court area. There are also several sit-down restaurants in the CNN Center and the Omni Hotel is connected to the complex.
Step 5

For a relaxing afternoon and an authentic feel for Atlanta, Piedmont Park provides a perfect place to toss a frisbee, attend an outdoor music or crafts festival, people watch, play with your pet at an off-leash dog park, run, rollerblade, walk, play ball or take pictures. Piedmont Park, Atlanta’s "Common Ground" since 1904, is located about 2 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. The park runs along 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue in midtown Atlanta and is Atlanta's most popular park. It is lined by charming and well-kept old houses, a thriving restaurant and entertainment district and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Piedmont Park showcases a mixing pot of many people and is located in a very gay-friendly neighborhood of Atlanta. Atlanta is well-known for it's large LGBT population and continues to be the gay capital of the South, with an especially vibrant Pride Parade every summer.
Step 6

For a family-friendly destination, the new Georgia Aquarium offers the "world's largest aquarium," with more than 8.1 million gallons of marine and fresh water housing more than 100,000 animals of 500 different species. The Aquarium is next to Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta, located at 225 Baker St. NW. You can often find specials online if you buy tickets in advance, or purchase a City Pass and get a discount on several Atlanta attractions. See the links below.
Step 7

A trip to Atlanta would not be complete without checking out the vibrant nightlife it's known for, or without taking in some delicious Southern cuisine. This will have to be another article but here are a few big hot spots: There are many clubs, lounges, restaurants and bars on Peachtree Street, which is Atlanta's main artery for going out. Midtown tends to cater to a diverse group, including many young professionals. Venture out to the city of Decatur, just east of Atlanta, and you'll find many more entertainment options with a generally more low-key atmosphere. Decatur is home to several colleges and is full of students, young professionals, families and eclectic people of all sorts. For tasty and authentic food from all over the world, check out Atlanta's international corridor, Buford Highway, which offers delicious Cuban, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Bangladeshi and Malasian fare. For real home-cooked Southern food, check out the many small soul food eateries throughout Atlanta and its suburbs. Generally, the more fried food, greens, sweet tea and macaroni they offer, the better!

Comments

1InternetSmarty said

Flag This Comment

on 3/5/2009 Wow, now I want to go to Atlanta! Putting in favs for when we do. Five stars.

on 2/18/2009 Great Article! You have made Atlanta residents proud! I can't believe that I have still not visited the Georgia Aquarium yet! I need to get down there. I hear it's really nice! Thanks for sharing.5*

jamaclassics said

on 2/2/2009 But what about Little Five Points, Sunday brunch at The Waverly, and STONE MOUNTAIN!!! Then there's Swan House, Aunt PittyPats, The Underground, Mall of Georgia, The Varsity, Atlanta Botanical Gardens.....greens, Barbeque and "saweetea" rule!