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Clayton State Side
A Day on the Town   Minimize


By Morgan Baila, Kelley Gaddis and Amanda Robinson

Atlanta: A city of 5 million people. Some have come to know and love this town as their own for their entire lives. Equally fortunate, however, are the new Atlantans—those, like yourself—who are coming to this city for the first time from destinations across the country and the world.

Everyone is different. Everyone has their preferences and their lifestyle choices that define them. And every person who comes to Atlanta, either for a visit or to relocate, will experience this place differently. But there is, as they say, something for everyone in the Peach City.

And so, the crew here at KNOWAtlanta (an eclectic bunch in our own right) sat down and compiled a set of itineraries for four discerning types of new residents. If you find a little bit of yourself in the following pages, consider these itineraries a suggestion—for a full, fun day out on the town. After all, getting settled involves more than unpacking and assembling bookshelves from IKEA—it’s about getting to know and love your new town.

The Art Aficionado
Wake up: Begin your day in the quaint community of Virginia Highlands. Enjoy a big brunch from Murphy’s before your all-day adventure to museums and theatres. Enjoy their frittatas, egg specialties and bakery goods.

High Times: Next, go to one of the biggest artistic landmarks in Atlanta—the High Museum of Art. Buy a ticket at the door, or even a season pass to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the legendary exhibits that come through here. Artists that have had their work grace the halls of the museum range from Manet to Warhol. The latest exhibit will feature art from the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The permanent collections at the High add up to over 12,000 pieces, spanning multiple continents’ art and even photography.

A Late Lunch: After soaking up all the legendary pieces of art at the High, fill up your stomach with delicious sandwiches, desserts and coffee at CaféIntermezzo just down on Peachtree Street. This European inspired café spoils its guests with countless drink options (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and decadent desserts large enough to share.

The Fabulous Fox: As the sun sets over the Atlanta skyline, head over to the Fox Theatre and enjoy a traveling Broadway production or concert at the Fabulous Fox! After seeing one show, you will fall in love with the atmosphere of the theatre and its nearby accommodations so consider purchasing season tickets so you never miss out on any shows.

Dinner: If your show runs late, fear not—there’s still one late-night eatery that’ll still be open—and it’s right across the street. Featuring a low-key diner vibe and a truly multinational menu, the BroadwayDiner harkens to the post-show aesthetic of the many hole-in-the-walls that pepper the Great White Way.

Turning In: Conveniently located adjacent to the Fox Theatre, Hotel Indigo offers a unique hotel experience complete with bar specials and an unbeatable location. The name comes from its blue-inspired decorations and light-hearted artistic atmosphere. Enjoy drinks and unique appetizers at the cocktail lounge, The Golden Bean. If you’re still hungry, Peachtree Street is full of award-winning restaurants with menus to please any appetite.

The Family
Wake up: Start bright and early by rustling the kids out of bed at the HyattRegency Atlanta. The hotel offers packages with the Georgia Aquarium and also provides plenty of activities to keep your family busy. Before starting your day, you can grab breakfast inside the hotel at Kafe Kobenhavn, which offers a classic breakfast as well as signature dishes like the ham and white cheddar Panini.

Make a Splash: Head out on foot. Three blocks away is the world-famous GeorgiaAquarium, the largest aquarium on Earth. Your family will love the exhilarating glimpse into an aquatic world filled with fantastical creatures. Plus, with the new AT&T Dolphin Tales exhibit, visitors can go to the Dolphin Tales Theater to view a performance showcasing the dolphins’ natural agility and acrobatics. The show also involves live human actors, remarkable costuming and special effects.

The Real Thing: Interested in knowing where one of the world’s most popular beverages started? Take a look at the fascinating World of Coca-Cola. Visitors can learn about the invention of Coca-Cola, view how it has become a pop culture icon and sample over 60 different beverages from around the world. There are also many other activities you can enjoy such as the Perfect Pauses Theater, where viewers can enjoy the best of Coca-Cola television advertising throughout the years.

Bellissima: Grab lunch a few minutes away at Noni’s Bar & Deli. Noni’s is considered one of the best downtown Atlanta restaurants and is known for having scrumptious Italian cuisine at inexpensive prices. If you’re a salami fan, order the noni sandwich—it’s legendary.

Imagine: If you have children aged 8 years old or younger, consider the ImagineIt! Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Its exhibits are specially designed to boost your child’s knowledge and understanding in a fun way. For example, at the TEAM UP Exhibit, children can dabble in basketball, football, baseball and many other sports while learning how science plays an important part of each activity. This particular exhibit is available for viewing through September 11.

Southern Fare: By now, you’ve built up quite an appetite from all the excitement. So before heading back to the hotel, drive east on Ponce de Leon Avenue to Mary Mac’s Tea Room, one of Atlanta’s oldest and most well-established Southern eateries. This restaurant caters to business people, families and celebrities (you never know who you’ll find at Mary Mac’s!) from across the globe.

The Nature Lover
Sun Up: The daystar rises early in the ATL, so once you step out of your midtown hotel (we recommend the Four Seasons on 14th Street), get your blood pumping with a morning jog along one of Piedmont Park’s four trails. Piedmont is the centerpiece of Atlanta and was actually drafted by the same fella who designed Central Park in New York. Explore Piedmont Park via a loop that runs around Lake Clara Meer, or take a path through meadows and tree-lined avenues.

Morning Buzz: Once the adrenaline is flowing, head over to the 12th Street entrance gate to grab coffee and a bite to eat. You can even peruse the locally grown produce, farm fresh meats and artisan cheeses at Green Market, Piedmont Park’s open-air local farmers market open Saturdays from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Two Wheels: After warming up, saddle up your bike and drive to the Silver CometTrail. This 60-mile-long converted railroad track begins in Smyrna, Ga. and winds its way through the North Georgia countryside, over rivers and between rock cliffs, ending at the Alabama border. Of course, don’t feel obligated to do all 60 miles. Unless you’re really, really hard-core.

Locally Yummy: Sit down for a late lunch at Urban PL8 near Berkeley Park, where the seasonal, local ingredients and sustainable preparation practices are sure to feed your appetite for healthy cuisine. Be sure to check out the bison burger if you’re a fan of a good sandwich

Pick This…: At this point you’ve got a choice to make. One: you can head north and rent a kayak at the Chattahoochee River and Nature Center and spend the rest of the day leisurely exploring the flat water the river is known for (although the occasional rapid does exist). Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife along the river’s shore.

…Or This: Head east to Stone Mountain, with its 15 miles of wooded nature trails, is the perfect place to end a day of outdoor activities. Hike up the 1.3–mile long trail to the top of Stone Mountain. The summit will put you 1,683 feet above sea level with spectacular views of downtown Atlanta and the surrounding mountains. Pack a picnic dinner with ingredients from The Marketplace at Stone Mountain and settle down to watch the park’s “Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision.”

The Sports Buff
Wake Up: Start your day waking up at the Westin Peachtree Plaza, one of the crown jewels of Atlanta’s skyline. This cylindrical, 73-story tower is the second-tallest hotel in the western hemisphere and offers a view of the city that is unparralelled—especially from the revolving Sun Dial Restaurant and Bar (the perfect place for a nightcap at the end of your day).

Pick Me Up: Before you get started on your day, hop over to West Egg Café. Frequently voted the best breakfast in Atlanta (which they serve all day), West Egg serves up traditional fry-foods, along with some of the best homemade biscuits ever. And Atlanta knows biscuits.

The Games: The Olympic Games can be viewed as the ultimate event for any sports fan, so starting off your day in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park, created as the central gathering place for the 1996 Games, seems only logical. Stop by the park’s visitor center to pick up maps, informational brochures and a headset that will guide you on a walking tour about Centennial Park and the legacy of the 1996 Olympic Games. The Fountain of Rings—the park’s centerpiece that plays four shows a day—is a must-see.

What’ll Ya Have!: Grab a bite to eat at The Varsity, the world’s largest drive-in restaurant. The Varsity has been serving up hamburgers, hotdogs, chili and French fries with an old-school sports flair in Atlanta since 1928. And business is good: each day, the Varsity doles out over 2 miles of hot dogs.

Batter Up!: Atlanta is home to a number of professional sports teams that are bound to satisfy the sports buff in you. Check out the Ivan Allen Jr. Braves Museum and Hall of Fame to learn about the history of Atlanta’s professional baseball team as part of a guided tour of Turner Field, one of Atlanta’s many landmarks. Tours include a look at the Braves clubhouse, dugout and press box among other locations. No reservations are necessary. Or heck—just catch a Braves game at Turner Field. Unless you’re a Mets fan.

In the Club: Grab a reprieve from popcorn and corn dogs and get a bite to eat at the 755 Club at Turner Field while you take in the last few innings. The club offers panoramic views of the field as well as the Atlanta skyline, and patio seating for those who wish to immerse themselves fully in the sights and sounds of one of America’s favorite pastimes.

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