Stuff to do in Atlanta neck of the woods

FrankGrimes

I have a work event on in Atlanta for a few days in mid-July so the girlfriend was thinking of flying over and we could tack on a week’s holiday or thereabouts either before or after the work event. I doubt there’s a whole lot to do in Atlanta but we were thinking of maybe getting a flight from there to somewhere of interest so all ideas are welcome.

Between us we’ve been to most of the West Coast, Maryland, Washington, Chicago, New Jersey, New York and have no real interest in going back to those. That leaves Florida, a tour round the South, New Orleans, Boston, Philadelphia, or a flight to one of the islands around those parts as obvious options.

New Orleans sounds interesting – wonder if it’s back to normal after the hurricane? We’ve been to EuroDisney and liked it though it was in January with no queues and we both agreed we’d hate it with queues so not sure if there’s much else that would bring us to Florida at that time of year?

We’re going to plan a separate 2-week holiday for late July or August so if there’s nothing obviously jumping out at us that would justify the girlfriend getting a trans-atlantic flight to join up with me for only a few days we won’t force the issue and will leave it at that. That said, I’m guessing there’s plenty of interesting stuff to see and do in that neck of the woods that we’re just not aware of so look forward to any suggestions. We’re both 27 by the way.

dave2pvd

FrankGrimes wrote: »

I have a work event on in Atlanta for a few days in mid-July so the girlfriend was thinking of flying over and we could tack on a week’s holiday or thereabouts either before or after the work event. I doubt there’s a whole lot to do in Atlanta but we were thinking of maybe getting a flight from there to somewhere of interest so all ideas are welcome.

Between us we’ve been to most of the West Coast, Maryland, Washington, Chicago, New Jersey, New York and have no real interest in going back to those. That leaves Florida, a tour round the South, New Orleans, Boston, Philadelphia, or a flight to one of the islands around those parts as obvious options.

New Orleans sounds interesting – wonder if it’s back to normal after the hurricane? We’ve been to EuroDisney and liked it though it was in January with no queues and we both agreed we’d hate it with queues so not sure if there’s much else that would bring us to Florida at that time of year?

We’re going to plan a separate 2-week holiday for late July or August so if there’s nothing obviously jumping out at us that would justify the girlfriend getting a trans-atlantic flight to join up with me for only a few days we won’t force the issue and will leave it at that. That said, I’m guessing there’s plenty of interesting stuff to see and do in that neck of the woods that we’re just not aware of so look forward to any suggestions. We’re both 27 by the way.

If you are staying over in Atlanta, go and see the aquarium. It's really spectacular. The King Center is pretty special too - just don't go on the weekends to either place.

For trips beyond Atlanta, try Charleston. Stay there for a night or 2. Visit Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island while you're there. Go see an old plantation - some of them a very impressive.

Then head to the mountains. Asheville. See where the Vanderbilts used to live it up: Biltmore. You will need a FULL day to see Biltmore. It's breathtaking. Make sure you stay in downtown Asheville so that you can walk home after drinking too much Highland Ale. 'Next day, while hungover, hike some of the Appalachian Trail.

When you head back to Atlanta, stop for lunch in Dahlonega. You'll enjoy the drive - the Nth GA and NC mountains never fail to entertain. If that's your kind of thing, you could drive Tail of the Dragon.

Returning to Atlanta will bring you down GA400. Stop into Premier Outlets. Probably the best outlet shopping in the area.

Of course, Atlanta is full of great areas to spend an afternoon sitting on a patio drinking a beer. Try Virginia-Highlands, Midtown, Decatur Square, Little Five Points. Keep in mind: downtown is not really a place to hang out in at night. Try to stay somewhere in Midtown, near 10th street and Peachtree. Or in Virginia Highlands.

Florida? I wouldn't bother. It's high season. Especially in the theme parks.

FrankGrimes

Fair play Dave, plenty of good ideas there - will look into a few of those and see if we can map out an itinerary to suit, thanks.

MCMLXXXIII

Before you go, know that Atlanta will be hot...like really hot. And Florida will be worse. It's humid too. You can find stuff to do in Atlanta, and they probably have a zillion travel guides if you look.

http://www.atlanta.net/

If you want to go wlsewhere, I will be white-water-rafting in West Virginia in mid-July
Anywhere near the coast should be fine though - Myrtle Beach is a nice resort town, and New Orleans is fine. The French Quarter was not destroyed at all during the storm, and I went 6 months after and (most) of the hotels were already rennovated. It was good to see, I don't plan on going back, but I would still recommend it for anyone that wants to have a good time.

Out of anything you mentioned, go to New Orleans. It's dirty, but fun.
Otherwise, just wait until your holiday.

dave2pvd

I'd second the New Orleans suggestion. In fact, I'd fly there from ATL. That's a very cheap route - try Airtran. If you go there, I'd recommend staying in the Garden District.

White water rafting is a great suggestion. In fact, google Nantahala for some good white watering ~2hrs N of ATL.

Go to a Braves game. Even with 0 interest in baseball, you'll have a good time. It's quite the spectacle. It's nice to sit in the stadium sipping a beer, looking out over the diamond with the city skyline in the distance.

Hot. Yes, damn hot. Plenty o' sunscreen required.

Zoo Atlanta is worth the trip. Go early in the day and make sure you see the giant pandas.

Stone Mountain: just East of ATL. You can take a cable car ride to the top. Spectacular views.

PM me if you need more specifics.

Andrewf20

Just did a big road trip a few weeks ago around the deep south. Heres what not to miss, but you will need a car and a good few hours to drive around:

Within 5 hrs drive of Atlanta:

- Stone mountain gets my vote, $9 to the top per adult.
- In Tennesse, in the city of Chattanooga, Ruby Falls (biggest underground waterfall in the world), Incline railway (Steepest in the world), Rock city falls
- Martin Luther king birth home, Atlanta
- Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg Tennesse. Its free.
- White water rafting on the Ocoee river, Tennessee
- Panning for gold
- Go to a Gospel Mass. We did in Mississippi and it was the best experience of the whole trip.
- Saturn V rocket, Huntsville Alabama
- Smokey mountain national park

Further afield:
- Memphis Tennessee, Sun records
- St Louis Arch
- Graceland, Memphis
- New Orleans, and a boat tour of the swamps. (We did New orleans. The city is back to normal, while the ouksirts are still pretty bad in places. Alot of people were saying that New Orleans is crime ridden so watch yourself. Turns out we had no problems at all.)
- Mississippi boat rides
- Mammoth cave, Kentucky

Google the ones above you are not sure off. See some pics attached!