When I was about 14 my parents took us on a vacation to Georgia to see Stone Mtn and The Braves. We spent one night in Helen, Ga and it was terrible. Granted, I was 14 and my not have appreciated it back then. I just remember my parents building it up and thinking ....this is it?
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ballpark/tours/index.jsp Tour of Turner Field is very fun. not too expensive. we went in last April, then to a game the next day. Tours are year round. We are baseball nuts, so we love ball park tours. Helen Ga is fun also. been twice for Octoberfest. Not Atlanta but not too far. http://www.helenga.org/ Aquarium and World Of Coke are fun also. http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/ http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/ I agree that the zoo is the zoo, but the marine life at GA Aquarium is great.
I am sure that to some it is great. I would not go 2 blocks to eat at the Varsity. I ate there once. Never need to again. I certainly would not drive hours to get eat there.
In all my life of living there Buckhead was always where the yuppies and wealthy brats hung out. Last time I drove through, which has been in the last year, it sure still seemed that way. High end shopping, dining and lots of bars for the yuppies to socialize.
Dude come on...... He is going with his ex ex or 3rd time wife.... I can't remember the details. Just know that he always has a 3 year old looking over his shoulder so time "just the two of them" in one of them Bavarian lodges could be put to good use. I remember that exact same feeling after hearing someone rave about the Varsity for the 5 hour drive to Atlanta and then actually eating there.
Clif, I doubt you can get into the Coke Plant, which is one of the reasons Coke opened their tourist facility next to the aquarium. There is more to Stone Mountain, however you already indicated that museums probably are not on your agenda. There is a Varsity Restaurant in Athens, GA (I am not positive, but I thought the Athens one was the original) also which may be handier for your meet. And the University of Georgia Athens is always interesting, and I am not sure if Walters Barbeque of REM fame is still in business.
CNN - WEATHER CHANNEL CNN/WEATHER CHANNEL STATION is around the Peachtree Plaza. Been awhile since I have been there though.
LOL.... I wasn't trying to persuade him. I was just telling a story. :lol: If it hasn't changed, there will be plenty of time as there won't be anything else to do!
For those who have tried the Varisty and didn't like it, I am truly sorry. Maybe it is an acquired taste or maybe it's just something that's bred into folks from that area. My mother grew up going there, I grew up going there and now my kids want to go there every time we visit. They call it "Atlanta Food". :lol: If nothing else, go for the atmosphere; it IS something to see, even if you only do it once.
It's is downright odd. I've been mentioning to people (both here at 4042 as well as elsewhere) that I'm going to check out The Varsity and I get two reactions/comments. From those people who have lived in Atlanta for any length of time, I get rave reviews. From those people who have only gone to Atlanta for a short trip (vacation or business), I get mediocre (at best) reviews. Just out of curiosity, how far away (travel time) is Stone Mountain from downtown Atlanta?
I think it is just about personal taste and what you are used to...and honestly, years ago before they started trying to make the food a little healthier, it was WAY better! We didn't have Carolina Packer hot dogs in GA, so it was Oscar Meyer or whatever the Varsity uses for me! While I still don't prefer a red hot dog,it's what I have eaten the most of since I moved here 9 years ago. So, now a Oscar Meyer doesn't taste right to me; maybe to someone who isn't from there, the Varsity just doesn't suit their taste. Anyway, if you are going to be area, might as well try it...and even though I personally don't eat them, I have been told to never leave the Varsity without a peach pie! Also, make sure you know what you are ordering; for instance if you order a 'hot dog', it will have chili and mus-My Friend. Ask for onions, ketchup will be on the table. I think website was already listed, but here is the page for the Varsity Lingo, just to make sure you get the right thing...http://www.thevarsity.com/history.php?action=lingo Drive over the bridge and take a drive around the GA Tech campus and also Centennial Park and CNN Center are just a few minutes away!
We went two years ago to see DS march with the band at the Georgia Dome. We stayed here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...den_Inn_Atlanta_Downtown-Atlanta_Georgia.html and we found it to be clean, courteous staff, affordable, and within very easy walking distance of Phillip's arena, the Dome, CNN center, and within view of Centennial Park and the Aquarium. The view from our room was amazing. We could sit in our room and watch people taking helicopter tours off the roof of a nearby building. It was a great view. We ate in the seafood restaurant one night at the hotel and it was great! Most of our time there was at the competition at the Dome, but we did get to enjoy the aquarium, the park (hit the fountain at night for the water show set to music), CNN Center, and Coca Cola. We also planned to go to a hockey game at Phillips' arena since it was not sold out our first night there, but we were having so much fun at the restaurant/bar (TacoMac) before the game, we decided to stay there to watch it on the big screen. Anyway, we were only there for a Friday night arrival, Saturday, and left on Sunday. Trip advisor has lots of info. on things to do. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60898-Activities-Atlanta_Georgia.html I would like to go back sometime when I have more time to spend there. Have fun!!
Make sure to hit Front Page News it is awesome. Don't let the pics scare you off. I go on Sunday Morning for the Jazz Brunch and it is never that crowded. http://www.frontpageatlanta.com/
Varsity standard order for everyone in our family: hot dog, onion rings, peach pie. Some like the orange drink and milk shakes.
Dump seeing Atlanta and do the first few miles of the AT with your son. It'll beat any hot dog from the Varsity:lol: Is he going to thru-hike the AT, or section-hike it?
His plans, if everything goes right, is to hike all the way to Maine and then all the way back. I figure I'll get a call in a few weeks asking me to pick him up in Asheville.
even though we've had a mild winter around here, there are sections farther north that they close in the winter months - has he checked on that? I remember my niece finished in Maine close to when they would be closing that section, and if I remember correctly is was early Fall. When do people generally start?Most people start in early April from Springer Mountain. The folks from the Georgia A.T. Club advise beginning no earlier than April 15 because of the potential for severe weather prior to that. Some people choose to go from north to south instead. People choosing this direction generally start in Maine in June. http://www.fred.net/kathy/at/hikefaq.html
