Atlanta Area Restaurants/Malls/Museums, etc.

[simonkodousek]

I know this is off topic, but oh well. My dad and I are leaving for the ATL in only 9 days. The main purpose of this trip is to look at colleges, but we'll have 3 free afternoons and evenings to do and see things in the area. We're staying at the W Atlanta in Buckhead.

For those of you who have been to, live in, or know anything about ATL, what are some good southern restaurants in and around Buckhead? What are some of your favorite area restaurants, regardless of the type of cuisine served? The price isn't really much of a consideration; my dad's the type of person who will pay pretty much anything for amazing food.

Also, what are the best malls in the area? One of my friends used to live right outside of ATL, in Alpharetta, and she said the malls down there are awesome. The hotel is right next to Lenox Square so I plan on checking that out. How about Atlantic Station, or is that not worth the drive from Buckhead?

Finally, are there any good museums in or around ATL? Specifically, art and/or history museums.

Any help would really, really be appreciated!

Thanks so much,
Simon

 

[newmouse2008]

Atlantic Station is worth it!!! I love it. The High Museum is great. The World of Coke is fun Too. If you want funky... go to Little Five Points.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Simon...are you really looking at colleges?

I remember when you first wrote to the podcast.

How did you get so much older when I didnt age a day?

 

[jcb]

It has been a few years since I have been (DD says it is still good) but I have always enjoyed the Buckhead Diner, 3073 Piedmont Road, not far from Lenox Square Mall.

I agree with Teresa that the World of Coke is fun - the variety international coke products dwarfs number of drinks at EPCOT's Club Cool.

I also think there is an aquarium, http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/ but I have not been.

They also play decent baseball.

 

[simonkodousek]

Simon...are you really looking at colleges?

I remember when you first wrote to the podcast.

How did you get so much older when I didnt age a day?

I am really looking at colleges, LOL. I'm looking at Emory and Oglethorpe when I'm down there next week. I already Mapquest'ed it, and it's a 7 hour drive from ATL to Orlando, so maybe we can do that dinner at some point in the next few years, LOL.

 

[simonkodousek]

Atlantic Station is worth it!!! I love it. The High Museum is great. The World of Coke is fun Too. If you want funky... go to Little Five Points.

Thanks T!

 

[simonkodousek]

It has been a few years since I have been (DD says it is still good) but I have always enjoyed the Buckhead Diner, 3073 Piedmont Road, not far from Lenox Square Mall.

I agree with Teresa that the World of Coke is fun - the variety international coke products dwarfs number of drinks at EPCOT's Club Cool.

I also think there is an aquarium, http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/ but I have not been.

They also play decent baseball.

Thanks for all the info! I saw the Georgia Aquarium on Real Housewives of Atlanta and it looked really cool.

 

[Joshua_me]

For good old fashioned Southern cooking, it doesn't get much better or more authentic than The Colonnade.

http://www.colonnadeatl.com/

They've been there since, well - forever I think, and the fried chicken is the very best I've ever had. (And that's saying something, believe me. )

Also, "The Vortex" can't be missed, but you're going to have to Google that one on your own.

 

[DCTooTall]

And if you are entering College life.. You HAVE to Experience the Varsity. It's an experience in and of itself.


It's been awhile since I've spent any real time Downtown (moved from Atlanta about 5yrs ago), so some of my information may be a bit out of date.

Almost across the street from Lenox Square is Phipps Plaza. This mall has some higher end stores in it. There is also North Point up 400 in Alpharretta, and also Perimeter. (intersection of 400 and 285.)

If you are feeling adventurous, you could also check out Underground Atlanta near Five Points. (Little 5 and "regular 5" are 2 different areas... and vastly different cultures).



Add a 2nd for checking out the High Museum of Art. Also in that area is the Atlanta Symphony which might be interesting for you to check out.


It at least used to be, and someone with more recent intel could correct me, But there were some great places to eat around Perimeter Mall (Cheesecake Factory), Roswell Rd, and in the Midtown area (Atlantic Station vicinity).

 

[BeamsofLight]

I would definitely recommend the Aquarium. It's the only thing I insist people who come to visit us go to see while they're here.

 

[DCTooTall]

Hmmm....

Would a Waffle House during Bar Rush be considered a must see attraction?

 

[BeamsofLight]

Hmmm....

Would a Waffle House during Bar Rush be considered a must see attraction?

Definitely worth seeing once, though maybe that can wait until he's actually attending school.

Side story: In college, there were security boxes/phones throughout campus, and I was told during orientation that you could always see 2 from any 1 you stood at, for safety.

Shortly after moving to Atlanta, we realized this was true of Waffle Houses here.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

South City Kitchen off of 14th Street and Crescent is absolutely delicious and one of my favorite Southern Restaurants in town because it is Southern Cuisine with a twist. Great for Dinner and definitely don't miss the fried green tomatoes!!

For breakfast, you can try the Flying Biscuit - they are busy in the mornings especially on the weekends but they are off of 5th Street by Piedmont Park.

As far as Museums, the High Museum of Art has some great exhibits right now. Salvador Dali to name one...if art is something you are interested in.

The Georgia Aquarium is absolutely wonderful and can't be missed. Consider going next door to the new World of Coca-Cola.

If you have some extra time, we have a Kangaroo Sanctuary about an hour and a half north of Atlanta. Yes, a Kangaroo Sanctuary! It is so much fun to go to and they have tours and raise Kangaroos since none of them can be exported from Australia.

The Concierge at the W should be able to plan all this out and more for you. You are close to our finest shopping areas as well so if you must shop, you will have options! But...you will probably be too busy for that. If you get a chance, go to a Braves game!! That is one of my favorite things to do here in Atlanta. I am not the biggest of fans, but I just love the atmosphere and you can see where the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the Olympic torch were. Even though 1996 was so long ago, the city is still proud of it!

As far as colleges, go to Emory! Don't even consider Oglethorpe. It is a neat campus, but you can't beat Emory especially if they give you a scholarship! It is such a nicer area to live in and go to school. For the record, I did not go to school in Atlanta so I am not pushing any colleges because I went to them.

Good Luck with your tours and I hope you enjoy your visit!

 

[xanphylus]

You mentioned malls, and if you don't mind driving a bit.... ok, a decent bit... go to the Mall of Ga. It's great! It's a huge mall and has lots of nifty shops, but in general, it's just a mall. If you want something different, hit the Discover Mills mall in Gwinnett. You can even eat at Medieval Times and catch the show!

As far as Southern food- I agree with the PPs. Gotta hit the Flying Biscuit! Their grits are the bomb! I have heard about a place called Carvers, but never been. Supposed to be great.

Def hit the Coke place, it's pretty cool. They have the lovely Beverly soda everyone talks about at the cool zone place at Epcot. Have your dad try that one! lol

 

[LeahZ]

The World of Coke
the Underground is kind of neat to see
I've heard the Varsity is great food.
Check out CNN downtown, maybe a show will be taping.
Stone Mountain - http://www.stonemountainpark.com/
See a show or take a tour - Fox Theater http://foxtheatre.org/index.aspx

Have fun!!

 

[Indio]

There's a Cheesecake Factory in the heart of Buckhead - YUM!! The Vortex in Midtown is closer to Buckhead than the one in Little 5 Points (keep in mind you have to be 18 to go in the Vortex, but it is the greatest for burgers!) Also, Gladys Knight and Ron Wynan's Chicken and Waffles is not far either. I think Atlantic Station is too far from Buckhead. Lenox as you said is right there and Perimeter Mall is pretty close. I'd definately hit the Aquarium! Underground Atlanta is in downtown - but honestly, I don't care for it - it's still kind of scary - even after the renovations for the Olympics! The World of Coke museum is neat - a huge Club Cool with "soda jerks" and lots of drinks. I also agree with the previous poster about Emory - great school.

Have fun in "Hotlanta"!!

 

[BeamsofLight]

I've heard the Varsity is great food.

I have to be honest... we heard this a lot when we first moved here a few years ago, so we went and tried it out. While I agree that the history of the place is interesting, take a stomach pump if you're going to actually eat there. Blech.

 

[MomofKatie]

I have to be honest... we heard this a lot when we first moved here a few years ago, so we went and tried it out. While I agree that the history of the place is interesting, take a stomach pump if you're going to actually eat there. Blech.

The Varsity is an aquired taste, IMO. We moved to ATL from the Midwest when I was 9, and my mom took us to the Varsity to eat. We were underwhelmed, to say the least. But, by the time I got into HS, I LOVED the place!! A chili cheese dog, jumbo FO, and onion rings is the most wonderful greasy goodness you will have in ATL. Mmmmm- mouth is watering just thinking about those rings...

DH went to Emory- it is a great school in a nice little area of the city.

 

[BeamsofLight]

The Varsity is an aquired taste, IMO. We moved to ATL from the Midwest when I was 9, and my mom took us to the Varsity to eat. We were underwhelmed, to say the least. But, by the time I got into HS, I LOVED the place!! A chili cheese dog, jumbo FO, and onion rings is the most wonderful greasy goodness you will have in ATL. Mmmmm- mouth is watering just thinking about those rings...

That sounds about right - all the Atlanta 'natives' that we know (in quotes because I'm not sure anyone was actually born in this city ) are scandalized that we didn't like it. I'm not a big fan of greasy food, so it was no huge surprise for me, but for my husband not to like it either, well, it's gotta be really greasy.

In any case, they're certainly not hurting for business, so I'm sure we're in the minority. But I still feel compelled to mention it to other out-of-towners looking for stuff to do, since it gets recommended a lot and our experience wouldn't inspire me to tell people to go there.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I have to be honest... we heard this a lot when we first moved here a few years ago, so we went and tried it out. While I agree that the history of the place is interesting, take a stomach pump if you're going to actually eat there. Blech.

I agree. I have heartburn after going for at least two days! It is greasy and look at the menu online before you go. So much pressure to order so fast! I think it is one of the places you have to visit at least once but in the six plus years we have lived in Atlanta, we have been maybe five times and usually with guests from out of town who really want to go there.