Atlanta - budget friendly weekend ideas?

[billwendy]

HI! DH and I are headed to Atlanta at the end of the month as I have to travel for a conference. Any ideas of some budget friendly things to do? What should we not miss? Thanks!!!

 

[donkeyandshrek]

Stone Mountain Laser light show is a MUST see.

Underground Atlanta is cool also

 

[ah1126]

We enjoy the Olympic park, The World of Coke and CNN. The next time we are in Atlanta we plan on going to the aquarium.

 

[si-am]

Living here, I don't really think there's a lot of fun tourist things, honestly.

Stone Mountain Laser Show doesn't run in the winter, I don't think.

Underground Atlanta used to be nice but now it's a little iffy. I don't think you'd be unsafe, necessarily, but there's not a lot to do or see there.

The CNN tour is cool, and not very expensive. I haven't been to World of Coke but a lot of people like it.

 

[billwendy]

I'd love to see that lazer show, but since its winter........but is there anything else to see/do there in winter? (at Stone Mt)?

Is the underground mainly a mall?

Where is that huge drive in?

 

[lastminutemom]

Hi.

The Varsity Drive-In is downtown/midtown area and is on North Avenue. It is fun.

People really like the Coca-Cola Museum and the CNN Tour. I would skip Underground.

Where in Atlanta is your conference?

 

[jessica52877]

Me!!!

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I would skip underground and most of the malls. Sketchy!

Lenox Square is nice though if you feel the need to go shopping.

Do you collect mcr points? For 320 points you can print one free admission to World Of Coke.(you can get more than one if you have enough points to cover them) We did that one time, all of us got in free. They used to cost less points :/.

It's fun but IMO not worth $15 per person in admission so getting in with points was fun. My kids loved trying all the sodas. Dh got hooked on delaware punch which is hard to find in the US. We went on a wild goose chase through TX to get him some LOL> (it's grape drink, I think it's gross).

FYI, most downtown parking garages cost $10, some of them are cash only so keep a few bucks on you. I think parking in the garages is much safer than the pay lots or on the street.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

The aquarium is very nice. Have not been in a while but the food court had yummy food and the price was decent. Tix cost about 35 for adults unless you get them through AAA...then it is 29.

I also endorse a visit to the Varsity. Just don't try to count the calories or fat grams. Their onion rings are the best in the entire world!

We enjoyed the CNN tour.

Have not been to World of Coke yet.

 

[willowsnn3]

Stone Mountain has 'snow mountain' thru Feb 20th
Zoo Atlanta is adjacent to Grant Park where the Cyclorama/Civil War Museum is located.
Fernbank Museum
High Museum of Art

 

[disneyfab]

If you have memberships with any science or art museums, or zoo check into any reciprocity or passport programs. Dh and I use ours a lot when we travel.

You can also look into a citypass http://www.citypass.com/atlanta and these are a few dollars cheaper is you are eligible or know someone that is to purchase these at military bases.

 

[suzieQ36]

The city pass is a great deal and you get to go to many of the places suggested on here for one price. Must see - Georgia Aquarium, World of Coke, Fernbank Museum, Zoo Atlanta (they used to have Pandas there - may still have them), Lenox, Stone Mountain, & the Varsity. I agree with others - skip Underground.

 

[billwendy]

Thanks Everyone - my conference is in the Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta complex...the hotel is the Hampton Druid Hills......I think we will do the Varsity (is it easy to find) and then not sure if either the Coke Tour or Stone MT (If I can find out what snow mt is)....DH may go do the CNN tour while Im in class - lol....anyplace fun to have dinner in the Druid Hills Area????

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

If your husband is a baseball fan, he may enjoy touring Turner Field. My husband and I did the tour ... welll, I guess it was 10 years ago now, before our first son was born! .. but we really enjoyed it. At the time it was only like $8 per person but it's probably more now.

We took our sons to Atlanta during Spring Break 2010 and had fun, but thought the attractions were fairly pricey. We did the City Pass and went to Fernbank, World of Coke, Aquarium and the Zoo. The kids liked the World of Coke the best.

If you go to World of Coke, a line forms early in the day and they only let a certain number of people in at a time. The day we went to the aquarium, we walked over to World of Coke and it would have been a 2-hr wait just to get inside. You really have to get there early to not have to wait long.

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

I'd love to see that lazer show, but since its winter........but is there anything else to see/do there in winter? (at Stone Mt)?

Is the underground mainly a mall?

Where is that huge drive in?

Stone Mountain has some of there other attractions open besides Snow Mountain. You pay a parking pass and can see the carving and can hike to the top of the mountain, or walk around it, and use the other trails. You can also buy and attractions pass with a limited number of attractions being open. Snow Mountain is where they make snow and you can tube from the top of the hill where they have the seating for the laser show. You can also play in the snow. Make snow angels, snow ball fights and make snow men. It's an extra charge besides the attraction pass. Local Kroger stores have discount coupons if you decide to go. IMHO Stone Mountain is better in spring, summer or fall. If it's a nice day you could try and go too. We have has strange weather here and some days it has been in the 60's.

I agree with others to stay away from Underground Atl. It's shopsand resturants. Since the world of Coke has moved it has gotten shady with gangs and the homeless hanging around there. If you want to shop Atlantic Station is different. It's a town within a town type place.

The CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park, The World of Coke, The Aquarium, and the Braves Stadium tour and museum are all fun to see.

For places to eat I recommend the Varsity. I also recommend the Buckhead Diner it's off of Piedmont Road. Atlanta Fish Market is also good if you like seafood. Ressies are recommended. You can look up other resturants that are owned by the same company use Buckhead Resturants.

Hope you enjoy your visit.

 

[LovesTimone]

If you have a car... Get out of Atlanta if possible, head for Helen Ga, its the cutest little town, like a german alpine village. Head up into the mountains, about a 2 hour drive, head north on 985, really nice drive. Stop at a place called Goats on the roof, I can't explain you just have to check it out...

If not ( car) others have stated, world of coke, try the Varsity resturant if is an Atlanta landmark and has been on the food network, want something really special for dinner try, the Sun Dial restaurant $$$$ , it is at the top of the Westin, and the restaurtant rotates, if not dinner see if you can get in the bar for a drink the veiw is amazing. -

Do not ride the marta, especially late, people pandleing and they have had issues from time to time. Atlanta underground, not another good choice, if you are in a large group you will be fine, I would not go alone just the 2 of you.

 

[billwendy]

THanks for all this wonderful info!!!!

Question - is the world of coke a factory tour or just a museum about coke stuff?

It is just the 2 of us, and we will have a car....we are actually flying into Birmingham, if that helps in the recommendations...