So since I went to Atlanta and acted like a straight tourist, taking in all the sights I possibly could during my time there, I figured I’d just offer some advice to any followers or readers who might be considering a trip to Atlanta or revisiting the city and didn’t get to take in certain things while they were there (Like me last time) So, I decided to post a list (obviously) of all the sights and places that I got to visit while I was in the peach state.
First things first, the Hotel I stayed in:
HAMPTON & SUITES:
I don’t want to try to flex and act like I stayed in a four star hotel, but Hampton Inn & Suites, at least in ATL, was a worthwhile stay.
It was affordable, the room comes with everything you’d need: a comfy bed, a couch, a desk if you need to do any business work, microwave, fridge, and of course an ironing board.The hotel staff was very friendly and accommodating, there’s free coffee and tea available in the lobby at any time of the day or night, and the hotel offers a complimentary breakfast with a good variety of food options in case you’re not feeling the hot meal choice of the day.
PLACES TO EAT:
Georgia is known for having a very Southern cooking style, which basically means that it’s full of food choices that taste delicious but are probably pretty bad for you… Although that didn’t stop me from indulging in multiple delicious meals. Here’s a quick rundown of all the places I went to:
WAFFLE HOUSE:
In South Florida, there only seems to be a few Waffle Houses scattered about here and there, but in Georgia, I would not be exaggerating when I say I saw a Waffle House almost every 3-5 blocks. It reminds me a lot of iHop, although I’d say that Waffle House places more of an emphasis on their breakfast selections. Definitely a good choice if you’re looking for a quick and affordable place to eat.
THE VARSITY:
Honestly,I was expecting more from this place. I think I was more impressed by the presentation and appearance than the actual food itself. The building is HUGE for what’s basically a fast food joint. You can order your meal from one of many registers, there’s plenty of space to sit and eat, there’s even a section where they sell Dessert and clothing, yes clothing. I ordered a burger and fries, but I’ve had better versions of that classic combo elsewhere ( Five Guys comes to mind…)
GLADY’S KNIGHT CHICKEN & WAFFLES:
I’m not a huge waffles fan, so I couldn’t tell you how their waffles tasted, but the chicken was pretty good. I liked the atmosphere of the restaurant, it’s deceptively spacious and allows you to feel like you can enjoy your meal in an isolated peace even though there’s probably other patrons dining close by. The only thing I didn’t particularly care for were how many celebrity pictures that were on the walls. It’s great to pass by them and see of course but when you think that most of these pictures are hanging right over where people are eating, it can be a little weird because it would seem that you’re hovering over them while they’re trying to eat. Finding parking for this place was tricky as well.
MARY MAC’S TEA ROOM:
Aka. The Crack House. When I say “Crack” I mean food that is so good that you’ll want more as soon you finally recover from said food induced coma. I’ve been here once before this trip and it’s had the same end result both times. I go in, I place an order and eat, almost everything tastes delicious except for maybe the cornbread, and by the time I get back to where I’m staying, I end up taking a nap. Mary Mac’s is probably not the originator of the Itis feeling, but it definitely produces the strongest results of it.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:
I only had a day to really do any major sight seeing so I ended up going to two places that were nearby each other. First was:
GEORGIA AQUARIUM:
It was alright. You can enjoy it by yourself or as a couple, but it’s really designed with families in mind. I mean there’s even an interactive 3D show whose characters bear a striking resemblance to Finding Nemo. Overall, I don’t know if I’d say it was worth the full $30 price tag (for adults) but if you’re really into aquatic life it’s worth checking out.
THE WORLD OF COCA COLA:
Literally right up the street from the aquarium, World of Coca Cola is worth checking out. It’s less than $20 to get in, and despite a tour that drags a little bit, taking in all of the displays and information is actually very interesting. It was crazy to see how a company with a “secret” formula was able to build into a worldwide monopoly that is recognized virtually everywhere. You’re even able to try different coke products from across the world, with dispensers that they divide into North America, Europe, Asia, and South African regions. It’s a very thorough, enjoyable experience.
LENOX MALL:
Not a tourist attraction but definitely one of the most popular malls in the area. During the time I went it was undergoing construction to have more stores added on, but it’s still worth checking out if only to see how much malls differ from state to state. I can’t say that the mall had anything that you wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere though.
That was pretty much my Georgia trip. There were a couple of other attractions that I opted out of going to, like Georgia Zoo, but if you happened to be looking for a mini guide of what you could do in Atlanta in a 3 day or less period, this list might help.
