 Atlanta, Georgia 72-Hour Vacation
Atlanta's crane-bedecked skyline continues its evolution with new high-rise condominiums, hotels, office towers, and urban-focused shop-live-work environments. In 2008, Buckhead Avenue in the heart of Atlanta's most lauded shopping-dining-living neighborhood, bid goodbye to its longtime iconic establishments—some of which relocated—to make way for a new shopping-living-work-entertainment complex that promises to rival the finest shopping streets of the world. The 14th Street bridge has been closed for renovation, to yield another passageway to the booming Westside. Little remains of historic Atlanta's original architecture. Instead, the city has brought to life urban centers marked by modern structures. Here you'll find creations by Philip Johnson's firm (IBM Tower); Richard Meier (High Museum of Art); Renzo Piano (High Museum of Art addition); I.M. Pei, Michael Graves (Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University); and, if all goes well, soon a new symphony hall by Spain's Santiago Calatrava. Atlanta well deserves its reputation as a city that is constantly redefining itself and building anew. Westside's Atlantic Station has revitalized a part of town that once was industrial, blending residences, businesses, restaurants, entertainment venues and retail shops in a carefully designed environment. Lindberg City Center echoes that trend, as its emerging businesses and residences, nightclubs and restaurants take shape around one of the busy Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit (MARTA) subway stations. These projects join others east of the city, near Grant Park, for example, where elegantly appointed townhouses and retail neighborhoods are beginning to attract sophisticated residents and entertainment seekers. Along rundown Boulevard, selected blocks blossom with funky establishments, vegetarian restaurants and contemporary lofts. Modern Atlanta thrives as a metropolis that more than 2,100 international companies and 5 million people call home, making it the ninth most populous metropolitan area in the U.S., and covering 28 counties. Its geographic extension and ethnic complexity ensures that some of the best food, entertainment and housing in the country are available here. To explore in comfort, you will need a car. Although MARTA is an excellent public transportation system providing both rail and bus transportation, the system doesn't go beyond Metropolitan Atlanta's two main counties: DeKalb and Fulton. Cobb and Gwinnett counties have their own transportation systems, which tie into MARTA at specific spots. And the posh Buckhead neighborhood offers a free shuttle bus system, called "The Buc," which operates among the neighborhood's hotels and retail zones. In addition, two of the city's colleges—Georgia Tech and Emory University—operate bus systems that non-student riders may use. Bear in mind, however, that their routes are limited.
There are numerous wonderful hotels in Atlanta. Get your first taste of the city's history by staying in historic Midtown, which escaped the 1917 fire that nearly engulfed the city, at the Victorian-era Shellmont Inn. Located on tree-lined Piedmont Avenue, the inn was built in 1891 by W. T. Downing, a famous Atlanta architect, for Perrin Nicholson as a wedding gift for his wife. Relax in one of the whirlpool-tub suites and take a brisk walk through this vibrant restored neighborhood before dinner at one of the nearby restaurants. Other lovely places to stay while in Midtown include the luxurious TWELVE Hotel in Atlantic Station or its newly launched sister property near Centennial Olympic Park. History buffs also will love The Georgian Terrace, from whose historic balconies Enrico Caruso would serenade Atlantans in the streets whenever the Metropolitan Opera was in town performing across the street at the Fox Theatre. The nearby Hotel Indigo Atlanta Midtown accepts guests with pets. The Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta and Wyndham Midtown Atlanta, both also in Midtown, are convenient to the district's arts, dining and entertainment scene. The W Hotels have quadrupled the brand's presence in Atlanta with two re-brands and one new construction joining the W Atlanta Perimeter. The brand new W Atlanta - Downtown opened in January 2009. The former Sheraton at Colony Square now is the W Atlanta - Midtown, and the former Crown Plaza Hotel in Buckhead now is the W Atlanta Buckhead. In 2008, Buckhead welcomed the new The Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel & Residence, with a spa and another new restaurant from vaunted culinary personality Tom Colicchio. His Craft Atlanta with its steakhouse emphasis, and more casual Craftbar downstairs, joined the hotel's NEO, the latter an Italian food spot, in 2008. And opening on April 7, 2009, the St. Regis Hotel, a Starwood property, accepts reservations for guests staying after April 20, 2009. Visitors preferring the Downtown environment will enjoy The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, or, if romance is in the air, the boutique The Glenn Hotel. And downtown The Ellis on Peachtree is ensconced in what once was the luxurious Winecoff Hotel. One of its unique features is an all-women's floor. Within the CNN Complex is the Omni Hotel at CNN Center, with good fine dining at its restaurant, Prime Meridian. And adjacent to Philips Arena/CNN Center parking, you'll fine the slightly funky The Glenn Hotel, with its excellent steakhouse, Maxim Prime. Particularly well situated for exploring attractions around Centennial Olympic Park, the Embassy Suites at Centennial Olympic Park also offers fine dinning at Ruth's Chris Steak House, with service including a breakfast buffet and lunch. The Buckhead location of Ruth's Chris Steak House has moved to the Buckhead Embassy Suites Hotel, near the Financial Center. Check out Day 3 for lodging in affluent Buckhead. Before you go, consider getting a CityPass to save up to 50% off the price of regular admissions to some of the city's finest attractions. Wherever you choose to stay, settle in and then get ready to begin your 72 hours in Atlanta! DAY 1 If you're staying at the Shellmont Inn, start your day with breakfast there. If you're staying elsewhere in Midtown, head to the Flying Biscuit Café for classic Southern-style biscuits as well as omelets and other breakfast fixin's.
Begin your day with a visit to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens on Piedmont Avenue, eight blocks up from the Shellmont Inn. You could walk to it or catch the free Georgia Tech Midtown shuttle, which runs every fifteen minutes. Besides botanical displays, the garden is an extraordinary exhibition environment for art. Sites to see in Midtown include the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, the re-constructed apartment building where Gone With the Wind author Margaret Mitchell and her second husband John Marsh lived while she was working on the novel. Spaces showcase memorabilia from both the author and the film, which premiered in Atlanta. Ms. Mitchell called the place "The Dump," and since it was renovated, following a pair of mysterious fires, it looks substantially nicer than when the author and her spouse lived in a part of it.
After exploring Midtown, head to Downtown, taking MARTA from the Midtown Station located on 10 th Street between Peachtree and W. Peachtree streets, to the Five Points Station. To find Atlanta's historic roots, visit Underground Atlanta. Near here is the spot where the Dartmouth-educated engineer Stephen Long supposedly thrust into the ground the stake marking the end of the western line of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, also known as the zero mile marker. Atlanta grew around this point. Today, the original entrances to these 19th-century commercial buildings, which were obscured when the street level was raised, lead to shops, restaurants and nightspots. Markers scattered throughout Underground Atlanta point out various important buildings or other moments in the city's history. Jump back on MARTA at Five Points and ride west one stop to CNN Center, or walk the few blocks west along Marietta Street to CNN, right across from Centennial Olympic Park. Marietta Street west of CNN is another of Atlanta's once rundown neighborhoods undergoing revitalization. Most worthy are the regularly scheduled CNN tours, which take you behind the scenes at the hub of the world's news nerve center. Across the street lies Centennial Olympic Park, and just beyond the park are two must-sees: the new World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. Barely past its first anniversary, the facility already is slated for expansion. A good spot for lunch or dinner is Peasant Bistro, just a short walk away from the Aquarium.
Got toddlers in tow? Also adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park is Imagine it! The Children's Museum of Atlanta, where the youngest tourists will find activities designed to intrigue them. Atlanta's historic role in the Civil Rights Movement is embodied in its Sweet Auburn district, which runs along Edgewood Avenue in Downtown. To get there, return along Marietta street to Five Points and take MARTA's No. 3 bus to the Martin Luther King National Historic Site. Be sure to visit the home where King was reared, as it is open to the public. Across the street from the church at the visitor center, exhibitions detail his role in the Civil Rights Movement. And, of course, stop by his gravesite at the King Center, where King's widow, Coretta Scott, now also is interred. Across the street is the modern Ebeneezer Baptist Church, where crowds celebrated the election of President Barack Obama in 2008. Many news commentators stated that here is where King preached, but it was not built until after his death. His preaching was at the original church. Or, if you prefer to return to Midtown for dinner, Nickiemoto's features sushi and a sweeping look at the culinary richness of the Pacific Rim. Mexican fare is highlighted at Zócalo, while Eno offers both a great wine bar and a restaurant serving Mediterranean fare. Go for burgers at the Vortex, where late-night dining is a reality show. And if you wish to dine lightly, hit up TAP, popular for tapas and small plates.
South City Kitchen showcases upscale Southern fare, while nationally recognized ECCO is so popular, it may require a reservation, but at least merits a visit to the bar.
* Skyline, Margaret Mitchell's House and Fox Theatre images courtesy of Atlanta Tourism
|
72 HOURS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
America's capital city might have started out a swamp, but now it's a destination for tourists and heads of state alike. Whether you're here to inspect the Constitution or to check out artifacts from the first Apollo mission, we'll help you fit it all in.BUSINESS IN SEATTLE
Once a relatively isolated provincial town, Seattle is now recognized worldwide as the home of high-tech and as a gateway to Asian trade centers. From the charm of its 100-year-old Pike Place Market to its striking steel-and-glass central library, the city lures many a business visitor back as a tourist.
