24hrs in Atlanta - what to do?

Just like the title says, I'm currently in Atlanta for work. The work portion ends tonight and my wife is flying in to meet me here. Her sister lives in Monroe, and the plan into visit and stay there tomorrow night.

We are basically left with a free Friday and Saturday morning, what to do?

Coca Cola Museum; CNN Tower; Georgia Aquarium

The aquarium was the best I've ever to. Atlanta underground was cool

What part of town are you staying in tonight?

Well, if you leave your hotel tomorrow morning and get on I-285, you might be able to make the loop around the city by sometime Saturday morning. Traffic is a bit of a bugger, especially on a Friday.

In reply to nderwater:

Staying in Buckhead tonight, but the wife doesn't get in till pretty late

Georgia Aquarium

I live in Atlanta and I'm still in awe of the aquarium. Yes the tickets are expensive, but it is the only chance to see a whale shark without traveling to Asia.

Go sit cross legged at the very front of the Ocean Voyager window (which is 26 feet high x 63 feet wide). It is one of the most amazing experiences because you entire field of vision is filled with the aquarium.

I think the aquarium is definitely going to be a stop, the wife and I love going to the Monterey Bay aquarium, so this would be a fun stop.

I can't believe nobody said "Buy up all the sweet rust-free Atlanta cars"

In reply to GameboyRMH: Funny thing is that was one of the first things to go thru my head while back here! But then again, coming from California, I don't know what this "rust" thing is that everyone keeps talking about??

Get some food. Atlanta knows how to do food.

Gladys and Ron's? Chicken and waffle is iconic.

Edit, I once had a hamburger there that used a donut for a bun. The trick was they turned the donut inside out so your fingers didn't even get sticky... genius!

In 2006, I was working for Boost Mobile. At the time for the then new brand, all our advertising was Hip Hop with the TV commercial featuring Kanye, Ludacris and The Game.

I was in Atlanta helping to launch the product for a week. One night, some employees and customers took me to an Atlanta Black Strip Club. It was a unique experience for this Ohio, corn field, White Boy. I would not recommend it on your own but in this group, I was sure I was well protected. I can not remember the name of the place but it seemed to be pretty notorious.

Robbie wrote: Edit, I once had a hamburger there that used a donut for a bun. The trick was they turned the donut inside out so your fingers didn't even get sticky... genius!

Ah yes, the Sublime burger, available at Cypress St Pint and Plate. Highly, highly recommend that restaurant and anything in it.

Aquarium is awesome. I don't even know how many times I've been. 10/10 would gawk at fish all day.

Skip the Coke museum, honestly not worth the time or money. It feels like an hour long infomercial/brainwashing session to get you to buy more Coke. The tasting room is the only fun part, but that gets old after like 5 samples and you can old have so much soda in one sitting.

Go to any park and find a King of Pops stand. Getchyo self a popsicle. Delicious gourmet popsicle. They have an app or just google for locations.

Do NOT let anyone talk you into going to the Varsity. It is not an Atlanta staple. Literally only tourists go there and the food is E36 M3ty. It's walking distance from my old college dorms, and trust me not even college kids would go there.

Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles is delicious.

I haven't yet been to the College Football hall of fame, but all the restaurants near it are bad, overpriced, or for tourists.

Go check out Ponce City Market. It's an old warehouse converted into this mixed-use live/work/hipster apartment/mall/food court thing. I don't even know how to properly tell you how cool this place is. So much good food, cool bars, and interesting local stores. Really fun "industrial" atmosphere and a great place to hang out and kill time.

Use Uber to get around.

JohnRW1621 wrote: In 2006, I was working for Boost Mobile. At the time for the then new brand, all our advertising was Hip Hop with the TV commercial featuring Kanye, Ludacris and The Game. I was in Atlanta helping to launch the product for a week. One night, some employees and customers took me to an Atlanta Black Strip Club. It was a unique experience for this Ohio, corn field, White Boy. I would not recommend it on your own but in this group, I was sure I was well protected. I can not remember the name of the place but it seemed to be pretty notorious.

If you want the absolute most fun night of your life, go the Clairmont Lounge. Yes, it's in the basement of an abandoned sketchy hotel. Yes, the strippers median age is 65. Yes, it is Bill Murray's favorite thing to do in the city. It is an iconic Atlanta novelty. Trust me, just do it.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I think that should give us a pretty good time! I'm thinking aquarium, Gladys, ponce city should keep us pretty busy...

The plan is to explore all day Friday, head to the in-laws house in Monroe, stay there and hang with them a little Saturday morning, explore a little more, then drive off to Nashville for Saturday night thru Monday mid-day. The wife has that part "planned", but if anyone's got suggestions for there, let me know!

Go to The Vortex. They may not be the best burger you've ever had, but they are good and the place is worth a visit.

I'll second the Vortex. Go to the one in Little 5 Points if you can.

Gold Club.

Chicken and waffles, bbq, burgers.

Thanks for all the ideas guys, I really appreciate it!!

If you are downtown Saturday, Atlanta Region is autoxing at Turner Field (Sunday as well), and you can visit Turner Field as well.

Try and find a road or street without the word "Peach" in it

+1 on the Clermont Lounge

http://clermontlounge.net

It's not really a "strip club", it's more like a dive bar with your grandmother gyrating in lingerie. It's actually a blast--- and not at all creepy. You won't forget it......that's for sure!

NOHOME wrote: Try and find a road or street without the word "Peach" in it

Hey, I lived on Virginia Avenue in Atlanta. Okay, there are a few Virginia Avenues, too.

JohnRW1621 wrote: In 2006, I was working for Boost Mobile. At the time for the then new brand, all our advertising was Hip Hop with the TV commercial featuring Kanye, Ludacris and The Game. I was in Atlanta helping to launch the product for a week. One night, some employees and customers took me to an Atlanta Black Strip Club. It was a unique experience for this Ohio, corn field, White Boy. I would not recommend it on your own but in this group, I was sure I was well protected. I can not remember the name of the place but it seemed to be pretty notorious.

If you're referring to the Booty Tap (Body Tap,) it burned down several years ago. RIP.

OP: If you're into art, the "Forward Warrior" project in Cabbagetown is pretty amazing. Tons of great murals in that area.

I really dig the Old Fourth Ward. "Church" (a bar) is an awesome, weird experience. Corner Tavern next door is one of my faves as well.

I'm not sure if it's still going on, but there was a Basquiat exhibit at the High Museum recently. Their permanent collection is great as well. You could spend a whole day there.

Oakland Cemetery is pretty amazing. "Six Feet Under" (bar/restaurant across the street) has REALLY good seafood and staff. Sit on the roof for good people watching.

If you can catch "D Cafe" in the west end while they're open, they're one of two places in town that serve a REAL ASS MOTHERberkeleyING BISCUIT, IMO. - Folk Art being the other.

In reply to Smarta$$ McPoopyPants:

+1 everything this guy said