Ahh, the Atlanta Braves. Turner Field is a short walk from a train station (Georgia State) or there's a shuttle from Atlanta Underground.
There's nothing like going to a game, getting a few beers, watching all the crazy fans (and some baseball when it's good).
On Wednesday, Sept. 16 the Braves are playing the New York Mets! I will be going to the game with a few friends, so if anyone else is interested in going just let me know!!
Two things I have yet to do in Atlanta happen to be the two most popular tourist attractions in the city: World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium.
These two places are a block apart from one-another, on the edge of Centennial Olympic Park, which everyone should walk through once. The aquarium is one of the biggest in the world and has been super-popular since it was opened. The World of Coke is fairly new and I've heard really good things...like you can sample all the Coke products from around the world.
Prices range from $15 - $70, depending on what you want to do, or you can buy something called the Pemberton Place Pass for $36.50.
That's right, Stone Mountain is made of stone: granite to be exact...or maybe not exactly according to Wikipedia. If you go there and hike up the mountain (1-2 hours, with a cool view at the top) you'll call it granite.
Stone Mountain Park is most well known for the carving in the side of the mountain: it's Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis (and NOT Pac-Man, despite what Squidbillies would have you believe). Make no mistake, you are in the South.
There is plenty to do in the park besides hiking, but Alyssa and I haven't really done any of it. Take a look at the website and maybe you'll find something else you'd like to do. It's a bit of a drive from Atlanta (20-30 minutes - bring good directions or bring a local!), but it can definitely be worth it.
If you're looking for something to do the evening after the wedding (Sept. 19th) head on out for the WORLD FAMOUS LASERSHOW SPECTACULAR!! Bring a blanket and some food, and prepare to be amazed! Well, it's kind of cheesy, but it can be a lot of fun. If you're lucky some good ol' boys will show up (while the mullet has been replaced by the buzzcut, they usually do stand out) and stand up when Lee Greenwood sings, "...I gladly stand up, next to you..."
(This video isn't great, but it's the best I could find on YouTube...)
One of the most beautiful and interesting historical landmarks in Atlanta is the Fabulous Fox Theatre. It was built in the 1920's, and its design draws influence from several cultures around the world, most notably Egyptian (it was started soon after the discovery of King Tut's tomb) and Islamic.
You can read all about its history here: http://www.foxtheatre.org/history.htm or, better yet, go on a tour of the Fox Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday mornings at 10:00 (and 11:00am on Saturday).
The Fox hosts movie festivals, Broadway shows, concerts, and more. The week of our wedding it is featuring the musical of The Color Purple (starring Fantasia(??))...
It's definitely worth a visit just to see the outside of it, but be sure to walk all the way around it, and even cross the street to see all you can. (Safety note: The Fox is in an area with a large homeless population, and while a majority of them are very nice and polite there are a few that are not.)
While you're in the area of the Fox, you can stop by the Jazz Club, Churchill Grounds next door. There is usually a cover charge, but the drinks are great and the music is usually awesome. And just two blocks down Ponce you'll find some of the best Southern food in Atlanta (vegetarians can at least eat the bread and have mac 'n' cheese) at Mary Mac's Tea Room. And if nothing else, a block past Mary Mac's is a Krispy Kreme (be sure to go by when the "Fresh Donuts" sign is lit!).
Or go the other way when leaving the Fox and head down North Ave. a block or two and you'll find another of Atlanta's institutions: The Varsity. When you walk in, head straight for the counter, everyone working behind it will yell at you, "What'll ya have!" Your answer needs to be loud and clear, probably something to do with a chili dog, onion rings, and a Frosted Orange (kind of a frozen Orange Crush...). Not for those on a diet, and not the best option for vegetarians. But fun for just about everyone!
When I first visited Atlanta I didn't think there was much of a chance of moving here. It just didn't seem like "home." That is until I visited the Oakland Cemetery. I am a bit morbid, as most of you reading this might know, but I don't like cemeteries for any morbid reasons. They're just peaceful, and some are filled with great art or interesting monuments.
Oakland Cemetery is located in either the downtown area, the Grant Park area, or East Atlanta, depending on who you talk to. I just say it's on Memorial and Boulevard.
It's not a huge cemetery (especially for anyone who has visited Arlington Nat'l), but it could still take up a few hours of your time walking around. If you're in Atlanta for the wedding, be sure to bring plenty of water because it will most likely be humid and hot. Take your time and find Margaret Mitchell's (hint: she doesn't use that name), Bobby Jones's (famous golfer; bring a golf ball to leave on his grave if you golf), and Maynard Jackson's (Atlanta's first black mayor) graves. Take a guided tour to learn more about the history. Be sure to visit the gift shop (the bathroom sometimes works, and they sell water/soda) and say hello and thank whoever is working.
As you're walking around you might notice some trees uprooted or some monuments toppled, etc. There was a tornado in Feb. 2008 and they're still working to restore everything they can. So if you can manage it donate some money to help them out.
Walk around and look at all the cool mausoleums and statues, find the Confederate soldier's graves, the "Sleeping-or-dead Lion" and the Jewish section. Look at all the great trees, plants, and flowers. Watch the MARTA (Atlanta's "mass transit" -- MARTA is Smarta) trains pass by, and take pictures of the awesome Atlanta skyline.
Parking can be tricky, but if you drive to Oakland Ave. there is a little unpaved parking lot, and some parking on the street. Just be sure to hide all valuables and lock your car up tight. It's best to take MARTA, because the King Memorial Station is right there.
Some of you reading this may know that I really like to drink beer. I may even be a bit of a snob about what I'll drink sometimes, but definitely not as snob-bly as some. I absolutely loathe Bud and Bud Light; Coors Light I can drink once in a great while, but only because I'm from Colorado and in kindergarten teachers gave us C.L. instead of milk before naps; I'd rather drink water or go thirsty than drink most other cheap beers besides PBR.
My favorite beer right now is Dogfish Head 60-Minute IPA. It's hoppy and bitter enough, with some other flavorings that make it really fun to drink, without a really high alcohol content (6%). If I understand correctly there will be some of this (keg hopefully) at the wedding reception, so everyone there can try it and let me and Alyssa know if you share our tastes.
Next on the list is something local, Sweetwater IPA. It's nice and hoppy, just bitter enough, and heavier than the local favorite Sweetwater 420 (an extra pale ale). And a close third is Fat Tire from Ft. Collins. It may be on the list only because it's not sold in Georgia, so it's a big treat when I do get it.
But my tastes aren't what this blog is about, so I'll get to the point. In Atlanta there are two mid-size breweries (not just local, but not nationwide): Sweetwater and the Atlanta Brewing Company. They each give tours on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings year-round. Along with the tours comes a bit of drinking; you can try new brews, or just enjoy some of the "old" favs. I highly recommend both of their tours and parties, though if you're no longer in college you might want to try the Wednesday or Thursday tours. The Friday night can get pretty wild with college students drinking too much, being too loud, and causing trouble.
The Atlanta Brewing Company (http://www.atlantabrewing.com) has a live band most Friday nights along with lots of drinking for around $7 -- a great deal!
Sweetwater Brewery (http://www.sweetwaterbrew.com) is a lot of fun and they have an interesting website. It is quite a bit busier than ABC, but it's also bigger with a wider distribution (for now).
I would like to send a quick yodel of approval out for Your (yes, Your) Dekalb Farmers Market, my constant source of inspiration, amusement and dried legumes for the last five years. If you have ever eaten at our house, you have probably tried some homemade knock-off of something on the YDFM cafeteria line (even though I think my tabbouleh is better), or snacked on some of the crazy-amazing produce I buy there every week. If you're ever in need of a quick nosh, some mysterious ingredient in that complex Indian recipe off the internet that you just have to try, or just a leisurely session of people watching, I highly recommend this place. Just bring a jacket - it's cold in there!
(Please note that photography of any kind is not actually permitted in the market, so don't try it, 'cause they might catch you and make you leave before it's your turn ordering at the pastry counter, and I will eat your orange cream tart for you without a shiver of remorse.)
My colleague Meseret has instructed me that "thank you" in Amharic is ahm-eh-seg-NAH-lew. If your cashier's tag lists this language as one that he/she speaks, please try this out and let me know how they respond. (I'm a dork, and have been too bashful to try it.)
Alyssa and Randall are getting married on 9-19-2009 in Atlanta, GA. To contact us, email Alyssa: viennaguitar@yahoo.com or Randall: therandall@gmail.com
