Things to do in Atlanta on Thursday?

[cee-gee.livejournal.com]

 My hubbie and I are going to D*C for the first time this year.  We are very excited and can't wait.  However, our plane tickets were much much cheaper if we fly out on Wednesday.  So we are also looking for things to do Wed night/Thursday instead of spending the day in a hotel room.  


Any gaming stores/fetish stores/super cool second hand stores/tourist attractions that are must sees AND easy to get to via public transportation from the Marriott?  

Thanks!!

Comments

[maxineofarc.livejournal.com]

I love to do sightseeing around cons. The Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola (which is the trippiest place I've ever been) are a short walk from the con hotels, and well worth it! Atlanta also sells a City Pass that gives discount admission to 10 or so different attractions around the city, which I'm going to buy this year.

[noelleleithe.livejournal.com]

CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the World of Coca-Cola are all in the same area, a very short walk from the hotels. You could easily fill up a whole day with just that. :)

Zoo?

[midnighttheatre.livejournal.com]

Do you know if the zoo is in walking distance?

Re: Zoo?

[ninepointfivemm.livejournal.com]

I don't think so.

Re: Zoo?

[noelleleithe.livejournal.com]

Nope, it's not. The zoo is in Grant Park, which is several miles and across 2 interstates from the hotels. However, the A to Z bus (MARTA route #97) runs from the Aquarium to the Zoo. I haven't done it myself, but it'll get you over there if you want to go. :)

Re: Zoo?

[midnighttheatre.livejournal.com]

thanks for the tip!

[zombossified.livejournal.com]

I loooove Atlanta!

The Aquarium is huge and gorgeous and can be accessed by Marta...actually, you can just walk (it's worth it)

You can go on William's Street and see the Adult Swim building :P

And I don't know if you're into it, but I have to pimp The Shakespeare Tavern--AMAZING food, AMAZING actors, always fun. Also, in walking distance of the Mariott! (Kind of long, but again, worth it) There's also an Insurrection next to it, a sex toy/porn shop I trust

[childofmetis.livejournal.com]

I thought that that Inserection had closed?

[acciochocolate.livejournal.com]

Yup. We were at the Tavern the other night, and Inserection is shuttered.

[ninepointfivemm.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you COULD walk it from the hotels, but I don't know that I personally would. :P

[acciochocolate.livejournal.com]

The Tavern has great shows, however of late, the shows are just Thursday nights through Sunday nights. But the food and drink are awesome.

We just saw their production of Hamlet the other night. If you haven't seen it, and are in town, there's two more shows, one tonight, and one tomorrow night, but check the site, because they might be sold out. Of course, there's always the AtlantaTix booth for half-price tickets.

http://www.shakespearetavern.com

[musicboxwaltz.livejournal.com]

dude, in my terms, the con BEGINS thursday night. you'll be okay.

[parisindy.livejournal.com]

there is the aquarium

[mistress-koloth.livejournal.com]

There will already be a ton of things to do on Wed. Enjoy!

Fettish/Lifestyle Stores and/or hangouts

[inmgmal.livejournal.com]

If you guys are interested in checking out the fettish stores around town, and/or any lifestyle hangouts, drop us a line. And...we'll have a car. (Staying at the Sheridan)

[cutest-sandgirl.livejournal.com]

I definitely recommend the Aquarium, Zoo, and Coca Cola museum. :)

[fnordx.livejournal.com]

If you don't want to do the touristy thing, you may want to check out Little Five Points. It's fairly easy to get to on the train, if you don't mind a few blocks walk. Sadly there's not as much lifestyle stuff in the area as much, but still a little bit in La Petite Mort, and Junkman's Daughter.

As far as gaming stores go, you can't really go wrong with Oxford Books and Games, but, really, as far as shopping for gaming stuff, or lifestyle stuff, you're going to see so much of it at the con that whatever is local here will be dwarfed by comparison.

The Aquarium and the World of Coke can be easily walked to from the host hotels, and going to the Aquarium and the World of Coke is pretty much a full-day type of thing.

Con doesn't officially start until friday, but there are a LOT of people there on thursday, checking in, getting their badges, etc. So, that day you'll have plenty of people around, standing around, hanging out, and there are also a few concerts going on that night as well, so, thursday is the unofficial first day of con, to make up for monday not really being much of a con day at all.

[veracity]

As far as gaming stores go, you can't really go wrong with Oxford Books and Games, but, really, as far as shopping for gaming stuff, or lifestyle stuff, you're going to see so much of it at the con that whatever is local here will be dwarfed by comparison.

If you mean the one Piedmont, it's a bit of a ways. It's practically in my backyard (Buckhead). Just fair warning.

[ojiikun.livejournal.com]

I always arrive on Monday before con, and Thursday is the day for:

1) Target (cups, cooler, first aid, water, snacks)
2) Liquor Store
3) Check In at Two PM
4) Assemble Costumes
5) Get Badges at Four PM
6) Con Starts at Six PM

Trapse around the 3 main hotels on Thursday evening, you'll get a taste of what's to come!

][

[sjwashere.livejournal.com]

I'm in the same situation regarding flights, the coca cola museum sounds cool...mmm my favourite beverage

[dizzydame.livejournal.com]

*waves*

whisperkat and I are probably driving in... and if we do we'll get there Wednesday, or really early Thursday.

The Coca Cola museum is pretty cool. I went with a friend this year when I lived in Atlanta for a while. The best part is the tasting room at the end of the tour! Different types of soda from all around the world.

[ladytalker13.livejournal.com]

There's also the Martin Luther King Historical District to see...

[mnenyver.livejournal.com]

There's TONS to do in Atlanta, most of it close by or accessible by MARTA.

If you're in the mood for an art/history museum, just go up a few stops to the High Museum of Atlanta.

CNN has studio tours. I haven't been, but friends who have gone have all said it's pretty neat.

Centennial Park - right outside CNN - is also nifty. If you're bored at night, you can watch the cheesy water show. :)

If you plan to go to 2 or more major attractions, it might be worth it to get a CityPass (http://www.citypass.com/city/atlanta.html?id=NSgBCIwk) for $69.

[k-smithington.livejournal.com]

if you are going to the world of coca-cola, when you get to the tasting area you MUST try the Bevarly!! :9 biter, italian grapefruit-esque drink. I liked it. Some people will try to tell you "Don't try it! It's a trick! It's bitter and nasty!" And apparently, by the look on my families faces and the faces around us, no one else liked it. But seriously do try this!
If you still need something to do... get your badge. That should take up a couple hours. :P

[rozhena-ashford.livejournal.com]

I've had the Beverly down at Disney World. It's bitter but rather good. Definitely different than what you're used to. ;-)

Badge Lines

[inmgmal.livejournal.com]

Having Volunteered to work Registration, I'll offer this advice in regards to the lines:

Pre-Register, Pre-Register, Pre-Register, Pre-Register!!!!!

Only a Newbie, or a fool, would try to buy their Membership on site.

If you don't know how, go to the website, or ask me, I'll GLADLY help in any way.

Re: Badge Lines

[k-smithington.livejournal.com]

well, of course! We bought our tickets in feb. But last year we still stood in line for 3 and a half hours.

Re: Badge Lines

[inmgmal.livejournal.com]

Oh I completely understand..and good job getting them early!! :)

I've seen people stand there for hours....it's sad really. Cheaper to get them earlier, too.

Re: Badge Lines

[mirana.livejournal.com]

Actually, last yr when we showed up on Thurs for Badges, on-site reg had exactly ONE GUY "in line." Pre-reg was of course through the maze, out the door and around the entire building. If you were buying on-premises you got to walk right in ahead of everyone directly to a badge. Took 5 mins.

Friday lines weren't a fraction of Thurs overall though (no surprise).

[joyeuse13.livejournal.com]

I'll put in a plug for the Center for Puppetry Arts--even if you don't go see a show (the summer shows are mainly for kids), the museum is a must-see. Atlanta's a mecca for puppeteers, who knew? (Well, I did.)

[rooneym.livejournal.com]

Varsity Hot Dogs!

[dlorean.livejournal.com]

eww! Stay away from the varsity! yuck!

Why go there when there's so much GOOD food in atlanta?

Recommendations:
$$$ - Trader Vic's. The food is good, in a con hotel, but kinda pricey (to be expected)

$$ - R Thomas (fresh, healthy, delicious, 24/7!)
$$ - Intermezzo (desserts + coffee + adult beverages, near R Thomas)

$ - Eat's (on ponce, yummy, cheap, hole in wall, great food)

Now for where NOT to eat: The Sundial. It's the rotating restaurant at the top of the Westin building. The ambience is great but the food is mediocre to just plain bad. You'll find better food at your average chain restaurant than here. Go up to the bar, look around the observation lounge, maybe have a cocktail, but don't have dinner at the restaurant. Go somewhere nice instead!

That is all.

[dlorean.livejournal.com]

I almost forgot! Majestic Diner on ponce is a 24/7 diner, a la waffle house, but MUCH better! It's within cab distance of anywhere in midtown.

Do you like mummies?

[graveyard-gnome.livejournal.com]

I plan to try this place out this year. Ancient artifacts and stuff! http://www.carlos.emory.edu/

Re: Do you like mummies?

[acciochocolate.livejournal.com]

The Micheal Carlos Museum is a wonderful treat. :) All sorts of cool stuff! There's no official admission, but a nice donation is suggested. :)

Good second hand shop!

[dlorean.livejournal.com]

Get down to Little Five Points (as others have said) and check out some great shops!

Psycho Sisters is my favorite second hand / first hand costume shop. They have so much merchandise it can be a tad overwhelming.
Rag-O-Rama is another great second hand shop in little five. Good prices, not as much costumey stuff as Psycho Sisters
Junkman's Daughter is great, has a ton of merch (and decent shoes) but tends to be a tad pricey. They have lots of Lip Service brand clothes and things like that.

[acciochocolate.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Fernbank yet. The major attraction is the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Website is here:
http://www.fernbankmuseum.org/
If you love dinosaurs, this is the place to visit in Atlanta. :) There's also an IMAX theatre, great exhibitions, and don't miss the star map room, small but fun to view.

Also part of the whole Fernbank complex is the Fernbank Science Center and Planetarium (located at 156 Heaton Park Drive, NE), Fernbank Forest and the Robert L. Staton Rose Garden. Last I heard, you can walk about in the later two for free.