Elle's Atl

I was asked to do a guest post on Atlanta and thought I'd share a rough draft of what I wrote. Enjoy! Love, Elle


In the year that I've lived here, I've created a list of things to do and places to eat; some that tourists love as well as some local spots. So if you're in the awesome city of Atlanta for a day or two, here's what I suggest:


SITE SEEING

• World of Coca Cola Museum  A favorite of mine that demonstrates the process of making the beloved Atlanta-based drink, as well as memorabilia.
• Georgia Aquarium Billed as the world's largest aquarium and is a recent addition to the must-see list.
• Zoo Atlanta/Cyclorama Next door to the Zoo is the Cyclorama, a huge painting that depicts the Civil War; an important part of Atlanta's history.
• Piedmont Park This is one of my favorite places in Atlanta; you get city views while plenty of greenspace. There's always an event happening.
• MLK Center Take a tour of the amazing life and legacy of MLK Jr.

Nearby Trips

• Stone Mountain If you have time & the ability to travel a little outside of Atlanta, this is a must-see. Plan on staying late to see the nightly laser show.
• 6 Flags Over Georgia For the roller coaster enthusiast and the kid at heart.
• Roswell Ghost Tour One of the BEST ghost tours I've ever been on. (Read my account here.)

Off the Beaten Path

• Atlanta Botanical Gardens If nature is more your thing, check out the beautiful grounds dedicated to nature education and conservation.
• Center for Puppetry Arts This is something I never thought I would go to, but the creativity here is amazing! 
• CNN Tours A great behind-the-scenes look at how news is made.

SHOPPING

• Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square My pick for the poshest stores and best celeb siting. Both malls are located across the street from each other.
• Atlantic Station One of the newest shopping areas in Atlanta with plenty to see, do, and eat.
• Underground If you're a first-timer in Atl, this is on my list of places to go. 
• Little Five Points This area of Atlanta is considered the melting pot of hippies, indie, and different. Eat at The Vortex.
• Buckhead Plenty of shopping can be done around this pricey area.

FOOD
The Big Meal
No trip to Atlanta is complete without sampling the food of the South. Put a napkin in your lap and mind your manners, because there's fried food to be had!
Gotta Go: Pitty's Pat Porch A Southern tradition
Mary Mac's Tearoom Another eatery for traditional Southern cuisine.
Off the Beaten Path: The Colonnade Cash only here but the fried chicken is incredible.

Fast Food
Maybe burgers and fries are more your thing. Here are some great choices:
Gotta Go: The Varsity--bonus points if you know the ordering lingo!
Off the Beaten Path: Holeman & Finch At 10pm only 24 burgers are made. Get there early.
Ann's Snack Bar Be prepared for a long wait & order the infamous "ghetto burger."
Fat Matt's Rib Shack Listen to live blues as you eat the best BBQ in Atlanta.

Elle's Tips: Parking is rarely free in Atlanta, so have cash handy. If you plan on seeing several of the places listed above, I recommend a City Pass to save money. Also, use the Marta subway system to get around. Additionally, Atlanta has plenty of sports teams, so check the local news to see what team is playing.

I hope you all enjoyed my recommendations for this city I love. If you want even more suggestions, feel free to contact me: elleseesyou@gmail.com