Everybody's Pizza across from the main gates of Emory University is a good place to hang out with the locals. Method Coffee, next door does some of the best coffee in town and the staff are lovely.
The best part of Atlanta is all the neighbourhoods. I recommend funky little Five Points and East Atlanta, the boho chic Virginnia Highlands, the cottages of Grant Park, the Victorians of Inman Park, the 1920s grandeur of Ansley Park, and yuppie Decatur.
Atlanta is becoming a mini-LA, with cities within a city, and looking better every year.
You'll need a car to get around but the neighbourhoods are really not that far apart. Most of these neighborhoods are off Midtown.
All the places listed so far for Atlanta are pretty touristy. If you are a younger traveller, or enjoy hanging out with the locals, I recommend any of the following awesome places.
Java Monkey: cafe, wine bar, poetry readings.
Brickstore Pub: a bajillion beers, good food and great atmosphere.
Bluebird Cafe: great, great great food, very veggie-friendly.
Little Five Points is a nice area to walk around in.
Also, the most moving tourist sight in my opinion is a trip to Ebenezer Baptist Church downtown, where Martin Luther King Jr used to preach. His grave is right next door.
Java Monkey: 205 E Ponce De Leon Ave # 5, 30030.
Brickstore Pub: 125 E Court sq, 30030.
Bluebird Cafe: 421 Memorial Drive SE 30312.
The biggest aquarium in the world (so they say).
If you have a day or two in Atlanta then this place is a must-see. Six different habitats (Georgia coast, Barrier Reef, Jellyfish, Tropical etc, one of them a walk-through, and one huge theatre-size auditorium).
You could spend several hours in there easily. It was funded by Bernie Marcus, the founder of Home Depot and no expense has been spared.
Book tickets online or walk up. It can get a little crowded at times, but is by far the best visitor attraction in Atlanta.
www.georgiaaquarium.org/
225 Baker St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
(404) 581-4000
Regular hours: Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm. Fri-Sun: 9am-6pm.
Summer Hours: Mon-Thurs: 8am-6pm. Fri-Sun: 8am-7pm.
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