By Rachel Mahan | Student Member
The STC Atlanta Chapter welcomes you back to the South for the 2013 STC Summit. While you already know that the sessions will be cutting-edge, you may not know that the conference is also steeped in history: This year marks its 60th anniversary. It is fitting, then, that as soon as you step off the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson, you will be greeted by a host city both modern and historic, with everything from skyscrapers to antebellum landmarks.
While Atlanta is a large city, the conference takes place in the heart of downtown, near unique restaurants, parks, and some of the city’s most famous attractions. The city’s public transit system, MARTA, stops a block and half from the Hyatt, making even far-flung attractions readily accessible.
If you’re in need of a caffeine pick-me-up, right across from the Hyatt is Corner Bakery Café. Their affordable menu features salads, grilled paninis, and a seasonal selection of soups. Just down the street is Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill and Brewery. Their 1913 building includes a patio and deck. In addition to handcrafted beers, their menu features surf and turf choices: steak, barbeque ribs, and shrimp.
About a block away in the other direction is Hard Rock Café Atlanta, complete with a motorcycle owned by Elvis. Across the street, sample Brazilian fare and enjoy the festive décor at Fire of Brazil. If you’re interested in southern cooking and live entertainment, walk one block more to Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint. Their menu includes fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, seafood étouffée, and grits.
For a city with over 400,000 people, Atlanta has lots of green space. Hundreds of parks dot the city, including Centennial Olympic Park, a gathering spot designed when Atlanta hosted the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. The 21-acre park is just a few blocks west of the Hyatt. Visit the Fountain of Rings for one of the four interactive water shows that play every day, or visit the walk-up hamburger stand for a burger and milkshake.
At the north end of the park is the World of Coca-Cola. Visit the "Vault of the Secret Formula" and try your hand at replicating the recipe virtually. Taste interesting flavors, such as Raspberry Coke or Orange Coke, and when you’re finished, walk up to the northwestern corner of the park to the Georgia Aquarium. The aquarium contains over 10 million gallons of water. Current exhibits feature beluga whales, Arctic penguins, and manta rays.
Gone With the Wind fans and history buffs will appreciate the history of Atlanta. The Margaret Mitchell House is a few MARTA stops from the Summit. You can visit the apartment where Mitchell wrote her famous novel. In addition, the associated Literary Center hosts a lecture series featuring a mix of locally and nationally known authors.
The Oakland Cemetery lies a few MARTA stops south of the Summit location. The cemetery is one of the antebellum fixtures of Atlanta. Established in 1850, the cemetery contains graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers, along with Margaret Mitchell, Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, and Bobby Jones. Guided walking tours are provided, and be sure to include a stop at the Six Feet Under Pub and Fish House next door. Their menu includes a raw bar, fish tacos, and, of course, fish and chips. Relax and check out the Atlanta skyline from their rooftop bar.
In addition to these nearby attractions, there are hundreds of other restaurants and venues, such as the Tullie Smith House, an antebellum plantation house; the Fernbank Museum of Natural History; the Fox Theatre, which hosts live entertainment; and Turner Field, the Atlanta Braves’ stadium.
For more information or to plan your trip, check out the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.atlanta.net. In addition, look for upcoming articles in Intercom, follow the Atlanta Chapter on Twitter (@STC_Atlanta), and read the blog for more details as our Summit approaches.
