Elizabeth Warden | Member
While there are several wonderful attractions around Atlanta that make this a hot city for tourism—such as Zoo Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coke, and the CNN Center, to name a few—there are some local favorites and hidden gems that should be at the top of your to-do list. Check out the fun attractions in Atlanta that you aren’t likely to see in a tourism brochure.
If you’re in the mood for a laugh, Dad’s Garage, an improv comedy theatre, is the place for you. Laugh out loud at the improv comedy competition TheatreSports (Saturday at 10:30 PM) or bust out laughing at the ensemble-based improv soap opera Scandal (Friday at 8:00 PM). Located in the heart of Inman Park (a neighborhood in East Atlanta known for its beautiful architecture from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries), Dad’s Garage is quick 10-minute drive from the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Visit the website for tickets and for more information at www.dadsgarage.com.
Karaoke is always a great time—especially when you’re singing with a live rock band. If you have the vocal cords (or even if you don’t), stop by the Dark Horse Tavern in the Virginia Highlands (a neighborhood known for its historic houses from the 1910s–1930s and diverse fusion of restaurants and shops). Karaoke is on Friday and Saturday nights after 9:00 PM. But don’t just come for the music; Dark Horse Tavern has a full dinner menu—check it out at www.darkhorseatlanta.com.
Even though every tourism book for Atlanta urges vacationers to drive to Turner Field for a Braves game, it’s still a local favorite. The Braves are in town to battle the New York Mets the weekend before the STC Summit begins, so don’t miss it! Before you attend a game, be sure you master the “Braves Chop!” And if you go to the Friday night game, stick around after the game for Friday Night Fireworks, the number-one rated fireworks show in the Southeast. For game times and ticket information, visit the Atlanta Braves website, http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com.
Blues and barbeque—what more could you ask for? For some award-winning barbeque and great live music, Fat Matt’s Rib Shack is a local hot spot for you to visit. Enjoy classic barbeque, from ribs to pulled pork to mac and cheese, in a relaxing setting. There isn’t much dining space at Fat Matt’s, so get there early to snag a spot. It’s open for lunch and dinner—stop by for dinner to listen to local blues bands while digging into finger-licking good barbeque. Fat Matt’s is located on Piedmont Avenue, an easy 10-minute drive from the Hyatt Regency Hotel. For a view of the menu, the band schedule, and other information, visit the website at www.fatmattsribshack.com.
It’s virtually impossible to drive down I-85 through Atlanta without seeing a billboard splashed with the witty Chick-fil-A cows. Although Chick-fil-A restaurants are littered throughout the South, Atlanta is the home of the restaurant headquarters. When you walk less than a block from the Hyatt Regency Hotel to a Chick-fil-A and order their famous chicken sandwich, be sure to do as the locals and order extra Polynesian sauce and a sweet tea!
When you visit Atlanta for the 60th STC Summit, don’t just visit the common (albeit fun and exciting) tourist attractions. When in Atlanta, do as the Atlantans do and check out some of these local favorites.
