How to have that "Big City Feel" in a couple hours (Atlanta: hotel, house)

[CABQ]

Tuesday (tomorrow) I will be flying in and staying in Smyrna for a week to check out what it would be like to live in the Smyrna Marietta area and Roswell Alpharetta area. I will have most of my time also spent with Self Realization Fellowship in Smyrna.

I grew up in NW Indiana. And to get that Big City Feel usually was a stroll down Michigan Ave. and a drive round Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

What can I do should I have a couple of hours? I want skyscrapers, and lots of people walking on the sidewalks, I want to feel the energy/vibe that is Atlanta etc.

Please be really specific, tell me where to drive, park and walk!

Thank you

[lorilove]

Centennial Olympic Park
Welcome to Centennial Olympic Park

or Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park Conservancy


Both are about 12 miles from Smyrna - south on I-75

[NuclearDensity]

A classic Atlanta drive would be down Peachtree from Buckhead (Starting at Peachtree Road & Lenox Road) south down to Five Points. Initially the buckhead skyline creates that big city "canyon" effect, then Buckhead Village where construction is resuming with the "Streets of Buckhead" development, then continue south on Peachtree where a dozen or so residential high rises fill-in Atlanta's skyline, past Piedmont Hospital, then past the Amtrak (Peachtree Station), then across I-85 into Midtown, continue past High Museum, continue past Colony Square, continue past Fox Theatre, continue past Emory Crawford Long Hospital, then across I-75/I-85 connector into downtown resuming the dense "canyon" effect of the downtown skyscrapers, continue past Peachtree Center, then maybe turn right on Marietta Street to pass by Philips Arena, CNN, Centenial Park, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola.

Another Idea for walking would be to park at Lenox Mall (Buckhead is becoming very walkable especially between Lenox and Piedmont near Sovereign and Terminus Buildings), then take MARTA train from Buckhead Station to Arts Center Station (Midtown is probably the most walkable area in Atlanta with many restaurants, offices, and residences), then take MARTA train to Peachtree Center Station (The Subway Station at Peachtree Center is very impressive carved out of granite/gneiss) The atrium in the Mariott Marquis at Peachtree Center is interesting, the Westin Peachtree Plaza - cylindrical shaped skyscraper - has fantastic views from its observation deck and there are a few tourist shops and restaurants at street level, Then take MARTA train or walk about a half mile to Five Points - underground Atlanta is worth a look, but not as much to see these days, then take MARTA train from Five Points Station back to Lenox Mall.

[Iconographer]

I would suggest parking near the MARTA Arts Center Station; take the train two stops south to North Avenue Station. Exit and walk to Peachtree St. and hang a left, heading north.
You will quickly encounter the Fox Theater on the left, and the Georgian Terrace Hotel on the right (both gorgeous).
Great people watching and a good cross section of 'urban' Atlanta as you move northward past 10th St and on to 14th. Continue on to 17th (in order to afford you a gander at the beautiful Church of Christ, Scientist, The Alliance Theater and the High Museum of Art). Double back to 14th and hang a left at Colony Square (another great people watching venue) down to Piedmont Rd; at the gates of Piedmont Park, hang a right.
Proceed down to 10th St. and hang another right (at this point you will be in what is arguably the city's 'gay epicenter'). Cross Peachtree St. (the Margaret Mitchell House will be on your left) and you will find the MARTA Midtown Station not far beyond. Take the train back to Arts Center Station (it's only one stop away).

[mom2gurls]

I love buckhead..it has the brownstone NYC type of feel....too bad its so expensive!!!

[CABQ]

Thank you for this. I will wait until this evening to print everything out and take it with me when I can buy a decent Atlanta map. Printing maps doesn't look good from my printer.

[roxyrn]

Marta to airport and fly into LGA (New York).

[darkone]

Originally Posted by roxyrn

Marta to airport and fly into LGA (New York).

I was just going to write this ... head up to NYC lol ....

I've taken a day trip to Philly one Saturday last year, and it was rejuvenating ... even that would do ...

[Galounger]

Originally Posted by CABQ

Thank you for this. I will wait until this evening to print everything out and take it with me when I can buy a decent Atlanta map. Printing maps doesn't look good from my printer.

I find it's better to have a large metro map with really good detail of the central city area. Printing out maps from internet map sources just doesn't work as well.

I've worn this suggestion out but you might like paying the five bucks (unless it's changed) to ride the express glass elevator to the top of Peachtree Westin building and get a view of the whole city from the revolving restaurant up there. You might want to call first as sometimes you have to make reservations or it's closed at certain times. Sun Dial Restaurant Bar and View

[billl]

Note that, by population, Atlanta is about a sixth the size of Chicago. Don't expect Atlanta to "feel" anything like Chicago either in size or density.