JoeTro

I'm traveling to Atlanta Jan. 12 to 14th for an interview at Georgia State, and I'm looking for a bit of guidance. I'm staying near Buckhead station, arriving on a Thursday at 2:30 pm and leaving on a Saturday at 5:30.

Thursday:

MARTA from Airport to Buckhead to drop off luggage.
MARTA back to High Museum as it's open late.
Dinner nearby (any suggestions)

Friday:

Interview at Georgia State until 2:30
Possible CNN tour later (wondering if this is feasible since I'll be in my suit and uncomfortable shoes). If not this, any other options?
Dinner near Buckhead station or in mall? Any good options?

Saturday:

Atlanta Constitution Center until about 2:30 (I guess I bus it there?)
Back to hotel and then airport

Thanks!

JoeTro

(Sorry, I meant Atlanta History Center)

amyb

I just did the CNN tour, you should be aware that you take an escalator up the 8th floor and then walk down, a few flights at a time. I wouldn't want to do that in uncomfortable shoes.

I just posted a trip report from my long weekend there a couple weeks ago. I was no where near Buckhead though, but you may find some of the restaurants interesting, especially if you'll be near CNN, they are within walking distance (10mins or so).

JoeTro

Thanks, I'll take a look. I was worried with all the walking (which is usually no problem!) I guess I could always putz around downtown area and sites on Saturday rather than do the History Center (the downtown area might be useful anyway for me to see to get an idea of living situations), but I've heard the History Center is really can't miss.

Kay2

Joe,
Are you looking more for entertainment before/after your interview or for a look at neighborhoods, etc. to get a feel for living in Atlanta?

I'm not a fan of the High (to me it is just OK except for folk art and visiting exhibitions. If you live in Chicago, NYC, etc. it is disappointing.), but if it is open late, then it is someplace to go. Last time I was there we ate lunch in the restaurant on-site and thought it was good. You could cross Peachtree Street and get a feel for an intown upscale neighborhood. You will see similar in the Buckhead area.

Could you carry a comfortable pair of shoes with you in a briefcase/bag on Friday? You will want to walk around the campus to get a feel for the area, maybe walk to CNN Center (some people like the tour, others not--better on weekdays and if you are especially interested in TV), Centennial Olympic Park, the state capitol, Peachtree Center, to get a feel for the neighborhood in which you will work. Friday is very different from Saturday on campus. Friday is rather quiet on campus, but still lots of downtown office folks and downtown regulars. Saturday is almost deserted (see Amy's recent impression of downtown on weekend). While some GSU folks live downtown in condos, most do not and they are scattered all over the city, surrounding suburbs, and out in the country.

I'm not sure about ease and frequency of bus to History Center--you can certainly get a taxi, though. If you go there, then you can see a very expensive residential neighborhood.

JoeTro

Hi, Kay. Probably a bit of both, although of course the sight-seeing always sounds more fun. It's good to stay in Buckhead to get a different side of things, and perhaps if I did move there, I'd consider renting in Midtown. So maybe it does make sense to go to the High and the walk around there to get more of a feel of Midtown. I can do the same Friday (or even Saturday) for the downtown area and then maybe Buckhead on Saturday. I think you are correct that, in spite of what travel guides say, it may make sense to skip the history tour in order to make sure I've adequately walked around sites and understood the livability of midtown, downtown and even buckhead.

stumpworks73

I recommend fitting the Aquarium into your plan. I would do the Aquarium before CNN or the History Center. The Aquarium is is in the CNN neighborhood, an easy walk.

The Buckhead Station area has an abundance of restaurants in and around Lennox and Phipps. I have not been recently so will defer to a local for more recent and extensive information.

Houstons is a chain restaurant right across the street from the Station, but one of my favorites. The Tavern in Phipps Plaza is another casual but really good spot.

JoeTro

Thanks.I've heard the Aquarium is awesome, but as a non-kid person, it seemed a bit scary. I suppose people will be back to school that day, so I need not worry.

I really like Houstons, but as it is a chain, I think the Tavern sounds great! Thanks for the tip!

palmettoprincess

I would skip CNN, in favor of seeing more of the campus. Does Georgia State have a basketball game? I know your interview is with Ga. State but I would check out Tech as well to get a feel of the local academic environment.

I do like the High. Going there might be a good strategy since it would give you something to talk about informally.

Kay2

The princess had an interesting idea--I checked online and it looks like GSU does have a basketball game downtown on Thursday evening.

If you are interested in looking at more intown neighborhoods, lots of people like Decatur. You can get there on the Marta train.

JoeTro

Hmm I hadn't really thought about exploring more of GSU or even Tech, mostly because (a) I'll be at one building the entire time at GSU should I get the internship and (b) I was worried that the downtown area wasn't very safe and therefore it wasn't a place I'd much want to live. Maybe I am wrong on both counts!

I think maybe just generally exploring in Bucktown/Midtown/Downtown may be preferable to tons of sight-seeing. The High is a must (dare I say, even a high) for me, as well as exploring the Bucktown shopping and dining.

Can I generally ask where 20-somethings tend to live in Atlanta, so as to get at neighborhoods I may want to explore? I was kind of thinking ideally the Midtown area, in a very walkable environment as I hope to get by without a car. I was wondering about the Piedmont Park area?

Other considerations are, of course, budget (I'd prefer to live alone for maybe $900 to $1200 if that is at all possible, though rents are definitely a pleasant surprise coming from LA) as well as lifestyle (I'm gay, so it would be nice but not a must to be near that part of town)!

Thanks, guys!

palmettoprincess

Looking at the your post about Charleston and your interest in the High Museum in Atlanta, perhaps you might want to tour SCAD rather than Georgia Tech. Atlanta is one of Savannah College of Art and Design's Campus. They have one large building and pop up locations all over the city.

amyb

Joe, re: the Aquarium, yes on a school day it is pretty empty. I was there on a Friday and Monday and it was not nearly as scary for us non-kid people. It really is a must-see, much more so than CNN.

JoeTro

Thanks guys. Phew re a lack of kids.