tchoiniere

I am spending a night in Atlanta on a trip to Florida (to see my parents)in July.

I booked my hotel at the Marriott Downtown.

Is this a good hotel? Decent area?

Will be going to the Braves game that night. Any particular section that I should look for tickets in?

What other sights should I try to see on that afternoon. I get into Atlanta around noon and its a 7pm game so will have a few hours to spend. Will also have time Sunday before flying back to Hartford. I am probably going to the Georgia Aquarium on Sunday. Any feedback on the aquarium?

How humid is it in Atlanta that time of year? As bad as SW Florida?

tchoiniere

Based on Trip Advisor, it doesn't seem like the Georgia Aquarium is worth going to because of the crowds. Knowing that it is a holiday weekend, what other sites are worth seeing?

cheryllj

I would not stay in downtown if you are visiting as a tourist. It would be better to stay in midtown or Buckhead.

I've never been to the Aquarium but everyone I know who has loved it, crowds or no crowds. If you stay in midtown, you could visit the High Musueum, the Margaret Mitchell house, or the Botanical Gardens and Piedmont Park.

In Buckhead, there is the Atlanta History Center.

Atlanta is hot and humid in July, like most places in the Southeast. I'm guessing marginally better than SW Florida, but not by much.

cheryllj

If you've been to the TA Atlanta forums, you can read about the different Atlanta neighborhoods and the pros and cons of staying in midtown or Buckhead. But unless you have to be in downtown for business or a convention, it's really not an ideal place to stay for a visitor.

tchoiniere

Hotel was decided due to a friend of mine staying there for the month for work. I did read about the different areas but would rather stay in the same hotel. That being said, he is looking into being able to change hotels for the weekends so we may end up changing.

cheryllj

I'm not one of the people claiming "don't stay downtown, it's so scary and awful!" -- I work downtown, and it's not that bad or scary.

It's just pretty dead at nights and weekends, and all the fun stuff and "action" is happening elsewhere. Like midtown and Buckhead, among other places.

There is a new W Hotel opening in midtown this spring. There is also the Four Seasons in midtown if budget isn't a concern, and a Marriott Suites next door to the FS.

starrs

I agree with Midtown over Downtown - for the same reason. Downtown is dead at night. Lots of stuff going on in Midtown.

GoTravel

Keep this in mind about staying at the Marriott Marquis downtown. You will not have to go outside your hotel to hop on the metro because it is connected to Peachtree Plaza.

It is a big deal because July in Atlanta is hot and you can stay in the AC.

I like Daily's which is a stones throw from your hotel and you can walk through Peachtree Center to get there.

tchoiniere

Aside from the hotel issue, what other sites would you recommend seeing in Atlanta, given the very limited time?

How is Stone Mountain Park?

tchoiniere

Any recommendations for a Hilton in Atlanta? We decided to change hotels but I would like to use Hilton Points

mhc

Hilton Towers is across the street from the Marriot. Stayed at the Hyatt (in front of Marriot)last week. Stayed at Marriot and Hilton many times.

Second the tip on Dailey's!

From Hilton you cross the side street to left and get on an elevator to walkway that leads into Peachtree Center and Metro entrance. You will have a few minutes out of ac as compared to Marriot, but just a few.

Hilton is 5 blocks walk from aquarium (well worth the trip). Marriot is about 4. Buy your tickets online in advance, go at your assigned time and hang to the back of the group. Have report on trip advisor from last July visit for Braves/aquarium. (would have gone again last week if there had been time)

Hilton/ Marriot and Hyatt are all nice hotels. If you're renting a car, just be aware of cost of valet parking for each hotel. Self parking isn't free either and not worth trouble. Went into Marriot last week to meet friends. Lobby was a mess due to renovation.

Love the downtown convenience for ballgames. We prefer to sit behind homeplate in lower rows of upper tier. Good view of field and city skyline. Bonus is roof for shade all afternoon and you won't get wet if it rains. Shorter line in ladies' restrooms. Go Braves!

Atlanta has a very nice zoo. It's only one of 4 in US with pandas. (Baby just turned one.) Been to Stone Mountain many times and always enjoy it. (it's a good drive from downtown)

The King Center, High Museum and Botanical Gardens are good options too.

mhc

World of Coca Cola is new and within walking distance of your hotel as well. There is an aquarium/ WofCC combo ticket available which saves a few dollars.

sessa

The aquarium is really nice..I've been twice now. I agree with mhc that you should buy your tickets in advance online. I would book the first of the day because the lines get very long very fast since there is a security check before entering. You won't want to be waiting out there in the July heat.

tchoiniere

Thanks to the wonderful Airline industry (unable to get a flight home until Monday night for anything less than $900), I will be able to go to the Aquarium on Monday morning. Do the doors open at 8am? Will definitely get the first available tickets.

sessa

I don't think they open until 10am. Here's the website:

http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/

tchoiniere

I have the website, just its blocked by the firewall at work...

tchoiniere

The Fodors site for the Aquarium listed as 8-6 b/w Memorial Day and Labor Day, which is why I asked that.

cheryllj

From the website:

Regular Hours:
Sunday - Friday :
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday:
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Exceptions:
March 29: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 30-31: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
April 1-12: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

tchoiniere

Thanks. Guess my only hope to fit it in is once I get into Atlanta, which will be in the Sat. afternoon before the Braves game. Probably goes on the maybe list as I don't know if I will want to deal with the afternoon crowds.

tchoiniere

How reasonable is it to go to the Aquarium for the 10 am entry? Spend a few hours there and then head to Stone Mountain Park for the rest of the day.