I will be accompanying my hubby on a quick trip to Atlanta this weekend. While he is attending a conference at the Perimeter Westin, I'd like to find something to do in the immediate area that does not necessarily include the Mall.

Any ideas? I'd like to stay rather close to the Westin because we are not sure what time his conference will be over.

And we'll have our car -- the "new" Miata -- looking forward to hitting some Georgia/NC highways on the trip home. It seems like such a waste to drive it on the Interstate.

For a scenic drive, take US 129 north from Cleveland, GA through the National Forrest on your way home. Very scenic and fun to drive.

As far as things to do around the Perimeter Mall area besides the mall, there isnt anything.

Thanks Dude. Maybe I'll read a book by the pool, and we will definitely consider the highway recommendation.

Perimeter Mall area is full of shopping unfortunately. I know you don't feel like going to the mall but if you get stir crazy, there is a new outdoor shopping area that's quite nice behind the mall on Perimeter Center West. Loads of restaurants, little shops and it's a good place to kill an hour or two if you feel like it. I was just there this morning--picked up a sandwich from Doc Green's--yummy! I'm usually a chain restaurant snob but I loved my turkey sandwich. They use real off the bird turkey, not the processed stuff.

If it were me, I might drive that cute Miata and cruise down Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. It's only about 15 min. from where you're staying--gorgeous stately homes, Governor's mansion and if you find you have the time, the Atlanta History Center is a nice museum 1/2 east of the Governor's mansion.

If you head about 10 minutes north (it's a pretty drive), you can go to the Chatahootchee nature Center, a lovely place. www.chattnaturecenter.com
Tell the camp director her mom said hi.

I recently tour the Margaret Mitchell House. Great tour and there is parking nearby. Agree with previous post about the Atlanta History Center as well as the Botanical Garden. If you're up to trying MARTA, you could go to the new aquarium.

OOh the Nature Center is right up my alley ... I may just try that if I have time. Thanks for the tip, Abram. (And for the other tips as well! We used to go to Atlanta frequently, so I know little pockets of the town. We have driven down Paces Ferry Road before. One friend always reminded us that Elton John had a house near there.)

I gotta get some sleep, we are supposed to leave at 7am. Not much room to snooze in the Miata ....

The governor's mansion is on West Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. Last I heard, Sir Elton John lived in a condo on Peachtree Road. Neither is in the "immediate area" of Perimeter Mall, which during rush hour is a radius of 3 blocks. If you wish to access midtown or downtown, park the Miata, and hop the Marta Train behind Perimeter Mall.