My son is traveling to Atlanta for the ACC tournement later this week. This is at the Geirgia Dome. His traveling companion found a cheap hotel in Decatur where he has to tak a bus to the Marta station and then Marta to the Georgia Dome. is this a safe area and is it safe to be traveling this way at night. I found a more expensive hotel right near the Georgia Dome, but his friend is reluctant to stay there because it is more money. Is decatur a high crime area?

It's the MARTA and bus at night that I don't like. I recently took the train from downtown to the airport at 7 pm on a weeknight and two stops before the airport only 4 people total were left in the car. It can be pretty lonely around the stations and bus stops at night.

Although I cannot speak from personal experience, I would second the opinion of the previous poster. Regarding Decatur...my friend--single, white, 30ish female, good income--bought a house there willingly...must be something ok about the area.

Decatur is a big area and I don't like to generalize. there are good parts and there are bad parts (much like any other city). Where the Ga Dome is located is regarded as being in a less-than-nice area BUT there will be tons of people down that way for the tournament, so I wouldn't be overly concerned. Also, because of the games, there will be many people using MARTA, so that should be okay.

Just went to the Supercross at the Georgia Dome. We went in a camper, camped in an empty lot across the street from the Dome, and stayed all weekend. Had no problems all weekend.

But, No. The Dome is not in a good neighborhood. But the MARTA station is right there. He won't have a problem at all. In fact, the biggest problem he'll have is trying to get on the MARTA immediately afterwards without getting separated from the rest of his party. My suggestion would be to either bug out of the Dome early or to take their time leaving. As an understatement, the whole area will be a madhouse with people trying to leave for at least an hour or more.

I just took two teenage girls to a concert at the Georgia Dome. There was a very strong police presence at the Dome and the Marta stations. I felt very safe. The Marta station exits and enters directly into the Dome. the only part I'm not sure about safety-wise is the bus ride to Marta in Decatur. Maybe a cab is an option.

As one poster said above, it is very difficult to stay with your party during the "crush" getting onto Marta after a big event. It's not like Europe where people enter and exit mass transit with little to no pushing and shoving. In Atlanta, we more or less got picked up and moved by the crowd.

Marta only runs until Midnight...
Probably better off staying near airport if no hotels are available near dome...

Mom, he will be ok. Do not worry. If you have some extra money, why not take your worry away and put them up at the Wyndham Garden, Hyatt, Swissotel or Ritz. Otherwise, they will be fine.

It gets rather "dark" at night around the Dome, but there will be a crowd. Biggest worry should be pickpockets. Decatur has nice areas and "the hood" If he feeld unsafe, there are plenty of hotels in Buckhead that are better suited for young white males.

triple x is obviously a racist.