Things to do in Georgia
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Flying Biscuit Café
Sleep in if you want, the Flying Biscuit serves all-day breakfasts of omelets, organic oatmeal pancakes, fried green tomatoes and tasty grits, all accompanied by their justifiably famous fluffy biscuits. A diverse, happy crowd enjoys the rest of the vegetarian-friendly menu of black bean quesadillas and veggie burgers.
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Varsity
The world's largest drive-in restaurant and an Atlanta institution since 1928, the Varsity is a glorified fast-food joint, but it's always packed with folks ordering walk-a-dogs (hot dogs), gussied-up steaks (hamburgers) and bags of rags (fries).
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Fat Matt's Rib Shack
Fat Matt's is a shrine to two great Southern traditions: barbecue and the blues. Take special note of the Brunswick stew, a delicious side dish best described as barbecue soup.
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Mercer-Williams House
Consider seeing the Mercer-Williams House. Although Jim Williams, the Savannah art dealer portrayed by Kevin Spacey in the film version of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, died back in 1990, his infamous mansion didn't become a museum until 2004. You're not allowed to see the upstairs, where Williams' family still lives, but the downstairs is an interior decorator's fantasy.
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CNN Center
CNN Center is the headquarters of the cable-TV news service. You might be tempted to take the CNN tour, a behind-the-scenes glance at the 24-hour news organization, but don't be heartbroken if you miss it. Visitors don't get close enough to the action to feel connected. They do, however, get to ride on an enormous escalator that climbs above a food court and into the CNN facility.
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Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Fernbank Museum of Natural History makes other museums seem hopelessly dull. It covers the natural world from seashells to giant lizards, and it has an IMAX theater. A righteous night out is had on Martinis & IMAX Friday (5:30pm to 10pm January to November), when the lobby turns into a cocktail lounge and live jazz echoes through the bones of a 123ft dinosaur.
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Farm 255
Like a hippy dressed up in his Sunday's best, this stylish, light-filled bistro gets much of its meat and vegetables from its own 5-acre, organic/biodynamic Blue Moon Farms outside of Athens. The chefs prepare the scrumptious fare in the open-air kitchen.
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Bone's Restaurant
Bone's is all about old money and the local Buckhead powerbrokers but also gets top votes as Atlanta's best steakhouse. With lots of wood and brass and eager-to-please staff this old-school restaurant oozes class and serves up mouth-watering steaks.
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World of Coca-Cola
The World of Coca-Cola, a self-congratulatory museum that might prove entertaining to fans of the fizzy beverage and rash commercialization. The climactic moment comes when guests sample Coke products from around the world.
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Vortex Bar & Grill
Walk through the gaping jaws of a giant skull and enter the Vortex, a scrappy joint with a snarky menu boasting '140 styles of gourmet burgers, ' an ideal meal before hitting the L5P bar scene. Ages 18 and up only.
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Wormhole
Embracing a broad scope of the alternative-music scene, this new dive bar and venue is in the seedier part of town but will let you experience how alternative Savannah kicks it.
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Vinnie Van GoGo's
Okay, so the joint is cramped. And the ordering process can be intense. But the New York-style pizza rocks hard, with crust about as thin as a dollar bill.
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Grant Park
A large oasis of green situated on the edge of the city center, Grant Park is home to Zoo Atlanta, which features flamingos, elephants, kangaroo and the odd tiger. But the zoo's pride and joy is baby Mei Lan, the giant panda cub whose every movement is a picture of adorability. Be prepared to wait if you want to see her.
Just south of downtown, Grant Park offers one of the most unique multimedia experiences anywhere: the Atlanta Cyclorama. Built in the 1880s, the Cyclorama features a big circular painting of the Battle of Atlanta that revolves around the audience, with sound and light effects and an informative commentary. There's also a diorama and a short movie on the c…
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Atlanta CityPass
Varies (Departs Atlanta, Georgia)
by Viator
Atlanta's most famous attractions at one amazing low price with plenty of time to take advantage of the savings!
CityPASS is the best deal in Atlanta containing …
Not LP reviewed
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Georgia Aquarium
The showstopper of the bunch is the Georgia Aquarium, a colossal facility billing itself as the world's largest aquarium. It's been massively successful among tourists, but animal rights activists have criticized the aquarium for displaying exotic whale sharks, two of which died not long after the attraction opened. Nevertheless, the Georgia Aquarium has other whale sharks still swimming, and it also boasts a tank of gorgeous beluga whales, among other marine creatures.
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Telfair Museum of Art
Along with silver from the 1800s and a colossal oil painting depicting a scene from the Hundred Years War, Sylvia Shaw's famous 1936 Bird Girl sculpture - the one on the cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - stands inside the Telfair Museum of Art. The $15 multi-venue ticket allows discounted admission to two affiliated museums, the Jepson and the Owens-Thomas House.
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Nam Chun Hong
Blessed with a thriving immigrant community, Atlanta has a plethora of Asian and Latin eateries, many of which can be found along this fascinating, sprawling stretch of strip malls. Adventurous diners can simply hop in the car and explore the drag, stopping at whatever looks interesting. But those who need a destination to get started should consider Nam Chun Hong the home to scrumptious pan-fried dumplings.
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Elizabeth on 37th
Not as good as it should be for the price (but still darn good), Elizabeth puts diners in a lovely setting and presents ambitious cuisine without too much fuss. Specials might include lacquered quail, or potato-crusted snapper with squash and Brussels sprouts. A nice touch: eight varietals of wine by the glass. Locals warn that the neighborhood isn't safe for walking, so look for close on-street parking.
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Universe Trading Company
Universe Trading Company 'Bric-a-brac' doesn't begin to cover the contents of this cluttered salvage and antiques emporium. Walking through this place is like taking the world's deepest dumpster dive. The wares include lawn ornaments, used shoes, vinyl records, cigar-store Indians, life-size Blues Brothers statues and a fake shark head with '$185 firm' on the price tag.
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Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum
On the outskirts of the historic district is the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum. Leaving the larger history of the movement to the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Savannah's museum focuses on the local history of segregated schools, hotels, hospitals, jobs and lunch counters. It's definitely a must-see if you want a full understanding of the city.
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Watershed
Simply outstanding (and outstandingly simple), this is the place for traditional Southern food done up with just a touch of class. Tuesday night is fried-chicken night; get there early or the birds will be gone. Any other night, order the veggie plate - you've never had a better one. The James Beard Award-winning chef Scott Peacock is nothing less than a local hero.
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Lady & Sons
Savannah's irrepressible culinary doyenne Paula Deen has created a monster. Her country cookin' is indeed delicious - the fried chicken will have you begging for mercy - but you've gotta know what you're doing to get a table. Show up at 9:30am for lunch or 3:30pm for dinner to put your name on the list. 'Sho-nuff Vegetable Sandwich' meets vegetarian needs.
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Bill Hallman
Atlantans love to shop. Virginia-Highland has a unique selection of boutique shops, including the supremely fashionable Bill Hallman which clothes lads and lasses alike. Find vintage and secondhand threads in Little Five Points or at the smartly stocked Lucky Exchange. The teeny East Atlanta boutique Rare Footage sells limited edition sneakers.
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Atlanta Cyclorama
The Atlanta Cyclorama is one of the city's most famous attractions, a circular painting 109m(358ft) around and 12m(42ft) high depicting the 1864 Battle of Atlanta. Painted in 1886, it is the largest in the world and one of only three such Victorian-era circular paintings remaining in the USA. There's an accompanying Civil War museum on site.
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Five & Ten
Driven by superior ingredients (as opposed to showy technique), Five & Ten ranks among the South's best restaurants. Its menu is earthy and slightly gamey: sweatbreads, hand-cut pasta, North Carolina trout and frogmore stew (stewed corn, sausage and potato).Brunch is sensational. If you want a table for dinner, you'd best call ahead.
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