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Atlanta : Information sought

DaveBCooper

14:18 / 02.03.04

At quite short notice, it looks like I’m off to Atlanta for a few days next week. I’ve never been there, don’t know any folks who have, and was wondering if anyone could give me any hints ‘n’ tips on things which a chap with time and a bit of money on his hands should do – and, indeed, things which should be avoided at all costs because they’re a waste of time.

I’m into … well, I’m into all the groovesome and happening things that you’d expect from the sort of chap who posts opinionated and often ill-informed things on Barbelith, and I’m happy to try new things, so please don’t be backwards in coming forward with any suggestions, no matter how crazyzany they may seem…

Thanks !

gridley

14:24 / 02.03.04

Have visited friends there. Great music scene. Great food. From all reports I've heard, very gay friendly.

sleazenation

14:40 / 02.03.04

little 5 points is the place to be.

Are you going to be driving? Atlanta is not very non-car friendly...

DaveBCooper

14:50 / 02.03.04

Looks like I’ll be in the 5 points neck of the woods, yes. No car, unfortunately. Though with my driving skills, that’s probably for the best. For Atlantans if not me.

aus

17:43 / 02.03.04

Atlanta has a great music scene (it's a southern rock mecca), anything you want to buy, huge variety of excellent restaurants, every professional sport and every amateur sport you can imagine, significant architecture... what do you want?

It's both non-car unfriendly and car unfriendly. I'm sure there's public transport there, but I didn't see any. The traffic is terrible, and many drivers are selfish and rude (as is usually the case when traffic is terrible).

passer

20:37 / 02.03.04

There is public transit. It is uniformly abysmal: limited and inconveniently placed. If you're in litle five points, you'll be alright for walking in the immediate area, but it will be difficult to see the rest of atlanta, which is sprawling.

On a high note little five points is a fun area, I haven't been years, but back in the day it was the place to be for alternative folks. The gay scene in Atlanta is great, if still fairly segregated by race/ music type.

My suggestion is to snag a creative loafing (local free mag) and read through to figure out what you want to do. Their listings for music are usually up to date.

Lilly Nowhere Late

23:41 / 02.03.04

It's years since I lived in Atlanta and although I found it wearing with its ridiculous racist/reverse racist limitations, it is kind of fun. I agree that L5P is the neighbourhood to look into as well as the more gay/less silly old punk rockers(like me) area of Virgina-Highlands. God help you with the public transit-take cabs. Clubs are/were fun, music is abundant, shopping is interesting. Stay well away from Stone Mountain unless you are really really into right wing dick faces and watch your back everywhere!
You know, I don't know if it is still true, but at one time Atlanta had the second largest gay/lesbian population in the USA and the highest murder rate per cap. hmmmmm
Get your hair cut at Key Lime Pie.
I was in the Atl airport yesterday, but of course that isn't helpful.

DaveBCooper

12:10 / 03.03.04

Many thanks, all – I’ll be looking into the music scene, I’m pretty sure.
Passer, thanks for the 'creative loafing' tip, I’ve just found an online thingy of their listing recommended bars, shops, etc, and that’s given me a few ideas.
I appreciate your assistance, you lovely people !

bitchiekittie

16:56 / 03.03.04

I went to atlanta once to visit friends of my then-fiance. boring!

but I think that was more the company than the place. do you know, the woman had an entire bedroom for dolls? and the man? he had an entire bedroom devoted to NASCAR. I felt like I was in an episode of the twilight zone specifically designed to disturb only me.

grant

17:03 / 03.03.04

They lived outside the Loop, didn't they.

There's a biscuit place in L5P that has great breakfast. Has biscuit in the name, but I can't remember it for the life of me. My better half even bought a Tshirt from them.

I am Invisible now

17:55 / 07.03.04

Atlanta isnt so bad, the stories of unfriendly drivers are true.The public transit is horrid, I avoid it by any means necessary.I loved L5P when I was in highschool, long before it was all rebuilt and prices of everything became jacked up and became into a "tourist" area so to speak. But its still a nice spot. I havent been in a year or so tho...
Dunno if this was mentioned, but if you are looking to go out...many of the bars are under a new law where everything cloes early, like 2-3 am ish? A few places have closed due to this .Backstreet, which was once a huge sucessful gay club, has since lost its liquor license , and such is no longer the 24 hour club it was, butrather closes at 9 am:|
The people are not so bad, I certainly don't mean to scare or disenchant you from it at all. I hope when you visit you will find not all of the Atlanteans are what some media and others have made us all out to be.
I hope you have a great visit

I am Invisible now

17:56 / 07.03.04

My apologies, I really should edit before posting, clear up all those typos and grammar issues...forgive me!

DaveBCooper

14:56 / 19.03.04

Bump : rather self-indulgently, but I wanted to close the circle, as it were.

Well, I went, and got sunburned, and by gum you were right about it being pedestrian-unfriendly. A little jaunt to see the bookshops turned into an afternoon's walk alongside Peachtree Road, no doubt making me look like the tourist I was.

And I saw a Waffle House (making me feel I was in a Bill Hicks routine). So no complaints.

Thanks for the hints n tips. Not a bad place, though a car woulda helped.

aus

15:43 / 19.03.04

A little jaunt to see the bookshops turned into an afternoon's walk alongside Peachtree Road

Which Peachtree Road? (hehe)

aus

15:47 / 19.03.04

Wait! Wait! You saw a Waffle House but didn't go in to have a pecan waffle or triple hashbrowns scattered, smothered, chunked, topped, diced and peppered?

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