Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with atlanta

Getting to Atlanta on the Chinatown bus

greta simone — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 07:11:08 -0800

Please tell me about your experience on the Chinatown bus from NYC to the southeast. Should I put my friend on it so she can get home? I have had a friend visiting me in NYC this weekend whose flight to Atlanta today got canceled. All the flights that the airline can reschedule her for will make her miss her Christmas plans.

So I looked up buses at gotobus.com and found a bus that leaves Chinatown run by Horse Run Tour. I am assuming this is the Chinatown bus, as it's the only bus leaving from Chinatown that I could find.

I have read previous threads about the Chinatown bus but they either seemed like they were from people who hadn't necessarily taken one or by people taking a different route (i.e. possibly run by a different carrier).

For what it's worth, we have already looks at tons of other options, and they are either too expensive or won't put her in Atlanta on the day she needs. Also, this trip says 14 hours to Greyhound's 23, so we figured it would be better.

Could you tell me if this bus is reasonably safe and reliable or any other experiences you have had?

Get our neighbors to the South drunk!

SassHat — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:56:58 -0800

Sending a gift of wine to Atlanta from Toronto - Atlanta companies that deliver wine/other solutions? One of my bosses wants to send some gift bottles of wine from Toronto to Georgia. It doesn't seem likely we will be able to buy here and ship across the border without huge hassles. Are there any companies within Atlanta that will deliver a gift basket of wine or just a bottle? Barring a local source, any national wine shipping companies that are legit and will ship to Georgia?

Sick of the library

SpringAquifer — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:37:54 -0800

Atlanta-filter: Any good late-night places to get some work done in the Emory and Druid Hills area, or possibly beyond? I moved to Atlanta for school this fall. I'm getting a little sick of the library, though, and I'm having trouble finding a good place conducive to studying, late at night, off campus. Free wireless is a huge bonus, though not absolutely necessary.

I know there's a Caribou Coffee a few blocks off the Emory campus that's open until 2 a.m. or so, but that's the only option I know of so far. All the Starbuckses and Paneras and so on close up shop pretty early, it seems.

Thanks!

Reliable Property Managment Company in Atlanta?

maelanchai — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:20:31 -0800

Any personal recommendations for property management companies in Atlanta? For a duplex and two single family homes--4 rentals total. We are considering moving out of state, but don't want to sell anything... Also interested in any general advice about using a property management firm...

AtlantaFilter - What should we see?

unlucky.lisp — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 07:34:30 -0800

Atlanta Filter: What should two first-timers do on a weekend trip? mr. lisp and i are going to atlanta in a few weeks -- neither of us have been. we'll only be there for two days -- so what are the things (sights, touristy stuff, non-touristy stuff, restaurants) we shouldn't miss?

Where to live in Atlanta near Georgia Tech?

44sunsets — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:41:20 -0800

AtlantaFilter: My partner is moving to Atlanta to take a postdoc at Georgia Tech. Please help us find a place he'd be happy living (and I'd be happy visiting!) for the next two years. My partner is moving to Atlanta from Chicago in a month, and needs advice about the relocation! We're going to spend a weekend there soon looking for his future apartment, and if you know the city, we'd love some advice to help us narrow down which places on craigslist are worth the visit during the short time we have.

Some details: He'll be working at Georgia Tech, on the south side of campus. With his budget, he'd like to stay under $900, and have at least a one-bedroom. He's not planning on having a car, so the primary concern is that it needs to be accessible to Tech by bus or MARTA, and ideally close enough to bike in on a regular basis.

Things we'd love to have nearby if possible: farmers markets, a micro-beer pub, Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, a comfy independent coffee shop, and a few good, cheaper take-out options. Parks and museums are nice too. While we are both city-dwellers and so a little grit doesn't bother us, we'd also like someplace we don't have to worry about feeling safe walking around at night.

So, normally, we'd just roam around nearby neighborhoods to see what felt safe, fun, etc. But we have no time for that. So, what neighborhoods near Georgia Tech should we look at? I've heard good things about Midtown and Poncey-Highlands, but I've also seen reviews saying that it's absolutely not safe to live along Ponce de Leon. Are there sections that are particularly bad which we should avoid, should we just stay away completely, or is there really nothing to worry about?

What about areas south and west and north of the campus? Any good sections there or places we should absolutely stay away from?

Thanks for your help hive mind!

Good colorist in ATL

Juicylicious — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:32:29 -0800

Looking for an expert hair colorist in Atlanta. Any recommendations?

How should I say goodbye to the East Coast?

susoka — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:29:08 -0800

So I'm moving from Baltimore to Atlanta for work - yay, new job! Boo, leaving the East Coast! I've got a month remaining, so in the time between finishing my business here and taking deep breaths, what should I do here that I won't be able to do in the south? I've been here for two years and haven't really explored the area much at all. I'll definitely spend at least one more day in DC and maybe go for a weekend in New York. Any other awesome places I should visit? Are there regional delicacies I won't be able to find in Atlanta? Non-perishable consumer goods? Basically: what should I buy, eat, see, and do? Money's not an issue... just time.

We can't stop here - this is jellyfish country!

TheNewWazoo — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:30:10 -0800

Have you ever been to the beaches in the Charleston, SC, area in May? Is the water warm enough to swim in, and how clear is it (jellyfish? seaweed? etc)? Should we instead go further down the Atlantic coast to Tybee Island? Is our attempt to find a new beach hopeless? Should we just go back to the Redneck Riviera (read: Gulf Coast)?

I wanna be a mechanical vagrant!

TheNewWazoo — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:27:07 -0800

I love renting a house in urban Atlanta! I hate renting a house in urban Atlanta! Can anyone help me find a place to fix my car... myself? So as much as I love living ~150yds from a MARTA station, and as little as I drive my car in town, and as nifty as my urban garden is, my car occasionally needs repair. I'm quite handy and would love to do minor stuff myself, but my steeply-sloped driveway and busy street precludes home repair. Can anyone help me find a public or co-op garage east-side ITP where I can work for a day or two?

I need an North Atlanta yoga studio!

arimathea — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:51:23 -0800

I need a yoga studio or private instructor in Atlanta or preferably northwards. I live far, far north of Atlanta in the wild country a little south of Dahlonega. This makes getting down to some of the yoga studios that one would find on, say, Citysearch a little difficult. While i'm not 100% opposed to traveling all the way down into the city for yoga, I'm a beginner and some of the poses are very hard for me at my weight and fitness level, not to mention painful since my shoulders are asymmetric and my core strength is truly abysmal. On the other hand, i'm really committed to the idea of doing yoga, and I am willing to work through things if I can find the right instructor. I'm working on the other shortcomings in my fitness level via other means, so this is just one part of LE GRAND STRATEGY.

There are only a couple of studios in Alpharetta, which is what you'd consider "close" to me, although that is an oxymoron. The ones i've heard about in the city have rave reviews, but don't particularly cater to my needs as an absolute beginner with a lot of difficulty carrying out poses. While in some of the "satellite cities" in the southeast, i've been able to find restorative yoga geared towards beginners and even those are difficult, but doable.

What I really need is a style, studio, and instructor that focuses on the "correctness" of poses to avoid injury. Can you suggest a good studio or private instructor tending northwards in Atlanta?

Pandas in Atlanta or DC?

soelo — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:42:07 -0800

Should I see Giant Pandas in Atlanta or Washington, D.C.? I want to see a Giant Panda again. The boyfriend and I are going on a road trip at the end of March and we will be going through both Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, GA. Both have Giant Pandas in their respective zoos, and although I got to see one briefly in Berlin, I want to see more. Plus, both zoos have cubs on display!

I am leaning towards Atlanta because they have two cubs, thus increasing my chance of seeing at least one and we currently have more things planned to do in D.C.

I know Atlanta's admission costs $18.99, while the National Zoo is free, but parking is $$ there, while Atlanta has free parking. We will drive there if he comes along, but if I go alone, I'll take public transit or he will drop me off.

Have you been to see Pandas at either zoo? What did you think of the exhibit set up, specifically how easy it was to see the Pandas? Are there any other factors I should consider about either zoo that will tip the scales for me?

How dangerous could it be, really?

FatherDagon — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:05:26 -0800

Staying at the Clermont Hotel in Atlanta this weekend - any firsthand info I should know? So some friends and I are heading down to Atlanta this weekend for the Scion Rock Fest (cheesy name for a great metal lineup) at the Masquerade, and I've decided to take a walk on the nasty side and get rooms at the Clermont Hotel, which is the attached building to the infamous Clermont Lounge. The reasons are threefold - it's something like two blocks from the metal show, so we can just walk back from there after being thoroughly inebriated, it's 39 dollars a night per room, and I have a sick fascination with being in terrible places. From what I've heard, the Lounge is seedy but amusing, a local institution, etc etc etc; however, the Hotel itself is The Place That Man Should Not Tread... which amuses me to no end. We'll be bringing our own sheets/pillowcases/etc, just in case. I'm not that worried - according to this article, there hasn't even been a murder in the hotel since 2001! Any locals have first-hand experience with the place?

sweet southern weekend

kidsleepy — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:23:08 -0800

Weekend getaway in May in the South? The boyfriend and I will have a long weekend in early May to do something fun. He's usually in NJ, while I'm in NC, but he has to be in Atlanta on a Monday, so we're making a long weekend out of it; say, Thursday through Monday morning. He could either meet me in NC or I could meet him in ATL, or something in the middle. Either (short) flying or driving distance is fine.

Should we stay in Atlanta and go to the Coca Cola factory and the aquarium? Go to Savannah or Charleston and do some eating and shopping? Cross our fingers that it's warm enough and go to the Outer Banks? There's so many options near by that we're having trouble narrowing down our choices!

Help me get the most out of my Southern US road trip.

willnot — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:57:22 -0800

I have a follow-up to this Southern US road trip question. My route is firmed up, and I'd like recommendations for anything to see or skip between hotel stops. I'm going to be covering a ton of ground and moving pretty fast. I'm sure that isn't the best way to see the Southern United States, but it is what it is given my time. This will all be happening in early February.

I fly into New Orleans on a Saturday, and will have a night and part of a morning there. I will be returning the following weekend, so I don't need to see everything on this partial day.

Sunday - I've already booked a 1 PM swamp tour to the North East of New Orleans in Slidell. After than I was planning to stop at Bay St. Louis, MS based on aka burlap's recommendation from my previous question. I like arty towns, so that sounded right up my alley. From there, it's on to Pensacola, FL, which is where I'm sleeping Sunday night. Is there anything between Bay St. Louis and Pensacola that I should be sure to see? Or anything in Pensacola that I should be sure to do?

Monday - this is a MONSTER driving day. I need to get to Jacksonville, FL. I was thinking about stopping in Tallahassee for lunch and maybe taking a hike in Apalachicola National Forrest to stretch my legs. Any other recommendations?

Tuesday - I'll be traveling to/staying in Savannah, GA on Tuesday. I was thinking about driving north passed Savannah to check out Hilton Head and then dropping back down to the hotel. Does that make sense? I'm very excited about seeing Savannah. It looks really interesting. Is there anything I should be sure not to miss?

Wednesday - I'll be traveling to/staying in Atlanta, GA. What should I not miss between Savannah and Atlanta? What should I do in Atlanta. I have a friend who mentioned a tour of Coke. Worth it? Or would something else be better?

Thursday - I'll be traveling to/staying in Birmingham, AL. Again, based on the recommendation from the previous thread, I think I'll be spending a lot of time in the Talladega National Forrest. Is there anything in particular I should be sure to see/do?

Friday - I'll be driving back down to New Orleans. Anything between Birmingham and New Orleans that I shouldn't miss?

Saturday/Sunday/Monday - I'm on a company sponsored weekend in New Orleans. Much of my time will be spoken for, but I may have time for one or two major outings. What shouldn't be missed?

Thanks

Bored at the Estate

toastchee — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:14:40 -0800

Things to do near Avondale Estates (Hot lanta)? Anything fun to do for a family of 4 near Avondale Estates? We're in town for thanksgiving and would like to find fun stuff to do.

Atlanta printer tee shirt recommendations

canyon — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:36:29 -0800

Hey guys, I'm am trying to find a screen printer tee shirt in the Atlanta area so I was hoping someone might have a recommendation. I know it may be a tall order, but I am trying to find a printer that can fulfill all, or at least most of my requirements in house. Ideally they should be capable of performing the actual screen printing, heat transfers for rhinestones, embroidery, and tag relabeling. Most of the printers I have talked to contract out the heat transfers and embroidery, but I'd like a printer that can do most of this in house, because of my time constraints. I already have my designs and shirts, but I just need to do get them printed. Thank you so much for your help!! Canyon

Interstate Sidewalk?

jefficator — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:28:13 -0800

Driving south on I-85 from Atlanta to Montgomery, a person passes something that looks like a sideway running for several miles down the median of the interstate. What gives?

DragonCon Tips?

lordrunningclam — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:50:25 -0800

I'm going to DragonCon in Atlanta this weekend. Other than a nearby and smallish Star Trek convention I attended for one day probably 15 years ago I've never been to this sort or thing before. I'll be driving my own car, arriving in Atlanta in the early afternoon tomorrow (Saturday), and staying two nights in Smyrna.

There are a handful of specific people/events I want to see but mostly I just want to walk around and see what it's all about. FWIW, I'm a middle-aged man and a life long scifi fan but not really a geek (at least I don't think so), and I'll be traveling alone.

One thing I'm a little concerned about is finding parking near the convention.

Camping 2-3 hours W/NW from ATL?

mrmarley — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:31:43 -0800

4 people looking for a camping spot this weekend (out of car/ not hike-in) 2-3 hours WEST or NORTHWEST of Atlanta (we're trying to avoid rain from Fay) preferably at/near a body of water allows alcohol (bonus: easy/moderate short hikes and/or falls, not tons of people) any suggestions? please and thank you!

What's weird and fun and delicious on the East Coast?

killerinsideme — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:29:43 -0800

ROAD TRIP!!!!! Philadelphia to Atlanta and back in about 10 days for a couple in their thirties with no kids. You've told me what to bring the people we visit, now tell me where to go! The Philly to Atlanta leg is Rt. 81 S to Chattanooga then Rt. 75 S to Atlanta, returning via 85 N to Richmond then 95N to Philly. I went to college in Nashville and lived in Atlanta for several years after that, but he's never even been south of Washington, D.C.! I've checked through the ask archives, but I still think it's worth asking the question.

Our taste is, in a word, quirky. We also like food, and the bf especially needs to try some down-home Southern cooking. Currently on the list are Dog Days Peach and Sunflower Festival near Winchester, VA, Rock City near Chattanooga, TN, Fort Sanders Yacht Club (classic arcade games!) in Knoxville, TN, Lexington Barbeque #1 in Lexington, NC and probably the Sliding Rock just SW of Asheville, NC in the Pisgah National Forest. I'm also digging up some offbeat places to check out on my favorite travel website Roadside America, but, while I'm finding lots of goofy photo ops ("Here we are next to the World's Largest Chest of Drawers!"), we'd like to find more things to experience, as opposed to things to look at.

Whaddya say? What can't we miss? And please don't let the proposed route deter you - we're not looking to break any speed records here and we'd be happy to detour for something local and unique. In fact, that wouldn't even be a detour.

Atlanta nightlife for a new resident?

XQUZYPHYR — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:13:10 -0800

Atlanta nightlife for a new resident: help me make more out of my first Friday night in Atlanta than more unpacking. I just moved to Atlanta after spending four years in Washington, DC, and now that it's Friday it suddenly dawned on me that I have absolutely nothing to do.

I don't have any friends here to hang out with just yet. When faced with a night on my own, in DC, I could just walk over to Adams Morgan or U Street- cool areas of the city with all the bars, music clubs, a few dance joints, late-nite pizza, etc. I've heard some stuff about a place called Little Five Points but I have no idea if that's the same thing.

I'm pretty solid on the on your own/during the day stuff. I know all about and plan to visit the museums, touristy places, etc. But as far as a Friday/Saturday night goes, I'm a single 20-something and it would probably be helpful to my social life and sanity to know where the single 20-somethings are. (I suppose saying I'm a straight white male might be useful for context into what "fun" might be for me in particular.)

Pre-midnight munchies inside the perimeter

catlet — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:12:26 -0800

AtlantaFilter: please help me find dinner after 10pm! My workout buddy and I usually leave the gym at about 9:30 on weeknights. Although we eat at one of our houses a good chunk of the time, sometimes my day was too busy to include prepping supper or eating before the gym, so we end up eating out. [Yes, we know it's healthier to eat at home, but that's not why I'm posting.] Many of our favorite places close their kitchens at 10; although the bar might stay open, we're usually not drinking. So, I thought I'd ask the Atlanta hive mind for your latenight spots.

Criteria: kitchen open until 10:30 or 11 (or later), not primarily a bar (i.e. not just fried mozzarella and hot dogs because, after all, we've just been at the gym), not chain fast food, somewhere with salads and something beyond burgers/fries is a huge plus, ethnic is good, prefer nothing with a dress code. Something like Atkins Park or Highland Tap is about as fancy as we want to get on a weeknight. We both live in Midtown, so ITP is required; within the boundaries of Decatur to East Atlanta to Tech to Lenox to BriarVista would be optimal. If it's a smoke-friendly place, it needs to have a smokefree area. Long waits for the check are less than good (which makes Highlander an issue).

On the list already: Atkins Park, Highland Tap, Highlander, Apres Diem, Landmark Diner, Zesto's drivethrough, both Vortexes (Vortices?).

Off the list due to hours (although faves at other times, to give you an idea of what I'm seeking): Roxx, Dakota Blue, Colonnade, Roasters.

Thanks much! I admit that I'm still a little bewildered at how early restaurants close here; I'm a transplant from the Pacific Northwest and New England, so it feels weird to hurry up to squeak into a restaurant by 9:30 before the kitchen starts packing up.

Gameboy (original) games in Atlanta?

djpyk — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:07:59 -0800

Where can I find used Gameboy (original) games in or near Atlanta, GA within the next 3 days? My girlfriend is going on a long plane ride, and decided that she'd bring her old Gameboy pocket with her (this is more sentimental/nostalgic I believe than it is functional of course).

Is there anywhere I can find old games in Atlanta? I'd like to giver her a couple games as a surprise (she has a couple right now, but I figured used ones are cheap if I can find them), but I'm not sure if anyone sells these anymore...

Due to time constraints, eBay, the perfect place to find this stuff, is unavailable.

Thanks!

Where to eat in downtown Atlanta

spakto — Tue, 27 May 2008 07:00:54 -0800

ATL filter. I'm traveling to Atlanta for a concert at the Tabernacle near Centennial Olympic Park. Where should I eat beforehand? Are there any good restaurants, pubs, etc. in the area? Anything I should stay away from?

We're going to the Progressive Nation Tour! Also going to the Aquarium!