When in Atlanta...
May 8, 2012 5:28 PM Subscribe
My 13 year old daughter and I will have four hours to burn in Atlanta before catching our flight. Any suggestions on something "Atlanta-ish" that might appeal? We're driving in from Nashville to catch the flight. She's excited about seeing a new city!
I'm sure there's a more cultured answer than this, but as a teenager all my friends who went to Atlanta went to Coke World.
My only memory of Atlanta is hot dogs from the Varsity.
posted by Sara C. at 5:42 PM on May 8, 2012
My only memory of Atlanta is hot dogs from the Varsity.
posted by Sara C. at 5:42 PM on May 8, 2012
13 year old me probably would've been into some of the other suggestions (adolescent tigers! whale sharks! weird international Coke!), but ounce for ounce, sitting on the upstairs patio at Six Feet Under Grant Park and looking out over the cemetery is just about the best thing in Atlanta.
posted by gone2croatan at 5:49 PM on May 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by gone2croatan at 5:49 PM on May 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
Seconding really watching your time. Depending on the time of day, it an take you almost 2 hours to get from the north side to the airport. And then the airport is its own monster. I would recommend world of Coke, easy to do in an hour or so, then you can quickly hop on 75/85 south and head to the airport. Piedmont park and the botanical gardens is another great spot if you are feeling outdoorsy and they are relatively close to the connector. Welcome, have fun and don't underestimate the traffic.
posted by pearlybob at 5:55 PM on May 8, 2012
posted by pearlybob at 5:55 PM on May 8, 2012
Totally have to agree about an Oakland tour and 6 feet under. Absolutely fascinating and amazingly beautiful!!!
posted by pearlybob at 5:57 PM on May 8, 2012
posted by pearlybob at 5:57 PM on May 8, 2012
When I was that age, the World of Coca-Cola was a big favorite of mine, as was Underground Atlanta.
posted by ocherdraco at 6:00 PM on May 8, 2012
posted by ocherdraco at 6:00 PM on May 8, 2012
Do you mean to say that you have four hours before the takeoff time of your flight? I do not recommend leaving the airport at all, then. After taking care of airport parking, shuttling, the security checkpoint, waiting for the people-mover thing, and finding your gate, you will have about an hour and a half of free time before boarding begins.
posted by Nomyte at 6:51 PM on May 8, 2012
posted by Nomyte at 6:51 PM on May 8, 2012
Underground isn't a big draw anymore. There is talk of a revitalization and I hope it happens but not something to seek out these days.
posted by pearlybob at 7:19 PM on May 8, 2012
posted by pearlybob at 7:19 PM on May 8, 2012
The one good thing about CNN and most of the things suggested is that you’ll drive right past them anyways on your way to the airport. Don’t go anywhere that isn’t right off the Interstate, and definitely watch your time.
posted by bongo_x at 10:21 PM on May 8, 2012
posted by bongo_x at 10:21 PM on May 8, 2012
Piedmont Park is nice and chill place with a city skyline. I've never been to NYC but it's basically what I imagine Central Park would be like (but smaller and so on and so forth). Seconding others opinions on if you've only got 4 hours on a layover then you might better stay at the airport or so...
posted by RolandOfEld at 12:10 AM on May 9, 2012
posted by RolandOfEld at 12:10 AM on May 9, 2012
The Cyclorama (a building-sized cylindrical painting depicting the Battle of Atlanta) is mildly entertaining for an hour or so. It's not immediately off the Interstate the way the Varsity is, but it's not far either.
posted by dd42 at 1:25 AM on May 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by dd42 at 1:25 AM on May 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
nthing what everyone said about timing. You never know when the random traffic thing can pop up and turn a 20 minute drive into 90. But given that you will have some free time, I suggest grabbing a meal at the Varsity and checking out Piedmont Park (however briefly) to at least get a sense of downtown.
If you pick something near MARTA (the rail system here) it will make your timing more predictable, as you could park at the airport and take a northbound train to something like the Varsity or World of Coke. Piedmont Park is trickier to get to from MARTA.
If you go offsite, keep an eye on the security wait time updates on the airport's website. http://atlanta-airport.com/
Another option is to tour the Delta Heritage Museum, near the airport. http://www.deltamuseum.org/index.htm I've never been because I always thought it was only open to Delta employees, but your question prompted me to double check that. And looks like I was wrong, it appears to be open to the general public as long as you call ahead to get on the list. It's not open every day so make sure you check the Plan your Visit section of the site.
Finally, consider just exploring the airport itself. There are several rotating and permanent art and history exhibits. http://www.atlanta-airport.com/Passenger/Art%20Program/frmPassengerInformation_ArtProgram.aspx You could take all those in for several hours. Check out the giant ants that hardly anyone notices above baggage claim.
posted by punocchio at 5:55 AM on May 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
If you pick something near MARTA (the rail system here) it will make your timing more predictable, as you could park at the airport and take a northbound train to something like the Varsity or World of Coke. Piedmont Park is trickier to get to from MARTA.
If you go offsite, keep an eye on the security wait time updates on the airport's website. http://atlanta-airport.com/
Another option is to tour the Delta Heritage Museum, near the airport. http://www.deltamuseum.org/index.htm I've never been because I always thought it was only open to Delta employees, but your question prompted me to double check that. And looks like I was wrong, it appears to be open to the general public as long as you call ahead to get on the list. It's not open every day so make sure you check the Plan your Visit section of the site.
Finally, consider just exploring the airport itself. There are several rotating and permanent art and history exhibits. http://www.atlanta-airport.com/Passenger/Art%20Program/frmPassengerInformation_ArtProgram.aspx You could take all those in for several hours. Check out the giant ants that hardly anyone notices above baggage claim.
posted by punocchio at 5:55 AM on May 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
Oh! I forgot about airport art. The puppets in the T-gate area are especially cool.
posted by gone2croatan at 6:04 AM on May 9, 2012
posted by gone2croatan at 6:04 AM on May 9, 2012
As an Atlantan, I'm nervous about your 4 hours. If that's 4 hours apart from the two hours you'll need once you leave your activity, then I'd recommend The World Of Coca-Cola. You can do that easily in 4 hours and it's a perfect activity for a 13-year old. It will cost you $10 to park, and $16/$12 each for tickets.
It will also depend highly upon when you plan on hitting Atlanta, and what time you'll be heading down to the Airport. If any of these things are happening at Rush Hour, ditch your plans to see an attraction.
Hartsfield is getting more and more difficult to navigate. From the time you park your car (I recommend The Parking Spot,) to the time it takes to check in, clear security, take the train to your concourse, and schlep the length of the concourse to your gate, you may need an hour from the time that you come through the first door. Seriously. You can walk a mile from the front door to your gate. Give yourself PLENTY of time.
Perhaps you can do an attraction on your way home?
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:18 AM on May 9, 2012
It will also depend highly upon when you plan on hitting Atlanta, and what time you'll be heading down to the Airport. If any of these things are happening at Rush Hour, ditch your plans to see an attraction.
Hartsfield is getting more and more difficult to navigate. From the time you park your car (I recommend The Parking Spot,) to the time it takes to check in, clear security, take the train to your concourse, and schlep the length of the concourse to your gate, you may need an hour from the time that you come through the first door. Seriously. You can walk a mile from the front door to your gate. Give yourself PLENTY of time.
Perhaps you can do an attraction on your way home?
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:18 AM on May 9, 2012
Perhaps the King Center?
I'd second the recommendation for driving to the airport and taking MARTA, albeit with reservations. Pros: Don't have to worry about traffic en route to your flight; if your daughter is excited about seeing a new city, she might dig the "big city subway experience," such as it is in Atlanta. Cons: Coming from TN you gotta drive through (or around) the city to get to the airport anyway; if you drive to your Atlanta attractions you can leave your luggage in the car, but will have to carry it if you do MARTA (or leave it in your car at the airport, but that would pretty much counteract any time savings).
posted by dixiecupdrinking at 7:39 AM on May 9, 2012
I'd second the recommendation for driving to the airport and taking MARTA, albeit with reservations. Pros: Don't have to worry about traffic en route to your flight; if your daughter is excited about seeing a new city, she might dig the "big city subway experience," such as it is in Atlanta. Cons: Coming from TN you gotta drive through (or around) the city to get to the airport anyway; if you drive to your Atlanta attractions you can leave your luggage in the car, but will have to carry it if you do MARTA (or leave it in your car at the airport, but that would pretty much counteract any time savings).
posted by dixiecupdrinking at 7:39 AM on May 9, 2012
Looks like you are driving from Nashville to Atlanta and will park your vehicle at the airport. An hour or so in Little Five Points is very exciting for any 13 year old and it's fairly easy access back to the highway.
posted by oh posey at 7:54 AM on May 9, 2012
posted by oh posey at 7:54 AM on May 9, 2012
What time of day? Depending on when you're getting here, as others have said, you may be enjoying a scenic snail's pace tour of our skyline while stuck on the connector (where I-75 and I-85 combine to go through downtown Atlanta).
posted by catlet at 8:09 AM on May 9, 2012
posted by catlet at 8:09 AM on May 9, 2012
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All of those are downtown, so depending on your flight time, give yourself either ample or very ample time to get down to the airport, because traffic on the connector can be horrific.
posted by holgate at 5:41 PM on May 8, 2012