Entertain Academics In Atlanta
March 24, 2016 7:48 PM Subscribe
I'll be in Atlanta from April 13-17 for a conference. I am trying to come up with an interesting social activity for everyone associated with our research project - 10-15 people. In the past, this has taken place at sporting events, but we can't find anything in town! Any suggestions?
We'll be staying in downtown Atlanta for an anthropology conference from April 13-17, and would like to get a group together for something the 14, 15, or 16. The World of Coca Cola, the aquarium, and the zoo have already been rejected.
In the past, we've had this event at minor league baseball, NFL, NHL, MLB, college, and MLS games in other conference cities, but I'm really having a hard time finding any games in the area during our trip. Do you know if anyone will be in town (or a sport that I'm not thinking of)? We're too early for baseball, NFL, NBA, WNBA, or MLS, and NHL is away that weekend. Georgia Tech baseball has home games that week, but we're coming from a Big 10 football school and I'm not sure if Georgia Tech baseball will live up to the hype?
If we can't come up with something sports, I'm suggesting that we try to find a brewery tour as an alternative. Can you recommend a good craft brewery?
We'll be staying in downtown Atlanta for an anthropology conference from April 13-17, and would like to get a group together for something the 14, 15, or 16. The World of Coca Cola, the aquarium, and the zoo have already been rejected.
In the past, we've had this event at minor league baseball, NFL, NHL, MLB, college, and MLS games in other conference cities, but I'm really having a hard time finding any games in the area during our trip. Do you know if anyone will be in town (or a sport that I'm not thinking of)? We're too early for baseball, NFL, NBA, WNBA, or MLS, and NHL is away that weekend. Georgia Tech baseball has home games that week, but we're coming from a Big 10 football school and I'm not sure if Georgia Tech baseball will live up to the hype?
If we can't come up with something sports, I'm suggesting that we try to find a brewery tour as an alternative. Can you recommend a good craft brewery?
Best answer: Make your own sports: Whirlyball!
Though it would be a heckuva fare from downtown. You could try the Sweetwater Brewery.
posted by heigh-hothederryo at 8:17 PM on March 24, 2016 [2 favorites]
Though it would be a heckuva fare from downtown. You could try the Sweetwater Brewery.
posted by heigh-hothederryo at 8:17 PM on March 24, 2016 [2 favorites]
The Atlanta Botanical Gardens is near the Sweetwater Brewery and is absolutely breath taking this time of year. You could do both and fit dinner in between at one of several restaurants that are close by. Not a sporting event but it would be a lovely evening. Nothing like the Southland in the springtime.
posted by pearlybob at 8:33 PM on March 24, 2016
posted by pearlybob at 8:33 PM on March 24, 2016
Came to suggest whirlyball, guess I will second it instead. I'm pretty sure if you look around, besides the trademarked whirlyball place in roswell (which is awesome but hella far out of town) there's a place in Marietta now that has more or less the same thing.
posted by solotoro at 8:45 PM on March 24, 2016
posted by solotoro at 8:45 PM on March 24, 2016
Best answer: College Football Hall of Fame, perhaps?
As for craft breweries, Wild Heaven Brewery in Avondale is my favorite and reasonably close to downtown Decatur, if you want to go bar-hopping afterward. (Would also strongly recommend going to Palookaville beforehand if you go this route; it's an experience.)
Wrecking Bar in Little Five Points is a great brewpub with wonderful food, and Little Five Points has lots of other fun things to do. 5 Seasons Brewing has several locations that may be convenient to you, and they've really been killing it lately. Monday Night Brewing also makes very good beer, and their tasting room is a really cool space.
If you're into the adult arcade idea, Joystick Gamebar in Old 4th Ward is the way to go. I hear that the Old 4th Distillery tour down the street is a good time, too.
posted by lemonadeheretic at 10:05 PM on March 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
As for craft breweries, Wild Heaven Brewery in Avondale is my favorite and reasonably close to downtown Decatur, if you want to go bar-hopping afterward. (Would also strongly recommend going to Palookaville beforehand if you go this route; it's an experience.)
Wrecking Bar in Little Five Points is a great brewpub with wonderful food, and Little Five Points has lots of other fun things to do. 5 Seasons Brewing has several locations that may be convenient to you, and they've really been killing it lately. Monday Night Brewing also makes very good beer, and their tasting room is a really cool space.
If you're into the adult arcade idea, Joystick Gamebar in Old 4th Ward is the way to go. I hear that the Old 4th Distillery tour down the street is a good time, too.
posted by lemonadeheretic at 10:05 PM on March 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
The ATL history museum.
When I went to Margaret Mitchell's and Joel Chandler Harris' homes both the tours were led by black guides.
The Jimmy Carter Library
The MLK jr center
posted by brujita at 10:48 PM on March 24, 2016
When I went to Margaret Mitchell's and Joel Chandler Harris' homes both the tours were led by black guides.
The Jimmy Carter Library
The MLK jr center
posted by brujita at 10:48 PM on March 24, 2016
Cyclorama?
posted by crazy with stars at 11:40 PM on March 24, 2016
posted by crazy with stars at 11:40 PM on March 24, 2016
Monday Night brewery could be good for a tour. Or Orpheus, which has quirky beers, but they are near the Beltline, I think...that could be fun to drink beer and get a glimpse is a project that's changing the feel of in town Atlanta.
posted by k96sc01 at 5:01 AM on March 25, 2016
posted by k96sc01 at 5:01 AM on March 25, 2016
Best answer: The Atlanta Roller Girls hold a roller derby bout (a double header!) at 5:00 pm on April 16th in Midtown (second match starts at 7:30 and you can buy tickets to one or both events), which might be a nice way to end your confab. You may be able to get someone from the club to meet your group early and explain the nuances of the sport. Upgrade to VIP seating to be assured of sitting as a group. Good or bad, depending: it's BYOB.
posted by carmicha at 5:03 AM on March 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 5:03 AM on March 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
Best answer: There's a really neat place in the Provisioning District called Ormsby's. It's a cool pub and they have games, even Bocce. Our group had an event there...it was pretty fun! I highly recommend the corn dog bites.
Another option would be The Laughing Skull comedy club at the Vortex downtown. Looks like you have a choice between a magician-type dude or open-mic. The burgers at the Vortex are amaze-balls.
It looks like the Gwinnett Braves are in town that week.
Have fun!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:49 AM on March 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Another option would be The Laughing Skull comedy club at the Vortex downtown. Looks like you have a choice between a magician-type dude or open-mic. The burgers at the Vortex are amaze-balls.
It looks like the Gwinnett Braves are in town that week.
Have fun!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:49 AM on March 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Top Golf
Not far from downtown, and very close to Monday Night Brewing.
posted by MelissaSimon at 8:09 AM on March 25, 2016
Not far from downtown, and very close to Monday Night Brewing.
posted by MelissaSimon at 8:09 AM on March 25, 2016
Response by poster: Well, my advisor is ecstatic at the news that the Gwinnet Braves are in town, so I think we'll be there. Thank you all for the suggestions!
posted by ChuraChura at 9:33 AM on March 25, 2016
posted by ChuraChura at 9:33 AM on March 25, 2016
The G-Braves are a really really long way from downtown (30 miles or so), and there is no transit to get there. I don't know if that changes anything for you.
posted by hydropsyche at 9:56 AM on March 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by hydropsyche at 9:56 AM on March 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks for the head's up, but don't worry! My adviser has already arranged car rentals specifically to drive out there.
posted by ChuraChura at 11:49 AM on March 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by ChuraChura at 11:49 AM on March 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm just sorry y'all don't get to see the (real) Braves in their final season at Turner Field. It's a beautiful stadium and a great downtown Atlanta experience. It could certainly be argued that driving up 85 to see the G-Braves in suburban Gwinnett is a much more authentic experience of life for the majority of residents in the Atlanta area, though.
posted by hydropsyche at 5:40 PM on March 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by hydropsyche at 5:40 PM on March 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by k8t at 8:06 PM on March 24, 2016