April in Atlanta

To say "this city has something for everyone" sounds cliche, but in Atlanta's case, it is true. With fun at Coca-Cola, historical interest at Stone Mountain Park, current interest at CNN, natural beauty at the Botanical gardens, and more shopping centers than you could shake a credit card at, Atlanta truly does have it all!

Quick Tips:

Spring is a terrific time to visit.

Best Way To Get Around:

MARTA is clean, organized, and convenient to ride. I highly recommend it when heading downtown. The suburbs around Atlanta aren't to be missed, either. The streets are a little confusing at first (the overabundance of the word "Peachtree" in the street names and their curvy nature), but with a good map, a navigator, and a not-too-tight schedule, you'll do just fine getting around.

The Comfort Inn Buckhead is located just off interstate 385, on the north side of the city. Its close proximity to the highway seemed like a recipe for noisy rooms and sleepless nights, but the rooms were surprisingly quiet. I was only reminded that there were tons of vehicles streaming by at 60-miles per hour when I looked out the window.

It was so easy to find the hotel and to get in because it was right off the highway. (It wasn't as convenient to make a left out of the hotel's parking lot, but I found ways to make a right and still get where I needed to go.)

Inside the Comfort Inn Buckhead was a nice lobby, a computer room, and an extremely helpful and friendly employee behind the counter. The rooms in this hotel are relatively new and in good condition. I was happily shocked at the built-in amenities: coffee maker, refrigerator, and microwave! It was a dream come true—not to mention a remote control that wasn't nailed down! The towels and sheets were no softer than most hotel linens, and the beds were the usual style; but there was adequate storage space, and the bathroom was spotless.

The continental breakfast was good, but there wasn't much room to eat it. The outdoor pool wasn't open yet because I was there in April. There was also a Mexican restaurant next door, but I never had a chance to check it out. Maybe next time!

Overall, I would recommend this hotel to anyone (with or without kids), who is looking for a reasonably priced and comfortable place to stay that's not too far from Atlanta's great sights and activities.

Maggiano's was some of the finest Italian food I have ever tasted. The dining room decor was plush but not overdone. The waitstaff was attentive and polite. The prices were very reasonable, and the portions were tremendous! It is the perfect restaurant for a group of people or families who want to sample different dishes (and you will want to once you read the menu!). The fish was cooked to perfection, the eggplant parmesan was melt-in-your-mouth, and the bread and spreads were unique. The restaurant was easy to find and very conveniently located near the Lennox Square mall. The restaurant came to us through the recommendation of a mall employee and you can tell that the restaurant is loved by locals and tourists alike. This is a dining experience not to be missed.

The Botanical Gardens were the biggest pleasant surprise on my whole trip. I thought going in that I would see the typical azaleas, hydrangeas, tulips, a few of Atlanta's prized dogwoods, and maybe a greenhouse with an orchid or two. What greeted me there, however, was a beautiful collection of plants I had never seen before, in addition to outstanding examples of the "old stand-bys." The gardens were almost enough to make be give up my day job for botany! This will be my first stop on my next visit to Atlanta. The garden was large (I spent a few hours there) complete with gift shop and an outdoor cafe. I would love to go back and schedule a guided tour. A picture is worth a thousand words, so I hope my photos will make up for what I just can't do justice with type.

I have to admit that, as a Yankee, I wasn't so sure that the Cyclorama was going to be of any interest to me. But I was pleasantly surprised. The Cyclorama is a fascinating piece of artwork, as well as a historical artifact. Anyone, regardless of which side of the Mascon-Dickson line they are from, will enjoy this hidden treasure. (It was alittle difficult to find at first, but my perserverence paid off.) The Cyclorama is a 360 degree painting with sculpture incorporated with it to give the audience a truly unique experience. As the platform you are seated on slowly revolves, you get totally immersed in this great artwork. The narration simply and fascinateingly tells the story of the battle of Atlanta. The museum around the Cyclorama holds interesting artifacts and a replica train car. I was tempted to skip the video of how they restored the painting, but I am glad that I didn't. It was fascinating to see all the work that went into saving this marvelous work of art. It gives greater appreciation for the Cyclorama. This is a stopped not to be missed whether you have any interest in Civil War history because it isn't just Civil War history, but human history. For hours call (404) 624-1071 or (404) 658-7625

Stone Mountain is a natural outcrop of granite suddenly rising up from an otherwise flat area. It is truly a unique sight. The park includes many theme restaurants, gift shops, and kid's activities. There were also beautiful gardens on the grounds. The historic plantation town is beautifully laid out and maintained, as well as staffed by intelligent and friendly (a word you use a lot to describe the people in Atlanta) people.

In April, I had the place almost to myself because it was not yet the peak season. The one drawback of this is the fact that many of the gift shops, restaurants, and activities were not open, but the admission price is not any lower. One restaurant that was open was Auntie Kate's. It featured great Southern food. While you wait for your meal, they come around to your table with an assortment of appetizers, such as sweet potato fries, fried zucchini, and fried pickles. I loved the sweet potatoes and was thrilled to try my first fried pickle! The homemade biscuits were absolutely to die for! I thoroughly enjoyed my cheeseburger and iced tea while listening to the live guitar player.

The ride up the side of the Stone Mountain is breathtaking and the view from the top is simply awesome. When you get into the cable car to go up, try to get near a window so that you can properly take in the view. There aren't the right words to describe it. Walking around the top of the mountain is like walking on some other planet's surface. At first you are just taken in by the view of the completely flat area out of which the mountain rises, and then you start to notice subtle things about the surface you are walking on. There are interesting veins of dark and light rock in the granite, not to mention small little flows that grow in the cracks. There is not much anyone could improve on at Stone Mountain Park. It is definitely not to be missed!