So last week @missy @charmaine and @rambo assigned blog topic was one that I had been contemplating doing for quite sometime, and even though I'm now late on the topic, I didn't want to let the chance pass me by to give you all a tour of my town! My hometown is Ottawa, Canada, but I have been living in Atlanta, Georgia for over a decade now and I know a lot more about the everyday nightlife and daytime activities so my tour will be of Atlanta!
Welcome to Atlanta where the players play...
..or something like that.
There is a whole mess of typical tourist stuff to do in Atlanta like checking out the pandas at Zoo Atlanta, spending a day in the giant Georgia Aquarium, catch a Braves game at Turner Field, or something boring like The World of Coke. Which, if you have been to, you know the only fun part is when you get to taste the different cokes from all over the world and the fountain thing shoots it into your cup. But I want to tell you guys about my favourite parts of the city.
Where to eat!
I am a vegetarian so I know sometimes people don't like the same things I do, buut I picked two of my favourite places that my meat loving friends also approve of.
This place has hands down the best veggie burger in all of Atlanta. I will seriously challenge anyone who disagrees. And never fear meat lovers! According to most carnivores, they serve the best meaty burger in town as well. And this place is more than just delicious burgers! The decor of the restaurant follows close to the name, and they are always showing B rated scifi films, anime, or anything that falls into the grindhouse film category. And the robots! Oh so many robots everywhere. I especially love the mural behind the bar which pays homage to some of the best robots out there. They have two different locations in Atlanta, and one in Athens, but the one off Piedmont Road is the best one. Oh, and if you want to mix up your drinking a bit, try one of their supremely good boozy milkshakes!
The tacos!!! ALL OF THE TACOS!! This place is super tiny and hasn't been open terrible long, but they have THE BEST TACOS! I fucking love tacos, and have eaten at almost every taco place in the city, but there is nothing like Hankook. Again, this is vegetarian and carnivore friendly. The menu isn't huge, every day they have two special tacos(the avocado tempura is my jam), and the parking and seating is limited, but it is absolutely worth circling the block a few times to find a space. The menu is a Korean BBQ fusion, which sounds a little strange, but the result is pure deliciousness.
Where to drink!
This could actually be somewhere to eat as well, since they have sort of a high end menu including stuff like tar tar, cow brains, a divine cheese plate, and some extremely rich desserts. But I usually end up just having a cocktail or two here after or before dinner somewhere else. The first time someone took me to Wrecking Bar they told me all about the beers, which they brew in house and change up every couple of weeks, as a beer lover I was really excited to try something I had never had before. Well, the beer is excellent, but what I fell in love with at Wrecking Bar was the whisky list. I am a girl that loves her whisky. I usually just prefer it neat or on the rocks, but I love me a well made Old Fashion! At Wrecking Bar they put a little spin on the classic recipe and call it an In Fashion, it's a must order for any whisky lover. You can usually find me enjoying a glass of Lagavulin 16 year and nibbling on some dessert or an app. The exposed stone, old wooden furniture, and it's location in a basement, give it a sort of speakeasy feel, and the staff are very knowledgeable and super friendly.
Probably the most iconic craft brewery in Georgia, Sweetwater has been around for 17 years now, boasting the slogan 'Don't Float the Mainstream' and pumping out delicious beer after delicious beer. Their staple beer being a pale ale simply named 420. If you live in the Southeast or have ever had a lay over in Hartsfield Airport, chances are you have tried, at least seen, this beer. The brewery has changed locations and grown immensely throughout the years, but their current spot is gorgeous. I don't visit this brewery as much as I used to since there are so many new ones popping up all the time, and variety is the spice of life, but I would still bring any out of towner to this beautiful brewery for a day of drinking. Sweetwater boasts two huge drinking rooms, one with access to a large outdoor balcony, and another large outdoor patio with a bar and small stage for local acts to play on the weekends. These pictures don't really show the vastness of the brewery.
Monday Night Brewing is a newer brewery to Atlanta, but they have exploded and delivered some exceptional craft beers in the last two years. This is probably the brewery I frequent the most. It's really close to my house, which is convenient, but it also just has a really cool vibe and tasty tasty brews. Because of their slogan 'Weekends are Overrated' when the brewery first opened you could bring a tie and get in for free, eventually they built the epicness that is the tie wall pictured below. They have a bunch of arcade games and are usually screening an old movie on the projection wall, providing a stage for a local band, or there's a food truck grilling up something yummy on the patio. It all just depends on the night of the week. It's worth a mention that they have one of my favourite patios to drink on. Even though it's in the city, it's surrounded by trees and lit up by strings of light, it really gives it a beautiful feel of being somewhere else.
Places to explore!
Piedmont is a bit like our tiny version of Central Park. Since I'm lucky enough to live within walking distance, it's one of my favourite places in the city to spend an afternoon reading. It sprawls over 189 acres and includes a lake, swimming pool, track/activity area where teams play volleyball, soccer, kickball etc., trails, trees, and a really great restaurant PARK TAVERN, at the corner of 10th and Monroe. It's also the home of plenty of festivals and activities including Gay Pride, Music Midtown, The Dogwood Festival, Peachtree Road Race, and plenty more throughout the year. And since it has a beautiful view of the Atlanta skyline, it makes for a great place to spend the day having a picnic or playing some frisbee.
Sweetwater Creek State Park is a little West of Atlanta, but a great place to spend an afternoon hiking and exploring. You'll want to check the website for their hours and various activities they have scheduled. But if you're looking for a place to get away from the urban sprawl for a day, look no further.
The Beltline is a former railway corridor that is being transformed into a multi use trail area. Although some of it is still under construction, a lot of it is already open, and some of the areas not yet developed are still able to be hiked. As it is still in development it's exciting to see how it will look complete, but so far some of the areas are really quite beautiful.
Things I love!
The best Comic store in Atlanta! I receive my weekly pull from Oxford's and have been doing so for about four years now. Once I was introduced to this place I never went to another comic shop again. I love the staff, and they are just awesome about helping you get your hands on something specific. They also host gaming nights, which you'll have to check the website for those dates, as well as signings from various cosplayers throughout the year. Zach is my absolute favourite employee. He's always a blast to chat with, and has recommended me things that have turned out to be my most loved series. I was looking online for a picture of the storefront, since I've never actually taken one, when I found a photo of him too! I guess other comic lovers approve him as well!
The 17th St Bridge is one of my most favourite views of Atlanta. I live very close to it, and often walk over on my way to the grocery store, a movie, or heading out for some drinks close to home. I like walking because I get a long time to drink the view in and reflect on the things I really do love about this city(no matter how much I complain about the heat).
I think I could probably ramble on about a few more places, but there is an avocado taco calling my name, so it's time to wrap this one up. I really hope you enjoyed my tour of Atlanta, and if you live here maybe you found a new place to visit. What are you favourite places in Atlanta fellow ATLiens??
And one last thing, I want to take the time to extend my most sincerest of thank you's to all of you amazing guys and gals who have taken the time to view my set. The amount of positive feedback and support in just under two days, has been truly overwhelming. This set is doing better than I could have imagined, and I know that going pink is so much more than just the number of loves a set receives, I appreciate every single like, and every single comment all the same. This community of people is truly the best community I have ever been a part of, and I just want to hug every single one of you!
If you haven't checked out DIANA yet please have a look and let me know what you think!
A million billion thank yous to you all!!! Live long and prosper my friends!