The situation with Buckhead is that it’s had its once-booming nightlife district surgically removed after it devolved into a hotspot for hip-hop artists, sports teams, and their entourages, which resulted in crime, shootings, etc. Really it was pretty skeevy for a long time before that, having been overrun by frat boys vomiting on the sidewalk, etc, but the shootings pretty much brought things to a screeching halt.
But anyway, it’s nice now, and it’s nowhere near Marietta. I just mention it as people will tell you it’s where the nightclubs are, when in fact that’s been over for a while now.
Also, if you are going to be in an environment where you make some of your own meals, take a trip to Harry’s Farmers Market. It’s now owned by Whole Foods, but still has some of its original character.
My trip ended a few days ago and I would like to thank everyone for posting their thoughts and advice.
I actually had a great time during my time off and though, as many of you had commented, it is a predominately auto-suburb region it is a suburb that could have been done much worse. The one thing that really struck me was the lush greenery. Though I was working adjacent to Dobbins AFB, once I got away from there things were quite green.
I did do a lot of walking as well. I’m not really big on the standard tourism stuff and I would much rather walk around and explore towns and cities, which I really enjoy. I spent a few evenings walking around Marietta - 30 to 50 minutes each time - and really enjoyed myself. I had supper at the Marietta Pizza Company, by Marietta Square, one evening.
I went into Chattanooga on Saturday and did a lot of walking there as well, around the riverfront on the south side and across on the north side for an hour or so. Those areas are very attractive and Chat obviously has some cash and spends it well in support of tourism and the downtown.
On Sunday I spent a few hours in midtown Atlanta and walked a few kilometres from 14th St, down Peachtree into Sono and then back to the Gordon Biersch restaurant on Peachtree and had a pizza and a couple of their local brews. After that I went into Piedmont park and spent about half an hour in there before returning to my car and driving back.
I stayed at the Drury Inn on Delk which was very convenient to my work and the staff was excellent. Though not a luxury place it was a good spot and served my needs well.
One of the local people I was working with lent me his guitar and amp so I was able to practice on a fairly regular basis while there. I also went to Guitar Center to buy an electronic guitar training tool for substantially less than it would cost in Canada.
Four of us also shot the Hooch, which was a good time as well and I ate in Roswell twice, once at Inc Street Food and once at the Diesel Pub and a group of us also ate at the Three Dollar Cafe in Sandy Springs.
That’s wonderful, sounds like you had a great time and saw a lot more than your hotel room! Did you have to pay duty on the guitar when you crossed back home? Chattanooga’s got that tourism business down, don’t they? It does my heart good to see some give-a-damn in a pretty city like that staying nice to visit no matter the economy.
Ducati, you can be repeatedly proud; in the dozens of times I’ve gone to ATL I’ve never been robbed or even looked at funny.
Nawth Chuka, actually the guitar thing is an electronic gizmo (I borrowed a guitar) but still didn’t have to pay duty so I actually did realize a saving. You’re certainly right about Chattanooga as well. Given time and cash I would actually like to return to the area.
Midtown Atlanta reminded me of downtown Vancouver, though without the mountains as a backdrop.