Look out Georgia here we come!!

[MacMillans son]

I just made lodging reservations for this year's Stone Mountain Highland Games. It looks like Stone Mountain is a well attended event by some of our southern members, and I look forwarded to meeting you in person!

We will be staying at the Marriot on the Stone Mountain venue, as recommended by Forrestermodern (aka Jeff). We will likely extend our visit on either side of the games to maximize our travel dollars. Are there any must see sites or activities that the Georgians, or others, can suggest? We will have a rental car, and enjoy history and outdoor activities. We are not committed to the Stone Mountain lodging beyond the game dates, and can move around at our leisure to take advantage of the region's offerings.


Thanks for any and all tips!

See you then,
Brooke

[mookien]

Brooke: I suggest traveling about 100 miles NE of Atlanta to the Tallulah Gorge and Falls. It's a beautiful area and has the advantage of only being about 35 miles south of Franklin, NC. Say "hi" to Matt for me.

In my younger days I did some camping, backpacking, and canoeing in north GA and western NC. You could go north to the Cohutta Wilderness Area, which is also about 100 miles from Atlanta. Whatever you decide, have a great trip.

John

[KD Burke]

Although I haven't lived there in years, I'm native to the Atlanta area, and the most of my close kin still reside there.

I can heartily recommend the Georgia Aquarium as a must see.

If you are interested in Civil War history, a trip to Kennesaw Mountain might be in order.

[MacMillans son]

These sound sound like just what we are looking for.

KD, we have a world class aquarium at Monterey and it will be interesting to compare the two coast's exhibits. We would like to do a civil war tour sometime in the future, but will not have time this trip. It sounds like visit to Kennesaw Mountain may be a good teaser to get that trip planned.

Mookien (John), The gorge and falls are officially on the list! I didn't realize we would be that close to Franklin (obviously didn't look at a map ) We are hoping to meet Matt at the games, but would like to see the museum since we are there.

Yodofizzy, I will have to google the cyclerama. I have been riding motorcycles for over 30 years so if it is mc related we may have to check it out.

Thanks for the leads all. And again, we are not at all averse to driving so if anyone else has some suggestions we'd love to hear them.

Thanks,
Brooke

[sydnie7]

I believe Yodo is pointing you toward the Cyclorama. Has nothing to do with motorcycles but looks like a good suggestion anyway!

Have a fun trip, we would love to hit some of the bigger Games around the country. . . waiting for the right lottery ticket. . .

[Deirachel]

KD, we have a world class aquarium at Monterey and it will be interesting to compare the two coast's exhibits. We would like to do a civil war tour sometime in the future, but will not have time this trip. It sounds like visit to Kennesaw Mountain may be a good teaser to get that trip planned.

Definitely, go to the Aquarium, if nothing else than to see the whale sharks. It is the only aquarium outside of Asia to host them. If you have a couple hundred to spend, you can dive the main tank (snorkle and/or SCUBA). Second, the Monterey Bay Aquarium was the reason the Georgia Aquarium was built. Plus, there is just a bit of a difference between a 1.2 million gallon tank and an 8 million one.

If you are an architecture nut, downtown, in general, is a great place to visit. Just about every style of building for Reconstruction to today is represented. You can also hit the Coca-cola Museum.... Also, you should hit the New American Shakespeare Tavern for dinner and a show. (Their calendar goes until June at the moment, but you should find out what's playing in Oct in mid-June)

Since you will be in the area, you might want to hit Fuddruckers for a burger; there is one in Lawrenceville. I do every single time I have to head west to Atlanta. In the Lawrenceville/Lilburn area along I-85, there are all kinds of places to eat if you in the mood for ethnic cuisine.

I would recommend my main reason for going to Atlanta, but unfortunately that attraction moved to Winnipeg, CANADA!

[mookien]

... Since you will be in the area, you might want to hit Fuddruckers for a burger; there is one in Lawrenceville. ...

I second that suggestion, unless of course you are already familiar with them and they are no longer a novelty, and also because they are featured in Mike Judge's movie Idiocracy.

[MacMillans son]

Thanks for the link Sydnie, definitely not motorcycle related...it's even better! Thanks for the original tip Yodofizzy just the kind of thing we are looking for, those things that are unique to the history and/or culture of the area.

Deirechel, we do have a Fuddruckers here in the greater Sacramento area (Citrus Heights) and have enjoyed their burgers in the past, though it's been a while. Any other fine dining suggestions?

I'm creating a trip file that includes travel arrangements and site seeing recommendations, these will all be included for sure.

Thanks gang, we have plenty of time until the games so if any of you think of other things please let me know.

Regards,
Brooke

[mookien]

... Any other fine dining suggestions? ...

Brooke: I don't know if it even exists anymore, but years ago Pitty Pat's Porch was a superb restaurant. As I recall, in those days it was an all-you-can-eat buffet style eatery in (or near) downtown Atlanta with exquisite food all along the buffet.

I can't really recommend it since I haven't eaten there in, oh about 35 years, but you might make local inquiries. Perhaps someone on the forum from the Atlanta area can update my recollection and impressions. In any case "bon appetit".

John

[Thomas H]

Awesome , looking forward to seeing you at the meet up for X marks .
Stone mountian is great and a added note
the games ticket wrist band will allow you to do every thing at the Mountain too
May be after the games you can run over there , it is a great place , and fun for the whole family