By Doc Lawrence
Yes, football-the game between LSU and Georgia-takes center stage at palatial Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but for early arrivals and those sticking around for an extra day, there’s a cornucopia of fine dining, museums, destinations and more that make Atlanta a special place in the South.
Many, myself included, maintain that the cultural core of the South is Atlanta. Think about that: The Carter Presidential Center, The Woodruff Arts Center: home to the Symphony, High Museum of Art and the Alliance Theatre. The Atlanta History Center, 60 acres of displays, magnificent architecture, gardens and home of The Cyclorama, a breathtaking moment depicting the 1864 Battle of Atlanta with you in the middle of it.
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Is there a park in an urban area that compares to Stone Mountain? Is there a small town anywhere that has the history and charm of Stone Mountain Historic Village?
We are forever the birthplace and final resting place of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. CNN was born here and the CNN Center is a short walk from the big game.
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Emory University is now one of the world’s top medical research centers. Just across the street from the medical school is CDC, a wonder of public and global health service with a stunning museum that is absolutely free. The Dali Lama is an adjunct faculty member at Emory and his institute rests on the campus.
Hungry for something other than stadium fare? Atlanta’s restaurants reflect the city’s rich cultural mix juxtaposed with Deep South traditions. We’re not New Orleans or Miami Beach and have no pretensions. Go to the Buford Highway Corridor and behold hundreds of restaurants with culinary ties to Asia and Latin America.
Agave is a hugely popular restaurant. A little Southwest, a touch of Guadalajara and primed by the creative genius of Tim Pinkham and company, it’s an epicurean journey unlike anything in the South. Bonus: Agave is across the street from Oakland Cemetery, with famous headstones marking the graves of notables like Margaret Mitchell, the newspaper journalist who gave the world Scarlett and Rhett.
The flavors of Atlanta’s culinary heritage are the core of two local shrines, Mary Mac’s Tea Room on Ponce de Leon and The Colonnade on Cheshire Bridge Rd. Lines are long for good reason. Get there early and plunge into staples like Pot Likker, Meat Loaf, Chicken Pot Pie, genuine cornbread, stewed apples, banana pudding and sweet iced tea (or any cocktail you might crave).
Your checklist for a meaningful Atlanta visit:
The Atlanta History Center
High Museum of Art
CNN Center
College Football Hall of Fame
Center For Civil and Human Rights
MLK, Jr. Center
Carter Presidential Center
Stone Mountain Historic Village (and park.)
Oakland Cemetery
CDC Museum
Fernbank Science Center
Veteran journalist, author and Atlanta native Doc Lawrence chronicles the places in the South that are rooted in authenticity. The arts, dining, history and lifestyles are specialties. Contact: doclawrence@minspring.com
