So you're probably still thinking, "why should I even make my way to Atlanta?" When we're not meeting and reuniting, what's there to do in that city anyway? Read this personal account of a current ATL dweller who has fallen so deep in love with the city. Who knows? After you come to the Reunion, you might just realize that you'd like to move here after all :)
The Beauty of Living in and Exploring Atlanta
I’ve gotten the opportunity to visit and temporarily reside in different cities in the United States, and a few other cities in the world. I haven’t enjoyed and felt more at home anywhere else but in Atlanta. While living in Northern Virginia, I had this sudden itch to move to Atlanta. I’m not sure if it was the Usher and Ciara craze at the time, or the rumor that way too much talent was grown and reared in the city, or just that I had some family there. For whatever reason, I longed to move to Atlanta.
I must say I’m not much of a “going-out” kinda girl, but I do my rounds once in a while; and there is just about everything you can imagine to do in Atlanta. My girls and I indulge in café runs occasionally to gist and dine out. We’ve done Café Intermezzo, Café Circa, Marlow’s Tavern and a number of other places. The serene, warm environment in cafes is kinda romantic. You don’t want to saunter in there too many times alone if you are single and desperately searching, if you know what I mean…’cos you’ll end up hating every couple you see afterwards. The outdoor drive-in cinema is of course quite different too. You can drive in with your friends and purchase some pop-corn and drinks while watching a movie from your car (if you own or hey, rent/lease a cool top-down convertible) or on some outdoor lounge chairs or fold-up seats. Talking about movies and cinemas, the AMC Fork and Screen theatre lets you enjoy a movie while having a bite. Talk about dinner and a movie!
Now if you are into shopping…most of us girls are. Atlanta boasts of several malls; outlet malls are not too far away either. You could do department stores, Marshalls or TJ Maxx, or higher-end stores like the Versaces and Guccis in Phipps Plaza. Feel free to let your hair down at a jazz lounge or two. Some amazing low-key musicians make their stop at Café Circa certain days each month. Tyler Perry shot a scene of his "Madea’s Family Reunion" in Apache Cafe…painters and poets’ night. I find it interesting.
The Centennial Olympic Park is a cool place to take a walk and see the singing fountain. I did watch a Beauty and the Beast play at the Fox Theatre a few months ago and LOVED it. Now when it comes to night life, don’t you dare mess with the A. Some y’all guys have said a thing or two about the behinds of Atlanta women. Hey, it wasn’t me. Just heard it through the grape vine…and no, I am not in the number. You’ve heard Usher sing about Georgia Tech women, baby! Ludacris stops by his restaurant Straits from time to time. Jermaine Dupri mentions Velvet Room quite often, maybe ‘cos he lives there. LOL! And there are many more, Compound, Tongue and Groove, Shout etc. So, whatcha waiting for??? Bring YOUR behinds out here. Be a part of the story; don’t just hear about it, shawwwwwwwwwwwwwwty!!!
-ATL Dweller
Alright people, as soon as she said "drive-in cinema," I was so sold.!I hope you are too. See you in the Peach City :)
For more info, visit:
http://www.starlightdrivein.com/#/movies/
{Image Credits: Usher, Alan Whiteman; Cafe Circa, Atlanta Restaurant Blog; Marlow's Tarven, The Dish; Apache Cafe, Creative Loafing}
