Adventures in Atlanta

If I had 1 day to venture around Atlanta, what would I do, you may ask? Well, since I absolutely adore this great city and lived here about 7 years of my life, I would make 1 large loop around the most famous parts of the city. Today, I tested out this route with great success. 

First of all, you should know that I'm a foodie and therefore, this wonderful day was guided by the fabulous foods of Atlanta. With that said, begin your day at Goldberg's Bagels. This New York-style deli is such a treat, as is their fresh, hot coffee coupled with an Everything bagel with olive cream cheese. Yum. Visit the original location in Buckhead off of West Paces Ferry to see Atlanta celebrities and power players alike. 

Next, hop in the car and go 2 exits South towards Midtown to the Westside. Exit to the right once you reach Howell Mill Road. For some reason, this industrial, chic area of town draws me every time I visit Atlanta. When you reach what I call, the Star Provisions district, stop into Star and just walk through the rooms full of epicurean delights from around the world. Visit the room with beautiful sushi-grade, deep red tuna, walk through the next room with the best cuts of beef, fill your nose with the scents of the fromagerie with delicious, stinky cheeses from local Georgia sources to those found around the world, and finally, end up in the fabulous bakery. Enjoy a taste of the South by ordering the famous lemon-lime cornmeal cookies with white frosting. You may want more than two because they are just so tasty. 

Then, hop back in the car and continue the loop by driving South on Howell Mill to downtown Atlanta. As you drive, look around. On both sides of the street are historic buildings that have existed since Atlanta was rebuilt thanks to General Sherman's flare for fire. You can still see the painted images on the sides of the buildings, which advertise long-gone textile trades and products. Those images are older than most original Atlantans and mean so much to many. They are living history before your eyes, and I hope they never fade into oblivion and are lost. 

Continue through downtown passing CNN and onto Spring Street, ending up on Peachtree Road. Many complain that there are a million Peachtree Roads, Streets, Avenues, etc. in Atlanta. If you've ever been considered a local, you know that's just not the case. Anyway, everyone knows that Peachtree Road is the most important Peachtree there is...it's where the Peachtree Road Race is run every Fourth of July by thousands of Southerners, it's where the Fox Theatre had the first showing of "Gone with the Wind," it's where Clark Gable celebrated the movie's premier at the Georgian Terrace Hotel, it's how we all reach the Central Park of Atlanta, Piedmont Park, and it's the "highway" to some of the city's most beautiful mansions, churches, and restaurants (The Varsity is on West Peachtree, so that counts!). 

In fact, I married the man of my dreams in one of the most historic churches on Peachtree Road, Peachtree Christian Church. As you can tell, the Road means a lot to me, the city, and is definitely worth the drive. 

At the conclusion of the loop around Atlanta, I always save the best for last...a drive down the "billion dollar block(s)" of Buckhead, West Paces Ferry Road. Look at the homes that rival one after the next. Drive slowly and make the drivers behind you miffed in their Mercedes. They'll eventually get it. They'll know you're trying to absorb how people can actually own such extravagant properties. Catch yourself saying out loud, "This can't be "new" money. This has to be "old" money." And you would be correct. 

Finally, end back in the same shopping center as Goldberg's, but eat the best Southern fare at the OK Cafe. Named after the restaurant in the legendary book, "To Kill a Mockingbird," the OK Cafe is an Atlanta institution. Look around and see if you can spot any celebrities or athletes. NFL player, Warrick Dunn, sat next to me today at OK! End the day with the veggie plate (triple cheese mac counts as a vegetable in the South) and make a toast to the simple goodness of the Southern belle, Atlanta, by raising your sweet tea high in honor of her!