Centennial Olympic Park

During the summer, there are national acts that perform free concerts in Centennial Park. You can find out about the concerts through the two majors rock radio stations, Star 94 and 99X. There’s also outdoor ice skating in the winter.
Centennial Park is across the street from the Georgia Aquarium, so you might as well make a day of it.

The Varsity is an Atlanta tradition that shouldn’t be missed. It’s the world’s largest drive-in restaurant, although most people eat inside. When entering The Varsity, you must first put on a red and white paper hat that you will find lying around. Next, step up to the counter where you will be greeted with “What’ll ya have? What’ll ya have?” Make sure you know what you want before approaching the counter. They like to keep the line moving. The best thing to order is a chili cheese dog with pimento cheese. I know it sounds nasty. I don’t even like pimento cheese, but these hot dogs are amazing. To accompany your hotdogs, try the onion rings or fries and a frosted orange. Don’t forget to ask for a side of onions. Then, listen to see how your order is called in. For example, if you order one plain hotdog to go, they would say “one naked dog walkin.” Be forewarned, you may find the food a bit greasy if you aren’t a local. Afterwards, visit the ice cream counter for the best banana ice cream anywhere in the world.
The Varsity is easy to get to. If you are going south on I-75, take the Georgia Tech exit and take a left at the end of the ramp. The Varsity will be on your left. There is plenty of free parking.

The World of Coca-Cola has recently been renovated. First, there’s a short video presentation with standing room only. Then, you move into a theater where there is another short video. After that, you take a self-guided tour around the museum. You will see old-timey Coke products of all kinds, including a soda fountain. The best part is the top floor where you can taste different Coke products from around the world. Watch out for bitter aperitif. Adult admission is $15, $13 for seniors, $10 for kids, and free for children under the age of two.

The most popular events at Stone Mountain are the laser shows. They occur in the evenings, during warm weather. The show is projected on the mountain and dynamic music accompanies the show. This is a family friendly event. You are sure to see numerous children dancing around with glow sticks.

Piedmont Park is known among locals as a popular hangout for the GLBT population in Atlanta. It’s home to the annual Pride Parade where you will find all kinds of booths, performers, and lots of topless women. The park is located in the heart of midtown and might be a little tricky to find if you aren’t from the area. Parking is a pain in the neck due to limited street parking. It’s best to visit on the weekend when work traffic is at a minimum.