Sometimes called the capitol of the south, Atlanta is a city with many attractions for tourists and residents alike. During the day, there are museums, parks and seasonal events, and after dark there's an active nightlife. But in between, in the evening, Atlanta has many attractions as well. What should you do in Atlanta after the museums close but before night clubs get interesting? Here are some ideas.
Dinner will probably take a high priority in your evening plans, and Atlanta has restaurants for everyone. For an upscale, trendy experience, head to Buckhead on the north side of the city. This wealthiest corner of the city offers many dinner choices, from Bone's Restaurant steakhouse to the unique French menu at Joel. Aria offers a locally based menu in the slow food tradition. For dessert and coffee, try Cafe Intermezzo.
If you're looking for a less fancy dinner, go a little south of Buckhead into midtown. The Varsity is a fun place for a cheap Atlanta meal; it's the largest drive-in restaurant in the world, and its burgers and fries are an Atlanta staple. Midtown is also home to the Woodfire Grill, a restaurant with a true Atlanta taste: the menu is composed around local ingredients from organic farmers. Another famous Atlanta restaurant is the Vortex Bar and Grill, which has a location in Little Five Points as well. Because it's also a bar, the Vortex is not open to underage clients after 7 p.m.
Downtown also has a wide variety of restaurants. Perhaps the most memorable is the Sun Dial, located in a revolving floor on top of the Westin Peachtree Plaza. You can eat dinner there while enjoying the best view anywhere of Atlanta's cityscape. The Sun Dial often has live jazz entertainment in the evening.
If you want to see a show or a movie after dinner, there are many unique places to go in Atlanta. Most famous is the Fox Theater, which has live performances of all kinds, from Broadway shows to movies, concerts and comedians. For fans of literary entertainment, there's Atlanta's Shakespeare Tavern downtown and Agatha's Mystery Dinner Theater, both of which combine dinner with a live performance. Uptown Comedy Corner has live comedy shows. If you want to see a big event, check out the schedule at Chastain Park Amphitheater or Phillips Arena, or if it's summertime, head out to Stone Mountain for the laser show. If you just want to relax and watch a movie, try the Midtown Art Cinema to see the latest indie offerings and enjoy a bottle of beer while you watch.
