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WELCOME TO ATLANTA
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FIND YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL Every visit to Georgia Aquarium helps care for animals in their homes both here, and in the wild. Help ensure the conservation of precious wildlife. Visit GeorgiaAquarium.org for your ticket to something more. Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide.
WIDE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Make your trip to Atlanta a legendary Football Hall of Fame. Every visitor gets a personalized All-Access Pass to unlock unique experiences throughout the Hall with highlights, exciting interactive exhibits, a 45-yard indoor football ďŹ eld and most importantly a day ďŹ lled with memories that live up to the hype. 404.880.4800 // cfbhall.com // @cfbhall
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CONTENTS 14
FIRST LOOK Go-to spots for performing arts, sports, iconic city sights, green spaces, recreation or a frosty beverage.
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SNACK ATTACK The South African Biltong Bar is shining gem among Ponce City Market’s vendors. BY SCOTT LOWDEN
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OUR BRAND IS ART How Atlanta artists helped shape the identities of the city’s coolest eateries. BY LIA PICARD
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CIVIL RIGHTS ACOLYTE Tom Houck worked at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s side for two years. Discover how he’s keeping civil rights alive in Atlanta. BY MADISON SULLIVAN
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WHERE Y’ALL MEANS ALL Clarkston, Georgia is home to a diverse array of cultures. Get to know them. BY MADISON SULLIVAN
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FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME Atlanta is football country. You’ll find out how and why when exploring the College Football Hall of Fame. BY TAYLOR CLAYTON
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ALL ABOUT TOWN These eclectic communities each add their own distinct threads to Atlanta’s colorful tapestry.
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PARTING SHOT An eye on Downtown Atlanta.
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ON THE COVER: OCEAN VOYAGER BUILT BY THE HOME DEPOT GALLERY WINDOW. ©ADDISON HILL INSIDE COVER: MIDTOWN ATLANTA IN FALL. ©GRAPHIKNATION/ISTOCK
ATLANTA MORRIS VISITOR PUBLICATIONS MVP I EDITORIAL & DESIGN EDITOR Jennifer McKee ART DIRECTOR Veronica Montesdeoca CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Taylor Clayton, Lia Picard, Madison Sullivan CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Scott Lowden
MVP | CIRCULATION CIRCULATION MANAGER Kristina Drew
MVP I CREATIVE CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER Haines Wilkerson EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Margaret Martin DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Isaac Arjonilla CREATIVE COORDINATOR Beverly Mandelblatt
MVP I MANUFACTURING & PUBLICATION SERVICES DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING Donald Horton PUBLICATION SERVICES DIRECTOR Karen Fralick PUBLICATION SERVICES MANAGER
Mickey Kibler
DIGITAL IMAGING & RETOUCH Erik Lewis
Upscale, One-of -a-Kind, Vintage Handbags
MVP ATLANTA 1820 Independence Square, Suite A Dunwoody, GA 30338 678.259.9275; 678.259.9281 (fax) www.wheretraveler.com
Inside 14th Street Antiques and Modern Home 530 14th Street Atlanta, GA 30318 www.perseboutique.com persecontact@gmail.com
Where GuestBook® publishes editions for the following U.S. cities and regions: Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Florida Gold Coast (Fort Lauderdale & Palm Beach), Fort Worth, Island of Hawai‘i, Houston, Jacksonville/St. Augustine/Amelia Island, Kansas City, Kaua‘i, Los Angeles, Maui, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Northern Arizona, O‘ahu, Orange County (CA), Orlando, Philadelphia, Reno/Lake Tahoe, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle/The Eastside/Tacoma, Southwest Florida (Naples), Tampa Bay, Tucson, Washington D.C. ©2018 by Morris Visitor Publications. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, in whole or in part, without the express prior written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility to any party for the content of any advertisement in this publication, including any errors and omissions therein. By placing an order for an advertisement, the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher against any claims relating to the advertisement. Printed in the United States of America.
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ATLANTA ADVERTISING JAMES G. ELLIOTT CO., INC. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Pat O’Donnell REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, SALES
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PUBLISHER Terri Sutton
678.977.7747, t.sutton@jgeco.com MORRIS VISITOR PUBLICATIONS MVP I EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT Donna W. Kessler CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Dennis Kelly VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS Angela E. Allen HEAD OF DIGITAL Richard H. Brashear II DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION
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Where GuestBook® is produced by Morris Visitor Publications (MVP), a division of Morris Communications, Co., LLC. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901, morrismedianetwork.com. Where® magazine and the where® logo are registered trademarks of Morris Visitor Publications. MVP publishes Where magazine, Where® QuickGuide, IN New York, and IN London magazines, and a host of other maps, guides, and directories for business and leisure travelers, and is the publisher for the Hospitality Industry Association. In City Name, Where Guestbook is pleased to be a member of list associations here. MVP IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF LES CLEFS D’OR USA
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Celebrating Over 20 years of Great Steak! Locally Owned and Operated
4505 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta, Georgia 30346 770.512.8888 | mckendricks.com LUNCH: M-F 11a - 2:30p | DINNER: M-TH 5-10p | F-SA 5-11p | SU 5-10p
CONTRIBUTORS Taylor Clayton
For the Love of the Game, page 38
Taylor Clayton is an assistant editor at Morris Visitor Publications who writes and edits for numerous markets across the country. “I was born and raised in Los Angeles and growing up had a huge passion for sports and sports writing in particular, “ said Clayton, “so this feature centered around the College Football Hall of Fame was a great piece to cover.” “Anytime you get the chance to appreciate the history and culture of a particular sport and go behind the scenes with interactive exhibits, it’s bound to be entertaining stuff,” he added.
Scott Lowden
Snack Attack, page 22
Scott Lowden is an Atlanta-based photographer, focused primarily on lifestyle photography, who works with some of the largest brands in the world including Delta, Coca-Cola, Bose and AFLAC. “With my studio walking distance from Ponce City Market, I was excited to grab a cocktail at Biltong Bar and shoot images for this issue,” said Lowden. When he’s not working, you’ll likely find Lowden traveling somewhere exotic with his wife (and creative director) Wendy, capturing compelling images along the way.
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Lia Picard
Our Brand is Art, page 28
Lia Picard is a freelance food and travel writer based in Atlanta. Her work appears in Playboy, Bon Appetit Magazine, Tasting Table and Atlanta Magazine. She’s called the Big Peach home for five years along with her husband, Jon, and rescue pup, Poppy.
Madison Sullivan
Civil Rights Acolyte, page 32 Where Y’All Means All, page 34
Madison Sullivan has dreamed of being a travel journalist since her first trip abroad in the third grade with her grandparents. Since that time, she’s been to 13 countries and has written copious stories about her travels—both in personal journals and for award-winning publications. She currently has the pleasure of writing and editing for Where as an assistant editor based in Augusta, Georgia. “I’ve never turned down the opportunity to conduct an interview with an interesting person or take a trip, even if it’s just a few hours down the road,” Sullivan said of her time working on the 2018-2019 Atlanta Guestbook.
Taylor Clayton
Lia Picard
Scott Lowden
Madison Sullivan
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FIRST LOOK Change is constant in the City Too Busy to Hate. Let us introduce, or reintroduce, you to the city’s stunning sights, historic stops and cutting-edge experiences.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
A 30-acre paradise with a Japanese garden, a collection of hydrangeas considered as one of the finest in the Southeast, an orangerie that highlights plants of medicinal importance and a celebrated orchid house with a waterfall made from Georgia granite, the Atlanta Botanical Garden offers serene environs in Midtown. From its location in Piedmont Park, you’ll discover sweeping views of the city, upstaged only by the garden’s magnificent flora and fauna. 1345 Piedmont Ave., Midtown, 404.876.5859, www.atlantabg.org 14
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FIRST LOOK
Immerse yourself in artifacts, works of art and interactive experiences that represent the timeless appeal of the world’s best-known soft drink. Hang out in the Pop Culture Gallery (right), rub elbows with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear, visit a functioning bottling line and watch a 4-D movie. Then, take your taste buds on a trip around the globe with more than 100 samples (arranged geographically) in the tasting room. 121 Baker St. NW, Downtown, 404.676.5151, www.worldofcoca-cola.com
Woodruff Arts Center
Home to the Tony-award winning Alliance Theatre, the Grammy-award winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the esteemed High Museum of Art, the Woodruff is one of the only arts venues in the United States to offer both visual and performing arts on a single campus. Plan to stay awhile and refuel as needed at Octane Coffee, or enjoy local farm-to-fork fare at Twelve Eighty. Families love to take part in the free activities for kiddos every Sunday. 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Midtown, 404.733.4200, www. woodruffcenter.org 16
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PREVIOUS PAGE: ©ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN. THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: ©WORLD OF COCA-COLA; ©HIGH MUSEUM OF ART
World of Coca-Cola
ŠMERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Home to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, this architectural marvel is complete with a 360-degree video Halo board and an eight piece retractable roof. It’s no wonder the facility was chosen to host Super Bowl LIII. For a closer look at the bold design, from the 200-piece art collection to the locker rooms, take a guided tour (offered daily). 1 AMB Drive NW, Downtown, 470.341.5000, www.mercedesbenzstadium.com WHERE GUEST B OOK
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FIRST LOOK
Centennial Olympic Park
Atlanta BeltLine The Fox Theatre
The Fox’s 4,665-seat theater hosts more than 150 performances a year, ranging from Broadway musicals to rock bands to comedians. Still, the real star of any show is the building’s history. Guided tours provide intimate details of the landmark’s remarkable comeback story, while giving guests an unforgettable look at Atlanta’s favorite theater. 660 Peachtree St. NE, Midtown, 404.881.2100, www.foxtheatre.org 18
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Roll, stroll, jog, bike or catch a yoga class. There’s no shortage of artful surprises or hip detours (don’t miss Ponce City Market) to discover along this multi-use trail system. One of the most comprehensive urban redevelopment programs underway in the country, it’s more than a site to see—it’s a place to enjoy. 404.477.3003, www.beltline.org
ALL IMAGES ©GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
This 21-acre park is a permanent legacy to the 1996 Olympic games. A starting point for many visitors, it offers easy access to the Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center and SkyView Ferris wheel. It features several monuments dedicated to Olympic ideals and a children’s playground. In the summer, kids frolic in the Fountain of Rings, a safe, zero-depth pool; in the winter, the park is turned into a wonderland with an open-air ice skating rink. 265 Park Ave. W. NW, Downtown, 404.222.7275, www.centennialpark.com
(FROM TOP) ©GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; ©FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
The Battery Atlanta
Surrounding SunTrust Park, the Atlanta Braves’ home base, this massive, mixed-use complex was made for play— regardless of game schedules. Accessible from Interstates 75 and 285, the flashy entertainment district includes fare from local favorites Crú, The El Felix, Terrapin Taproom and C. Ellet’s alongside unique retailers such as Sugarboo & Co., the Coca-Cola Roxy and more. 800 Battery Ave. SE, Cumberland, www.batteryatl.com
Fernbank Forest
A unique outdoor experience that offers breathtaking views of Fernbank’s natural woodlands, Fernbank Forest features an elevated boardwalk which winds through the trees and over the terrain at WildWood, a multi-sensory play area. At 65 acres, Fernbank is the largest old-growth Piedmont forest in a major U.S. city. 767 Clifton Road, NE, 404.929.6400, www.fernbankmuseum.org WHERE GUEST B OOK
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Center for Civil and Human Rights
Harnessing Atlanta’s legacy of civil rights history to strengthen the worldwide movement for human rights, this ground-breaking center serves as the ideal place to reflect on the past, transform the present and inspire the future. Established in 2007, the 42,000-square-foot facility is located adjacent to the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. Explore rotating exhibits and leave empowered to join the crucial conversation in your own community. 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Downtown, 678.999.8990, www.civilandhumanrights.org 20
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ŠGEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
FIRST LOOK
SNACK ATTACK Discover unique bites on Biltong Bar’s menu PHOTOS BY SCOTT LOWDEN
A traditional South African snack, a “biltong” is something you’d find natives eating out of a paper bag while strolling the streets. This Ponce City Market eatery serves up a new take on the tradition. Opposite: Biltong’s bar offers handcrafted cocktails, in addition to South African wines and beer.
The Biltong Bar’s meats are all natural and dry aged in house. Opposite page: In addition to jerky made from beef, ostrich, venison and elk, Biltong Bar’s cocktails are of equal note: the cocktail program was named one of the top 21 in the country by Thrillist.
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A bartender puts the finishing touch on a specialty cocktail. Opposite: Whether it be chili bites (extra-dried chunks of jerky), a cheese board, a salad or a Biltong grilled cheese, the fun and friendly dining options never disappoint.
OUR BRAND IS ART Meet the artists behind Atlanta restaurants’ identities
LEFT: ©ANDREW THOMAS LEE; RIGHT: COURTESY MEREDITH ANNE WHITE. OPPOSITE: ©HEIDI GELDHAUSER
BY LIA PICARD
Step into any trendy Atlanta restaurant and before you get your food your eyes will feast on the aesthetics. In addition to the interior design, restaurants have also intentionally shaped their “identity.” It permeates the restaurant. You notice it in the form of the logo on the menu and it stays with you when you leave, usually in the form of a nifty matchbook. The guru responsible for branding dozen of Atlanta’s coolest restaurants is Alvin Diec. With a penchant for retro, you can see his creative touch at Ford Fry restaurants, the recently opened Golden Eagle in Cabbagetown and its sister coffee shop Muchacho and the General Muir in Emory Point. Since Diec started giving these restaurants a legitimate feel, other restaurants have taken notice and a new wave of artists has risen up. Two are especially notable: Staci Janik and Meredith Anne White. Bread & Butterfly in Inman Park and Kimball House in Decatur are completely different—Bread & Butterfly is a French brasserie and Kimball House is an oyster-centric eatery—but both have elegantly whimsical branding. Kimball House’s menu, for instance, is graced with illustrations of foxes and vines; at Bread & Butterfly, Instagrammers are delighted by a neon sign that says “merci” in script. The artist behind both restaurants’ branding is Staci Janik. A transplant from
South Carolina, Janik moved here in 2008 to attend the Atlanta College of Art and the Creative Circus. She met the team behind Kimball House as they were preparing to open and they asked her to create a logo for them. “I had never done anything like that,” said Janik. “I told them ‘Yeah, I can help you with that logo.’” That exchange led to designing their website and menu art, and now she’s also created the artwork for their newest restaurant, Watchman’s.
Artists Staci Janik (left) and Meredith Anne White (right) are responsible for some of Atlanta’s most creative restaurant design schemes.
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Shaping a restaurant’s identity may seem daunting, but for Janik the process is organic. “It usually starts with whatever they bring to the table,” she said. “Most people who are creating a restaurant, I feel, have a pretty creative idea of what they want.” When she meets with a client, they have an all-encompassing conversation about the restaurant. What kind of food will they serve? What will the atmosphere be like? What will the name of the restaurant be? From there, she looks at typefaces and builds the logo. Janik enjoys the collaborative process. “I find that it actually turns into something better, it becomes something very special that we did together,” she said. “And I think for some reason the restaurant community sort of came to appreciate and enjoy that.”
Collaboration with other players involved in the restaurant’s opening is also important. In the case of Bread & Butterfly’s neon sign, Janik worked with an architecture firm. “A lot of times signage is in the architectural wheelhouse, but they don’t really have the skill set to put a logo on it.” Although her clients don’t always request signage, Janik likes the extra pizzaz they bring to a room. “This might sound cheesy, but I think it’s a good idea to have this element, that’s sort of special, that’s like a statement in each restaurant,” she said. Identity goes beyond a restaurant’s menu. Recess, a health-centric concept from the Castellucci Hospitality Group, opened in Krog Street Market last winter. It’s undeniably playful and vibrant thanks in part to the
PHOTOS ©ANDREW THOMAS LEE
The typeface used in creating a restaurant’s logo, as seen in these photos from Bread & Butterfly, is one of the first steps in shaping a restaurant’s identity.
LEFT: ©ANDREW THOMAS LEE; RIGHT: TK
work of Meredith Anne White. The Decatur-based artist worked with interior design firm Square Feet Studio, to create eye-popping art that’s now synonymous with the restaurant. The restaurant is intimately sized but is bright and colorful with a blue bar accented by blue barstools that have hot pink legs. White shaped the restaurant’s playful ambiance by creating colorful, abstract wood cutouts. They were installed throughout the space but are most noticeable on the back wall, which faces out towards the market. “I really wanted Recess to be an inviting space and it’s something that when you walk into the market you can see across the dining hall,” White said. “The dining hall is pretty minimal in its design, so we wanted to pop against
that and pair along with the food, too, because it’s brightly colored.” White drew inspiration from the name itself, which evokes feelings of playful nostalgia. “When I was thinking about recess growing up, I thought about multi-colored playgrounds and being outside and playing with other kids,” she said. “There are interactions of abstracted figures, but also shapes that remind me of being outside, too.” At the end of the day, there are many factors that decide if a restaurant will be successful. But branding is a big part of how people feel in a restaurant and what will keep them coming back. “People like to feel a certain way, people like to be part of a thing,” said Janik, “so I do think it’s important, I think that it affects people.”
For restaurants such as Waterman’s (left), the menu design is integral to the design scheme. Pops of color at Recess (left) draw inspiration from the menu, and childhood memories.
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Q&A
CIVIL RIGHTS ACOLYTE Tom Houck once worked for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He’s since taken tens of thousands of people through Atlanta’s rich civil rights history. INTERVIEWED BY MADISON SULLIVAN
How did you go from a young boy standing up for what you believed to becoming Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s driver and personal assistant?
That’s a long story (laughs)… [Dr. King] gave me a ticket to come to Atlanta [to answer mail]. I was waiting outside to get a ride to
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what was the Freedom House then, and Dr. King—he came down the street with Coretta right after church with his kids— asked if I wanted a ride to the Freedom House, and I said sure. And he asked if I’d had lunch, which I hadn’t, I’d taken a bus from Birmingham. So, he invited me up to his house for lunch. That was pretty astonishing for me, an 18-year-old kid. I wound up going to the house and Coretta and I [had a] conversation. She asked me if I had my driver’s license and if I would mind taking the kids to school, which was kind of interesting. Here I was, a white boy in 1966, and only a couple years from the most vicious aspects of the Civil Rights Movement. We didn’t have GPS in those days. I opened my road map and I took the kids to school. I worked for nine months driving Coretta and the kids and Dr. King around Atlanta. He didn’t really know me until that day I came to Atlanta to help answer mail. But everything they
did in Atlanta I was part of. I picked up things for them. Their doctor became my doctor. I did go over there every day. What inspired you to start leading civil rights-based tours?
I knew Atlanta very, very well from my years of being here. There were several places in this town that were just ignored. No one talked about the first black police officers at Butler Street. Or the churches on Auburn Avenue: Wheat Street Baptist, Big Bethel AME and Ebenezer. And then, I knew where Dr. King went to elementary school, I knew where he went to middle school, high school. I knew the Civil Rights Movement with John Lewis, the freedom houses. So, I thought, why don’t I just do my own tour? What do you hope to accomplish with this tour?
The tour, I hope, never ends in people’s lives. I hope what they
get from my tour is just the beginning, or an add-on to the knowledge they already had of civil rights. [I hope they] explore the details further—what went on during Jim Crow, the era of desegregation and how astounding and how great it was that Atlanta, on Auburn Avenue, at one time had 45 black lawyers when there were only 45 black lawyers across the South. Or had four black banks. Auburn Avenue was an exceptional place in history. Is there anywhere else you’d recommend visitors check out?
They should go to the Auburn Avenue Research Library and the Atlanta History Center, see Dr. King’s papers at Morehouse College, visit the Center for Civil and Human Rights and the APEX Museum ... We had a crowd from the Jewish lobbying group, AIPAC take my tour, and they [wanted] to see some more Jewish history, like, Leo Frank was hung here. [There’s] a lot of Jewish history here.
COURTESY RICARDO GOMEZ ANGEL/UNSPLASH
Tom Houck has been a passionate advocate for civil rights since he was 12 years old. After his expulsion from high school in 1965 for marching in the Selma to Montgomery march, Houck was fully committed to the cause. He was an aide to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1966 until King’s assassination in 1968. In addition, Houck has organized political campaigns and worked as a journalist, a speaker and now, a tour guide. In 2015, Houck launched his company, Civil Rights Tours Atlanta, and has since taken tens of thousands of people into Atlanta’s rich civil rights history.
Tom Houck has been a passionate advocate for civil rights since he was 12 years old. He was an aide to King from 1966 until King’s assassination in 1968. Today, he shares his knowledge of Atlanta’s rich civil rights landscape through his tour company, Civil Rights Tours Atlanta.
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WHERE Y’ALL MEANS ALL Clarkston, Georgia is home to a diverse array of cultures
PHOTO CREDIT GOTHAM BOOK 5.5/9PT
BY MADISON SULLIVAN
Nestled off the highway, mere minutes from Atlanta, there’s a town, becoming to those who want to immerse themselves in what can, at times, feel like another country—another country whose language varies from aisle to aisle in the grocery store and whose dress alters with each passerby. Atlanta may be known as “The City Too Busy to Hate,” but Clarkston, an oft-overlooked gem, embodies its neighbor’s slogan to the fullest extent. A resettlement refugee community, home to 57 nationalities, it was dubbed “the most diverse square mile in America” for good reason. Visitors to Clarkston can fill their day with culture, if they know where to go and how to interact respectfully with the locals, a community ever-changing. “It’s just like anything else, the best way to learn more about your neighbor is going over to your neighbor to speak to your neighbor and invite them over to your house; sitting and eating and fellowshipping with that person—it’s the same thing [with] the community here,” said Amber McCorkle, director of education at
Clarkston Community Center. “You have to be a part of it… Not being there to just observe and look at people as if they’re on display.” Travelers can hop on a bike and take the Stone Mountain Trail from the Centennial Olympic in downtown Atlanta to Clarkston, making a pit-stop at the most popular “gas station” around. Refuge Coffee Co. may no longer house pumps, but visitors can still refuel here. Strands of lights hang under its awnings, which shelter red food trucks, inscribed with the non-profit’s inspiring mission: “Refuge Coffee Co. is for Clarkston, Georgia. As you enjoy your coffee you are providing a living wage, quality job training and mentorship for a resettled refugee who lives right here in Atlanta’s backyard.” A playlist of music from around the world drifts from the service station doors, rolled up to let in the afternoon breeze. A woman in a headscarf claps her hand on the shoulder of a man in a flannel shirt, inquiring how he’s been, addressing everyone she passes by name. It’s a typical day at Refuge. WHERE GUEST B OOK
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Clarkston Community Center—similar to community centers found across small-town America in many ways: tictac-toe scratched on the pavement outside; yet different in so many others: Curious George stacked alongside Võ Lòng Ca Dao in the little free library out front. “The center now is the hub of the world, basically,” said Luay Sami, director of operations at Clarkston Community Center. “Every day is a different country, different theme, different story. One day you’ll come and it’s African drummers and we have the Uhuru dancers, and some days it’s something from Vietnam going on, so you never get bored.” Although its goal is to integrate those who’ve lived in Clarkston their entire lives with those who’ve just arrived in America, the center welcomes tourists, encouraging them to participate in programs such as tai chi or the Uhuru drum and dance classes. Events are another draw, standouts include the International Food and Wine Gala and the International Spring Festival, where exotic plants are for sale. Out-of-towners can also stop by the center to peruse its World Art Market, stocked with handmade works sourced from international and local artists. Striking jewelry, intricately beaded blankets, wooden carvings and woven baskets line the shelves. Proceeds benefit both the artists and the center. A day in Clarkston ignites a sense of adventure. As travelers explore the town—diversity abound within its 1.4 square miles—the desire to see, hear, smell and taste the world is fulfilled. Clarkston’s atmosphere is, “Open. Open in the sense [that], all types of things, all types of beliefs and cultures are welcome here,” said McCorkle. “It’s not repressed. You definitely see that people are allowed to be who they are, unapologetically… Everybody here, they’re open with whoever they are, whatever they believe, however they believe. I think because of that, it makes the atmosphere here so inviting and accepting—regardless of who you are, you’re welcome here.”
As travelers explore the town—diversity abound within its 1.4 square miles—the desire to see, hear, smell and taste the world is fulfilled.
©MADISON SULLIVAN
“What I love to say is that we’re in the business of welcome,” said Kitti Murray, founder of Refuge Coffee Co. “I feel like it’s part of what we do—tell a more accurate refugee story to the rest of the world.” In addition to serving caffeinated beverages, Refuge hosts a slew of events, including Speak Refuge, a Friday night affair featuring local talent, ending in a dance party; Friendsgiving; and a Christmas Market. “You can learn different cultures while you are here in Clarkston,” said Leon Shombana, manager of Refuge Coffee Co. “You can see, I am from Congo, she comes from Afghanistan, the girl from Syria, you see her over there, another guy is from Sudan, another from Ethiopia. That is how we are, we are multi-cultural.” Another well-known Clarkston locale stands just down the hill from the coffee company—Thriftown. Here, Reese’s Puffs line the aisle next to masoor dal. One might say this is the real world market, filled with wares as diverse as its clientele. As with many small-towns, strip malls reign supreme; however, Clarkston’s differ. In the strip that houses Thriftown, visitors find Asian and Ethiopian fare as well as a local favorite, Kathmandu. Lit only by small, colorful lanterns, the restaurant is a staple for Indian-Nepali cuisine. Another strip, Campus Plaza, dubbed Somali Plaza by locals, is a must stop for vibrant scarves—music from its namesake country swirling between the floor-toceiling fabric. Tucked away just down the road and marked with nothing more than a small sign propped in its window, lies Nepali Food Mart. The neatly stocked store is easy to miss, but worth the trouble. Guests who step inside for momo, served with a piquant red-orange sauce, will be hit with a fog of spice as chimes announce their arrival. The mart and kitchen, quiet, interrupted only by slurping, is a peaceful space to unwind. A visit to this town, so unlike what one typically finds off the gridlock, would be incomplete without a stop at the
PHOTO CREDIT GOTHAM BOOK 5.5/9PT
Clockwise from top left: Clarkston Community Center is a welcoming space, offering, among other things, classes and events; Colorful artwork is available for purchase at the World Art Market; The market’s handmade pieces are created by international and local artists; Refuge Coffee Co.’s trucks boast its mission; Clarkston’s murals are as vibrant as its community.
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FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME Atlanta is football country.
College football, for cities of the United States, provides a fairly big spectacle. For the Southeastern portion of the country— where the College Football Hall of Fame is located, in downtown Atlanta—it’s a religion. Attending college football games is a rite of passage for many fans, which is why the Hall’s location is so special. Down the street from the Hall, on Centennial Olympic Park Drive, is the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, site of the SEC Championship Game, a game whose winner regularly finds themselves in the College Football Championship game a few weeks later. It’s also the home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, a dome every college football player dreams of playing in. Exhibits at the Hall preserve and immortalize players who were fortunate enough to step on the gridiron during their college careers. The shrine portion of the museum—simply named the College Football Hall of Fame—is dedicated to those who’ve made it into the Hall. Memories of players and coaches throughout the history of the sport are etched in glass on display for all to see. But the Hall isn’t just a museum; it’s also an interactive adventure and fun for all ages. 38
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It all begins in The Quad, a personalized college football experience where a gigantic display of more than 770 football helmets from schools across the country greet visitors. Pick your favorite team, and once the school you’ve chosen has been selected, that helmet lights up on the three-story Helmet Wall. After that selection, head onto the 45-yard Indoor Playing Field through the Touchstone Tunnel, where children and adults can test their football skills on an obstacle course, show off their spiral in a quarterback challenge or kick a field goal through a regulation goal post. The Hall has a plethora of other interactive exhibits as well; fans can get up-close and personal with timeless hardware such as the National Championship Trophy and Heisman Trophy, put on their war face with virtual face painting, dive into the action with a 360-degree virtual reality stadium tour and much more. The Hall is a magical mixture of modern technology and ageless history. As the 2018 inductees are added to the long list of football greats, the Hall will grow and change throughout the years, but one thing remains consistent: the love this building and its fans share for college football. 250 Marietta St, NW, 404.880.4800, www.cfbhall.com
PHOTOS ©THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
BY TAYLOR CLAYTON
The larger-than-life Helmet Wall displays more than 770 helmets from schools across the country. Opposite: The Hall of Fame’s building entrance is a giant football standing on end.
ALL ABOUT TOWN These eclectic communities each add their own distinct threads to Atlanta’s colorful tapestry.
ATLANTA AIRPORT DISTRICT Just minutes from downtown Atlanta, this area comprises the cities of College Park, East Point, Hapeville and Union City. In addition to the world’s busiest airport, the area also covers Georgia’s second largest convention center, more than 8,000 hotel rooms and an eclectic mix of destinations, ranging from the thrilling Porsche Experience Center Atlanta to the laid-back Arches Brewing to the second steepest cycling track in the country, the Dick Lane Velodrome.
DOWNTOWN As the last stop on railroads ended in a city once aptly known as “Terminus,” Atlanta gained its reputation as the Gateway to the South. Today, Downtown is the largest hub for business, tourism, sports and conventions in the state. For a different perspective, go for a spin on SkyView Atlanta in Centennial Park, a 20-story-tall Ferris wheel with climate-controlled gondolas. Worldfamous Peachtree Street offers a wide array of hotels, restaurants and bars, worthy of a daytime stroll. 40
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town abounds with art, skyscrapers, nightlife and much more. Host of the largest pride festival and parade in the Southeast, diversity is celebrated here—in fact, the crosswalks at the intersection of Piedmont Avenue and 10th Street are painted in rainbow colors. A day in Midtown could be spent at Georgia Institute of Technology’s campus or the apartment where Margaret Mitchell wrote “Gone With the Wind,” while a night could be spent dining at James Beard Awardwinning restaurants or bar hopping on vibrant Crescent Avenue.
BUCKHEAD If there’s one word to describe Buckhead, it’s luxury. Serious shoppers can find the crème de la crème at Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza and The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. Likewise, this prominent neighborhood boasts some of the city’s finest restaurants, from old-school steakhouses to sleek cocktail lounges. Buckhead is also the home of LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta, Atlanta History Center, the Governor’s Mansion and Chastain Park.
EAST ATLANTA VILLAGE Located south of Little Five Points and off of Interstate 20, live music lovers flock to “EAV,” as its known locally, for venues such as The Earl, Aisle 5, The Basement and 529
©ANTHONY-MASTERSON
Neighborhoods
MIDTOWN This high-energy neighborhood just north of Down-
Bar. Despite its rough-around-the-edges exterior, all are welcome in this artistic hamlet filled with murals, independent shops, eclectic eateries and a gay bar. East Atlanta may be small in size, but it packs one heavyweight punch. Pull up a bar stool at Argosy and see for yourself.
©ALLEN CREATIVE/STEVE ALLEN/ALAMY; ©DAVEL5957/ISTOCK
DECATUR With a MARTA station located beneath the historic square, it’s easy to explore the mix of quirky shops, local watering holes and excellent eateries. For some of the best live music in the city, visit the listening room at Eddie’s Attic. Known for its distinct indie flair, the neighborhood hosts the Decatur Book Festival, the largest independent gathering for bibliophiles in the U.S. and borders Emory University and Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
OLD FOURTH WARD Historically, the main attractions in the “O4W” have been the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Sweet Auburn Historic District. Today, Ponce City Market and the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail have created one trendy hub for locals and travelers alike.
(This page, from left) SkyView Atlanta spins above Downtown; Atlantic Station. (Opposite page) Art along the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail
ROSWELL Directly north of Atlanta lies this not-so-average suburb along the Chattahoochee River. It boasts a storied history, antebellum homes and a charming restaurant scene on Canton Street. On hot summer days, “shoot the Hooch” on inflatable tubes or wade into the water by the remnants of the old Roswell Mill.
VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND Named for the intersection of Virginia and Highland Avenues, this walkable neighborhood (also known as “VaHi”) is lined with bungalow homes, buzzing restaurant patios, one-of-a-kind shops and bars that stay open late.
East Atlanta Village may be small in size, but it packs one heavyweight punch.
WESTSIDE This former industrial area has flourished around Atlantic Station and Howell Mill Road’s thoroughfare of top-notch restaurants, breweries and design shops. The area also includes the BeltLine’s Westside Trail, the shiny MercedesBenz Stadium and the Historic West End. WHERE GUEST B OOK
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ATHENS This small town east of Atlanta grew into a creative hub, thanks to the founding of the University of Georgia. Today, Athens is far more than just a college town. It has a plethora of quaint boutiques, locally owned restaurants, acclaimed breweries and renowned music venues speckling the main thoroughfare, Broad Street, and surrounding blocks. It’s home to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Georgia Museum of Art, Bear Hollow Zoo and Georgia Theatre.
BRASELTON Fewer than 9,500 people call Braselton’s 12.5 square miles home, making this tiny town an ideal rural getaway for big-city travelers. Antique shops pepper the small area, but perhaps its biggest draw is the magnificent Château Élan, a French-inspired winery, resort, spa and golf club that sprawls throughout 3,500 verdant acres.
GEORGIA’S BLUE RIDGE Georgia’s expansive Blue Ridge Mountains are known throughout the world for their striking beauty, including 106,000 acres of Chattahoochee National Forest, wooded 42
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landscapes and snowcapped peaks shooting into a hazy blue sky. This province of the Appalachian Mountains is surrounded by Blue Ridge, Georgia, a small-town community with plenty of cultural activities to complement the area’s outstanding outdoor offerings.
MADISON A one-hour drive east of Atlanta is practically a trip back in time when you arrive in Madison, Georgia, the epitome of a Southern small town. This picturesque town was spared during General William T. Sherman’s devastating March to the Sea during the Civil War, which makes the area’s abundance of pristine antebellum homes a rare find in Georgia. One of the state’s largest historic districts, this charming area is a history buff ’s dream.
SERENBE Only a 40-minute drive from the city, this 900-acre conservation- and wellness-focused community replaces Atlanta’s towering buildings with wooded trails and star-studded skies. Deep in the heart of Chattahoochee Hill Country, Serenbe is considered both a model for sustainable development and “the Hamptons of the South.”
©LAURA CLAY-BALLARD/ISTOCK; ©LEADINGLIGHTS/ISTOCK
Beyond
(Left) Georgia’s Blue Ridge is the perfect place for outdoor pursuits. (Right) History buffs will want to put Madison, Georgia, on their bucket lists.
WELCOME TO DECATUR
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
CITY OF DECATUR Head to Decatur, recently voted best overall neighborhood by the readers of Creative Loafing, where storefront boutiques, galleries, salons and eateries welcome you with “Best of Atlanta” experiences. Around the downtown square, step into Little Shop of Stories (best bookstore) or browse for bling at Worthmore Jewelers (best jewelry store). Dining hot spots include Iberian Pig (best Spanish food, best tapas) and Leon’s Full Service (best french fries). Chai Pani (best Indian food) and Kimball House (best oysters, best service) are also listed on the EaterAtlanta.com Essential 38 along with Brush Sushi Izakaya. The White Bull (best new restaurant), and newly opened Son of a Bear Korean Tavern in Oakhurst Village are included on the Eater Atlanta Heat Map. For a quick bite, it’s Victory Sandwich Bar (best sandwich). Need a pick-me-up? Duck into Ebrik (best coffee shop), Revolution Donuts (best donuts), or La Calavera (best bakery). To relax and unwind, enjoy a beverage at SOS Tiki Bar (best tiki bar) and then step around the block for some live music at Eddie’s Attic (best acoustic music club). Parking is plentiful, or you can take MARTA to the Decatur stations. Visitors Center, 113 Clairemont Ave., Decatur 30030 678.615.0915, visitdecaturgeorgia.com
AIMEE JEWELRY AND FINE ART GALLERY
SHOPPING IN DECATUR
Decatur’s Finest. Where jewelry and fine art are expressions of beauty. Our Jewelry Artists create unforgettable art jewelry that will answer your finest shopping needs: beauty, unique design, and artistic craftsmanship!
Shopping is an adventure in downtown Decatur, home to Trinity Triangle, Oakhurst Village and storefront boutiques on College Avenue and West Howard Street. Personalized service and indie finds make it a destination tourists and locals keep coming back to.
335 W Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite B. Decatur, GA 30030 www.aimeejewelryandgallery.com
For more information on shopping in Decatur, go to www.wheretraveler.com
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PROMOTION
THE FACES OF AMALFI PIZZA
Excellence is required to exceed expectations and provide travelers in Atlanta with a unique experience during their stay—as well as wow locals. Greg Grant and Stephen de Haan, owners of Amalfi Pizza, know the recipe for excellence as well as they craft their Carnevale pizza. As front runners in the hospitality industry, they make much more than pizza. They help make memories, and have created a destination that helps make our city one-of-a-kind. PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT REEVES
To be considered as one of Where GuestBook’s FACES of Atlanta, please contact Terri Sutton at 678.259.9275 ext. 112 or t.sutton@jgeco.com
FACES OF THE CITY
AMALFI PIZZA
With combined 50-plus years in the hospitality industry, Greg Grant and Stephen de Haan brought Amalfi Pizza, a traditional Neapolitan trattoria, to life. To create an authentic experience, the owners traveled throughout Naples, Italy to source the best ingredients from the Campania region and staged with Italian Pizzaiolo Maestros. All the while they were renovating the 12,000-square-foot, 100-year-old iconic Dailey’s building in Downtown Atlanta including importing two 6,000 pound Italian ovens. Their popular restaurant has been named “Best Pizza in America’s Biggest Cities” by Food Network and a “must-try Atlanta Pizzeria” by Zagat. 404.228.7528, amalfipizzaatl.com
WELCOME TO BUCKHEAD
CITY OF BUCKHEAD Buckhead began long ago as a quiet, rural community, which changed rapidly after Lenox Square Mall opened in its center in 1959. The area’s first skyscraper was built in 1974, and now, Buckhead is home to nearly a third of Atlanta’s high-rise buildings. Today, the sprawling neighborhood encompasses some the city’s most lavish homes, an impressive diversity of retail options, and the city’s third-largest business district. Luxury, couture and gourmet reign supreme in Buckhead, long considered the “Beverly Hills of the East.” In September 2014, the six-block Buckhead Atlanta development opened, combining the walkable streets of Paris with the haute shops of Rodeo Drive. Adding to the neighborhood’s already vast selection of top-notch restaurants and highend shops, Buckhead Atlanta’s tenants include Hermès, Christian Louboutin, Etro, Theory, Le Bilboquet, Thirteen Pies, Shake Shack and many more. Buckhead is home to the Atlanta History Center’s 33-acre campus, which includes one of the largest Civil War exhibits in the U.S. Tucked away off Piedmont Road, Miami Circle is replete with interior-design stores, vintage shops and art galleries for design afficionados. Those looking for unique finds from smaller businesses, will find treasures at the many small or locally-owned boutiques speckled throughout Bulkhead. Foodies will be hard-pressed to find a neighborhood in Atlanta that offers the sheer number and variety of restaurants found in Buckhead. Not only are the eateries in this ‘hood widely diverse in cuisine, but they also range in price, ambiance and overall experience. buckhead.com
BOXWOODS A local Atlanta and visitor’s favorite for over 20 years, Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts offers a vast selection of contemporary and vintage furnishings, decorative accessories, antique treasures, and a great variety of gifts, all complimented by an amazing plant department. Boxwoods Home, located right next door, features an inspired selection of table linens, furniture, barware, affordable dinnerware, glassware, serving pieces, candles and deluxe soaps along with a superbly curated woman’s boutique and a charming baby department. Voted one of the top 50 retailers in the U.S. as well as Atlanta’s Best Home Accessory Shop, Best Holiday Décor Shop, and Best Garden Shop, Boxwoods is an original inductee in Atlanta Magazine’s “Best of” Hall of Fame and an American Express Member Favorite. Boxwoods, located in the heart of Buckhead, is truly a shop no visitor should miss. 100 E. Andrews Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, 404.233.3400 www.boxwoodsonline.com
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
AMALFI PIZZA Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner in Downtown Atlanta, Amalfi Pizza is a traditional Neapolitan pizzeria centered around two 6000 pound wood-burning brick ovens imported from Italy. The 170 seat dining room has large semicircular booths, custom wrought iron chandeliers along with Juliet balconies overlooking an Italian-inspired entryway. The authentic Italian menu offers neopolitan-style pizzas, as well as creative appetizers, fresh salads, pasta dishes and original desserts. Food Network: Named in Best Pizzas in America’s Biggest Cities ZAGAT: Amazing Atlanta Pizza to Try Right Now.
DINING OUT IN ATLANTA
MADISON, GEORGIA
Atlantans love to eat, and who can blame them? The city’s restaurants rank among the best in the country, as do its talented, award-winning chefs. And while the city’s love affair with Southern cuisine runs deep, visitors will find every cuisine, taste and menu option available—from Italian to Indian, Mexican to Mediterranean and vegan to Vietnamese. Best of all, Atlanta restaurants have whole-heartedly embraced the farm-to-table trend that has swept the country; with farm-fresh, regional, sustainable and seasonal the new standard.
A magical southern city just an hour east of Atlanta, Madison is the town Sherman refused to burn on his infamous March to the Sea. Its National Register Historic District is the state’s largest collection of 19th century architecture, earning it a place on Budget Travel Magazine’s list as one of the “World’s 16 Most Beautiful Towns” and Southern Living Magazine’s list as one of the “South’s Best Small Towns.” Madison combines with nearby Rutledge to house more than 170 antique dealers, 40 boutiques, and 20 unique eateries and sweet shops. A true representation of “Small Town America” at its finest, you’ll want to make Madison part of your stay while in Georgia.
For more information on dining in Atlanta, go to
Sunday-Thursday 11:00am - 10:00pm Friday-Saturday 11:00am- 11:00pm
www.wheretraveler.com Madison Welcome Center | Open Daily 115 East Jefferson Street
17 Andrew Young International Blvd Atlanta, GA 30303
404.228.7528
Madison GA 30650
706.342.4454
www.VisitMadisonGA.com
www.amalfipizzaatl.com
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Lively Metropolis ONE OF THE CITY’S LARGEST HUBS OF ACTIVITY, DOWNTOWN NEVER SEEMS TO SLEEP. HOME TO THE GEORGIA STATE CAPITOL, A WEALTH OF ATTRACTIONS, MYRIAD RESTAURANTS AND SOME OF THE MOST MASSIVE ENTERTAINMENT STRUCTURES AROUND, IT’S ATLANTA’S CENTRAL NERVE.
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®IAN SCHNEIDER/UNSPLASH
PARTING SHOT