The cultural and commercial capital of the Southeast, Atlanta has also
rapidly become one of the nation's true A-list gay destinations, with
its hugely visible and dynamic GLBT scene and a wealth of
accommodations, nightspots, restaurants, and shops with strong ties to
the community. As the major hub of Delta Airlines, it's also an easy
city to reach from most of North America, making it an ideal destination
for a long weekend.
Atlanta's a sprawling metropolis that can feel a little intimidating to
first-timers, especially those with just a few days on their hands. With
this in mind, here's a detailed itinerary for enjoying the perfect gay
Atlanta weekend.
Your first night, consider dining somewhere simple yet sophisticated,
such as One Midtown Kitchen, a stylish and contemporary restaurant just
northeast of Piedmont Park that serves some of the city's most memorable
regional American fare, but at easy-to-digest prices. Highlights at this
handsomely transformed warehouse space include wild sturgeon wrapped
with country ham and served with grilled shrimp and risotto, or
traditional char-grilled "steak frites" topped with blue cheese. The
restaurant also boasts a superb wine list.
Depending on how worn out from you are from your travels, you might just
want to retire early to your hotel to get a head start on the next day.
But Atlanta does have a nice mix of relatively easy-going gay bars where
you can simply relax and sip a cocktail or two. Try Burkhart's video bar
or Amsterdam sports bar in Midtown, or Mary's, a fun-loving and quirky
lounge in the artsy neighborhood of East Atlanta Village. A less obvious
but enjoyable after-dinner social option is Outwrite Bookstore &
Coffeehouse, the city's highly successful source of GLBT books and
literature that doubles as a cozy java joint. It's steps from one of the
city's most popular gay cocktail bars, Blake's on the Park, which is the
perfect place to carry on into the wee hours, if you've the energy and
inclination for late-night schmoozing, boozing, and cruising.
Plan Saturday as your opportunity to partake of Atlanta's several
must-see attractions. If you're up to it, you could take in three or
four sights, spending a couple of hours at each one, or just focus on
one or two. The city's most exciting draw is the phenomenal Georgia
Aquarium, the largest such facility in the world, at 8 million gallons.
Some 500 species of fish live in this dramatic downtown aquarium that
opened in November 2005. Another must is Midtown's High Museum of Art,
which recently underwent a spectacular expansion and began a three-year
partnership with the Louvre in 2006. During this period, several
exhibits are staged at the High each year featuring portions of
collections from the Louvre (there's also a terrific Annie Leibovitz
photography show running through September 2007).
If you have time on Saturday (or some free moments during another day of
your visit), try stopping by some of the other intriguing museums in
town, such as the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, the
Margaret Mitchell House & Museum, or the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
- all excellent places to learn about 20th-century icons with close ties
to Atlanta. If the weather's cooperating, do not miss the 15-acre
Atlanta Botanical Garden, which adjoins leafy Piedmont Park (a favorite
haunt of the city's gay sun-worshipers and outdoorsy types) - here
you'll find one of the world's most important displays of tropical
orchids. Fans of soda won't want to miss the new (opening in May 2007)
home of the World of Coca-Cola, a giddy tribute to Atlanta's most famous
export. Or take a tour of Anderson Cooper's professional domain, CNN
Studios. Atlanta does not lack for engaging diversions. Continue to page
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The Hunk
