Atlanta: Atlanta Braves
Atlanta City Overview
Atlanta is probably the most cosmopolitan city in the south. The heart of the city is a bustling hub of business and entertainment, while outlying areas offer a wide range of shopping and nightlife options.
Atlanta is a big city by anyone’s definition, so along with quite a wide range of attractions to visit, there’s the burden of some of the most snarly traffic in the country. But it’s a beautiful place to visit, no matter where your interests lie. Atlanta is a city of neighborhoods, each well worth a visit, and many of the suburban areas offer their own unique charms.
We’ve visited Atlanta in the spring, summer, and fall. Each of these seasons is warm and pleasant, as you’d expect in the mid South. You’ll need a car to get around, especially if you’re exploring outside the city center. If you’re just in town for a day or two, public transportation is an option and will get you within striking distance of anywhere you want to go in the city. One one trip, we relied solely on MARTA, which is an above ground monorail system that’s clean and comfortable.
Atlanta is well known for several must see attractions, like the CNN Studios, Coca Cola Place, and Underground Atlanta. Farther afield is Stone Mountain and numerous upscale suburban areas with plenty to see and do.
The Atlanta Braves have called the city home since 1996 and through shrewd management seem to always be in contention in the National League East. Turner Field is a great place to see a game, and the Braves are always a topic of conversation around the city.
The Neighborhood – Turner Field
Turner Field itself is located about two miles from the city center and about 3/4 of a mile from the nearest MARTA stop (Five Points). It’s a safe walk from the MARTA station to the ballpark or you can ride the Braves Shuttle, which takes you by bus from the station to the ballpark.
There’s really nothing in the neighborhood to speak of, it’s residential and slightly worn around the edges. We recommend you enjoy yourself in one of Atlanta’s more vibrant neighborhoods and then either drive or shuttle to the game.
The Ballpark
Turner Field began its life as home to the 1996 Summer Olympics. After the Olympics, the stadium was redesigned into a baseball only facility. Since its opening in 1997, Turner Field has been a benchmark of sorts for new stadium design. Besides the game, there are plenty of diversions for kids and adults alike. You’re fairly close to the action in just about any section of seats. The ball carries well here, so expect to see a fair share of home runs.
Ballpark Tours
Turner Field offers tours year around, beginning on the hour. You’ll be taken to the clubhouse, broadcasting booth, dugouts, the field itself, and finally to the Braves Hall of Fame and Museum. The tour lasts about an hour, costs $12, and is well worth your time.
Historic Baseball Sites
Just across from left field is the former site of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the Braves home from 1966 through 1996. Spend a few moments to walk the ground where Hank Aaron played, which is now a parking lot. There are several rememberances of the old park still more or less visible, including an outline of the stadium itself, markers for the bases, and a memorial to mark the exact spot where Aaron’s 715th home run sailed over the left field wall in April, 1974.
Braves Tickets
For the most part, you can get tickets all the way to day of game. It has been said that Atlanta baseball fans have been somewhat spoiled by all the Braves division champions, so most games are well attended but not at total capacity. Of course, if you want to be assured of certain seats for certain games, buy in advance.
Atlanta Public Transportation
As mentioned above, MARTA is Atlanta’s primary public transportation option. If you’re on a budget, MARTA will do a good enough job getting you around to see the city, as long as you don’t mind a few blocks of walking.
Otherwise, rent a car, especially if you’re exploring sights outside of the city or just wanting to hop from neighborhood to neighborhood.
The game day shuttle is well worth it, though. You’ll eliminate the hassle of parking at the game and can get safely back to downtown Atlanta in a flash.
Bars, Taverns, and Restaurants
When in Atlanta, our first stops were at the city’s brewpubs, two of which are within 10 minutes of Turner Field. Our favorite is Max Lager’s American Grill and Brewery, downtown on Peachtree Street (caution: there are about a dozen Peachtree streets, roads, parkways, etc. in the Atlanta area). There’s an outdoor deck to enjoy the nice weather and a congenial crowd keeps coming back for the house beers and pub style food.
On the edge of Piedmont Park about five minutes from Max Lager’s is the Park Tavern Brewery. The only downside to this place is they’re not open for lunch. Dinner is served starting at 4:30 but the outdoor patio is worth the wait.
Atlanta also boasts two microbreweries, Atlanta Brewing and Sweetwater Brewing. Sweetwater Brewing offers tours in the heart of happy hour, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday. We stopped in for a tour one Friday and it turned into quite a party. You’ll find both brewery’s beers on tap and in bottles throughout the area. Finally, Atlanta is also home to outposts of the Rock Bottom and Gordon Biersch brewpub chains, and both are located near downtown.
Other than local brewpubs, there’s a burgeoning beer scene in Atlanta and environs. In no particular order, here’s a list of eight, each of which place an emphasis on a varied selection of beer …
Brick Store Pub: A comfy pub in suburban Decatur with an appealing (and inexpensive) menu paired up with an impressive beer selection, including taps from Belgium, France, and several east coast craft selections. 125 E. Court Square, Decatur, GA. Phone 404-687-0997.
The Porter Beer Bar: Located in the funky Little Five Points neighborhood just south of downtown, this welcoming establishment has a limited but very good menu (try the steamed mussels). With over two dozen draughts, you’re sure to find something you like. They also offer tastings of different beer styles for $4. 1156 Euclind Ave., Atlanta. Phone: 404-223-0393.
Taco Mac: The granddaddy of beer bars in the South, Taco Mac has upwards of 50 taps in a fun, sports bar environment. The food is inexpensive and filling.
While away an afternoon at the original Taco Mac location in the walkable, trendy Virginia-Highland neighborhood, minutes from downtown. 1006 Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta. Phone: 404-873-6529.
Book House Pub on Ponce: Located on one of Atlanta’s main drags, Ponce de Leon Avenue, the Book House Pub is a small, cozy place with an ardent following and 15 taps from Brooklyn to Belgium. The kitchen opens at 6 p.m. 736 Ponce de Leon NE, Atlanta. Phone: 404-254-1176.
Manuel’s Tavern: When you stroll around the Viginia-Highland neighborhood, don’t miss this place. Esquire Magazine voted it one of the “Best Bars In America” and we agree. This is the quintessential Atlanta gathering spot, and you can’t help but feel comfortable here. There’s over two dozen taps, including their own house beer, 420. N. Highland Lager. We also had a Hawaiian beer on tap here, Kona Coffee Porter. When you come to Atlanta, Manuel’s Tavern is a must. 420 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. Phone: 404-526-0733.
Charlie Mopps Pub: With a name like this, you have to love it, and we do! 76, count ‘em, 76 beers on tap. Try their house cream ale and the full selection of Sweetwater brews. Stick around for live music too. 5830 Roswell Rd. NE, Atlanta. Phone: 404-845-0713.
Summits Wayside Tavern: There are three locations of this local mini-chain in metro Atlanta, and we like the location on Stone Mountain Highway (east of the city). A perfect stop if you’re visiting Stone Mountain. This friendly place has over 100 taps, good food, and a Passport Club if you plan to come here often. If we lived closer, we would! 3334 Stone Mountain Highway, Snellville GA. Phone: 770-736-1333.
The Vortex: With two locations (Midtown and Little Five Points), The Vortex is known for a great selection of liquor, beer, and other spirits. Terrific sandwiches and sassy attractive waitresses round out the scene. Midtown location 878 Peachtree St., Atlanta. Phone: 404-875-1667.
