Cadillac ATS: Guide to in One day

Summer, 2012

With five million residents and counting, the so-called ‘capital of the South’ continues to experience explosive growth thanks to southbound Yankees and international immigrants alike. It’s also booming as a tourist destination thanks to two glitzy 21st- century attractions – the Aquarium and the new World of Coca-Cola – plus the arrival of Mei Lan, a giant panda cub at the Atlanta Zoo. Beyond the attractions you’ll find a constellation of superlative restaurants, two luxury megamalls, ample Civil War lore, miles of hiking trails and a plethora of African American history.

Without natural boundaries to control development, Atlanta keeps growing – sometimes up, but mostly out. Suburban sprawl has turned Atlanta into an almost endless city. Increased car dependence creates horrendous traffic, traffic creates smog, smog pollutes water and so on.

For all this suburbanization, Atlanta is a pretty city covered with trees and elegant homes. Distinct neighborhoods are like friendly small towns. Racial tensions are minimal in ‘The City Too Busy To Hate, ’ which prides itself as hometown to the civil rights titan Martin Luther King Jr.

-Lonely Planet.com

Cadillac ATS: Guide to Atlanta in One day

Summer, 2012

Restaurants

Bones - high end

Open for lunch and dinner.

Bones has long been considered the “in spot” for many of Atlanta’s movers and shakers. Bone’s has received the Best of Atlanta Steakhouse Award each year running for the past sixteen years. Recently, Zagat recognized Bone’s as having the highest rating for food and service of any steakhouse in America.

Address: 3130 Piedmont Road Northeast Atlanta, GA 30305 (404) 237-2663

Cadillac ATS: Guide to Atlanta in One day

Summer, 2012 Rathbun’s - Iron Chef America Winner Open for dinner only Atlanta

Address: 112 Krog Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30307 404.524.8280

Kevin Rathbun’s namesake and flagship restaurant. Here, he has incorporated his take on Modern American Cuisine with a menu that expands to over fifty menu items along with specials every night. Since opening, Rathbun's has garnered awards from Esquire Magazine (Best New Restaurant), Travel & Leisure (Best New American Restaurant), USA Today, Mobil Travel Guide (Three Star Rating), Atlanta Journal Constitution (Four Stars), Zagat Ratings (2nd Most Popular Restaurant in Atlanta, Bon Appetit (Hot 50 Restaurants)

Antico Pizza Napoletana - Best Pizza Open for lunch until the dough runs out neighborhood

Address: 1093 Northwest Atlanta, GA 30318 (404) 724-2333

Creative Loafing says, “world-class pies come to Atlanta.” Voted the best pizza in Atlanta several times over, this eatery is a treat. Welcome to bring your own bottle.

The Varsity - Fast food, Atlanta landmark Open all the time Atlanta

Address: 61 North Ave NW Atlanta, GA 30308 (404) 881-1706

The world's largest drive-in restaurant and an Atlanta institution since 1928, is a glorified fast-food joint, but it's always packed with folks ordering walk-a-dogs (hot dogs), gussied-up steaks (hamburgers) and bags of rags (fries).

Cadillac ATS: Guide to Atlanta in One day

Summer, 2012 Photography locations

Stone Mountain Park

Address: 1000 Robert E. Lee Drive , GA 30083 (770) 498-5690

Stone Mountain Park is by far the best place to shoot hassle free. The park features a wide variety of places to photograph on 3,200 acres of natural beauty. There are different elevations, trees, lake, nice roads, and of course, a mountain. This location is also known for it’s beautiful sunsets. We would encourage you to drive around the main loop of the park to get an idea of all the options available. The speed limit is 30 mph and there is a $10 parking fee to enter the park.

5 Seasons Brewery Cadillac ATS: Guide to Atlanta in One day

Summer, 2012 Address: 5 Seasons Westside 1000 Marietta Street NW Atlanta, GA 30318

Atlanta’s Westside offers a lofty urban feel with old warehouse’s, converted spaces and interesting architecture. I offer the brewery location because they have a parking deck that might offer great backdrops for photos. Drive around the area for other unique landscapes.

Atlantic Station

Address: 361 17th Street Northwest Atlanta, GA 30363 (404) 961-1212

Atlantic Station is a live-work-play community with hotels, departments stores, restaurants, boutiques, condos, etc...The streets are quaint if you want “city” life in the background or there are parking decks that may offer views of the city as a backdrop. In addition, the 17th street bridge is a place listed by car/photo enthusiasts as a place that offers the Atlanta skyline in it’s pictures. The bridge crosses over the freeway on the way to Atlantic Station and does have bike/bus lanes. Do not attempt this photo, however, during rush hour.

Shopping Malls

Cadillac ATS: Guide to Atlanta in One day

Summer, 2012 Lennox Mall

Address: 3393 Peachtree Road Northeast Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 365-8860

Large, mainstream mall. You can find pretty much anything you need. Anchor stores: Neiman Marcus, Macy’s Bloomingdales

Phipps Plaza Address: 500 Peachtree Rd Ne Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 261-7910

Considered the high end mall for Atlanta. Smaller, less crowded than other malls. Anchor stores: Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Ave., Belk