Atlantic Station & co. [Best of Atlanta Summer Series I]

source: movoto.com

Eat. Sleep. Work. Play.

Located on the site of the Atlantic Steel Mill (there's a statue commemorating this), Atlantic Station was conceived in the mid-1990's, and then brought to fruition in 2005. Eleven years later, it remains a top "one-stop-shop" (remember the above mantra) neighbourhood for residents and visitors alike.

With it being home to middle-end retail shops such as H&M, Victoria's Secret, etc. and discount retail shops like Target and IKEA, it's not necessarily what one would call a posh or fancy pancy district. Yet, it still maintains a strong rich and clean culture, while still providing services of different kinds, including shopping (grocery and retail). Another prominent service it provides is entertainment. Atlantic Station not only has a movie theatre and a bowling alley, it also has a plethora of eateries and restaurants to choose from for a nice night out.

With that said, I attended an event of theirs which is part of their summer programming - Movies in Central Park.  A free movie night held every Thursday (8:00p), with the lineup of films as listed below:

source: atlanticstation.com

I attended the Finding Nemo (2003) showcase on June 9 (it was only right, as a cartoon lover), and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, beer in hand and red velvet cake in close proximity. The concept altogether of having a movie night is also nice, as it gives people (including, if movie appropriate, kids) a source of entertainment, while at the same time building revenue for the businesses that call Atlantic Station home. 

So we've discussed retail, groceries, and food, and we've discussed entertainment. The final awesome thing about this neighborhood, is the actual neighborhood aspect of this place itself. People can live here as well, and although they are pegged with "Atlantic Station rent", the fact still remains that the services they would need (food, restaurants, gym, entertainment, shopping) are all in walking distance. That is a nice convenience. 

The Atlantic Station is simply the best because of its cultivation of community. 

Hidden gem: 

Today's hidden gem is the Millennium Gate Museum, located adjacent to the Atlantic Station. When I first saw this monument and museum in 2014, I really did not think anything of it. But since having come back from Europe, I have a newfound appreciation for it. This museum, conceived and brought forth between 2005 and 2008, is home to various exhibits with 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st century Georgia art on display. There is also an interactive exhibit component that tells Georgia's story. I was not chanced to go inside, as the museum was closed by the time I arrived (admission details below), but it is definitely on my list of places to actually tour. I can say for sure though, that just a walk around the monument is enough of a breathtaking task, especially if you are as interested in European style architecture as I am. According to the website, the main point of this place altogether is to "highlight Georgia's historical and aesthetic relevance to the United States and to the world". 

 Another gem that is located behind the monument/museum is a park called 'The Commons", which also contains a lake and bridge. 

It is altogether a beautiful area which reminded me of a garden in Paris, France + the canal in  Birmingham, England. 

Nostalgia x Parisian Princess.  

Admission

General $12

Senior, Student, Military: $10

Hours

Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm

Sunday closed

Midtown (as this district comprising Atlantic Station, the Gate, et al. is called) is just a magical place in its entirety, as it is a haven for many 9-5'ers (I gather from many of my friends' Snapchat stories that Midtown is the place to be for work, haha). There might be more exploration done on these ends, there might not. But for now, revel in the awesome gems that this area of Atlanta is fortunate enough to call a few of its very own. 

Yeen Know? 

Midtown is the second largest business district in the city of Atlanta, with Downtown Atlanta being the first.  (source: wikipedia.com)

For more information, visit: 

www.atlanticstation.com

www.thegatemuseum.org

Next up: We're going into the metropolitan area of Atlanta, starting with Decatur, Georgia! 

Bola x 

Atlanta Beltline [Best of Atlanta Summer Series I]

The Atlanta Beltline. 

I feel like I have been banging this place out (really talking about it) to anyone that cares since the time I found out about it. I first peeped it at the beginning of April, when my brother, his girlfriend, my childhood friend Maria, and myself went for ice-cream at Jake's Ice-cream on Irwin St. in Atlanta. I was really fascinated by the path right next to the ice-cream shop that led to God knows where - I would eventually find out where it led, but at that point, fascination just overwhelmed me! OK, right... it's just a path. This path though, was really intriguing for the mere fact that all active lifestyle lovers alike were out on that Sunday afternoon, traversing the path. All colors, all kinds of groups, all ages, in really cool activewear and accessories (bikes, skateboards, shoes). It was a nice and harmonious sight for those that feign after aesthetics, like myself. <---- also, being that I had just returned from being out of the country, it was even the more fascinating to me to see something "new" about the Atlanta I had left behind.
(I would later find out that it's not so new...it's been in existence since 2005, but I guess I am just the one that is more adult & residential enough to know about it now, haha)


So what is this Atlanta Beltline that you speak of, funms?

 According to a National Public Radio special, it was a project conceived by a Georgia Tech Masters student (Ryan Gravel, you deserve an honourable mention) via his 1999 thesis.

 I think those were the key bits I took from that special. So naturally, I did a bit more of an in-depth investigation:

It's a 22-mile multi-use trail that connects parks, communities, and green-space. It is meant as an alternative to other modes of transportation, and was once a railway corridor around the core of Atlanta, GA. It is also home to artwork that literally enhances ones Beltline experience, no matter your intended purpose of use.

The plans for this Beltline are greater than what it is now, even though I am personally of the opinion that it's already beyond stellar: there are plans for expansion, plans to design a streetcar alongside it, and plans for the redevelopment of a lot of acres of land. It is safe to say that communities are being transformed by this single undertaking.


It's also underpinned by a lot of big non-profits, stakeholders, and movers and shakers of Atlanta -- I mean, $18 million in funding in 2013? It is in good hands, no need to check with Allstate. haha.

Now, on to my experience!

I have been chanced to grace the Beltline on four different occasions. The first time being with my friend Shade (the 'Best of Atlanta' photo from the first post of this series can be found along the Beltline).


The second time with a friend when we got Jake's Ice-cream and walked and talked along the path, ice-cream in hand. The Ponce City Market is conveniently located along the Beltline as well, so we made a stop and got some food there (separate blog post on the Markets of Atlanta, soon come).  The person I was with really enjoyed his Beltline experience (icecream, walk, food at PCM, et al.), since he couldn't stop talking about it thereafter, haha.


The third time, (yesterday the second of June) with me, my bike, and my iPhone 5. It was a dope experience. I looked like a hipster Atlanta chick, and my bike was cute and vintage. So I was aesthetically fulfilled. I literally biked along the whole path, and then some, seeing how I biked through Piedmont Park as well (Yes, one of the ends of the Beltline  is the beginning of Piedmont Park)


Oh and a fourth time today, June 8: I had to drop something off near the Freedom Park area, so I made a stop by the Jimmy Carter Library - only to realize that the Beltline is a neighbor to this area. Inman Park to be more specific. I parked my car on the street near Freedom Park, and as I was walking to the "Welcome to Inman Park" sign, I saw a path that looked quite similar to that of  the Beltline's...come to find out, that it was!



My experience? Nothing but a good, peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing time on these four different occasions. As one can see, the Beltline is multi-faceted and caters to a plethora of needs, be it food, athletics, date night, family day/night, and what ever else might bring you a bit closer to happiness, relaxation, peace of mind.



I look forward to visiting the Beltline again, whether it is for hanging with friends, exercising on it, or simply running in to it (literally haha)!

The Beltline is simply the best because of its connectivity, academic progenation, and art.


For more information, visit www.beltline.org

Beltline entrance via Piedmont Park area 

Jake's Icecream is Beltline entrance point via Irwin St. 

Old Fourth Ward Park.

 
                                   
                  

The blogger pose had to happen. Just had to.

     

                                             

Food on the Beltline. 

Hidden gem: King of Pops. Even though I am not a popsicle person, I cannot help but admire this company for its ubiquitous nature via its Pop Stands around Atlanta, this shop along the Beltline, and its contribution towards keeping Atlanta active. They sponsor FREE Yoga from 7:30 -8:30 on Tuesdays at the Old Fourth Ward Park! Stop by King of Pops - Address here

next up on the blog: Atlantic Station. 

Bola x 

Yeen Know?: Atlanta was founded entirely to meet the needs of railroads, being the first American city to be located at a place that was not significant of water navigation circa 1837.
(source: u-s-history.com)

Happiness.

Get excited! Best of Atlanta blog series continues tomorrow! New post up at 6 pm! 

& it's about the Atlanta Beltline! 

For now, let's do a bit of talking, about happiness. I was not in best spirits from the time which I woke up till about 3:30 - 4pm today (when I actually finished cleaning my room). I mean I was in a  deep funk, for reasons unbeknownst to me. It is a part of what ladies go through I guess, when it is that time of the month. In addition to that, I had strong feelings of not being good enough or not living up to my full potential when it comes to my endeavours and the things which I lay my hands on. To be quite honest and transparent, I think we all feel that way at times. As human beings that have a brain, we are always prone to comparing ourselves to our neighbors, friends, and nowadays, that next picture that pops up on your Instagram/snapchat/facebook feed. Sigh, the feeds. The feeds can feed you with really unwanted feelings  if you do not put those feelings in check. Now that the funk is over though **sings* the storm is over noowww*, I think it is quite appropriate to make a list of the things that make me happy. I encourage you to do the same, as it is a possible remedy, a medicine, a pill for when the feels comes from the feeds or whatever source.


Here are a few of the things that  make me happy:

Cupcakes

via GIPHY

Christianity 

via GIPHY

Afrobeats

via GIPHY

Laughter

via GIPHY

Beauty & Wellness

via GIPHY




Like I said, these are just a few! If you're interested in knowing more, feel free to check out my post from the final quarter of 2015, here.


I encourage you all to actually make a note of the things that make you happy as well, fervently rushing towards those things when the funk hits the fan, literally.


Also, i'm not necessarily a pusher of "do what makes you happy"  because that really gives room for doing almost anything, like physically attacking someone that crossed you over, just because it would make you "happy".....



......But all things considered, really guard your happiness. You have control over it. No one else. Nothing else.


Bola x

Summer Series I: The Best of Atlanta

*sings* "ATL Georgia, what can we do fo' ya?" 

Generic aesthetically pleasing shot courtesy of TripAdvisor

Atlanta, GA 

aka. Hotlanta. home of the Braves. The Varsity. Georgia peaches. Airport city. Black metropolis. Real Housewives. Good ol' Southern hospitality. Dirty bird. Grady Baby. millennial progressivism. Gentrification. Martin Luther King. (Baptist) church haven. Ethnic group pockets. Trap music. Music Music Music. Hispter hopping. CNN. 1996 Olympic nostalgia. Family Friendly question mark. Educated & Professional Primal. Chick-fil-A. Auburn Avenue. Falcons. Hawks. Traffic. Jimmy Carter 

& The list goes on.....

But do you really know Atlanta? 

Journey with me as I explore the "Best of Atlanta" and its outliers. 

It's going to be fun. 

Here's what I have on my list so far: 

Atlanta Beltline &  Ponce City Market & Krogg St. Market 

High Museum of Art 

Atlantic Station 

The Parks of Atlanta --- Piedmont, Freedom, etc. 

Top Golf

Decatur Edition: Candler Rd. (my ends)  & Decatur Beach Party 

Stone Mountain Edition: Stone Mountain Park 

Athens Edition: AthFest

Civil & Human Rights Museum 

Coca-Cola World 

Georgia Aquarium 
Underground Atlanta

Centennial Olympic Park 

N. Highland Avenue 

Fox Theatre 

Little 5 points & Edgewood Plaza - personal fav. 

The Universities - Georgia State, Emory, Georgia Tech

Auburn Avenue 

As one can see, these are the blatantly obvious attractions of Atlanta, with some anomalies/special events here and there. 

My goal, though, is to find some hidden gems within or around these locations/at these special events. Of course, food places would be the most easy hidden gems to discuss in the posts, but  I look forward to sharing art as well.


The first post regarding the Atlanta Beltline is my most favorite. With it being the pioneer post, I will be pouring my heart and soul & putting my best creativity into it. All the other posts can fall by the wayside (I'm only joking.) 

                   Seriously though, the Atlanta Beltline is my favorite attraction so far. 

Stay tuned to see why....

Bola x

P.S - Suggestions, comments, "I want to join in!"'s are welcome. Just hit my line or comment below.

Yeen Know?*

Atlanta is actually the state of Georgia's 5th capital. Savannah, Augusta, Louisville, and Milledgeville once held the titles. 

*Yeen Know - Black argot for "You Didn't Know?". I will be using this phrase for my "did you know"'s, just to stay true to the 'atlanta' I know :)