Making first trip to UGA. Advice?

[drail14me]

I'm making my first trip to Sanford Stadium and to Athens on Oct 1st for the game. My family of 5 is going to make a long weekend of it in Atlanta. Only two of us are going to the game unless we can find five tickets together once we get there. So, it looks like the others will stay in Atlanta and shop during the game.

Does anyone know of any kind of shuttle, bus or rail service from Atlanta to Athens? I'd rather take some sort of shuttle than have to make the whole family make the trip......that is, unless there would be plenty for the other three to do in Athens while we're at the game?

Any advice from a Dog in Athens or Atlanta or from anyone else familiar with UGA?

 

[22yardpunt]

and Phipps Plaza has an in-house movie theatre in case they get tired of shopping. So your shopperswill have the option of going to 2 malls and a movie theatre to fill their day.My suggestion to you is to get a hotel within a couple blocks of Lenox so that they can walk to said malls while you take the car to the game.

both are very nice and in the epicenter of buckhead.

 

[saltslugs]

There isn't any mass transit system from Athens to Atlanta. <div>
</div><div>There's probably enough entertainment in Athens to satisfy your family (a decent mall, cool little shops downtown, movies, etc.) but the traffic would be a bit of an issue. Discover Mills mall in northeast ATL is my favorite mall in the area, but is a bit far from downtown. </div>

 

[drail14me]

Great idea on staying near the Lenox center. That's probably what we'll end up doing.

However, I'm hoping to find a hotel that offers shuttle service to the game. When we went to Florida last year, we stayed at the Holiday Inn at Lake City about an hour North of Gainesville. They had a bus that went to the Florida game that was super nice. I'd love to find something similar in Georgia.

 

[rem101]

I'm all for the early game on the road except when I'm going to the game. Then it sucks.

 

[MeridianDog]

Everyone should once. Actually good chilidog.

House made potato chips with blue cheese at Buckhead Diner.

 

[22yardpunt]

I've never heard of a shuttle from Atlanta to Athens. I'm on the Atlanta MSU Alumni email list, and if they send me anything about mass transport I'll let you know.

Maybe call the concierge at your hotel and ask them .. they'd have info. like that.

and don't waste your time at the varsity or buckhead diner .. esp the varsity as its a hideous tourist trap. there are so many great restaurants in Atlanta. . ... make the most of your visit. </p>

 

[colodawg]

As a Millsaps, MSU, and EMORY man I heartily recommend the VARSITY. Yes, it is touristy, but it's a great hamburger, dawg, rings, and fries. Yes, there are good restaurants in Hotlanta - but the Varisity is unique and everybody ought to try it once.

Since my grad degree is '67 from Emory I am not up on latest mass transit, but if there is a shuttle from ATL you could take the MARTA from Lenox straight to ATL and then the shuttle (although that would be backtracking). However, when I go back I do everything possible now NOT to drive in Atlanta.

 

[cytubb]

Last time i was there , it took 3 hours to get out of there. By the way , we got drilled 45-zip. Should have left early. Had a great time before the game.

 

[dhall2276]

Everyone should once. Actually good chilidog.

House made potato chips with blue cheese at Buckhead Diner.

Second on the Buckhead Diner. Those chips are awesome. Varsity is pretty decent but for a real burger check out the Vortex. Awesome selection of food and booze and the scenery is pretty good.
http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/

 

[kimmer]

Then buckhead is the place. If you want to do something else then consider the aquarium.

 

[bullyboozehound]

Everyone should once. Actually good chilidog.

House made potato chips with blue cheese at Buckhead Diner.

Second on the Buckhead Diner. Those chips are awesome. Varsity is pretty decent but for a real burger check out the Vortex. Awesome selection of food and booze and the scenery is pretty good.
http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/

The Vortex never disappoints. Always make it a point to go there to eat. If you're into Belgian and craft beers Green's Liquor, which is I believe on Ponce de Leon Ave. on the edge of Decatur and Atlanta. This isn't far from Little Five Points where the Vortex is located.

 

[drail14me]

Wife and I will have our three girls with us age 6, 7 and 10 so that counts out the Vortex. I will, however, save that one for when the wife and I go back to Atlanta alone....

It's looking like they want to go to Six Flags while I go to the game.

 

[Kim Jong Il]

For people that will be going to Athens saturday morning- If you already planned on taking highway 316 into Athens plan another route. Go up to the Jefferson by-pass exit highway 129 and take that into Athens.
316 will be so crowded with all the Atlanta fans coming that way and it being noon- the road will be packed. they have messed up 316 with all the red lights and is not longer the quickest route.
Leaving will not be as bad since some will stay and tailgate and eat so the road will not be as bad after the game.
>
Also sanford stadium only has about six gates to get into the stadium. They are large gates but it gets crowded and packed. Make sure you get inside the stadium in plenty of time. As for parking= park in the downtown area. There are a few lots on the next road after broad st (Clayton and Washington) that are first come basis. Also in that area are many good places to eat after the game.

 

[FISHDAWG]

.

 

[drail14me]

I'm sitting here enjoying the 4 best chili dogs I've had in years and the kids love it too. Win-win situation!

 

[MedDawg]

nm