July trip advice

Our family will be staying in Atlanta on our way back from Hilton Head. we will be there via car trip 7/23 and departing 7/25 there will be 7 of us - 2 adults, 4 teens and a 5 year old. I would appreciate any advice on where to stay cheaply but still nice and centrally located to shopping areas. Where are the shopping areas that are more unique instead of the usual department stores? I have 3 teen girls and I love artsy and gallery type gift shops. Also any suggestions on where to eat without breaking the bank w/ 7 of us. Thank you for any suggestions.

July trip advice

There are some shopping areas that fit the bill, depending on what you and your family are interested in.

The Virginia-Highlands area probably best reflects the mix of arts/funky/gallery-type shopping that you are describing. There are a number of locally-owned boutiques and cafes/taverns that they might enjoy. Everybody%26#39;s Pizza is one of my favorite places to eat in that area and it%26#39;s pretty affordable.

The Little Five Points area is also fun but probably edgier than Va-High. You%26#39;ll see more tattoos and nose rings there, but the shops are still fun and one of a kind. In that area, you can eat really cheaply at Zesto%26#39;s, which has some of the best burgers and shakes in the city. Very affordable.

Unfortunately, it is mostly bed/breakfast-type accomodations in those areas. And you don%26#39;t want to stay at any of the nearby hotels on Ponce, not a good idea. Midtown is not that far away and you might find a good deal via Priceline. The Hampton Inn on Spring is pretty good, as is the Residence Inn on 17th.

The regulars here may have better advice for you on hotels than I can provide. I%26#39;m sure they%26#39;ll add their thoughts.

July trip advice

I would second all of Peachyswan%26#39;s suggestions, especially Virginia-Highland. I would add, though, that the square in downtown Decatur has lots of boutiques and small cute restaurants. It%26#39;s a very pedestrian area, and has something for everyone (coffee bar, wine bar, sports bar, clothing, shoes, gifts, spa, pubs, desserts, French, fusion, burritos, pizza, tex-mex, southern.)

Also, I would think it%26#39;s cheaper to stay in Decatur than in Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead (on a completely irrelevant note I never know whether to capitalize Midtown, etc). I know that there is a Holiday Inn that%26#39;s fairly nice (past its prime but still well-kept) and in walkign distance of the Decatur Square. You may want to check for other Decatur hotels. In would suggest that you contact the hotel to gage distance from the square, however, because there are areas of Decatur that are not as nice as others.

If you do decide on Decatur let us know and we can make some restaurant suggestions.

I had a brain cramp. JAtlanta is right on about Decatur. It%26#39;s a great place to shop and hang out. I think your teens would love it.

Thank you both so much for the advice! Is the Virginia Highlands and little five points close to Decatur? they sound exactly like what I%26#39;m looking for as far as atmosphere and shopping - yet Decatur sounds like it is more affordable and quiet. Sounds like the best of both worlds. How is the parking in those areas?

I will search for hotels in Decatur I%26#39;m hoping to find a 2 room suite reasonably priced and clean. Thanks again for your help.

Yes, these areas are all fairly close together. If you stayed in Decatur, you would just travel about 2 miles west on Ponce de Leon (a major street along the downtown Decatur square). From Ponce you would take a right onto Highland Ave to reach the Virginia Highlands, or a left onto Moreland Ave to reach Little Five Points. Note that Virginia Highland encompasses 2 sections fo Highland Ave. The 1st appears immediately when you turn onto Highland from Ponce. Then, the shops and restaurants end and there are a few blocks of houses. After that, the shopping/restaurant/bar area picks bar up around the intersection of Virginia and Highland.

Oh, I neglected your questions about parking. There are surface parking lots and street parkign in each of these neighborhoods. Sometimes you may have to parking in residential areas a few blocks away, but you should not have too much trouble.

Marietta Square 20 miles N of Atl. on I-75 is another good choice. Several good dining areas, antique shops and gift shops. Marietta Conference center Hotel is only a few blocks away. Parking is good. Not quite as congested as Decatur or Little Five Points. All are good selections.

oil companies