Amazing Atlanta

As I’ve mentioned in my recent posts, we just spent 10 days in Atlanta! I only had one day there before my appointments and surgery began, but one day was just the perfect amount of time to wish we’d never leave! Ok, so I’d have had to come back for my kids and dogs, but aside from that we were totally wishing we’d relocated! For now, though, Hot-lanta rates way at the top of places we NEED to go on vacation! I’ve compiled a little list of our favorite things. Enjoy!

#1 Lodging is EVERYTHING!

Staying in any city for 10 days is going to be pricey. Atlanta is no different. We needed someplace that offered extended stay, a kitchenette, and wasn’t too crowded. I seriously developed a twitch in my eye stressing about where to stay. Hotels close to where my doctor’s office is and to the hotel were SO pricey! I’m talking over $1200 minimum! And some had super awful reviews (dog poop on the towels, anyone? Right. I know.) I started searching for rental homes and came across BCA Residential. It took about thirty minutes to decide we would be staying here! My emails were answered promptly, they were super accommodating with my post-op needs, the check-in process was really easy and done from my phone, and the price was GREAT! We stayed at Studios on 25th and absolutely loved it! Our little studio apartment looked like it had walked right out of IKEA (which was just around the corner, by the way!)and it met all of our needs. It was in an adorable little neighborhood that was perfect for morning and evening walks! Plus it was within walking distance to a Mellow Mushroom  (which I had never experienced and has left me longing for the taste of this chain’s spring water dough to which no pizza crust can ever compare!) and within driving distance to just about everything you could need!

#2 Atlantic Station

This outdoor area was Mr. Pennington’s favorite thing ever on this trip! We really only got to spend about half hour here, but it was just really cool! It’s an outdoor area spread over a couple blocks chocked full of every store you love to shop at, a movie theater,  plus many places to eat. Mr. Pennington is a sucker for California Pizza Kitchen and their margherita pizza so he was SO excited to find one in Atlantic Station. In addition to the “mall” type shopping, there’s also a Target and Publix right there, which was really handy since we needed groceries to stock our home away from home for the week. The coolest thing (to me) about Atlantic Station was something we didn’t even get to utilize–the “grass”. In the middle of this area there is a huge patch of grass (I think it’s actually astro-turf) where they have different things planned each day from yoga to improv nights! Click here to check out their website with all the stores, restaurants and events!

#3 Gigi’s Cupcakes

I know that these are all over, but they aren’t in my super tiny town and they were a HUGE highlight of my trip. When you are cooped up for days on end and are obsessed with cake, ordering half a dozen beautifully frosted, totally tasty, surely fattening cupcakes makes for one happy lady! Mr. Pennington doesn’t share my love for cake (or anything sweet for that matter), and even he devoured some Gigi’s cupcakes! He was a big fan of their Chocolate Irish Stout! I don’t discriminate when it comes to cake, but I’ll say that the lemon was pretty tasty…but wedding cake might have been my fave….although I couldn’t get enough of the strawberry shortcake. It’s a toss up. I just know my kids were suckers for the cookie dough one that I really didn’t intend to share.

#4 TARGET!

I have a love affair with Target stores! While I was in the hospital, Mr. Pennington, my mom and my best friend (did I mention I had an entourage for this operation?! They’re the best) all went to dinner. They followed that up with a trip to what turned out to be potentially THE biggest Target ever to get me a bath robe. I sent them on this mission to save the nurses from seeing my butt as I walked the halls. I’m a thoughtful lady, what can I say? This store in Sandy Springs had everything you never knew you needed! My fan club was sending me photos of all this store had to offer so I just had to see it for myself! After I was discharged we drove over for a visit, but rearranged organs don’t love Target so we left pretty quickly. (As a note, I just did some research and found that this isn’t the biggest Target in the world. Looks like I need to visit Hoover, Alabama for that!)

#5 Farmer’s Markets

The Sunday we arrived in Atlanta we had tons of time to kill before we could get into our apartment. We had planned to hit up the zoo, but the parking lot was packed. On the way there we had noticed a farmer’s market in a park so decided to check it out. We were SO glad we did! The Grant Park Farmer’s Market was adorable…and delicious! There were a lot of great vendors selling anything you can think of from produce to jewelry. Our favorite vendors were obviously the food ones! We had some delicious scones, unique and tasty donuts, fresh squeezed strawberry lemonade, and a cup of organic coffee. If we’d had any room left, we’d have totally hit up the wood fire pizza stand! OH, and another thing I loved—dogs! Everywhere in ATL actually, but specifically at this market there were tons of people with their dogs. I made it my mission to pet them all, but a grouchy boston terrier owner ruined that. ALMOST everyone in Atlanta is ridiculously sweet. 🙂

I realize this list might not be overly exciting for those of you planning a vacation (don’t leave…I have a list for you too!). These were just the bright spots in our trip, where the main attraction was a hospital cafeteria. When we return with our kids, these places are on our “must do” list:

Zoo Atlanta

They have baby pandas right now! I know that the country is ga-ga over a baby giraffe right now, but dang it–pandas are CUTE!

Georgia Aquarium

This place is enormous! They have every creature that lives in or near the water on display. From clownfish to otter, they’ve got it all! Check out the “webcams” section on their website!

World of Coca-Cola

Meet the Coca-Cola polar bear, taste drinks from around the world, and check out everything Coca-Cola!

Depending on who you’re traveling with (kids or not), this list plus SO much more awaits in Atlanta! With every turn you make there is something new and exciting to see or do. Even if it’s just driving down Peachtree Dunwoody and drooling over the beautiful homes! For those of you who live in Atlanta or who have vacationed here–I’d LOVE to hear what you have to add to our list! We are already in the planning stage of our next trip so any advice is welcomed!

XoXo

Jessica

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