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MAC Atlanta - Virginia Highland Walking Tour
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The great diversity of eateries in the Highlands make this neighborhood a great choice for lunch, which is a good time to start your tour. Begin at the intersection of Highland and Lenox Road. A nice collection of casual restaurants is amassed at this site of the Union encampment during the Battle of Atlanta. Choose from the Oriental fusion of Doc Chey's Noodle House, tastes of Cuba at Mamba, or Mexican at Caramba Cafe.

After lunch, take some time to work your way through the galleries and specialty shops, such as the Eclectic Electric Gallery, which showcases modern art with a glowing twist. Next, stroll south along Highland Avenue and enjoy a half-mile stretch of one of Atlanta's most charming residential districts, which features a diverse showing of late 19th and early 20th century architecture.

As you approach Virginia Avenue and the neighborhood's namesake intersection, browse an array of boutiques featuring everything from folk art to high fashion. In warm weather, pause for a lemonade (or one of over 100 beers) on the patio at Taco Mac, which commands a bird's eye view of the busy intersection.

Continuing southward on Highland, another three blocks will land you in the area's busiest section. Of particular interest to music lovers is the diminutive blues bar Blind Willie's near Drewry Road. While you're nearby, check out the menus at some of Atlanta's hippest restaurants such as Dish, Harvest, and Surin of Thailand, and perhaps leave your name for a dinnertime return.

Proceed on Highland to the intersection of Ponce de Leon Avenue, a direct line into downtown. Continue for one more block and pause for political chit-chat at Manuel's Tavern. A longtime watering hole of City Hall denizens, the heated tavern debates have also included such hometown heroes as Jimmy Carter, whose presidential library is just another two blocks down the road.

The Jimmy Carter Center features 30 acres of gardens and lakes, a commanding view of the downtown skyline, and more than 27 million pages of documents, correspondence, and photos from the Carter administration. Backtracking along Highland to Ponce de Leon, turn right and head east into one of Atlanta's loftiest zip codes. Your final stop is the Fernbank Museum of Natural History at 156 Heaton Park, just half a block off Ponce. This unique building is set on 65 acres of wooded grounds and rolling lawns, and also houses a planetarium, science center and I-MAX theater.







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Blind Willie's


Blues You Can Use
828 North Highland Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
United States
+1 404 873 2583
http://www.blindwilliesblues.com/
Year after year, this smoky joint in the Highlands is rated the best blues venue in Atlanta. Legends as notable as Junior Wells and Taj Mahal have graced the stage in recent years, offering patrons some of blues music's biggest acts in a very intimate setting. Come early, as the tables are few and fill quickly. A full bar, located in the rear, along with a somewhat limited menu, round out an evening of blues bliss.

Review © 2009, Wcities
 

 
Caramba Cafe


Mexican Meals
1409-D North Highland Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30306
United States
+1 404 874 1343
This is a great find in the north Virginia-Highlands for the serious lover of authentic Mexican. The dining area features cantina decor and tables barely large enough to support the generous platters. Atlanta's extended outdoor season, as well as a burrito as big as a rolled-up newspaper, ensure the back deck is never a lonely place to be. A pair of dueling bars in the front of the restaurant dish out a full line of south-of-the-border brews and frozen concoctions.

Review © 2009, Wcities
Caramba Cafe photo by wcities
Photo: wcities
 

 
Doc Chey's Asian Kitchen


Doc Chey's Asian Kitchen
1424 North Highland Avenue
Atlanta 30306
United States
+1 404 888 0777
http://www.doccheys.com
Popular for Asian fusion at shoestring prices, this trendy spot blends elements from the cuisine of many Asian nations to produce a truly unique menu. The noodle soups and mixed Asian pastas are great, or try one of several cabbage wraps or the Chinese scallion pancakes as an appetizer. Don't let the crowd scare you away; the line moves quickly. The cozy interior features tiny tables arranged with little elbowroom. For more space, wait a few minutes for a seat on the elevated patio that looks out over Highland Avenue. See website for menu, other locations, haiku contest details, and daily drink specials.

Review © 2009, Wcities
Doc Chey's Asian Kitchen photo by LauraFries.com
Photo: LauraFries.com
 

 
Fernbank Museum of Natural History


Hands on learning experience
767 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
United States
+1 404 929 6300 / +1 404 929 6400
http://www.fernbank.edu/museum/
Atlanta's largest museum sits on 140 forested acres just east of downtown. The Great Hall soars 86 feet to a rooftop skylight, and gives way to a labyrinth of halls devoted to the miracle of nature. A 315-seat IMAX theater showcases the world's most dramatic films on its five-story screen, while a comprehensive planetarium makes the heavens easily accessible. Be sure to visit on Fridays for Martinis and IMAX, a trendy cocktail hour followed by a film.

Review © 2009, Wcities
Fernbank Museum of Natural History photo by Alessandro Abate
Photo: Alessandro Abate
Fernbank Museum of Natural History photo by Naveed Ashraf
Photo: Naveed Ashraf
Fernbank Museum of Natural History photo by Alessandro Abate
Photo: Alessandro Abate
Fernbank Museum of Natural History photo by DeeDee Baldwin
Photo: DeeDee Baldwin
Fernbank Museum of Natural History photo by Joe Duncan
Photo: Joe Duncan
Fernbank Museum of Natural History photo by Jennifer Swiatlowski
Photo: Jennifer Swiatlowski
 

 
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum


Museum and special events space
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30307-1498
United States
+1 404 865 7100
http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.org
The Carter Library & Museum sits on 35 landscaped acres, just east of downtown where the Virginia-Highlands meet Inman Park. The complex consists of five interconnected pavilions that house the offices of the former President, research and foundation facilities, and the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, including thousands of papers and mementos from the Carter administration. The landscaped gardens feature a lake, as well as more than 400 plants and 80 varieties of roses, including the coral Rosalynn Carter rose.

Review © 2009, Wcities
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum photo by Jeff Muceus
Photo: Jeff Muceus
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum photo by Janice Waltzer
Photo: Janice Waltzer
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum photo by Jeff Muceus
Photo: Jeff Muceus
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum photo by Jan Muehlhauser
Photo: Jan Muehlhauser
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum photo by Jeff Muceus
Photo: Jeff Muceus
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum photo by Janice Waltzer
Photo: Janice Waltzer
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum photo by Jan Muehlhauser
Photo: Jan Muehlhauser
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum photo by Mim Eisenberg
Photo: Mim Eisenberg
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum photo by Janice Waltzer
Photo: Janice Waltzer
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum photo by thomasdunmore.com
Photo: thomasdunmore.com
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum photo by Liz Kelly
Photo: Liz Kelly
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum photo by Becky Willis
Photo: Becky Willis
 

 
Manuel's Tavern


City Hall's Watering Hole
602 North Highland Ave
Atlanta, GA 30307
United States
+1 404 525 3447
http://www.manuelstavern.com
Located a few blocks from the old City Hall, this traditional corner bar was known as the hub of Atlanta's political scuttlebutt for more than 50 years but is now a homier, neighborhood-type place. The row of cozy booths opposite the room-length bar is great spot to catch a pint and a Braves game. Several dining rooms set off from the bar make the place much more family friendly than in years past, and the kitchen serves up a surprisingly diverse grille menu. Try the grilled tuna steak with a side of slow-basted black beans. On many a saturday night, Manuel's patrons are treated to the comic stylings of Atlanta's oldest comedy troupe, Laughing Matters Improvisation.

Review © 2009, Wcities
Manuel's Tavern photo by Amanda Murray
Photo: Amanda Murray
Manuel's Tavern photo by Ted Rolfes
Photo: Ted Rolfes
 

 
Surin of Thailand


Always Interesting
810 North Highland Ave
Atlanta, GA 30306
United States
+1 404 892 7789
http://www.surinofthailand.com
There seems to be a new wave of up-and-coming Thai restaurants in Atlanta, but Surin stands out as being special. The fare is unique and expertly done, including such dishes as softshell crabs with asparagus sauce and spicy papaya salad. The no-nonsense dining room is simple and romantic. It can get crowded here, but the wait almost serves as part of the experience. More upscale than most Thai joints, Surin is a bit pricier, too, with most entrees running between $10-15. Full bar.

Review © 2009, Wcities
 

 
Taco Mac - Atlanta


A Porch Full of Fun
1006 North Highland Avenue
(at Virginia Avenue)
Atlanta, GA 30306
United States
+1 404 873 6529
http://www.taco-mac.com/
This place is one of the best people-watching spots in the Highlands, one where you can sip your tequila sunrise or margarita in the dining room or lounge out on the patio. The filling Southwestern dishes and Mexican appetizers tend to run $8-10, so don your sombrero and bring the family. For the young ones, the special Kids Taco Menu is always a favorite choice. Taco Mac also features one of the best beer lists to be found anywhere, and it can get rowdy as locals crowd the porch in fair weather.

Review © 2009, Wcities
Taco Mac - Atlanta photo by Brett Weinstein
Photo: Brett Weinstein
Taco Mac - Atlanta photo by birdtracks
Photo: birdtracks
 

 
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