I'll most likely go on a business trip to Birmingham AL in June. I could probably add two or three days and would then probably not fly to Birmingham directly, but perhaps to Atlanta. What tourist destinations are nearby...? Google doesn't show any obvious interesting places to go...
Lustindarkness museum is there. :P
In Birmingham they have the governor. Boo-boo-boo.
Atlanta's not really a touristy city. I've heard good things about the Aquarium and the Coca Cola museum, never been though. There's an underground mall somewhere. And you can hike up Stone Mountain. I don't know Birmingham real well, went to the circus there once as a kid.
p.s. They "love" the governor. Probably because he's off in Montgomery.
Stone Mountain. CNN Center. World of Coca-Cola.
I found the Stone Mountain laser show incredibly cheesy.
I've also heard bad things about the MLK museum.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 06, 2014, 07:09:26 AM
I found the Stone Mountain laser show incredibly cheesy.
'MURICA!!! I MEAN... DIXIE!!!! ERR... :hmm:
The Varsity in Atlanta.
http://www.thevarsity.com/locations.php
Yep, that is all I have for Atlanta.
For 'Bama, Rocket City in Huntsville.
http://www.rocketcenter.com
Remember Z, it's either ROLL TIDE! Or WAR EAGLE! down there in bama. Don't say BAYERN MUNICH!
Is U of A in Birmingham?
If so, you should try to crash a frat party.
For gods sake, I don't understand the varsity. Don't make an effort to go. If you end up next to it, the chili or slaw dogs are better alternatives to mcdonald's for fast food.
Your normal tourist attractions in the city:
World of Coke - the coke museum, a bit geared toward kids
Georgia Aquarium - it might be the largest in the US? Not sure.
MLK Center / Ebenezer Baptist Church
The Giant Ferris Wheel - built just a few months ago, our own version of the London Eye. It differs in that Atlanta doesn't quite have the skyline. Also the wheel isn't as nice, and is built in the middle of the city, so the few skyscrapers that we do have impede the views. What you see is one of the most sprawled cities in the world, that covers a large chunk of North Georgia. :swiss: Most locals think that the ferris wheel is one of the stupidest things ever built.
Underground Atlanta - only mentioning to say not to go there.
Some things that I prefer, in and around the city:
Stone Mountain: This is a place a lot of tourists and locals go for a day out. It is 800 feet, and a rather striking Stone Mountain with a sheer cliff on one side that has pictures of Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson, and Robert E Lee on the side. It has a pleasant walk to the top, or you can take a cable car.
Kennesaw Mountain: I prefer this to Stone Mountain and go a lot. It is a civil war battlefield site, and has a musuem, national park rangers, etc. But the main thing it has going for it is that it is a huge park / wildlife area. Most people just walk to the top of the mountain (700 vertical feet), but you can keep going for the full loop of ~18 miles (after the first 5 miles it is flat so it is a nice walk). I've done it, and would be up for it again. About 15 miles north of Atlanta.
Cyclorama: Next to the zoo, only mentioning because it is the major civil war historical site in Atanta. A really old giant picture of the Battle of Atlanta. Not worth visiting unless you are a major history nerd, but it could be worth a visit if you go to Kennesaw Mountain and want more civil war stuff. Also has a small museum of the civil war in Georgia.
Etowah Indian Mounds: No one ever goes here. It is further north than Kennesaw Mountain, maybe 25 miles north of the city (I've combined with a trip to Kennesaw Mountain--but obviously not when doing the whole loop). Some indian mounds from the Mississippian Culture that was destroyed ~1600. Not nearly as impressive as Cahokia, but interesting.
Okefenokee Swamp - This is a bit of a wildcard, it isn't really anywhere near the city. About 4-5 hours south of Atlanta. Bringing this up because you can rent small boats to self navigate through the swamp. There shores are teeming with alligators. There is an island in the swamp you can walk on that people tried to move to in the 19th century but left when they all started dying of malaria. You can see the remains there. I went through the swamp a long time ago--lots of fun. Bringing up because visiting an American city is sort of ho hum, but this is something you can't replicate in Europe.
Atlanta is the greatest city in the world. It should be a good time. :)
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 06, 2014, 08:02:42 AM
Is U of A in Birmingham?
If so, you should try to crash a frat party.
It is in Tuscaloosa.
UAB probably has frats too though.
I mention the Varsity because I can't think of anything else in Atlanta. Other than die slowly of boredom in the airport.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on May 06, 2014, 08:42:26 AM
UAB probably has frats too though.
The football team may be the group to party with if you are into really freaky stuff:
Quote
Brittany Benefield had just turned fifteen years old when she began attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in the Spring of 2000. 2 A gifted student who was recruited by UAB as a result of her academic success, 3 Benefield began her college career younger than most of her classmates, but with the same promise and outlook.
Tragically, Benefield's descent was a rapid one. By December of Benefield's first year at UAB, Benefield had been the alleged victim of numerous sexual assaults by at least twenty-six members of the UAB football team, who had dubbed Benefield their "play thing." 4 During her brief one-year stint at the University, UAB football players who resided in Benefield's dormitory had introduced the minor to drugs, alcohol, and sex.
https://litigation-essentials.lexisnexis.com/webcd/app?action=DocumentDisplay&crawlid=1&doctype=cite&docid=13+Fordham+Intell.+Prop.+Media+%26+Ent.+L.J.+617&srctype=smi&srcid=3B15&key=9bd7fb46919afafd1ad4e24009b8eaef
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 06, 2014, 08:48:14 AM
I mention the Varsity because I can't think of anything else in Atlanta. Other than die slowly of boredom in the airport.
Even at the airport they have some time killing exhibits between the early concourses.
It is good that I am hear to think of the things you are missing. :)
World of Coca-Cola is pretty good. At least it was 10 years ago.
I enjoyed the Infantry Museum at Ft. Benning. There is a small museum about the Tuskegee Airmen just across the border from Columbus in...Tuskegee.
There is a rocket park in Huntsville. That's where space camp is, but I haven't actually visited the NASA stuff there myself.
Apparently, Huntsville is the most highly educated city in America.
Quote from: The Brain on May 06, 2014, 10:04:40 AM
World of Coca-Cola is pretty good. At least it was 10 years ago.
It was completely redone a few years ago. I was trying to find the cost but couldn't, but I think it was in the 9 figures, and Georgia gave a shitload of tax breaks for it. Now it has a 4D "ride" and a nicer building. Less of a museum now.
The aquarium was built next door (I don't think that was there 10 years ago) and it is close to Centennial Olympic Park. The Ferris Wheel is also in walking distance (though a bit of a walk). The idea is that will be a tourist center. Each of the 3 charging attractions are a bit expensive so it can be a pricey day out if you want to hit all 3. I'd skip all of them, unless you are really into Coca-Cola.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on May 06, 2014, 11:43:16 AM
I enjoyed the Infantry Museum at Ft. Benning. There is a small museum about the Tuskegee Airmen just across the border from Columbus in...Tuskegee.
Andersonville is worth checking out, but that is not along the way. It is going south though.
Thanks for the tips. :)
Aquarium - I always get headaches in aquariums, so I'll pass
Coca-Cola Museum - might be worth it for the sheer cheesy 'Muricaness of the thing
Stone Mountain - looks interesting, but wouldn't take more than an hour or two to see, right?
CNN Center - not that interested
MLK Museum - hmm, I don't really have much of a clue about MLK, so this might be interesting
Rocket City in Huntsville looks interesting, but I've been to Kennedy Space Center before...
The Varsity - Looks tasty enough, why not
Ferris Wheel - you don't make it sound that fabulous...
Kennesaw Mountain - ACW is not that interesting for me, but the park/wildlife trek sounds interesting
Cyclorama - not a big history/ACW nerd
Etowah - that would perhaps interest me
Okefenokee Swamp - I've been in the Everglades and this actually sounds fun
Infantry Museum/Tuskegee Airmen - hmm, not that interested in military history
All of the sights only sound somewhat interesting to be honest... ;)
What if I have say 4 days (Thursday to Sunday):
Would it make sense to fly to Atlanta and go to the Great Smoky Mountains and do a two day trail there or two one day trails there?
Would it make sense to fly to Birmingham and go to New Orleans & maybe something else on the Gulf Coast?
Or I could fly to Atlanta, so I arrive on Thursday, get my bags and check into a private flight to somewhere else nearby and come back on Sunday... hmm ...
Quote from: Zanza on May 06, 2014, 01:55:51 PM
Aquarium - I always get headaches in aquariums, so I'll pass
So do many fish. :(
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on May 06, 2014, 08:42:26 AM
UAB probably has frats too though.
There were some decent bars & restaurants near UAB when I was there like 7 years ago :mellow:
I am like ten years older than your average frat party goer, so I don't think I would still fit in. :(
The places I went were not a frat party-type scene. There were plenty of people in there in their 30s. Can't remember any names of the places, though :P
Quote from: Zanza on May 06, 2014, 01:55:51 PM
What if I have say 4 days (Thursday to Sunday):
Would it make sense to fly to Atlanta and go to the Great Smoky Mountains and do a two day trail there or two one day trails there?
Would it make sense to fly to Birmingham and go to New Orleans & maybe something else on the Gulf Coast?
Or I could fly to Atlanta, so I arrive on Thursday, get my bags and check into a private flight to somewhere else nearby and come back on Sunday... hmm ...
I think it would make a lot of sense to go to the moutains for a couple of days. Just keep in mind these mountains aren't the alps.
It would also make sense to catch a flight somewhere else--Atlanta has the busiest airport in the world, so you can find many flights to all parts of the US. :)
If you want to go somewhere else, Charleston > New Orleans. The drive from Birmingham to New Orleans is probably comparable to the drive from Atlanta to Charleston.
Quote from: alfred russel on May 06, 2014, 02:31:53 PM
If you want to go somewhere else, Charleston > New Orleans. The drive from Birmingham to New Orleans is probably comparable to the drive from Atlanta to Charleston.
About 4.5 hours Charleston -> Atlanta and 5 hours Birmingham -> New Orleans.
Also, the drive from Birmingham to New Orleans is through some of the most deserted, miserable country it will ever be your displeasure to see (although you can wave at Scipio's house - during business hours - as you drive by).
Charleston probably does have better historical tourist destinations, particularly naval, but New Orleans is a lot of fun.
Quote from: ulmont on May 06, 2014, 02:48:13 PM
Also, the drive from Birmingham to New Orleans is through some of the most deserted, miserable country it will ever be your displeasure to see (although you can wave at Scipio's house - during business hours - as you drive by).
:lol:
Quote from: Zanza on May 06, 2014, 02:09:33 PM
I am like ten years older than your average frat party goer, so I don't think I would still fit in. :(
Exactly. You walk up to the door, put on your thickest German accent and say you've seen documentaries about American frat life and wanted to investigate. It would be sort of like going to a black church. Your people eat that shit up.
If it's doable, definitely hit N'awlins instead of Atlanta.
Quote from: ulmont on May 06, 2014, 02:48:13 PM
Also, the drive from Birmingham to New Orleans is through some of the most deserted, miserable country it will ever be your displeasure to see (although you can wave at Scipio's house - during business hours - as you drive by).
On the other hand, I think the road to Charleston passes through Ide's neck of the woods, so you have to keep your head on a swivel for a reckless drunk driver that could be coming from any direction.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 06, 2014, 02:51:44 PM
If it's doable, definitely hit N'awlins instead of Atlanta.
Bleh. Half of New Orleans moved to Atlanta after the hurricane anyway.
New Orleans is a great place to visit once or twice. Not nearly as fun if you're alone, though.
Quote from: ulmont on May 06, 2014, 02:48:13 PM
Also, the drive from Birmingham to New Orleans is through some of the most deserted, miserable country it will ever be your displeasure to see
After southeastern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, Louisiana looks like heaven on earth.
Quote from: alfred russel on May 06, 2014, 02:57:09 PM
On the other hand, I think the road to Charleston passes through Ide's neck of the woods, so you have to keep your head on a swivel for a reckless drunk driver that could be coming from any direction.
Be sure to take him to Maurice's. It's a great place to take a vegetarian out to eat. :blush:
There are a couple of great breweries and brewpubs.
Meh, due to other private obligations I will now fly to Atlanta on Sunday and drive to Birmingham, work Monday to Friday and fly back on Saturday afternoon. I guess I'll not have time to see anything at all. So just about the only thing I will be able to do is having some Alabama BBQ. :( I may be able to come back later in the year though...
Oh man, I missed this thread. You'll be in Bham next week? We can go for some BBQ ribs. What hours will you be working?
Dorsey's list on the first page is great. I'll just say avoid the State Department building and MLK and Forsyth in general. It's like Mad Max.
Quote from: Zanza on May 06, 2014, 01:55:51 PM
Thanks for the tips. :)
Aquarium - I always get headaches in aquariums, so I'll pass
Actually, if you're going to skip the aquarium, I'd say not bother going to ATL period. There are trees and swamps and restaurants everywhere in this country.
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 28, 2014, 01:31:41 PM
Oh man, I missed this thread. You'll be in Bham next week? We can go for some BBQ ribs. What hours will you be working?
Just cuz he's a Kraut he doesn't get the Rican nipple show? :(
Quote from: Caliga on May 06, 2014, 06:48:06 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on May 06, 2014, 02:57:09 PM
On the other hand, I think the road to Charleston passes through Ide's neck of the woods, so you have to keep your head on a swivel for a reckless drunk driver that could be coming from any direction.
Be sure to take him to Maurice's. It's a great place to take a vegetarian out to eat. :blush:
:lol: Dude, I wasn't offended by that. You wanted to go to Maurice's, you were our guest. Worst case, I had a less than satisfying meal of banana pudding and french fries, and got to meet a cool guy and cool gal. It was a good time. :hug:
I did find it funny that you asked about the racism but forgot the dietary stuff though. :P Tangentially, the racism doesn't bother me. I mean, I put money into the stream of commerce, I know it's going to end up with someone I hate: racists, rich people, the Chinese...
:hmm:
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 28, 2014, 01:31:41 PM
Oh man, I missed this thread. You'll be in Bham next week? We can go for some BBQ ribs. What hours will you be working?
I'll be there the last week of June. I'll probably work about 8am - 5.30pm, roughly 35 minutes outside Birmingham. I'll stay in Hoover. I'd gladly go for a bbq.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 28, 2014, 01:35:56 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 28, 2014, 01:31:41 PM
Oh man, I missed this thread. You'll be in Bham next week? We can go for some BBQ ribs. What hours will you be working?
Just cuz he's a Kraut he doesn't get the Rican nipple show? :(
You never know.
What is this nipple show you speak of? :hmm:
Quote from: derspiess on May 28, 2014, 01:42:34 PM
What is this nipple show you speak of? :hmm:
A Rican takes off his shirt, you look at his nipples, profit.
Quote from: Zanza on May 28, 2014, 01:40:23 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 28, 2014, 01:31:41 PM
Oh man, I missed this thread. You'll be in Bham next week? We can go for some BBQ ribs. What hours will you be working?
I'll be there the last week of June. I'll probably work about 8am - 5.30pm, roughly 35 minutes outside Birmingham. I'll stay in Hoover. I'd gladly go for a bbq.
I live in Pelham and work in Bham, so I live south of Hoover and work north of it. I know the area well. Jim n Nicks BBQ is right there in Hoover. Dreamland BBQ in Bham, Full moon BBQ, the list goes on and on. LOL
Quote from: derspiess on May 28, 2014, 01:42:34 PM
What is this nipple show you speak of? :hmm:
It was a recent joke I made in the back room, not that Yi would break the Back Room rules by posting about it here. :hmm:
Tu mientras. It was in my road trip thread, in the front room.
Ethnic fight!
Is the Riverchase Galleria any good? I want to go shopping a bit to benefit from your ridiculously low prices.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 28, 2014, 01:51:22 PM
Tu mientras. It was in my road trip thread, in the front room.
You sure? :unsure:
Quote from: Zanza on May 28, 2014, 01:55:36 PM
Is the Riverchase Galleria any good? I want to go shopping a bit to benefit from your ridiculously low prices.
Good as long as I can keep The Wife away from it. :glare:
Quote from: Ideologue on May 28, 2014, 01:39:57 PM
I did find it funny that you asked about the racism but forgot the dietary stuff though. :P Tangentially, the racism doesn't bother me. I mean, I put money into the stream of commerce, I know it's going to end up with someone I hate: racists, rich people, the Chinese...
:hmm:
Oddly enough the racism made the BBQ taste awesome. :cool:
I had some great BBQ down in Georgia last weekend, btw. They served it with corn pudding that reminded me of the stuff they used to have at Chi-Chis. RIP Chi-Chis. :(
Quote from: derspiess on May 06, 2014, 03:00:48 PM
New Orleans is a great place to visit once or twice. Not nearly as fun if you're alone, though.
Yeah, incredibly overrated. Can see everything worth seeing in two days max. Eating everything worth eating may take a little longer, though.
If weather is nice and you want to hike some trails, or go fishing on a small lake for a couple of hours before the sun goes down an evening after work: http://www.alapark.com/oakmountain/
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 28, 2014, 11:44:23 PM
Eating everything worth eating may take a little longer, though.
That's a good point. Even avoiding the touristy spots, there are a ton of good restaurants there.
There is some german dude at my house. :unsure:
Lusti has been annexed!
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flaofutze.files.wordpress.com%2F2012%2F04%2Fgermans.jpg%3Fw%3D430%26amp%3Bh%3D317&hash=8f1fbbc04a93d2a5db173a4482e094d47035dfbf)
Quote from: lustindarkness on June 24, 2014, 07:56:02 PM
There is some german dude at my house. :unsure:
Probably just a Mennonite.
The List was too long to list here.
Had a really nice evening with CapturedFairy and lustindarkness. Thanks for having me. I hope we can repeat that. :) I guess I've now met all Puerto Ricans on Languish, but none of the Germans.
:lol: You are always welcome.
Quote from: Zanza on June 24, 2014, 10:31:54 PM
Had a really nice evening with CapturedFairy and lustindarkness. Thanks for having me. I hope we can repeat that. :) I guess I've now met all Puerto Ricans on Languish, but none of the Germans.
That's because so many of us are on this board. It's hard to keep track. :P
It was a pleasure meeting you ;)
Quote from: capturedfairy on June 25, 2014, 10:33:58 AM
It was a pleasure meeting you ;)
Same here, pleased to meet you.
No posting at work? OH NO LANGUISH IS DYING
I might come over again in October, specifically around the weekend that has the Talladega NASCAR race. If so, I'll go there. That seems like a very 'murrican cultural experience to participate in. :alberta:
Quote from: Zanza on July 29, 2014, 10:18:32 AM
I might come over again in October, specifically around the weekend that has the Talladega NASCAR race. If so, I'll go there. That seems like a very 'murrican cultural experience to participate in. :alberta:
NASCAR. :cool: :ccr
It's too bad Dick Trickle is no longer with us. His name was fun to snicker at. RIP Dick :(
I drive like Dale Jr. on the interstates around here.
Quote from: Caliga on July 29, 2014, 11:59:45 AM
I drive like Dale Jr. on the interstates around here.
You only make left turns? :unsure:
Quote from: Barrister on July 29, 2014, 12:12:57 PM
Quote from: Caliga on July 29, 2014, 11:59:45 AM
I drive like Dale Jr. on the interstates around here.
You only make left turns? :unsure:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG2OcW_Hwkg