When prompted about what I miss about my hometown, my automatic answer is generally “nothing.” It’s not that Atlanta is a bad place (at least, not always)—it’s just that I love Starkville with my whole heart, and there’s not a lot of room left for hot, traffic-y Atlanta. When I’m at my most homesick, though, typically around exam time, there are a few things I just can’t seem to get out of my mind. Here’s a couple in case you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods.
A small disclaimer first—though I was born in Atlanta, I was raised (and still live) in Dunwoody, a small city about 20 minutes outside of Atlanta. Dunwoody is great, too—there’s just not much there to brag about, and it’s one of those towns that nobody can really say much about except that it’s close to Downtown Atlanta—so I just tell people I’m from Atlanta and leave it at that.
1. Stone Mountain Park
Look, if you ask almost anyone in the Atlanta area if they’ve been to Stone Mountain Park, the answer is usually yes, and there’s a reason why. Not only is it a sort of “rite of passage” for every young Atlantan (I have vivid memories of trekking up the walking path, thinking it was miles long when really it was about 3/4 of a mile), but it’s a really pretty place to be. Stone Mountain isn’t even a mountain, really, it’s a huge granite outcrop that’s been the site of a lot of historical moments, some of which were not so savory—you might’ve heard about the cross burnings that used to take place there, or the racially-charged history behind the mountain’s carving. Atlanta is full of historical landmarks, though, and this is one of the coolest.
2. The Vortex
I’m usually pretty intimidated by any place that requires ID to get in, and this place comes with a huge skull building facade and a burly, no-nonsense bouncer to boot. Located in Little Five Points, the so-called “alternative” part of town, the Vortex draws a crowd unique to Atlanta. But take it from me, the Vortex has the best, most extreme burgers in all of Atlanta—you know it’s serious when there’s a burger on the menu (aptly named) the Quadruple Coronary Bypass Burger. The whole menu is sarcastic, profane, and reasonably priced, and the cocktails are good too.
3. The Chattahoochee River
Yeah, I know, we have a river here, too. But the Chattahoochee is nothing like the muddy Mississippi—the water is generally clear, there are always kayakers, and it isn’t so polluted that you don’t encounter wildlife. I love the Chattahoochee for birdwatching, blackberry picking, and a very cold dip in the water.
4. Lake Lanier
So, Lake Lanier is about an hour from Atlanta, but it’s a pilgrimage made by most Atlantans at one point or another. I’m lucky enough to be a part of a family that boats, fishes, tubes, and skis, so I grew up on the lake. Though on weekends it can get a little crowded, it’s still an excellent place to get flung off an inner tube at full speed, or to totally wipe out wake boarding.
5. Sprout’s Farmer’s Market
I know Sprouts isn’t exclusive to Atlanta—I’m pretty sure I remember seeing one passing through Alabama on the way to Starkville. But a farmer’s market is one thing (among a few others) that Starkville really lacks. There’s something about walking in to Sprouts that’s reassuring, and I’m not sure if it’s the reasonably-priced organic foods, or the huge variety of nuts and granola, or the fact that their avocados are generally larger than competitors. All I know is that I miss Sprouts, and I’ll probably start a petition to get one here. Just saying.
6. Oakland Cemetery
Call me morbid, but I love this cemetery. It’s so rich in history—70,000 people are buried there, including famous names like Margaret Mitchell, author of "Gone With The Wind," or Maynard H. Jackson, Atlanta’s first black mayor. A day trip wouldn’t be sufficient to see every nook and cranny this place has to offer, and it even helped me get an A+ on an anthropology project. I’m a history buff, and cemeteries are so full of a city’s history, and this one shouldn’t be missed.
7. Zen Tea
Zen Tea is hidden in the Old Antique Row in Chamblee, about 15 minutes from downtown. Suffice to say, though, that they have the best selection of tea, the best pimento cheese, and the very best scones I’ve ever had. The management is incredibly friendly and there’s always relaxing music playing. I’ve been here more that a few times when I didn’t feel like binge-watching "OITNB" at home.