Vacation ideas while attending TOD 2010?

[Mazzzja]

Any ideas of what interesting is out there to see/visit?

I'm planning to fly to Atlanta, GA and drive up to The Smokeys, or if everything turns out and I can still drive one of D2Beetle's NB's, then I will drive to Nashville. So anything in between that area or around Atlanta.

What I'm looking for is:

• Touristic stuff
• Outlet malls (hey I'm a chick!)
• things to do & things to see
• anything else

I have 3 weeks off from work, but I can't afford to spend all 3 of them in the US (m/hotelnights and carrental).

I appreciate your input and ideas!

[raff]

Not knowing if your taste runs toward historic places, scenic places, mountains or the seashore, theme parks(gasp), etc. I would suggest requesting a vacation guide from several states -- if you see something that piques your interest - ask on the forum.

There are several links below that should get you info.

Southern Living site lets you select various states and attractions within each state.

The North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee sites all offer vacation guide books that are very informative.

SouthernLivingVacations.com

The Official Travel & Tourism Website for North Carolina

Official South Carolina Vacation Guide

Tennessee Vacation - The State's Official Travel Planning Website

Watch your mailbox and lets us know if you have any questions.

[Mazzzja]

Thank you Raff
All the links I've put in my favourites to check them out later.

I'm into historic places, scenic places, some nature.
A theme park is fun, but with other people, not by myself

[raff]

A must-see would be the Biltmore House in Ashville, NC. It's not to far from TOD - you can easily spend an entire day exploring the house and grounds.

[nguoidmai]

would suggest requesting a vacation guide from several states -- if you see something that piques your interest - ask on the forum.

[Mazzzja]

Originally Posted by nguoidmai

would suggest requesting a vacation guide from several states -- if you see something that piques your interest - ask on the forum.

Thanks. I wonder if the companies send overseas

[raff]

I just checked the links in my original post -- good news/bad news. It looks like SC, NC and Tenn are all available on line. And SC and Tenn are also available by mail.

Do you have a travel club in the Netherlands similar to the AAA (American Automobile Assoc.) that we have in this country -they're usually a good source of info.

[mrchaotica]

Here's some stuff to do in the Atlanta area, from a native Atlantan .

Note: Everything on this list except the outlet mall is accessible via MARTA (public transit), but I don't necessarily recommend it except for the items marked with the "(M)" symbol.

Touristy stuff:

• GA Aquarium (M)
• Coca-Cola Museum (M)
• Cyclorama (and either the adjacent Atlanta Zoo or Grant Park, depending on interest & budget)
• see a show at the Fox Theatre
• Stone Mountain (catch the laser show, but skip "Crossroads" -- it's touristy in a bad way)

Food/nightlife/shopping:

• The Varsity (the "world's largest drive-in")
• either the Silver Skillet in midtown Atlanta or Matthew's Cafeteria in Tucker, GA (for good yet inexpensive Southern food)
• Underground Atlanta (M)
• Atlantic Station (M, but only if you're there for more than 4 hours 'cause otherwise parking is cheaper)
• Lenox Mall/Phipps Plaza
• North Georgia Premium Outlets (outlet mall on the way from Atlanta to Bryson City)

There's plenty of other stuff too, but all of the things I'd consider to be "must do" items are on this list.

[MichelleRoze]

Originally Posted by raff

A must-see would be the Biltmore House in Ashville, NC. It's not to far from TOD - you can easily spend an entire day exploring the house and grounds.

Oh, my mom went there. She says it's FANTASTIC! Maybe I'll stay a little extra and visit that as well. I mean, I am right in the area....

When you get to Atlanta, let us know. Would love to hang out. Maybe make a mini GTG with people in the ATL area. Oh...a line of NB at the airport to pick you up....lol I know I'm crazy.

If your up for traveling and shopping, there is always Discover Mills in Duluth, GA and Mall of GA in Buford. Decent malls, lots of food and other shopping around those areas too.

When do you plan on arriving? Couple days before ToD? How soon can you get one of D2Beetles bugs? Do you need a ride up there? I'll help in anyway I can.

Plus, if you're in the area, you can always drive up with the ATL Caravan to ToD.

[Mazzzja]

Thank you for the Atlanta ideas
I'm not sure yet if I will be going to downtown. The Coca Cola museum is a fun place to go to, I've been there years ago. It was that time when there was a riot in the Underground Mall. Yeah, we were there and got out of the city in time.

For now it's still too early to plan my day of arrival. I will be travelling on standby basis and probably know a bit more 2 weeks prior to departure, but still that's not definite. It will be definite when the door of the plane is closed, the bridge is taken off and I'm in a seat

It's still up to D2Beetle if he has a car available and still wants to let me drive one (that would be totally cool btw ). Otherwise I will rent a car and go my own way and ask peeps if I can be a co-driver during the cruise.

I'm open to suggestions of course and would love to hang out before or after the cruise(weekend).