Our family loaded up in the two cars after Christmas and headed to Atlanta for some after Christmas relaxation in Atlanta.

We left on 12/27 and checked in at the Marriott Marquis downtown and what a good choice it was. They had a $99 rate for the holidays and we got two rooms, the guys in one and the girls in the other. Park and I were on the 46th floor, the girls 42nd with the concierge lounge which was a treat during our stay with free breakfast, snacks, soft dirnks, coffee and light apps and cookies at night. Great place just to site sround, read the paper, have a cup of joe and see the city skyline. The folks who run it were very nice, efficient and made this the place to be, although at times it was quite crowded.

Other hotel highlights were a snack bar/Starbucks on level 2, a decent workout club including steam and sauna as well as indoor pool and hot tub. Also a Champions Sports Bar for a light meal and some sports on the tube during bowl season. We had a blast despite the $22 per night parking for each of two cars, normal for any city.

Park and I had sports tickets having picked up tickets on Ebay to the Atlanta Hawks for 12/27, Atlanta Thrashers for 12/28 and the Miami/LSU Peach Bowl for 12/30. We let the girls go to the Hawks game and they had a grand time and left a bit early to meet us for a late Indian dinner at Haveli's our first night in town. Park and I walked there from the hotel and one interesting/disturbing thing in Atlanta is the "guides" who question you as to where you are going and then "lead" you there while making a play for some cash. As if I cannot get around on my own. They were nice enough and seemed to stake out a certain territory. Our "guide" Eddie was seen by us everyday as we walked around the hotel.

Haveli's was overwhelmed due to the holiday crowd they said and we were there over two hours BUT the servers did the best they could and even comped us a few things to make up for the long first evening dinner. The food was great once we got it and we were stuffed as we walked back to turn in. The tandoori chicken platter was more than enough for two along with rice and sharing apps. The kids loved their butter chicken as usual and the bread we got was outstanding. They were out of Naan but no matter.

Apparently the new Atlanta Aquarium is quite the sight as it was sold out for our entire stay. Park and I will go back during Braves season.

The girls and Park did a bunch of shopping while I was able to relax, workout, get some work done on the road and just chill for a while in the lounge reading the paper and planning the evening events.

Night two had Park and I hitting the NHL game at Phillps Arena vs, the Thrashers and Philly Flyers. We had breakfast with four of the Flyers that AM in the lounge but Park did not seem too impressed as he would have when a bit younger. GREAT game although Thrashers lost 13 seconds into overtime. Our seats were comfy in the arena and we never moved as we had visited one of our fave spots, Taco Mac in Virginia Highlands, for an early dinner of HOT wings and a brew for me. This is one of our "must go" places since they have well over 100 beers and TV to watch the local and national sports. The Highlands is also a great place to park the car and wander up and down into shops, pubs and great places to eat. You can spend at least a 1/2 day there.

I will be back with post two to complete our little getaway and give you some more info on eats and places to go.


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