[Otter74]

I grew up in Atlanta and went to Tech. I've been gone for a long time, but I go back every year for Christmas to see family and sometimes on another visit (I'll be there later this month). My partner joined me for Christmas last year - she had never been to Georgia before.

Will second seeing the Cyclorama as something pretty cool that you can't see anywhere else. There is, IIRC, one other cyclorama remaining, I think in Pennsylvania. It was a huge thing in America in the late 19th century. It was recently restored and moved to the Atlanta History Center on West Paces Ferry Rd. in Buckhead.

Also second Stone Mountain as something unique. You can hike to the top, and it's all a big park.

No idea what the OP is and isn't into, but if he loves to cook the Your Dekalb Farmer's Market (yes that's the name) and the Buford Highway Farmer's Market are two of the best international markets I've been to anywhere. They're both huge indoor markets (not really farmer's markets) with items that are difficult to impossible to find in most places. For instance the Buford Highway market is the only place in the US I've ever seen nispero, a fruit that I like very much from my earlier childhood in Venezuela and Colombia.

For places to eat that are institutions - see above re: The Varsity, across the connector from Tech; I'm partial to Fat Matt's Rib Shack (on Piedmont, north of the park) for barbeque; I also like The Flying Biscuit, which started in Five Points or Little (can't remember which) but has become a small local chain, for southern food; and Mellow Mushroom, my favorite pizza place; There's also a great little sandwiches-and-cakes place in Decatur called Southern Sweets Bakery. There is a really nice Tuscan place called Antica Posta that I ate at years ago that I believe is still there. Finally, as ever there is Mary Mac's Tea Room for OG southern food.

There's plenty of great outdoor space, from Piedmont Park to the National Recreation Areas along the Chattahoochee to the Belt Line.

Also the Clermont Lounge is...quite an experience.

An eccentric place to go out for a drink is Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium.