A Perfect Day in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta's King-Keith House B&B

The wonderful thing about Bed and Breakfasts in  Atlanta, Georgia (8 miles to Marietta) is that the city is not only steeped in history (It's not every city that can boast being both where Martin Luther King was born and where Gone with the Wind was written!), but also filled with fascinating contemporary attractions (the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca Cola, and the CNN studio, to name just a few). If you love hitting all a city's most popular attractions, you may well consider buying the money-saving CityPass, which gets you into six main attractions for nearly half the price of regular-priced tickets. However, if you prefer to be a traveler in the know – and love a good insider's tip – innkeepers Windell and Janet Keith of the imposing King-Keith House B & B, who have lived here in the city since 1974, suggest the following perfect day in Atlanta for you.


Your day is going to be full, so after the early morning coffee service (delivered!), be sure to seat yourself in the elegant dining room for a full, hot breakfast. Since your day is going to be perfect, Windell is going to serve his favorite specialty: a strata, an Italian crustless quiche, with goat cheese and veggies. Before leaving the house, slip into the snack kitchen to grab a complimentary water and a few cookies – we warrant you'll need them before the day's through.

Start by driving directly to Windell's favorite Atlanta secret, the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead, the Mansion District.  Located on over thirty acres, this center is never crowded and includes such gems as the restored Swan House and a full 1840's farm with tour guides in period dress. And although the History Center is assessable by public transportation, he recommends a car to really appreciate the grandeur of the estates in this famous area. For lunch, pick one of the many delicious bistros on Paces Ferry Street.


Watch the time, though, because you'll want to be back at the inn by 2 pm. The King-Keith House is a historical landmark and the starting point for one of the Atlanta Preservation Center's eight walking tours of the city. (This particular tour is on Sundays only.) For dinner you can remain on foot and head over to one of the nation's top steakhouses (as rated by Rachel Ray), Kevin Rathbun's Steak. Or if you prefer not to eat so much meat, you can also choose Italian at Sotto Sotto just down the street. Both restaurants are well-loved in Atlanta.

Are you up for an evening of stimulating discussion?  The Margaret Mitchell House, has a popular evening program with writers. Famous and popular writers like Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes) and Candace Bushnell (Sex in the City) and even Ted Turner have graced the auditorium there. Or if mindless shopping in a trendy, hot area is more to your taste, walk over to the Virginia Highlands area. There are no chain stores here, and when you need to get off your feet, you'll find an excellent little jazz club to enjoy. Have a drink and toast yourself – you've just experienced a perfect day in Atlanta.

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