Underground, Atlanta

Located in the heart of the city, Underground Atlanta offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and activities.

While there visit the APEX (African American Panoramic Experience) Museum.

See the Good Old Days model train exhibit which has more than 200 reproductions of the city's most recognizable buildings.

A visit to the underground is a must in Atlanta as well. Usually live singing accompanies the throng of tourists that are always present at this destination.

A confectionery or a chocolate factory store, I forget which one, entertains the audience every evening with their rendition of "My Girl" edited to advertize their confectionery!!

It's very entertaining

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Unfortunately, I got to the Underground Atlanta a bit late and much of it was closed. There are nightclubs and bars, but I didn't visit them. Despite the appear of hip hop style African-American kids hanging around, I didn't feel too worried by their bluff. Police to frequent the area. This place is right at the Five Points MARTA Station.

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This is always on the list of tourist's Must-See's and many first time tourists ask What is it? and Why?
Answers: What is now the Underground was originaly street-level Atlanta with Train tracks and trolley cars. When the city modernized it was decided to build streets up on on a network of bridges and viaducts to get out of the way of the trains and trolleys. The elevated street provides the ceiling for the Underground and the whole 4 block area is now a climate-controlled street fair. There are many touristy shops, food outlets, and several late-night music/dance clubs. As many VTer tips indicate, late at night and on Summer weekends this place can get a heavy "Ghetto" vibe and makes some people uncomfortable. It is well patrolled and there are surveillance cameras, so it's not unusually dangerous- just use normal precautions and trust your instinct.

This is an underground shopping mall full of pushcart vendors, casual eateries and stores. At the time I was there, November 2003, there was an exhibition of life size cows painted by various artists, to be auctioned (see my Atlanta travelogue).

Nice assortment of shops and vendors. The Atlanta vistor's center is on the top level with helpful information about what to do while in Atlanta. There is a convienence store that sells Powerball tickets near the food court.

Underground Atlanta used to be a lot more lively, but is still a fun place to go for a drink,
or just to walk through if Downtown.
Located near Five Points Marta Station, there is food, drink, shopping and games all underground Downtown Atlanta.
Also walking tours of the area begin here.....

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Underground Atlanta is a touristy shopping mall, but what makes it special is its history. In the last century when the roads became to small for cars and trains, many bridges were built with trains going under the bridges and the cars on top. The trains are no longer running, but the "underground" has been revived by creating a rather unusual shopping mall.

It's not really that great for actually going shopping, though, unless you are looking for Atlanta souvenirs. There are also lots of shoe shops for some reason, and of course restaurants of every description catering for every taste.

Since Underground Atlanta is located conveniently across from World of Coca Cola, you might as well go see it if you are already there. Maybe it was the time of day we went, early afternoon, but it wasn't as busy or lively as other member's tips have described it. There were a few interesting shops and a couple of restaurants and a food court. If your itinerary is not packed with stuff, go in for a wonder!

Our taxi driver (great source of local information) advise us that Underground Atlanta maybe no longer once World of Coca Cola relocates next to the Georgia Aquarium as Underground Atlanta relied quite a bit on the tourists visiting the World of Coca Cola to wonder across. Well, I guess only time can tell what the future holds for Underground Atlanta.

I've never really been completely crazy about Underground, but it's actually a nice place to stop after hiking downtown Atlanta for miles. I don't buy anything from the vendors, so I can't say much about those, but if you like shopping, get over here. You'll find yourself entertained for a couple of hours just looking at all the crap--er, stuff.

The restaurants are just fine. Standard mall fare, mostly. After you eat, though, get yourself a candy apple or some Bavarian nuts from the stands. Well worth it.

Sometimes amateur acts will perform music outside, below the fountains. Always entertaining, whether or not they have a slice of talent.

All in all...eh. It's mostly a tourist place, but a good rest stop for the weary urban hiker.