Convention Main Page

Leah Farrell-Carnahan, Local Arrangements Chair

ABCT's 2019 Local Arrangements Committee is very excited to welcome you to Atlanta for the 53rd Annual Convention in November. Atlanta is a city of neighborhoods, each with unique character and offerings. It is both cosmopolitan and casual, new and old south. From downtown Atlanta, to the forested neighborhoods, Atlanta has something for everyone. Atlanta is now a progressive city within a largely conservative state. We are particularly proud to share information on the sights focused on civil rights history, especially in light of the recent abortion laws passed in Georgia.

We expect that you will be busy with the convention but be sure to make some time to enjoy our city and venture away from the hotel to explore. Below, we have provided information on activities by neighborhood, including sightseeing, shopping, running/jogging/walking, dining out, and more.

Also, there are so many things that Atlanta has to offer, that we also recommend reviewing https://creativeloafing.com close to the convention for up-to-date activity ideas, restaurants, festivals, breweries, music, and more. If you are bringing the kiddos, check out https://www.atlantaparent.com/ for the best scoop on what to do and when with the kids.

Speaking of kids, we are trying something new this year… We are offering childcare on-site during the following hours:

Parents who require child-care during the convention may make arrangements with Kiddie Corp. Please go to the ABCT registration counter to sign up.

The age range offered is between 6 months and 12 years old. There is a 2-hour minimum. The hourly rate for the first child is $12, $8 for the second child, and $5 for the third child. The fee can be paid by credit card or check in advance. Cash can be accepted on-site provided that there is still space available.

Hotel and Immediate Surroundings

The convention is being held at Atlanta Marriott Marquis & Hyatt Regency Atlanta in an area known as Peachtree Center downtown. The hotels are adjacent to each other and connected via a pedestrian bridge.

Atlanta Marriott Marquis

265 Peachtree Center Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303

404-521-0000

Hyatt Regency Atlanta

265 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30303

404-577-1234

Restaurants

Atlanta is now known as a foodie city. We recommend checking these listings for restaurant choices:

• https://www.atlantamagazine.com/50bestrestaurants
• https://www.timeout.com/atlanta/restaurants/best-restaurants-in-atlanta
• https://atlanta.eater.com

Also, there are two fun places to explore that are a quick Uber/Lyft away from the hotels: the Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market (both on the Beltline Trail). They are essentially large food halls where you can choose to either sit at a restaurant or take food to go and dine in common areas. Local tip: Ponce City Market can be extremely crowded on Saturday evenings.

Things to Do

The hotels are within walking distance to many of Atlanta's most popular attractions such as:

• Centennial Olympic Park (site of the 1996 summer games)
• Skyview Atlanta
• The Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca-Cola
• Center for Civil and Human Rights
• College Football Hall of Fame

Also, you can also easily jump in an Uber or Lyft or hop on MARTA (directly linked to the hotel) and enjoy fun excursions in nearby neighborhoods including:

• Old 4th Ward
  • Experience the restaurants and shops of the Ponce City Market, previously the Sears building and walk/jog/run/e-scoot along the eastside Beltline Trail.
  • Atlanta was and is an important place in the Civil Rights Movement. The Martin Luther King National Park is here. You can see Ebenezer Baptist Church (the public is welcome to services on Sundays at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.), MLK's childhood home, and learn more about his life and the history of racial oppression and protest in the museum. Check out the Carter Museum and Presidential Library by walking about 1 mile on the pedestrian Freedom Trail to its location in Inman Park.
• Inman Park
  • Stroll along tree-lined streets of the historic district to see bungalows and Victorian mansions, dine in modern Inman Quarter or the Krog Street Market food hall and jog/run/walk/e-scoot along the eastside Beltline Trail.
  • Tour the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. There is a replica of the Oval Office there.
• Midtown
  • Take in all forms of visual art at the High Museum.
  • Bring your sneakers and take a jog or walk through the trails in Piedmont Park.
  • Experience the natural beauty of the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
• Grant Park
  • There is a large Farmer's Market there on Sundays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and also Zoo Atlanta.
• Little Five Points (not to be confused with Five Points)
  • This is an iconic counter-culture spot in Atlanta known to attract a diverse crowd with thrift stores, records stores, crystals, and dive bars-think a smaller and Southern version of Haight-Ashbury.
• Virginia Highlands
  • Explore a collection of restaurants and shops tucked around the treed intersection of Virginia and Highland Avenues.
• Buckhead
  • Buckhead offers lots of shopping at the Lenox Square Mall, Shops at Phipps Plaza, and The Shops at Buckhead.
  • There is also a beautiful city park called Chastain Park where runners and walkers might find a bit of nature.

For Runners, Joggers, and Walkers

Atlanta has a lot of terrain to offer and you can run around the hotels, but ask the front desk or concierge for the best routes nearby. For your own safety, stick to heavily populated areas during daylight hours. If you want to venture away from downtown, we would also suggest exploring the Eastside Beltline Trail (https://beltline.org) and The Freedom Park Trail in and around Inman Park and Candler Park. You could either take the MARTA from the Peachtree Center Station to the Inman Park station (confirm with the MARTA website or hotel concierge before going: https://www.itsmarta.com) or hop in a rideshare to the trail. You could also head to Piedmont Park in midtown. Again, for all running/jogging/walking in Atlanta, stay aware and keep it to daytime hours in areas where there are lots of other people around.

Getting to and From the Hotels From the Hartsfield International Airport (ATL)

The Hartsfield International airport is approximately 11 miles, or 10 minutes by car, from the downtown area and convention hotels. There is no hotel shuttle and we recommend using taxi or rideshare to get to and from the hotels. Please understand Atlanta experiences large fluctuations in traffic congestion with commutes during morning and evening rush hours doubling or tripling usual travel time. Plan accordingly. You may wish to estimate your travel time to and from the airport via the WAZE app's "plan a trip" feature.

Taxi: Taxis are available outside baggage claim in the taxi line. Taxis cost approximately $32 from the airport to the hotel.

Rideshare Service: It is also possible to request a ridesharing service (Uber/Lyft, etc.) at the airport-just follow the signs from baggage claim to the pickup locations.

Getting Around Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta and many of the in-town neighborhoods are very walkable; however, getting between neighborhoods may be easier using rideshares like Uber/Lyft or public transportation called MARTA. MARTA offers subway and bus service in the city (https://www.itsmarta.com). Be sure to check the schedules as you plan a MARTA ride. The MARTA subway stop near the hotels is called the Peachtree Center station. There are also many e-scooters and bicycles available for rent throughout the city. These are typically scattered around on sidewalks and you can rent them on the spot through a simple app.

Weather

In November, the average high is around 64 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and the low drops to 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to layer and bring a light jacket and walking shoes.

We Are Excited to See You in November!

If you have any questions about Atlanta, please feel free to email us and we will be glad to assist you (Leah Farrell-Carnahan: atlantacbt@gmail.com). Keep checking the ABCT website and list serve for information on Dine with an Atlantan (dinners have been arranged for Friday and Saturday nights). We will have a Local Arrangements table at the convention near the ABCT registration counters, so stop by and let us assist you with where to go and what to do.

Local Arrangements Table

If you need any kind of assistance during the convention, please stop by the Local Arrangements table. We will be able to provide helpful tips on getting around the city, things to do, places to eat, and more. We will also have maps, sign-up sheets for opportunities to Dine with an Atlantan, and information about additional activities throughout the convention.

We will update you all on some exciting activities to enjoy at the convention, including the Fun Run with more details on the ABCT Convention page. We also hope that you will join us for the Saturday Night Dance Party.