About Town: Atlanta

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After the excitement of THE PLAYERS Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., the PGA TOUR heads north of the Sunshine State to Duluth, Ga., for the AT&T Classic. Won last year by the 2007 Masters Championship, Zach Johnson, the AT&T Classic takes place at the TPC Sugarloaf. Because of Duluth's proximity to the state capital of Atlanta, you won't have to worry this week about where to sleep, eat and hit the streets.

Badz/PGA TOUR

A scenic view of the 11th green at TPC Sugarloaf, host of the AT&T Classic.

HOT HOTELS

Ritz-Carlton Buckhead
Hyatt Place Johns Creek
Hampton Inn and Suites

HUNGRY?

The Varsity
Spondivits
Hemingway's

SOMEWHERE TO SNOOZE

Spoil yourself: It's always tempting when you stay in the area of a big city to go that extra mile and book a few nights in a top-class hotel, so why not in Atlanta? The five-star Ritz-Carlton Buckhead is only about a 35-minute drive from TPC Sugarloaf. It's also close to the boutique shopping and local restaurants in the Buckhead area and has a panoramic view of the Atlanta skyline. Rates start at $219 a night.
Other options:
• Hyatt Place Johns Creek: This three-star hotel is 20 minutes from the course, has spacious rooms with big TVs and even bigger beds and starts as low as $90 a night.
• Hampton Inn and Suites Duluth: Just a 15-minute drive from the tournament, this two-and-half-star hotel is pet friendly and starts as low as $79 a night.

SOMETHING TO SNACK ON

Of course a city as big as Atlanta has no end of choices when it comes to filling a belly hungry from a day at the golf course. Don't grapple with the yellow pages or stop at the first place you see -- then later regret it. Here are some tried and true places to eat in Atlanta:
• The Varsity Grill: One of the city's more famous restaurants, the Varsity Grill has been feeding people since 1928, so they kind of know what they're doing. A popular spot for tourists, celebrities, politicians and locals alike, there's probably no better place to catch a burger and a game in the ATL than right here.
• Spondivits: Located close to the airport (handy on your way in or out of town this week), this seafood and steak joint should send you home feeling happy. Always fresh, the seafood is flown in daily, and there's plenty of it to go round.
• Hemingway's Tropical Bar and Grill: If you're looking for somewhere chill where you can sit back in your booth with a beer and maybe even a cigar and enjoy some excellent bar food (yes, I said "excellent" and "bar food" in the same breath), then this is your place. Also, it's located in Marietta Square, which is a pretty fun place to hang out in the evenings.
• Orient Express Sushi Bar: Located close to the Vinings region of Atlanta, this sushi bar is located inside an old train car -- hence the name Orient Express. And, as you might expect from a restaurant built inside a train, it's pretty fancy sushi.

Zarrilli/Getty Images

Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves.

GET BUSY

Braves vs. A's
Eagles concert
Lenox Square
Margaret Mitchell House

SOMETHING TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT

If you visited the Atlanta area for THE TOUR Championship last year -- or are just familiar with the area anyway -- you know boredom isn't really an option unless you want it to be. One of the South's biggest cities, Atlanta has all the standard history, entertainment, sports and shopping you would expect from a major metropolitan area. Here are some suggestions to keep you busy off the course:
• Atlanta Braves vs. Oakland A's: Yes, I am aware that baseball has been a popular activity in recent About Town articles, but what can I say? I'm a fan. Not a Braves fan per se, but hey, they're an American institution. Plus, Turner Field is more like an amusement park than a baseball stadium. This week, the Braves take on the A's in the first inter-league session of the season. Don't miss it.
• Eagles concert: One of America's most beloved bands will play Friday night at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Encore Park. Sure, it's an expensive ticket, but it's the Eagles. Who wouldn't want to see these guys perform live? Get yourself a ticket and take it easy...
• Lenox Square: Break out the wallet this week and go shopping for some new clothes. Summer is almost here -- what more excuse do you need to add a few new items to your wardrobe? Lenox Square is in the tony Buckhead area of Atlanta, so you know you'll find some good shops here.
• Margaret Mitchell House and Museum: Home of "Gone with the wind," the Margaret Mitchell House is where the famous author first created Scarlett O'Hara. If you're a fan of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Academy Award-winning movie and Broadway show, this is a must-see piece of Atlanta's literary history.

STICKING AROUND?

Between the city of Atlanta and the AT&T Classic, you'll be pretty busy this week. But, if you planned some extra time in the area, check out these drivable pit stops:
• Amicalola Falls State Park: The weather is really warming up down South, and late spring is the perfect time to enjoy those outdoor activities before it hits 100 degrees outside. The word "amicalola" is a Cherokee Indian word that means "tumbling waters" -- obviously fitting for the name of a park that houses a 729-foot waterfall.
• Helen, Ga.: Just over an hour outside of Duluth is the mountain town of Helen, a quaint Southern village with a Bavarian feel. With a Blue Ridge Mountain backdrop and everything from river tubing to hot air balloon races, Helen could be the cutesy weekend getaway you've never even thought about.