Mercedes-Benz Stadium TOUR

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tour will induce a sense of awe and wonder that you never thought possible. Whether it's your first time walking into this majestic icon or if you've been to every game and concert since its first major event—a Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood concert on October 12, 2017—this behind-the-scenes tour will enhance every subsequent visit to this magnificent architectural marvel!

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tour | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

It was perhaps the coldest day of this winter, the wind unrelentingly biting our faces like starved piranha, but we were so excited about touring Mercedes-Benz Stadium that even a roweled up Mother Nature wasn't going to keep us away. 

My friend Lauralyn and I had been talking about going on the tour for weeks, so when our calendars presented a serendipitous opening, online we went and booked our tour! Lauralyn's husband, Leo, whom I'd not yet met and turns out to be great fun and an awesome storyteller, joined us. The three of us had a grand time!

This is an extremely brief recap of our tour. Even the distilled information on this tour floods your mind with the excitement of game days and concert nights, the marvel of building such a monumental structure, images of the lifestyles of the rich and famous, as well as the vast opportunities for everyone to enjoy a fascinating fan-based experience on every visit to the stadium! I already want to go on this tour again!

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tour | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Our visit was a mere few days following the Georgia-Alabama College Football Playoff National Championship game. Remnants of that day's excitement were everywhere...streamers floating over the field, confetti all over the artificial turf, and the teams' names in the process of being washed away in preparation for the next fan-loving event to take place. 

I've been on stadium tours before, but we were only ever allowed to stand on a corner of the field to make our photos, and I did so with gratitude. But, on this tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, we had FULL ACCESS to the ENTIRE FIELD! We covered it corner to corner, and one father had brought a football that he passed with his son...on the Atlanta Falcons field! How cool is that!

Even in an empty stadium, you can feel the excitement of game days and concert nights. 

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tour | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

When we arrived at the check-in point, having entered throught Gate 2, and had secured our color-coded wristbands, we were permitted to meander in the immediate vicinity, near Molly B's, checking out views of downtown Atlanta and looking over the game field.

I was struck by how small it seemed inside such a gargantuan structure. but as we toured the labyrinth's interior, took in the vistas from more than one luxury suite, and walked the field itself, we realized, with a sense of awe and wonderment, just how majestic Mercedes-Benz Stadium truly is!

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tour | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

There are photo-ops everywhere, and our group made quite a few snapshots on our tour, but other than being on the field itself, sitting in the Falcons Throne at the 100 Yard Club was the photo to make!

Prepare for sensory overload...on your hour-long tour, perhaps longer depending on your group, you're going to see and hear an exceptional amount of information about this stadium and the fan-based experience. Relax into it and enjoy, is my recommendation. 

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tour | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is home of the Atlanta Falcons AND the immediately, insanely popular Atlanta United FC. On our tour, we got to visit both team's locker rooms.Most of them tidy and packed away, our tour guides had displayed in a few the player's jerseys, shoulder pads, and helmets, adding to our excitement of walking in the steps of local legend sports celebrities.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tour | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I've been on stadium tours before, but seeing Mercedes-Benz Stadium built from the ground up, casting a shadow on everything around it, I was certain the tour would be fun, but I had no idea of the grandeur that awaited us.

One of the highlights—and every stop seemed an even greater highlight—was a visit to Arthur M. Blank's personal suite. He and his wife decorated it themselves. We were only permitted in the first level, but you see that car up on the second level? That's the first model of Mercedes-Benz ever built! 

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tour | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I remember when Georgia Dome was built. It was an exciting time. Not only was it huge, it featured the only roof of its kind at the time, as does Mercedes-Benz Stadium today with its retractable roof and "halo" digital display. 

Mercedes-Benz Stadium pays homage to its predecessor in a number of places, but I particularly loved this section of seats from Georgia Dome and the wall treatment behind it..."RISE UP!" is a call of pride chanted from both stadiums.

If you're new to Atlanta, here's a look at when I went on Georgia Dome's behind-the-scenes tour in 2010. I was the only person on that day's tour, whereas Mercedes-Benz Stadium tours can host as many as 50 guests!

Georgia Dome was imploded in November 2017, and all that remains of the Atlanta Falcon's pre-Dome home, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, is a wall in a parking lot near the former Turner Field.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tour | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

There is a large variety of Mercedes-Benz automobiles on display throughout the stadium, reportedly for sale the very day of your visit! 

A friend of mine, of more than 20 years, jokingly said that I should take his brand new Mercedes-Benz to get to the tour, that maybe I could park for free. Well, it turns out that there's something to that. I don't know the details, but if you own a Mercedes-Benz and drive it to game day, supposedly you get to park for free. Ask before you go, though.

Upon learning this, a sense of nostalgia ran over me while recalling how much I loved my smoked silver Mercedes-Benz C230. Although I affectionately called it my "baby Benz", it was the safest I'd ever felt driving a car.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tour | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

A massive display, bearing "LOCAL LEGENDS" in large varsity letters, features a helmet from every team in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA). At the base of the display are photographs and other artifacts chronicling the history of this organization. 

Immediately adjacent to the wall of helmets is a work of art created with colorful shoestrings donated by high school football players that spell out "ONE VOICE".

Throughout the stadium you'll see more than 180 fascinating works of art by renowned international and local artists, including a 70-foot tall stainless steel falcon grasping a bronze football—a memorable welcome to Mercedes-Benz Stadium!

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tour | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Following our tour, we enjoyed lunch at Molly B's, named for Arthur Blank's mother, which is open to the general public for lunch on non-game days. Lauralyn had the turkey wrap, Leo had the fried chicken, both reportedly excellent, and I had an amazing burger—absolutely delicious. What an amazing experience to dine while overlooking the field that is now a monumental symbol of pride for Atlantans and the site of regaled excitement for so many others.

Whether a football or soccer fan, a lover of music, an architecture enthusiast, or a wanderlusting tourist like me, I highly recommend the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tour!

Reflections on "The Flair"

I've given further thought on my favorite sculpture in Atlanta and have to say that it's actually The Flair.

The Flair, Richard MacDonald

I've loved this sculpture since the first time I saw it, which was when I moved back to Atlanta in 2010, even though it was gifted for the 1996 Olympics when I lived here before.

The Flair, Richard MacDonald

Not only is this sculpture stunningly beautiful, it's set on the Atlanta skyline just in front of Georgia Dome, home of the Atlanta Falcons.

The Flair, Richard MacDonald

Obviously, artist Richard MacDonald is accomplished. My friend Ashley was the one who rekindled my affection for The Flair. We'd attended an Expo at the Georgia World Congress Center together, thus the opportunity to revisit The Flair.

The Flair, Richard MacDonald

Having lived in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics, any monument to those Olympics is special to me. And as someone who wished he could move like this...well, what's not to love. 

The Flair, Richard MacDonald

Okay, okay..."back" to reality. 

I won't tell you how long I've had a gym membership and haven't gone. I'm relatively thin for my age, but I have to say that The Flair offers more than your standard inspiration to hit the gym, especially as we approach resolution season.

So....what are you planning to resolve for New Year's?

Football Season is Here! Go Falcons!

I can hardly believe football season is already here! As a tourist, if you find yourself needing or wanting a little push to get into the spirit, take a guided tour of Georgia Dome, home of the Atlanta Falcons...it's a totally awesome experience!

Georgia Dome
Home of the Atlanta Falcons

I wrote about the tour before...and am seriously considering going again. It really was that much fun. 

The crazy thing is that of all the professional sports I've seen live (baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, hockey, etc.), football is the one that I've never been to a live game of. I need to correct that and I think my hometown Falcons are the ones to help me out!

Enjoy the above pre-sized Facebook Cover Photo, head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page ("Like" it while you're there!), and then get back to the game!

ATLANTApix: Turner Field Tours

View of Downtown Atlanta from Turner Field

Granted, baseball season is still more than a couple months away, but with football season winding down and hockey season having only 11 weeks remaining, lots of Atlanta sports enthusiasts are looking forward to the Atlanta Braves' first pitch in April.

For those who just can't wait to be surrounded by all that is baseball, Turner Field offers year-round tours. I've taken that tour and it's fantastic! Visitors get to visit the media booth, the players' dugout, and get to stand on the playing field itself.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Football as Art

Football Sculpture in Georgia Dome

Art and decor are not lost on football enthusiasts, quite the opposite actually.

The prestigious Cherry Lion Studios created the football action sculpture in this photo, which is one of many pieces of art throughout Georgia Dome, home of the Atlanta Falcons. This particular piece adorns the walls of the Owner's Club on an upper level of the Dome, along with another piece titled "Falcon."

Cherry Lion has created art for numerous sites around Atlanta, including the "World Athletes Monument" at Pershing Point on Peachtree Street; "Hope" at the Carter Presidential Library; and the 65-foot salmon at Atlanta Fish Market on Pharr Road.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

Georgia Dome: Go Falcons!

Georgia Dome,
Me on Falcons Field

For fans of football and/or amazing feats of architecture, a tour of Georgia Dome may be the ticket you're looking for…and it's one of the best deals in town at only $6.

Home of the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta's NFL home team, Georgia Dome has been a landmark structure in the Atlanta skyline since 1992.

Be sure to arrive with fully-charged batteries and plenty of room on your camera's memory card…photos are indeed allowed! And to my surprise, my tour guide offered to take a few of me during the tour (I usually have to ask).

The Dome

Georgia Dome interior

Georgia Dome is the world's largest cable-supported domed stadium in the world.

Unmistakable in the Atlanta skyline, when it was first built its roof was compared to the back of a turtle, except that it's white with dark red lines marking the crest of its ridges.

Soaring 290 feet into the air, the roof is made of 130 Teflon-coated fiberglass panels. Only one of the panels had to be replaced following the 2008 Atlanta Tornado, which you'll recognize at the south end of the stadium by its slightly brighter appearance.

The Dome's interior is illuminated by natural light, filtering through the white panels of the roof during non-game and non-event times. Even on an overcast day like the one on which I toured the Dome, the lighting was quite good (I didn't even know the lights weren't on until told).

The Georgia Dome, Centennial Olympic Park, and the Georgia World Congress Center are all run by the Georgia World congress Center Authority and they're state-owned. The complex is one of the largest combination sports, entertainment and convention center facilities in the world.

The Tour

Georgia Dome

I'd actually planned to tour Georgia Dome some time ago, but a litany of circumstances precluded my having made it earlier—except for the one time I tried but was not able to get in because they were filming, thus they were not offering tours that day.

Lesson learned: call ahead of time, just to be on the safe side. But even if for some reason you can't get in (probably just luck of the draw for me that particular day), the Dome is near some of Atlanta's hottest tourist attractions, so there's lots to do nearby.

I found it coincidentally odd that on the day of my tour the condition outside totally reminded me of football weather—below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, a little ice here and there, and overcast…at least that's what I think of as football weather, and that's exactly what it was. I was feeling happy that Georgia Dome is an enclosed facility.

When I arrived at 11:50 a.m. for my tour (a great way to spend a lunch hour!), I'd just missed the previous tour group. The next tour was not until 1:00 p.m., so I walked over to Georgia Aquarium for a quick lunch and had time when I came back to make a few snapshots of the outside of the Dome.

Georgia Dome
High School Helmet Collection

Shortly after one o'clock, I was greeted by my tour guide, Monica. Obviously in her position based largely on her charm and professionalism (and visitor safety, as I would see later), Monica was a fantastic guide. The tour of the 71,250 seat stadium starts at the welcome desk near the Administrative Entrance.

Faster than a Matt Ryan pass, we were at the Observatory Deck, the highest point on the tour at more than 200 feet above the field, and the highest point in the Dome unless you're on staff and one of the engineers working on the roof or ceiling of the Dome.

A quick stop in the Press Box, at the 50 yard line, shows visitors from where the magazine and newspaper media report on game day.

Of course no sports venue tour would be complete without a visit to the suites (sell, sell, sell…and they're worth every penny, by the way). Celebrities, executives and their lucky guests get to enjoy one of the Dome's 164 Executive Suites that seat 16 to 24 fans.

Georgia Dome Owner's Club

And recently added are eight Super Suites that can accommodate up to 96 people. The really cool thing about the Super Suites is that individuals can buy into them. Beverages and food are included in the more than $3,000 season price for the suite, but you have to purchase your alcohol, but it's served by an in-suite bartender.

There are two Club Lounges, on the Club Level (clever, right?), that serve premium beverages, high-quality (sports arena) food, and sweeter desserts than you might find on another lower level.

The Lower Level seats, especially those nearest the 50 yard line, are some of the most coveted, even more than one of the leather chair seats in the suites. Georgia Dome hosts some incredible entertainers and specials events, so there's a lot of time you're on your feet applauding or cheering for your favorite performer or contestant anyway.

Georgia Dome Stadium

If I were asked to describe the Georgia Dome with one word—one that I would not have used prior to the tour—it would be "open." Even though an indoor venue, you get a strong sense of openness. Contributing to that feeling I'm sure are the opaque ceiling (a lot of natural light comes through the paneled ceiling) and the flatter inclination of the seating areas.

Also on the tour are the visitors and Falcons' locker rooms. Tours are not given on game day, so no worries that your visit to the locker room will turn into a celebrity-spotting opportunity.

The best stop on the tour is…the Field. Team logos are painted on the field, frequently, with washable paint. There was a team doing just that on the north end of the stadium while I was there. Monica took me to the south end of the field where I got to have a photo made fairly close to the goal post. We’ll call that a "touchdown!"

Georgia Dome

One of the things that Monica pointed out was that the Dome gave up using Astroturf and now uses FieldTurf, which is engineered to look, feel, and play like real grass. She said that there's a machine that "fluffs" the grass. That sounds to me like a great savings…not having to water a lawn the size of a football field.

Another couple of interesting tidbits about Georgia Dome are that it has three times the number of restrooms required by state code and there are more than 800 televisions in the Dome, including in the restrooms. You can go for a snack or to shop for a souvenir jersey and you don't have to miss any of the action. Not unless your face is buried the BBQ available on the Club Level. I'm told it's some of the best in town.

At the end of the tour, Monica treated me to a souvenir Falcons "Defend the Dome" sign. Now, the next time I'm watching a game with my buddies, I'll be properly prepared to root for the home team.

The Grounds

Georgia Dome
Gymnast Statue

Oftentimes, especially in a city with a warmer climate like Atlanta, the grounds (the exterior spaces) are just as interesting as the interior. The Georgia Dome grounds do not disappoint.

The courtyard immediately between Georgia Dome and the Georgia World Congress Center features a center that is landscaped to simulate a football field. Exactly the size of an official football field, and marked with yard line measures, the courtyard's grassy area is in the shape of a football.

The other surrounding areas include dramatic lighting pylons (visible from many vistas around the city), fountains, ponds, flowers, seating, and a massive statue of an Olympic gymnast (titled "The Flair") commemorating the Dome's involvement in the 1996 Olympic Summer Games.

The Return

Did Georgia Dome score high enough to entice me to return? When I have a friend who is a football fanatic, it's exactly the tour I'd be happy to treat them to. And I'm glad that I took the tour…now when I go to my first professional football game, I can pay attention to what's happening on the field instead of wondering about the script of the behind-the-scenes tour.

Touring Georgia Dome

Date toured: Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Location: One Georgia Dome Drive, at Northside Drive between Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (directions and map)
Parking: Free for tour patrons – Gold Lot
Cost: $6 Eveyone (group rates available)
Hours: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Website: http://www.gadome.com/about/Dome_Tour.aspx

Georgia Dome, view
from the 70th floor of
the Westin Peachtree Plaza