Walker Stalker Con 2015

I attended Atlanta's Walker Stalker Con 2015 on Halloween Day! That was this city's third annual and their first time at Georgia World Congress Center. The only fandom convention I've ever attended is Dragon Con, so I had a few reference points of what to expect, but there were surprises around every corner!

Walker Stalker Con 2015 | Travis & Stan the Zombie

I ran into Stan the Zombie, again! I escaped again, too. Whew! My first chance encounter with Stan the Zombie was a few months ago during Zombie Night at Turner Field. That was a close call, too!

I saw a few people and cosplayers I recognized from Dragon Con, but Walker Stalker Con draws an almost wholly different fan base. That's a good thing...that meant a whole new experience! Another bonus, as a relatively new convention in Atlanta the lines were fast and access to the various adventures were quick—except maybe for some of the more popular celebrity autograph opportunities, but I got a few of those, too!

Walker Stalker Con 2015

These two took Freddy vs. Jason to a whole new level! You know Freddy Kreuger if you've ever seen Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street and you know Jason Vorhees if you've ever seen Sean S. Cunningham's Friday the 13th. 

As it turns out, "Freddie" is quite the photographer! She shared with me a few of her photographs and a few shots of a recent wedding she photographed. She has a beautiful style and a delightful personality to boot! 

The Wizard of OZ cast at Walker Stalker Con 2015

I was there on Halloween Day, which of course drew a number of non-zombie folks in costume...so many of them totally awesome! The Wizard of Oz group's costumes were magnificent! And they were super-pleasant...all that skipping, I suppose. 

Carrie & Stephen at Walker Stalker Con 2015

That's my friend Carrie on the left (above), one of the founders and owner of Atlanta Movie Tours. They had a booth at the Con and Carrie was back-and-forth between the booth and enjoying the Con. We'd caught up earlier in the day, but later I saw her chatting with Michael Cudlitz, Abraham Ford from The Walking Dead! 

Being the unobtrusive person I am, I was going to keep on going, but then Carrie motioned to me, "Look who it is!" So, at warp speed I diverted my tracks straight to her and Abraham. It took a second, but then I realized that it was Steven, her husband, not Abraham at all, but damn if he didn't look like Abraham! Excellent cosplay, Steven, excellent cosplay!

Speaking of Atlanta Movie Tours, they offer two Big Zombie Tours and they're both fantastic! Check out my posts on Big Zombie Tour 1 (I've done that one twice!) and Big Zombie Tour 2 here on wanderlust ATLANTA. You can check out their other tours here.

Getting a tattoo at Walker Stalker Con 2015

When I first came across the tattoo aisle, I thought it was more art vendors. THEN I saw that that it was an entire row of tattoo artists, hard at work. 

That's tattoo master Chris Jones above—of Chris Jones Tattoos—who has been tattooing for 16 years and has been featured in popular industry media and won a plethora of awards. He's co-owner of his tattoo shop in Cardiff, South Wales. 

THIS is the tattoo he was working on when I made the above photo (with his permission). He was super-concentrating, so I didn't get to chat with him, but I've since checked out his work and it's brilliant!

Zombie Hunter Truck | Walker Stalker Con 2015

There was quite a lot going on at Walker Stalker Con 2015! Zombie experiences, interactive gaming, photo ops, merchandise vendors, panels...so much going on! And there were a LOT of celebrity autograph sessions.

Being the celebrity spotter I am, and having amassed quite the autograph collection—books and photographs (99.9% of which are from celebrities I've actually met)—I was excited to add to my collection. 

While I'm a major fan of The Walking Dead, if you've followed or known me for any period of time, you know how big a Star Trek fan I am...

I got to meet and get an autographed photo from Denise Crosby, who played Tasha Yar on Star Trek: The Next Generation! She was Mary on The Walking Dead and starred in Stephen King's Pet Cemetery, those being why she was at Walker Stalker Con. She's super-sweet...I could not have been more impressed or more happy that she was so incredible! Thank you, Denise, for that wonderful experience!

I also got to meet and get an autographed photo from Zach Galligan, from The Gremlins! He was also in an episode of Star Trek: Voyager, my favorite of all the Star Trek series.

Walker Stalker Con 2015

The Tyreese and Michonne cosplayers were fantastic! Baby Judith was a doll, but if you've seen the show, you know that she totally gave credibility to his costume!

I was impressed with the number of couples who were cosplaying and who did it so cleverly! You would be impressed at how ingenious some of them were.

Zombie Makeup at Walker Stalker Con 2015

If you arrive at Walker Stalker Con fresh and alive, son't worry. There are vendors onsite who can, pretty much trauma-free, make you undead! 

Given that it happened over Halloween Weekend, for those who were heading to a party or trick-or-treating, it was a great alternative to at-home, time-consuming, probably more expensive makeup…and they did a great job!

Rick and Young Zombie Girl | Walker Stalker Con 2015

Believe it or not, zombies are great family fun. This cosplaying duo featured Rick Grimes and "Zombie Girl" from from The Walking Dead's Season 1, Episode 1. That particular scene, as I recall, set the tone for just how intense the show was going to be, and they’ve not disappointed since!

There were a number of kids at the Con and every single one I saw was having a blast!

Rick and Pregnant Wife | Walker Stalker Con 2015

This couple's cosplay was brilliant! Rick and Lori Grimes, while she was pregnant with the future marathon chocolate pudding eating Carl Grimes. 

I also had the great pleasure of meeting Jon Bernthal who plays Shane Walsh on The Walking Dead. Super nice guy! Quite the opposite of the jerk that his character was on the show. I love it when a celebrity is personable, approachable and obviously having a good time at a Con. Jon was all of those!

Tickets to Atlanta's Walker Stalker Con 2016 go on sale on November 16, 2015. Dead or alive, be there!

Atlanta's Car Fascination Revealed

That headline is totally a joke. If you've lived here even a couple of months, you know that we Atlantans can't even go to the corner market without getting in the car. 

Until recently, that's just been matter-of-fact living in the ATL. One of the side effects of such a lifestyle has led the Atlanta International Auto Show, this year its 33rd annual, to being the largest show of its kind in the Southeast! Our fascination for cars has never, ever been concealed.

Make your way to the Georgia World Congress Center this weekend, now through Sunday, to see the more than 400 cars and trucks—concept to classic—as well as entertainment and celebrity appearances!

Atlanta International Auto Show 2015 | Georgia World Congress Center

I've owned a number of cars in my lifetime, but there's only one model of which I've owned two. That would be the BMW. So, when I arrived at the Auto Show, I bee-lined it to the BMW section and discovered the beauty pictured above. 

That's the 2014 BMW i8 and its marketing tagline is "Innovation disguised as a sports car", which is precisely what it is.

Not associated with the Auto Show, but perhaps of interest to fellow BMW enthusiasts, also underway this weekend is the BMW Ultimate Driving Experience Tour. It's here through Sunday, March 29 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia.

Atlanta International Auto Show 2015 | Georgia World Congress Center

Everyone knows that concept cars are ALWAYS a big draw at auto shows! I'm right there with such enthusiasts and we're all in for a few delicious treats. There are quite a few pre-production and concept cars in this year's Show, including the above pictured Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S. My car-before-last was a Mercedes—I've never felt so safe in a car—but it wasn't quite as nice as this one.

I overheard a father who had brought his two sons to the show tell his younger one, "Study hard and get a great job. You'll want one of these. And you'll want to buy me one for bringing you here today." 

There were quite a few father-son outings at the Show. I admire those parents for spending quality time with their kids. I had extremely few opportunities to spend quality time with my father, so it's super cool to see kids today to have such an awesome experience...dad and cool cars!

Atlanta International Auto Show 2015 | Georgia World Congress Center

I've had a love affair with the Corvette since 1978. Many generations are fans of the Star Wars franchise, but many of those of us who saw the first Star Wars in 1977 went on to see Corvette Summer, starring Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Annie Potts, the next year. 

That metal-flake candy apple red Corvette Stingray was the most beautiful car I'd ever seen as a kid, but the 2015 Corvette Z06 pictured above, which is in part modeled after the 2014 Stingray, would be a sweet ride, too! Don't you think? 

Atlanta International Auto Show 2015 | Georgia World Congress Center

Ford is offering rides in its ST Simulator! It's unlike any simulator I've ever been in and I've been in Boeing-737 and NASA Space Shuttle simulators! This one let's you experience world-class racing and it spins 360 degrees! When you're turning the "car", you're actually turning! I didn't personally ride it on this visit, but the folks I saw riding it were having a blast!

Atlanta International Auto Show 2015 | Georgia World Congress Center

For the more than a few NASCAR enthusiasts I'm sure will attend the Auto Show, there are several race cars just waiting for photo-ops! There's even one that's a cut-away model, so you can see inside the engine, inside the cab, the frame...you can see everything! 

Speaking of seeing...there are several celebrity appearances throughout the Show. Visitors will have the opportunity to see Jeff Teague of the Atlanta Hawks; the Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders; Scooby-Doo; Spider-Man; and Iron Man! The last time I saw Iron Man was at Medieval Times, but that's another story.

Atlanta International Auto Show 2015 | Georgia World Congress Center

"Hank" is a life-size fully interactive robot, and a Ford representative/entertainer! I don't know how often Hank's performances are, but you're going to want to make time to see him. He has a brilliant sense of humor, some pretty smooth moves, he's at least bilingual, engaging, entertaining and puts on a great show! The show I saw included a trivia contest and prizes!

Atlanta International Auto Show 2015 | Georgia World Congress Center

I love old cars, just as much as concept cars. The classic cars at the Atlanta International Auto Show is reminiscent of last year's Dream Cars exhibition at the High Museum of Art...they're truly magnificent! And there are quite a few of them. 

In addition to the above pictured 1957 300C Chrysler there are vintage police cars and a fully restored antique Atlanta Fire Truck! The classics are spread out throughout the Show, so have fun discovering them!

Atlanta International Auto Show 2015 | Georgia World Congress Center

I told you how about my Corvette love affair when I was a kid, right? Well, my love affair with the Ford Mustang is a more contemporary love affair. Actually, I owned a black-on-black 1997 Mustang in the late 90s. I loved that car. A black car shines like no other when it's newly waxed. As much as I love the classics and my 1997, today's Mustangs are incredibly sexy! 

If I ever change models again, I'll very likely go back to a Mustang. Except for that unfortunate phase in the 80s when a Mustang looked nothing like a Mustang (personal opinion, sorry Ford), it's been a favorite since I've known anything about cars.

Atlanta International Auto Show 2015 | Georgia World Congress Center

I love the Mini! And yes, I've spent more than a few hours on their website building my own Mini. Although I'm on the tall side, I've always had an affinity for small cars. They're racy, they're comfortable, they can go places other cars can't...and in a city like Atlanta, it makes parking a LOT easier than any SUV!

A few other things to look out for when you're at the Auto Show: full-size engines, samples of color and finish options, eco-friendly vehicles, and some of the most beautiful and handsome automobile representatives you'll ever see! The ones I spoke with were very kind, helpful and knowledgeable about their lines. Don't be shy! 

Atlanta International Auto Show 2015 | Georgia World Congress Center

Okay...some of these vehicles I can't tell you what they are. Honestly, I was like a dog in a squirrel factory. Cars. Trucks. Cars...and more cars! And rides and shows...and more cars. What I can tell you is that they have something for everyone! Even the above pictured vehicle, which I believe is a Custom Combat Truck, would give any Hummer owner Big-Car-Envy!

I'd also like to say "Thank you!" to Atlanta Daybook for the tickets. I won them in a Facebook giveaway. I've followed Atlanta Daybook for years...they're a press distribution service and an excellent resource for Atlanta events, news and business announcements. 

For the record, I've enjoyed quite a few Atlanta experiences that I first learned about by following Atlanta Daybook, on Facebook and via my email subscription with them!

Atlanta International Auto Show 2015 | Georgia World Congress Center

There are a number of test driving experiences to be had at the Show, but the one I found to be the coolest is the one that Jeep has set up one the plaza between Georgia World Congress Center and Georgia Dome. There are varying terrains, a variety of Jeeps to try, and you get to drive where you would never, ever be able to without getting arrested!

While I'm excited to have Atlanta Streetcar and the eventual rail on the Atlanta Beltline, until the time that Atlanta has a rail system that blankets the city, I'm a car hound! And I'm grateful for an awesome car show!

Head on down to the Atlanta International Auto Show this weekend—it started Wednesday! Remember to check the Show's website for directions and parking information. FYI, sometimes parking is less expensive closer to the Georgia World Congress Center...if you're looking for the best rate, make a little extra time to scope out your options.

Now, go have fun and tell Iron Man "Hello!" for me!

Georgia International Plaza

I've long wondered about the white light towers positioned throughout Georgia International Plaza, and I've blogged about The Flair, the fantastic bronze gymnast sculpture also in the Plaza, but finding out about them was certainly no easy task. Perseverance pays...I finally learned a bit more about them. 

First of all, Georgia International Plaza is also the roof of a 1,000-space, 7-story underground parking deck for the Georgia World Congress Center, and surrounding venues. The Plaza is between the Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Dome (home of the Atlanta Falcons), and Philips Arena.

Georgia International Plaza

Installed in conjunction with the 1996 Olympics buildout, Georgia International Plaza has some pretty cool designations, including one of "America's Top 10 Lawns" and one of the "10 Largest Green Roofs." 

This six-acre space is covered by sixteen 70' perfectly placed structures and one 110' structure at the center of the park. And there are numerous water features throughout the park. The towers have no practical function, but they're still quite beautiful, I think...and one of the most attractive parking deck roofs I've ever seen!

Georgia International Plaza

I made these shots when leaving the Atlanta Boat Show last weekend, very close to sunset, so you don't see that they're actually white. If you'd like to see what the entire Plaza looks like during daylight, just Google "Georgia International Plaza" and click on "images" and you'll see quite a few.

So, when you're next attending a conference, a football or basketball game, or a concert in the area, take a few minutes to explore Georgia International Plaza. It's serene, beautiful, and a relaxing escape from city life...for a few minutes, at least.

Atlanta Boat Show

Now I can say I've been to a Boat Show...and it was one I almost could have taken a boat to with all the rain we had yesterday! I'd passed by a boat show in Miami a bazillion years ago, but that's certainly not the same as attending one. And I have to say, there were many things about the Atlanta Boat Show that impressed me.

Atlanta Boat Show, 2014, Georgia World Congress Center

Boat beauty galore! There are quite a few gorgeous specimens at this show. I went with my best friend who said the only thing missing was the multi-story house-like boats, but being my first time, I was impressed with everything there! 

Atlanta Boat Show, 2014, Georgia World Congress Center

I've been to countless trade shows and conventions—for work and play—but I've never seen booth holders so engaged with conventioneers. Very impressive! Seriously, every one of them were engaging visitors...I've never experienced that before. It was great to see!

Atlanta Boat Show, 2014, Georgia World Congress Center

I do not own a boat, I assume most Boat Show attendees don't, but I love boating and have always enjoyed excursions on them. 

Among my favorite excursions were a party on a pontoon on Lake Lanier when I was in my early 20s—great fun; another was my friend's undergrad graduation party, which was held on a 67' yacht on a river in Michigan where we could see Canada...great party; and a boat in Key Largo that took us out to the only coral reef in the continental U.S. to snorkel. 

But I think my most favorite was a fishing trip in Wisconsin. It was a modest fishing boat, but the experience was one I've loved always. My friend Mary Jo and I went up for a fishing vacation, for a week. We had the BEST time. We fished during the day (I caught the most and the biggest fish!) and ate, imbibed, and played cards in the evenings. What an amazing vacation that was!

 Wow...hadn't thought about it, but I guess I've been on a fair amount of boats.

Atlanta Boat Show, 2014, Georgia World Congress Center

The Show had plenty of entertainment, including a Gator Show! There could have been more seating and viewing area, but I guess it's a first-come, first-served kind of thing. We didn't stay for the whole Gator Show, but it was fun to see nonetheless. Dora the Explorer was at the Show, too!

Atlanta Boat Show, 2014, Georgia World Congress Center

I was particularly fond of the ski jets...they're sooooooooo much fun! The first time I ever rode one was on the beach behind the Fontaine Bleau in Miami. Had a blast! I was surprised at how much riding one was similar to riding a horse (I worked on a horse ranch in Wyoming when I was in high school). Lots of leg work.

Atlanta Boat Show, 2014, Georgia World Congress Center

The Show is sponsored by Progressive Insurance (who I have my auto insurance with, coincidentally), so I was really surprised that the Geico Gecko was there. Then again, it's all about getting sponsors, right? It was fun to see the Gecko, but I would really have loved to have seen Flo, who has 5.3 MILLION "Likes" on Facebook!!!

Atlanta Boat Show, 2014, Georgia World Congress Center

The Show is the normal size of a convention, perhaps a little more modest, but that's understandable given the economy. I think it'll be a while longer before substantial numbers are investing in the pleasures of owning a boat. However, looking at the prices, many of them are quite affordable...not much more than a regular car payment.

I told my friend that I think I'd rather be the guy who hosts amazing parties in the beach-side penthouse condo and have friends who have boats. I love a good party and I love a good boat ride. Sounds like an equitable arrangement, yes?

Atlanta Boat Show, 2014, Georgia World Congress Center

The Show was packed! There were all kinds of people...from obvious boat enthusiast to whole families...and everyone was well-behaved. Although, I will never understand why someone would bring a MONDO baby stroller to a show like this. I just don't get it. I don't think my mother ever owned a stroller, and she's just fine. 

Atlanta Boat Show, 2014, Georgia World Congress Center

You wouldn't believe all the different products on display! There was everything from ski jets to surf boards to Swarvoski rings, which the ladies were loving! Of particular fascination was the above slide, fastened to the back of a boat. It just screams FUN!

Atlanta Boat Show, 2014, Georgia World Congress Center

Sorry I don't have more technical information to share, but like I said, I'm not a boat owner, just a boat fun loving fan. 

I will say again though, that I was extremely impressed with the engagement of the various vendors. I think their talking and connecting with the attendees make the show well worth attending and an enjoyable time...that and all the amazing, beautiful boats!

There's still a little bit of time to head down to the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) for the Atlanta Boat Show. Oh, and if you go, park in the GWCC parking. The outlying lots are charging more than double what the GWCC is charging. Go have fun!

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?

ATLANTApix: Atlanta Car Show

Car Show at Georgia Aquarium

Want to see the latest Porche, Jaguar, Mini, and Audi? Today is the final day of the Atlanta International Auto Show at the Georgia World Congress Center. Iron Man is also making a special appearance today!

Yes, yes, I know this photo is not the Atlanta International Auto Show. I was unfortunately unable to make it to that particular car show. This photo is from last year's inaugural Atlanta Classic Car Show that took place at the Georgia Aquarium. This is a Mercdes with Lamborghini style doors...a very sweet ride! And that's a Beluga Whale in the background.

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