An Andretti Checkered Flag Birthday!

For my birthday this year I was thinking about the usual visit to a fancy restaurant, which I love doing and always enjoy, but the big ol' kid in me spoke up and instead we went to Andretti Indoor Karting & Games in Marietta! 

Instead of live jazz, we revved up our motors; instead of candlelight, we shot each other with lasers; instead of devouring desert, we took out dozens of zombies. It was the BEST birthday outing!

Mario Andretti | Andretti Karting, Marietta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I had the great honor of attending the VIP Preview Opening of the Marietta, Georgia, location of Andretti Indoor Karting & Games some time ago, when Mario Andretti himself was in attendance!

Andretti Family Racers | Andretti Karting, Marietta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

But Mario didn't come alone. He brought with him four other professional race car drivers from the Andretti family. I met and got to talk with Mario and Marco Andretti (awesome experience), and Jarrett, John and Michael Andretti were there, too! For the first time meeting even a single professional race car driver, you can only imagine what an adrenaline rush it was to meet FIVE!

I'll come circle back to that evening...let me now tell you about my birthday!

Andretti Karting, Marietta GA | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I'd wanted to try out laser tag for years and years. Wow! What a rush! 

I'm not as fit as I used to be, but put me in a 4,000 square feet laser tag arena and you'd think I was Rambo! Running, shooting...dodging, shooting...strategizing, shooting...hiding, shooting...taking a wrong turn and getting shot by a youngster half your size: Priceless! 

Whether playing on a team or everyone-for-themselves, this is a must-do at Andretti Karting and something I will do every single time I go!

When telling a friend about laser tag the day after my birthday, I was asked, "Who are you? Sheldon Cooper?" I totally took that as a compliment, knowing full well that I'd worn a Star Trek t-shirt under my pullover. Just sayin'.

Andretti Karting, Marietta GA | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Dark Ride XD is Georgia's only 7D experience. That's right...not 3D, not 4D, but 7D! It's a thrill ride, a game of strategy, highly competitive, and another total adrenaline rush!

Each "game" can have up to eight participants and everyone on the outside is watching the competitors on video monitors outside the experience. There are three options: Zombies! (self explanatory, but so much more!); Gigamon (think Godzilla); and Los Banditos (a mad scientist and robot cowboys—that's not weird, right?). 

Every time I've been, being a huge fan of The Walking Dead, I've opted for the Zombies! experience. Believe me, when they say 7D experience...you're going to feel all 7 dimensions! You must, must, must do this! 

Andretti Karting, Marietta GA | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

There are loads of games here...more than 120, in fact! Some are totally for fun and some spit out tickets that you can exchange for prizes in their "Victory Lane" redemption center. On my birthday we only did the just-for-fun games, including taking out loads more zombies, a Star Wars fighter pilot game, and a number of others. 

There are also high-tech racing simulators, an extreme ropes course (overhead the gaming area!), and lots more that I'm sure I haven't yet seen. You will not get bored here. It might take you a while to wind down when you get home, but you're zoom-zoom-zoom the whole time you're here! You've got the bars and restaurant for breaks, when and if you need a pit stop.

SkyBar | Andretti Karting, Marietta GA | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

There are multiple food and beverage (including libations) choices. At the top of the facility is their SkyBar, drenched in sky-blue lighting. On the far side, you can watch the karting racers zooming by and at the west end of the bar, just beneath the barrel roof, you can see motorists zooming by on Interstate 75.

There's also an entrance-level bar that has a great view of the gaming area and the 12-lane cosmic bowling alley! 

Andretti Karting, Marietta Georgia

Barry had already gifted me the Andretti Karting outing for my birthday, but he took it an extra lap...he let me win our race! I'm totally fascinated with velocity (rockets, skydiving, etc.), but Barry's the speed expert...so much so that I totally get the feeling that now he has a few laps under his belt, he'll be on the winner's podium the next race.

Don't let the word "karting" fool you...these are the fastest karts in all of Georgia! And there are three tracks, each for a specific age group.

Oh...when you arrive, before you can play games or get on the race track, you have to register. Part of that process is taking a photo of yourself. Smile!...make it a great photo because it's the one that will be used on any scoreboards you might show up on. I obviously didn't learn that lesson the last time.

Andretti Grill | Andretti Karting, Marietta Georgia | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

We went directly to Andretti Karting after work, with the intention of dining there. They have a full-service restaurant, Andretti Grill. Burning all the calories we were from laser tag and racing—and the fact that calories are non-existent on one's birthday—I had "The Humphry"...BBQ pulled pork piled on top of rich, creamy homemade macaroni and cheese! 

There was so much that I couldn't finish it, so I enjoyed the rest as a midnight snack. It was delicious both times! Our server was friendly and attentive...an overall great dining experience. Again, Barry treated.

Games, Games, Games | Andretti Karting, Marietta Georgia | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

My perception of this place is that it was designed more for adults, but it's totally family-friendly, too. It's a great place to hang out with friends after work or for a weekend get-together. I love the energy here...everyone is here to have a fun time and everyone I've met, visitor and staff alike, are there to support that.

Travis and Nikki | Andretti Karting, Marietta Georgia

Back to the first time I went to Andretti Karting. The evening of the VIP Preview, when Mario and family were there, I was hosted by BRAVE Public Relations (they've been wonderful to me over the years!) and my friend Nikki went with me—we were drenched by time we left, many hours and many adrenaline rushes later. 

For my recent birthday, my friend Barry took me (what a great gift!). I was super excited that he was as excited about going as I was, and yes, lots more adrenaline rushes!


Just as my recent birthday was, that first time to Andretti Karting was adrenaline rush after adrenaline rush! I'm not a teenager anymore, but I certainly feel like it every time I go to Andretti Indoor Karting & Games...I can hardly wait to go again!

Head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook page for more photos from my visits to Andretti Karting!

Zombie Night at Turner Field

The fantastic Atlanta Braves hosted Zombie Night last evening at Turner Field. They host a number of Theme Nights throughout the year, but this one I definitely wanted to experience! Zombies are fun, but I also love baseball, so this experience was a home run!

Zombie Night at Turner Field

These lovely young zombies were at the entrance to greet fellow zombies and baseball fans alike. Who knew the two fandoms would meld so brilliantly! MLB published a brief video about the evening: Zombie Night.

Those who purchased a special Zombie Night ticket had special seating, were invited to the talents of zombie makeup artists, participated in the pre-game on-field Zombie Parade, and were gifted a Zombie Survival Kit!  

Zombie Night at Turner Field | On-field Zombie Parade

We arrived early to be sure we saw the pre-game on-field Zombie Parade! There were hundreds of participants! There were lots of (uncharacteristically) smiling zombies—excited to be on-field, no doubt—and then there were some who were considerably more convincing that the Zombie Apocalypse had indeed arrived... 

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Zombie & Travis

I almost fell prey to the undead!

But I'm a fan of The Walking Dead and have learned a thing or two about Zombie Apocalypse survival. Thank you, Rick, Daryl and Michonne! The theme music to The Walking Dead was playing on the loud speakers during the Parade, so that helped me tune in to those television-learned zombie attack survival skills.

Speaking of The Walking Dead, Atlanta Movie Tours was part of the pre-game festivities! In case you didn't know, they offer two Big Zombie tours (Big Zombie Tour 1 & Big Zombie Tour 2), and both are fascinating!

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Awesome Zombie Girl

THIS young lady was totally into Zombie Night. She has a promising career in theater, cinema or perhaps modeling...whatever she decides, I think she's going to be brilliant! I applaud parents to take their kids out to experience so much of what life (and Atlanta) has to offer. Always make childhood fun...they only have one!

Turner Field offers a number of Theme Nights throughout the season. In addition to Zombie Night, there's Military Appreciation Night, Star Wars Night and Bark in the Park, to name only a few.

Zombie Night at Turner Field

Throughout the evening we were treated to zombies and zombie families (see the one above) on the Jumbotron. Even some of the Turner Field staff were sporting zombie makeup. 

Speaking of Turner Field staff, I was delighted at how pleasant everyone was. Thank you Turner Field staff for helping to make it such a fun night!  

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

When I noticed that the competition had been "zombiefied" on the Jumbotron, I thought how brilliant and what fun! Then I realized that they "zombiefied" ALL the players, Braves included. Total fun!

Atlanta Braves

Oh! And there was a baseball game going on, too! 

Actually, I've been an Atlanta Braves fan since I attended my first Braves game in 1990, the year before they started winning pennant after pennant—and a World Series—throughout that decade. The players have changed since then, but they're still my Braves AND they won the game on this evening...2:1 against the Phillies. Go Braves!

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

I always enjoy meeting new people and these ladies and gentlemen were awesome! The two on the left told me that they're engaged! A heartfelt wanderlust ATLANTA "Congratulations and a long and happy life together" to you both!

We met in the Braves Chop House, which I'm not entirely certain I've ever visited. I've had seats at every point in Turner Field, from behind home plate to the nosebleeds! And I've enjoyed every single vista! 

Embarrassingly, the last time I had seats behind home plate, one of the ladies seated next to me was texting her mother who was watching the game on television and saw her on TV...and me devouring a hot dog! I sincerely hope that wasn't part of my 15 minutes of fame! 

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves | Barry

There's a LOT going on throughout Turner Field during an Atlanta Braves game. One surprise last night was that the gift shops were having a 70% off sale (on the greatest majority of their inventory). Also, there are the batting cages; LOTS of dining options; the Braves Chop House; the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame & Museum; lots of photo ops, the Coca-Cola Sky Field...the list goes on and on and on...there's LOTS to see and do here!

And, did you know that you can tour Turner Field? I've done this tour and it's fantastic! It starts in the Braves Museum & Hall of Fame. I definitely and wholeheartedly recommend this tour. And if you didn't know, Turner Field was our 1996 Olympic Stadium re-purposed for the Atlanta Braves. That geographic area is in transition as the Braves are moving to Cobb County...I just hope that we/Atlanta gets to keep this historic landmark!

Fireworks at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

Friday evenings are Fireworks Night at Turner Field and it's a magnificent show! One of the best in the Southeast, for sure. 

There are a number of Atlanta Braves games at Turner Field now through October 4, 2015, and there are a few more Theme Nights. So, make your way over and enjoy all the fun that this wonderful venue has to offer!

Big Zombie Tour 2: Locked Up With Daryl

I got locked up with Daryl Dixon. Let the jealousy commence.

Atlanta Movie Tours' "Big Zombie Tour 2" is overwhelmingly fun! And whether you think Daryl is sexy hot or just a total badass—and let's be honest, he's both—you're in for treat after treat after treat on this tour.

Atlanta Movie Tours | Big Zombie Tour - Part 2

Big Zombie Tour - Part 2 begins in Woodbury—Senoia, Georgia—but goes to several of the other nearby towns where The Walking Dead has filmed. I'm blown away at how they condense so much excitement into a mere few hours...we saw a LOT! We even drove by the "Pudding House", which I was really hoping we'd do. No rooftop excursions, but I left with a craving for chocolate pudding. Thanks, Carl!  

Our tour guide was Michelle and this was my first time on her tour. I've been on tours with Sally, Kathryn, and Charlie over the last couple of years, so this was a new experience. She totally nailed it, of course. Atlanta Movie Tours knows how to select fantastic tour guides! And they all work in the industry...cinema and/or television, that is.

Atlanta Movie Tours | Big Zombie Tour - Part 2

This was my second Big Zombie Tour of the day. If you've not read about my Big Zombie Tour - Part 1 yet, you can read it here. Earlier in the day I'd been on Part 1, my second time doing that tour, but this was my first Big Zombie Tour - Part 2 experience and my first time to Senoia.

Doing both tours in a single day made for a long day, but it's one of those times that you're having so much fun, you don't realize just how quickly the hours are passing. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Atlanta Movie Tours | Big Zombie Tour - Part 2

Senoia, also known as Woodbury (photo) in The Walking Dead, is a cozy, comfortable little town with more to see and do than you might think.This quaint, quite town has been in dozens of movies and it's near some other awesome Georgia attractions, such as Callaway Gardens. 

On this particular tour, there were five of us from Part 1 who rode the bus to Senoia, but if you're not doing both tours on the same day, I'd recommend driving down earlier and making a day of exploring Senoia before your Part 2 tour. Ask for dining recommendations when you get there.

Big Zombie Tour - Part 2 launches from Woodbury Shoppe, which has a The Walking Dead museum downstairs. That's where I got locked up with Daryl. It's a modest size gallery, but all the artifacts were used in the series, which knocks the awesome-factor higher than you can blow the CDC! (Don't get offended...it's a reference to an early TWD season.)

There are a number of other shops also on the lower level, including a brilliant coffee shop called "The Waking Dead Cafe" that features your typical coffees (regular, latte, cappuccino, etc.), but with super-fun undead names. I'm told that they're working on a website, so I'll come back and hyperlink to it when I learn it's live, here's the link to their Facebook page in the meantime. The staff is super friendly and they were playing Star Trek on their TV, so you can imagine I was so at home...zombie AND Spock! 

I didn't have a coffee—I was already so wired from all the adrenaline from the day's zombie tours—but, was thrilled to see that they carry King of Pops...so I had pop!

Atlanta Movie Tours | Big Zombie Tour - Part 2

Michonne is a badass, totally awesome and one of my favorite characters from The Walking Dead...and someone I'd very much like to keep on my good side. To visit the site where she—yet once again—proved her badass-ness was fantastic!

Now, let me ask...what's scarier than zombies coming at you when you're tied up and imminently dinner for the undead? You'll find out on the tour, and no, it's not the blood stain on #14. 

Atlanta Movie Tours | Big Zombie Tour - Part 2 | Zombie Arena

You know...it's pretty awesome to be in the Zombie Arena without being forced to compete or actually being on the menu. 

I think one of the things that I enjoy most about The Walking Dead has been to watch the characters change, grow and develop as human beings. No one can know the person they would become in the face of a zombie apocalypse. If I had to choose who I would want most to be like, it'd probably be Daryl, except for the rodent-eating parts (blech).

But the character I think I'd be most like, thinking realistically, is Andrea. She gets a bad rap for making some really bad decisions, but she goes through so much...desperation, heartbreak, helplessness, but she eventually becomes another badass on the show. She's remarkable! They all are! Except for Merle...he was just bad. Great actor, but an angry and despicably mean character.

Atlanta Movie Tours | Big Zombie Tour - Part 2 | Zombie Arena

I absolutely love what Atlanta Movie Tours offers tourists, visiting and local. The opportunity to experience filming locales, to walk in celebrities' footsteps, to see in-person what you've thoroughly enjoyed on the big screen or in the comfort of your own home...being "there" is truly fantastic!

I'm fascinated by the profession of location scout. When I lived in DC, working in the Communications Department for an aerospace company, I was contacted and met with a location scout looking to film a movie about everyday items that "transform" into other things. I worked in a 1,000,000 square feet award-winning building—loved that building—and even though we weren't a match for that film, it was uber cool to be approached and to tour the scout around the building. That building had been the site for other movies, but that's another story for another time.

Atlanta Movie Tours | Big Zombie Tour - Part 2

It was totally awesome to visit Morgan's apartment (above). And not far from there are the sites of the pharmacy Glenn would "shop" to and the bar where Hershel went when he was on the verge. It's amazing how emotionally involved we get with characters on a television show or in a book. I'm guilty, and happy to say so.

I remember when I was a kid and hearing my mother  talk about soap opera characters with her friends. It took me a while to discern if she was talking about someone she knew or about a television show. I totally get it now! 

I think the strongest bond I've had with a television character, that I've not met, was Captain Kathryn Janeway (portrayed brilliantly by Kate Mulgrew). As I sat watching the series finale of Star Trek: Voyager, not surprisingly I found myself crying...happy that they did such a remarkable job on the last show of  the seven-year run, and because I was going to miss Janeway so much. Thank goodness for DVDs!

I can't imagine the emotional toll the series finale of The Walking Dead will cause, around the globe! Fortunately, it doesn't look like we have to worry about that for quite some time.

Atlanta Movie Tours | Big Zombie Tour - Part 2

I used to be shy at parties. Not so much anymore. Isn't it a drag when you meet someone at a party who's just not a great conversationalist? That's a major problem with party zombies, with their limited vocabulary and their being hungry all the time. Just sayin'.

They're great, though, when you want to be the better looking man in a room. This guy (photo) still has better bone structure, damn it...but at least I have a nose!

I want to say "Thank you" to Cindy, our tour expediter, who made the above photo. We connected on Facebook after my first Atlanta Movie Tours tour early last year, but this was the first time we really got to talk. She's a lot of fun and such a gracious tour guide...and she makes great photos!

Atlanta Movie Tours | Big Zombie Tour - Part 2

You know that question, "Who would you like to have dinner with, living or dead?" Well, assuming you don't want to be a zombie's dinner, "Who would you rather have a drink with, Rick or the Governor?"

This was an awesome stop on the tour...the meeting place where "terms" for peace were to be discussed, but things don't always go the way we expect, right? Unless you're watching a series about the undead, and then you can pretty much expect that there's not a fairy-tale ending. Funny how this show keeps you coming back for more, and more, and more...

Atlanta Movie Tours | Big Zombie Tour - Part 2

I've only shared a few of the awesome sites you'll see on Big Zombie Tour 2. And remember, on each tour they'll have trivia with prizes, a game of "Who Said...?", video clips of The Walking Dead scenes of sites you're seeing in real-time...and so much more, including a digital souvenir group photo! And remember to bring your camera (with extra batteries and memory card).  

Woodbury Shoppe stays open for about 30 minutes after the Atlanta Movie Tours group returns, which so many of us appreciated! I was super excited to see that they carry both of Greg Stones' zombie books! You may recall that he gave me an interview a couple of years ago. Greg is a super nice guy...his books and humor make me laugh unlike anything else on the planet!

Quick! Get your tickets to Atlanta Movie Tours' "Big Zombie Tour 2"...BEFORE the zombie apocalypse! You never know what might happen...you might see or meet a cast member, you might see a zombie, if you're lucky you might even get locked up with Daryl. 

Zombies, Awesome Zombies!

I've now been on four of the five tours offered by Atlanta Movie Tours and recently went on both of their Big Zombie Tours...on the same day! There's a LOT going on in the Zombie Apocalypse, too much to cover in a single post, so this post will focus on Big Zombie Tour - Part 1, which I've now been on twice!

Based on the country's most popular television series, EVER, both Big Zombie Tours focuses primarily on The Walking Dead, but you'll find yourself quite fascinated with other movie trivia—sites included—throughout the tour.

Big Zombie Tour - Part I, Atlanta Movie Tours

One of the perks of your tour with Atlanta Movie Tours is an awesome souvenir photo(s) with your fellow tourees at a site specific to the tour you're on. I love this one at Jackson Street Bridge, the iconic scene where Rick enters Atlanta on horseback in Season 1, Episode 1. 

Big Zombie Tour - Part I, Atlanta Movie Tours

The Atlanta Movie Tours brick-and-mortar shop, the originating locale for Big Zombie Tour - Part 1, is in Castleberry Hill, a downtown-adjacent neighborhood that has seen spectacular growth over the years, while keeping a neighborly feel. I've attended a couple of Castleberry Hill events, so I know from personal experience.

The shop is right across the street from many, many The Walking Dead filming sites, including the rooftop where Merle was chained in-wait of zombies. You may have heard about Captain America: Civil War also filming here recently. Lots and lots of movies are made here! 

Big Zombie Tour - Part I, Atlanta Movie Tours

There are so many scenes in movies that one never wonders about, because they're everyday places that could have been filmed anywhere. One of the awesome things about The Walking Dead is that so much of it has been filmed right here in Atlanta, and the surrounding area. 

The scene above was at the department store in Season 1, Episode 2—"Guts". I didn't crack the window...zombies did it.

By the way, do you know what word in zombie nomenclature that The Walking Dead zombies are never called? Don't worry if you don't know...I was totally oblivious! You're going to learn so much!

Big Zombie Tour - Part I, Atlanta Movie Tours

This site (above photo) is the alley, in downtown Atlanta, where Glenn rescues Rick after being caught in a tank with a zombie at the adjacent intersection. 

That zombie was portrayed by Sam Witwer, aka Crashdown of Battlestar Galactica, who I had the great pleasure of meeting at Dragon Con last year—and have a personalized autographed head shot to remember how awesome he is. I was blown away to learn how impressive his resume is!

You'll hear more about that tank when I write about Big Zombie Tour - Part 2. 

Zombieland fans...Rule #2 was filmed near here!

Big Zombie Tour - Part I, Atlanta Movie Tours

That's our tour guide Charlie and one-half of a British couple also taking the tour. I asked for this photo because the "hospital" behind them is where Rick woke up in Season 1, Episode 1 to discover zombies—first in the form of "corpsified" fingers trying to get through chained doors. 

It turns out that Charlie's fingers were in the running for inclusion in that scene...he could have been on that t-shirt! If you're a fan, you'll know the words inscribed on the double-door scene..."Don't Open, Dead Inside", or "Don't Dead, Open Inside", depending on how you read it. 

I got to chat more with that British couple later in the day (so sorry I didn't get their names!) and a couple of ladies from St. Louis. I love that about tourism...you never know who you're going to meet or from where they might hail. Having traveled to many places around the world (London one day soon, I hope), I'm fascinated with global cultures. Always have been.

Big Zombie Tour - Part I, Atlanta Movie Tours

Terminus is where we meet Gareth (in the TV series) and also where we learn just what a badass Carol truly is. We couldn't get too close to Terminus, but got the total impact of what a great filming site this was. 

It's one of the stops where we got off the bus and had time to make as many photos as we wanted...and you can ask your tour guide questions any time during the tour—except for what the answer is to an in-play trivia question, of course.

Big Zombie Tour - Part I, Atlanta Movie Tours

This is another filming site that happens to be right around the corner from my office. That's the case with a lot of Atlanta filming...you don't know how close you are! 

This is the King County Sheriff's Office where Rick and Shane worked. Just goes to show, you never know how close a zombie might be!

I mentioned trivia. During the three-hour tour (now the theme song to Gilligan's Island is playing in your head, isn't it?), your tour guide, with the assistance of the tour expediter, will conduct a trivia game—with prizes! Listen closely...they just might give you some of the answers during the tour. Just sayin'.

Big Zombie Tour - Part I, Atlanta Movie Tours

That's our tour guide Charlie at another scene that I didn't specifically remember from the show, until they showed us clips from those particular scenes on the on-board video screens. That's right...these tours are so awesome that you don't have try to recall something you saw years ago (or last week) because they're reminding you with scenes on video from the episode being discussed. 

This is also the site of another well-known Atlanta-filmed movie that also happens to be the basis of an Atlanta Movie Tours tour...their Victory Tour. You find yourself walking in the footsteps of Rick AND Katniss! 

Big Zombie Tour - Part I, Atlanta Movie Tours

This was the second Atlanta Movie Tours tour that I've been on twice. On this particular tour there was another British couple (there were two British couples, traveling separately) that had been on this same tour two years before, so they could probably attest to what I'm about to share...Every tour is different. And that's a good thing.

I learned things on this tour that I didn't on the first, but on the first we did go to the CDC, which of course has a fate that might not surprise you. But in case you haven't seen that Season 1 episode yet, I'll not spoil it with details. 

Speaking of the CDC and zombies, the CDC published some years ago a Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse story that blast the website's hits far beyond what they could have possibly imagined, and conveyed important emergency preparedness information at the same time. I'm grateful as a citizen that they did this.

The other Atlanta Movie Tours tour that I've been on twice is Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind Tour. I've only seen the movie—the book is at the top of my reading list—and completely and totally enjoyed the tour, the second time as much as the first!

Big Zombie Tour - Part I, Atlanta Movie Tours

Speaking of things changing between tours, we visited this site on both tours, but the "A" rail car, where some of our cast spends a little time, wasn't there on one of the tours—perhaps it'd been moved temporarily, I'm not sure. It was super cool to see, and what an iconic TWD image!

PSA: Bring your camera! Bring a backup battery and an extra memory card. You're going to want to make a LOT of photos.

There's so much I want to share about this AMAZING tour, but I have to save some (a lot) of it for your in-person tour...but, if you're lucky, you'll get to see "Carl Poppa". That's all I'll say about that.

Big Zombie Tour - Part I, Atlanta Movie Tours

The photo above has so many movie moments in it. It's of course the iconic shot of when Rick was riding, horseback, into Atlanta in the first episode of The Walking Dead. 

The "stepping stone" building on the left is the Georgia-Pacific Tower, which stands where the Loew's Grand Theatre once stood—where Gone With the Wind premiered.

The highly reflective building immediately to the right of that one is the building that Rick saw the helicopter reflection in, in season 1. In real-life, it's named Centennial Tower—an impressive structure to be a 1970s building!

The cylindrical high-rise toward the center is where an iconic scene in Sharky's Machine took place, although the actual stunt crashed through a window of a neighboring cylindrical building, a record-breaking stunt at the time.

The filming sites of Atlanta-made movies goes on and on and on...many of which you can see on an Atlanta Movie Tours tour!

Big Zombie Tour - Part I, Atlanta Movie Tours

Our awesome tour expediter, Megan, made this photo (above) for me. I met Megan on one of my first Atlanta Movie Tours tours and we immediately bonded...she's quite, but amazing. Thank you, Megan!

Atlanta Movie Tours has been fantastic to me. They not only treated me to this tour as a media guest, but even more amazing is the friendship I've developed with the owners, Patti and Carrie. What they've done with Atlanta Movie Tours is nothing short of spectacular! And that they have amazing husbands, friends and fans speaks volumes of the wonderful people they are. I'm incredibly grateful for getting to know them and to call them friends...Love you, ladies! 

I haven't said much about Daryl and nothing about Michonne, but fret not. You'll hear more about them in my next post—Big Zombie Tour - Part 2!

Book your Atlanta Movie Tours' Big Zombie Tour now! Part 1, or Part 1 AND Part 2 on the same day, or different days, but know that these tours sell out quickly. I met folks on both tours recently who were only able to get tickets to one of the tours because they didn't book early enough. 

Do both! Do both! So...much...zombie...fun!