Exclusive | Women's Travel: U.S. South Part Two

ATLANTA

STAY
Renaissance Atlanta Hotel (590 W. Peachtree St. N.W.; 404-881-6000; $164+) is a lesbian and gay-popular mainstream hotel within easy reach of the aquarium and the High Museum of Art. On the edge of Midtown and Downtown, the Renaissance offers pool suites for those wanting to make a splash; suites have their own private swimming pools on secluded balconies.

The Gaslight Inn (1001 St. Charles Ave; 404-875-1001; $115+) is a gay-owned 1913 Victorian with six rooms, all with private baths. Located in the trendy Virginia-Highlands area, it's been featured in magazines and on TV and caters to a mixed clientele.

EAT
Watershed (406 W. Ponce de Leon, Decatur; 40-378-4900; $12-23) Owned by Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls, the Watershed lures in locals and out-of-towners alike for its lunches, dinners and Sunday brunch. Their juicy fried chicken is raved about and the shrimp grits are mighty tasty as well. A wine bar with gift shop, this ex-gas station offers 350 varieties of wine. When not on tour, Ms Saliers often buses tables and tends bar. Wheelchair accessible.

The Flying Biscuit Caf? (1655 McLendon Avenue, Candler Park; 404-687-8888; and 1001 Piedmont Avenue, Midtown; 404-874-8887; breakfast $5-10, dinner $6-15) Delicious hearty breakfasts served all day and many vegetarian options make this lesbian-owned option popular with the local women's community. Menu highlights include Angel and Devil Burgers and, of course, great fluffy biscuits. This very vegetarian delight is carnivore-friendly. Open seven days from 7 a.m. Wheelchair accessible.

Situated in an old house, Agnes & Muriel's (1514 Monroe Dr; 404-885-1000; $9-21) serves lunch, dinner and weekend brunch inside and on an all-weather patio.

PLAY/MEET
Caf?s
Outwrite Bookstore and Coffeehouse (991 Piedmont Avenue; 404-607-0082) Atlanta's midtown lesbian and gay communities have been descending on Outwrite's caf? since 1993 for browsing of both the literary and "off the shelf" variety. Outwrite is said to be the best pick-up spot in Midtown. Tasty fresh baked goods and vast varieties of coffees are also on offer. Great CDs, DVDs, videos and gifts complement an outstanding array of titles and local authors often grace the premises for lectures and signings.

Bars
My Sister's Room (1271 Glenwood Ave, East Atlanta; 404-370-1990) The legendary women?s bar has moved to a new space in East Atlanta but promises the same great times. It's open Tuesday through Sunday. Drag King nights and DJs entertain Atlanta?s lesbian contingent.

Tower II (735 Ralph McGill Blvd N.E., Poncey Highland; 404-523-1535)
A popular neighborhood dyke bar attracting a young, multi-cultural crowd. DJs spin Friday nights. Sunday nights are male-dominated. Wheelchair accessible.

OTHER VENUES
Publix on Ponce (1001 Ponce de Leon Ave; 404-892-9229)
This surprising dyke cruising territory in a Midtown supermarket attracts flurries of lesbians checking out what's fresh.

EXTRA
Bookstores
Outwrite Bookstore and Coffeehouse (991 Piedmont Ave; 404-607-0082)
A great stock of CD, DVDs, videos and gifts complement an outstanding array of titles and local authors often grace the premises for lectures and signings in Atlanta's premier LGBT bookstore, which is now a decade young. A high percentage of the browsing is of the "off the shelf" variety and Outwrite Cafe is rumored to be one of the biggest and best pick-up spots in Midtown. Tasty fresh baked goods and vast varieties of coffees are also offered.

Charis Books and More (991 Piedmont Avenue N.E.; 404-607-0082)
A tiny yellow house crammed with words written for women by women. Charis has specific sections of books written by women of color and lesbians. They also sell jewelry, CDs, kids' books, and artwork. Thursday night in-store happenings include readings, signings and social gatherings.

RELAX
Piedmont Park is an ideal place for a weekend saunter, jog, or to show some of those new blading moves off to the locals. Piedmont Park is a fine place to admire Atlanta's residents as they flock here on weekends.

Part One | Part Two | Part Three

Related Articles:
Women's Travel: Introduction
Women's Travel: U.S. East
Women's Travel: U.S. West
Women's Travel: Canada/Mexico
Women's Travel: Europe
Women's Travel: Tours & Events
Women's Travel: Travel Safety