Okay, seriously, we are not suggesting that somebody from London or New York or anywhere really is going to drop everything and plan a vacation to Atlanta. But it is a city on the rise with a ton to offer. So, if you’re coming down here for business or to see friends and family, you now have a lot more upscale options. Actually it makes for a great road trip or weekend getaway if you are in the Southeast. To some people Atlanta is their New York when it comes to shopping and nightlife. I mean, we do have the only IKEA for miles and miles…

So what’s new in Atlanta? For starters nobody down here ever says Hotlanta. So please check that phrase at the city limits. Head downtown to the new trendy Glenn Hotel and you’ll discover b.e.d. b.e.d. is a restaurant/lounge combo great for people watching and sipping cocktails with friends. Other b.e.d.s are in NY and Miami, but somehow Atlanta is lucky enough to get the third one. Not sure who we bribed to jump ahead of Vegas and other cities, but we are damn glad your’re here. The VIP rooftop bar has the best views in town.

Checkout the largest aquarium in the world only a few blocks down the road. Waste the afternoon away in Piedmont Park and then grab a drink at the Park Tavern. Hike up Stone Mountain if you need to get away from it all.

Here are our journeyPod picks to give you some ideas:

Bars & Nightlife

Atlanta has many areas for going out. So pay attention people. You can really do some damage with this info. Buckhead no longer rules the scene. The current epicenter would have to be Midtown. If you are looking to chill with friends, then duck into the Highlands or Decatur. If you want something alternative (pronounced All-Tur-Nah-Tive) then try Little Five Points or East Atlanta. But the main action and largest collection of bars and clubs is really in Midtown (or at least in our little twisted world it is).

Here then are our journeyPod picks to keep the good times rolling:

Bazzaar: step into this intimate Midtown enclave to see where all the beautiful people are hiding.

Compound : the best dance club in the city and no hassles when you wear your Pumas…plenty of space for indoor and outdoor raging in Midtown.

eleven50: the only stop in town for international superstar DJs is an old time theater redone as a hot Midtown club.

Fever: the party is alive and well as it rolls across all twelve of their posh rooms…located on Cheshire Bridge Rd.

Halo: diverse Midtown crowd and still on top of its game five years running.

Loca Luna: feel the entire place pulse as you sip mojitos to the hardest working band in the city…located in Midtown.

The Local: the only true bar in town for those nights when you leave your dancing shoes at home…located in Midtown.

Cosmo/Lava Lounge: two clubs for the price of one offer endless rooms of music for any mood in Midtown.

MJQ: dance the night away and for the love of God they have no guestlist but they are in Midtown.

The Mark: the action and scene go underground at this downtown club.