If there’s one piece of advice I’ll give you before heading to Atlanta for a game, it’s this: ride the MARTA when you can. Here’s why.

In 2018 I went to the Alabama vs. Georgia National Championship game in Atlanta. Yes, the one where Tua became an Alabama legend in storybook fashion en route to a second half, and eventually overtime, comeback victory.

With Atlanta being in UGA’s backyard, as you can imagine there were lots of stunned Georgia fans on the MARTA after the game. My friend Tony and I decide to ride the MARTA back to the stop nearest where we were staying for the weekend, or maybe the bar we wanted to celebrate at, I don’t really remember.

Most of you reading this won’t personally know my friend Tony, but everyone knows a Tony. He’s the guy that seems like he just doesn’t have bad days, and brings an infectiously positive energy to any social gathering. So for the purposes of this story, picture your Tony instead of mine.

When we stepped on the MARTA it felt like stepping into a funeral. It was us and a cart full of Georgia fans in their saddest hour of football season. So naturally, Tony sings the Alabama fight song in glorious off-key acapella at the top of his lungs, with me awkwardly chiming in on the verses I knew.

As you might imagine, the rail cart full of Georgia fans glared at us with the “looks that could kill” that you hear about in stories like this one. I’m thinking “what’s the worst that will happen, we’ll only be on this train for a few minutes until we get off a couple stops from now.”

Well, as luck would have it, we sit there not moving for what seems like an hour in horrible silence until the voice on the loudspeaker tells us the car is broken down, and to please exit. So, if you do ride the MARTA this weekend, and it does break down, I hope you and your Tony make the best of it like we did.

All that to say: the MARTA has character. It’ll get you where you’re going, and maybe give you a story along the way. Speaking of getting places—let’s talk about where you’re actually headed this weekend.

Gameday Town Spotlight: An Auburn Fans’ Guide to Atlanta

Welcome to the first installment in our weekly Tailgate Takeover series, where we’ll pick one town a week to help the state of Alabama’s college football fans eat, drink, and explore before kickoff.

The Auburn Tigers kick off their season big this year against Baylor in the Aflac Kickoff Game on Saturday, September 5th, at 2:30 pm CT (3:30 pm ET–Atlanta’s timezone). Located inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium–home of the Atlanta Falcons–the game will be broadcast nationally on ABC.

This game marks the Tigers’ fourth trip to the Aflac Kickoff Game, and while technically a neutral site, expect the Plains to take over downtown Atlanta for the weekend.

Getting Oriented

One of the most state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venues in the world, Mercedes-Benz Stadium sits right in the heart of Downtown/Vine City, within comfortable walking distance of Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and State Farm Arena.

If you’re staying downtown, you can leave your car parked for the weekend, because the MARTA–Atlanta’s public transport rail system–drops off within a few blocks of the stadium gates at its Vine City and GWCC/CNN Center stations. This will save you from battling Labor Day weekend traffic and high price tag gameday parking.

Where to Eat

Feel free to show up with an appetite, because the stadium district is packed with great food options. Located mere steps from the stadium, Bar Avize has an upscale gameday themed menu, featuring a “Venison Bratwurst” on a potato bun–their take on the classic stadium dog–and their “Bougy Chicky Nuggies”–topped with hot honey and trout roe.

If you’re a fan of seafood and looking for an elevated dinner, The Optimist delivers a “seaside fish camp experience” to the area with fresh oysters, mussels, trout, and more. There are also plenty of Southern comfort food options scattered throughout the area with chicken and waffles popping up on more than one menu.

Where to Drink

For pure gameday vibes, Nest on Four–located inside the Signia by Hilton Atlanta–has upwards of 45 tvs and is right next to the stadium, offering a full bar plus wings, nachos, burgers, etc. If you want something a little more eclectic, nearby Skol Brewing Co. on Peachtree Street offers Nordic-themed craft beers and is known for their smoked brisket poutine. Centennial Olympic Park and Der Biergarten are popular options nearby as well.

If you’re looking to celebrate gameday before, after, or during the game with the Auburn fans of Atlanta, located just a little ways from the stadium area are official Auburn gameday watch bars Bucket Shop–in Buckhead–and North Highland Pub–in Virginia Highland. To be sure you revel in gameday vibes with your Auburn family, these are two of your best bets.

Things to Do

To find the true tailgating experience, Centennial Olympic Park–just steps from the stadium–is where you’ll want to go. The “Fountain of Rings” in the park also offers a great photo opp. The Georgia Aquarium and the College Football Hall of Fame are both within walking distance also if you’d prefer to kill a couple hours that way.

For gameday shopping, pop-up tents scattered around the stadium plaza will be offering Auburn and Baylor gear. If you want to do some shopping that isn’t gameday themed, Westside Provisions District is a short Uber/Lyft away, and is a popular option for boutique shopping–and has additional upscale dining options.

Lucy’s Market in Buckhead–also a short Uber/Lyft away–is one of the best spots for tailgate and home goods, including snacks, wine, gift baskets, platters, cups, napkins, and all the things you might need for the perfect tailgate setup.

Know Before You Go

First thing to note this weekend, don’t underestimate the Atlanta heat. It’s going to be hot and humid, so dress accordingly. If you have one of those portable fans, this would be a good time to use it, and don’t forget to lather up the SPF with your favorite sunblock for sun protection.

With it being Labor Day weekend and week 1 of college football season, expect downtown to be packed. If you’re driving, arrive early if you can and know where you’re parking beforehand. Take the MARTA if you can, to spare yourself from parking woes and gameday road closures near the stadium—and hey, if it breaks down on you: Auburn fans, you know what to do.

Auburn opens its season with a road game that should feel a lot like a home game–so enjoy the city, football season is finally back! Be sure to tune in next week as we pick our next Gameday Town Spotlight for Auburn or Alabama’s next matchup.

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