Atlanta's Labor Day Guide 2009

US Hwy 27, Pine Mountain, GA 31822 (map)

There's nothing like combining a getaway from the city with a little classic amusement, and Callaway Gardens spends Labor Day weekend putting on their 11th annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival. For those totally fixated on riding in a balloon, YES, there are balloon rides for attendees not participating in the festival. Everyone else can get their thrills by rock-climbing, swimming, playing golf or scoping out that weirdly cool butterfly house.

1140 Crescent Ave, Atlanta, GA 30309 (map)

If you’re going to try and hold on to the last days of summer, what better spot than a bar that thinks it’s summer all year round? Labor Day invites us to drink, and we think that after you’ve sucked down a few of their alcoholic slush-puppies, you’ll forget that summer is over. So, pop the collar of your favorite Lacoste shirts and get ready to mingle among the imported palm trees of tropical Midtown.

7000 Holiday Rd, Buford, GA 30518 (map)

If you want true beaches on this long holiday weekend, you’ll need to trek the 5 hours to St. Simons or Charleston. But, for those on a time crunch, look no further than 45 minutes north. The Beach and Waterpark at Lake Lanier is open for their final weekend of the year, plus there is golf, hiking, horseback riding and a spa for those who are looking for additional lake-side recreation.

3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 (map)

While we love spending our days off basking in the sun or taking in a ballgame, we won’t lie; we equally love to shop, especially when the good Lord delivers holiday sales. And if you’re going to head out among the crowds, Lenox aims to please: high-end (French Connection), budget-friendly (Gap), trendy (Urban Outfitters), masculine-happy (Art of Shaving), and universally loved (Mac store). Plus, they have a California Pizza Kitchen, which sure beats a food-court gyro.

701-5 Highland Ave, Atlanta, GA 30312 (map)

Every Monday, the gastro-geniuses at P’cheen just happen to serve what is our favorite ‘cue in town--Mike’s Bone Lick BBQ. And what do you know, Labor Day is on a Monday. Hooray! Not that you can’t enjoy good barbecue into the fall months but, for some reason, it just tastes better during summertime. If you need a fix on one of the other 6 days of the week, we prefer Fox Brothers.

2000 Moreland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 (map)

Not only is the Starlight one of our coolest spots to catch a flick (if you haven’t noticed, we’re partial to retro concepts), but Sunday, September 6th marks their biggest day of the year: the Drive Invasion. A full day of scoping classic hot rods, watching live rock ‘n’ roll bands and screening films into the night. If you have to say so long to summer, do it American Graffiti-style.

Hwy 78 E (Exit 8), Stone Mountain, GA 30087 (map)

Seeing the laser show during summer at Stone Mountain Park is a bit of a rite of passage growing up in Atlanta. You singletons in your 20s might have no interest in heading to the park built on a giant rock, but those with tweens, take note. This is their chance to run off with their friends one last time before weeknight curfew gets severely tightened.

933 Peachtree Street N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309 (map)

While saying goodbye to summer, we get to say hello to fall. And for the South that means one thing: Football is officially here. With multiple flat-screens assigned to each table, a mammoth beer list and better-than-average wings, Taco Mac in Midtown is a no-brainer for the sports-obsessed. Jackets play Jacksonville State at Bobby Dodd at 1pm; Dawgs take on Oklahoma State (away) at 3:30pm.

755 Hank Aaron Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 (map)

We hope the Braves still have a shot at the wild card by next month but, if not, this might be a good time to take that last trip to the Ted before turning our attention to Matty Ice and the Atlanta Falcons. A home stand against the Reds seems like an appropriate way to say so-long to the dog days of summer.