Linda Erbele: I'm Linda Erbele and I’m going to tell you about places in Atlanta (and out of the city) that you’ve never been, and maybe things you don’t know about places you have been. Our readers and I want to read your travel stories too. I’ve been a writer for the last 11 years, with stories in magazines and newspapers in Georgia as well as nationally. I’ve lived, loved and worked in and around Atlanta since, well, since all the signs in Chamblee were in English. A perfect summer evening for me is cruising through a midtown neighborhood with the top down. In the fall I may put on a sweater and turn the heater on, but the convertible is still the best way to view the North Georgia mountains painted in the fiery colors of fall leaves. And of course, in the spring, I enjoy the dogwoods, azaleas and jonquils as they begin in central Georgia and spread north. So check back often, and let me know what I’ve missed in your favorite places!

Lighting and fun nearby

Whoops – it’s Saturday morning and you haven’t made plans. Or there’s lots to do, but you just don’t want to go very far today. Log onto the website of your nearest small town. Everyone is having some kind of Christmas festival, Tour of Homes or Lighting of the Tree. Here are just two examples: In Clayton County, the Festival of Trees and Lights at Clayton County International Park until December 21. $7 per car wkends, $5 Tue-Thur. The annual Celebration of Light will...

December 13th, 2008 | Atlanta | Read More

Learn about the Leo Frank case before the exhibit ends this year.

Nothing to do with the holidays but ending December 31 is the Breman Museum’s exhibition, “Seeking Justice: The Leo Frank Case Revisited.” This is the truly tragic story of a murder that happened in 1913 that had a tremendous effect on Georgia and the nation. Very briefly, Leo Frank was a manager at a pencil factory and was accused of murdering 13-year-old Mary Phagan in the basement of the factory. The eye-witness was an African-American janitor. It was a very racially charged...

December 12th, 2008 | Atlanta | Read More

Helen’s Christkindlmarkt

In the German tradition of combining food, music and entertainment with markets of imported and local Christmas specialties, Georgia’s “Alpine” village is holding its first annual Christkindlmarkt. Long a tradition in Chicago, there are Christkindlmarkts in Pennsylvania, Colorado and Ohio. You can enjoy Georgia’s in (relatively) much warmer weather this weekend and next. The Helen Christmas parade is Dec. 6. Bands are scheduled during various times and Santa will be there...

December 5th, 2008 | Atlanta | Read More

Lake Lanier’s Magical Nights of Lights

About an hour north of Atlanta, Lake Lanier Islands offers six and a half miles of lights and a carload price. It bills itself as the “world’s largest animated light extravaganza” and includes a live nativity scene, carnival rides, pony rides and the Santa Shop. The Holiday Village includes a bonfire for roasting marshmallows. The price is $40 per car Friday through Sunday and holidays, $30 Monday through Thursday. Discount tickets are available at Publix and McDonalds (good for...

December 5th, 2008 | Atlanta | Read More

Fantasy in Lights a Christmas Tradition

With gas prices so low at the moment, you might consider driving south of town to the Fantasy of Lights at Callaway Gardens, just over an hour away. Famous for its azalea trails in the spring, the gardens light up for the holidays with 8 million lights. If you’re concerned about your carbon footprint, you can take the tram. It is open and this is a cold drive, so bundle up and bring a thermos of something warm. (You can purchase hot chocolate in the Christmas Village and under the Pavilion on...

December 1st, 2008 | Atlanta | Read More

Legendary eating at the Dillard House

I had heard a lot about the Dillard House before I went. The food is delicious, the service is great, it’s just something you have to do in the mountains – so my expectations were high. There is a long line at traditional meal times, but it moves quickly. (You can admire the view from the porch rocking chairs while you wait.) When we were seated, the server promptly came and took our drink orders. The menu on the wall outside had listed fried chicken, steak and gravy, sliced country ham...

November 26th, 2008 | Atlanta | Read More

Goats lure North Georgia tourists

There you are driving along enjoying the mountain views and trying to ignore whatever the kids are doing in the backseat when the clamor becomes a little louder, “Those are sheep!” and “No they aren’t. It was goats on that roof. Dad, tell her that goats have horns.” What? Indeed there are goats on the roof. This little place makes a great pit stop on your way north. There is specialty coffee for the adults and the kids can get a little exercise pedaling the stationary bicycle that moves...

November 21st, 2008 | Atlanta | Read More

Boiled peanuts and fried apple pies

No, that’s not a brush fire over there. Smell that? It’s the smell of the South – boiled peanuts. For many who grew up here, this is truly comfort-snack food. After I-985 becomes Georgia highway 365 on the way to North Georgia, Jaemor Farms is one of the most visible stops for boiled peanuts. It has the added advantage that those along for the ride who have turned up their noses at the very idea can sample other local delicacies, among them, apple or peach fritters, made with fruit from the...

November 18th, 2008 | Atlanta | Read More

Have I missed the peak of fall leaf color?

While most media reported the “peak” around the 8th of November, it’s a nebulous term. You can find yourself admiring one view thinking, if just those spots would spring into color, this would be peak. Almost overnight those trees will light up in yellow, but you’ll discover that the flaming maples that completed the picture have sent all their leaves to the ground in a brown puddle. The thing to do is JUST GO. Anytime in October or November it’s beautiful in the mountains....

November 17th, 2008 | Atlanta | Read More

Welcome back! The Atlanta Traveler has come out of retirement!

I’m Linda Erbele and I’ve dusted off the backpack and shaken the moths out of the old Atlanta Traveler hoodie. I’m going to tell you about places in Atlanta (and out of the city) that you’ve never been, and maybe things you don’t know about places you have been. Our readers and I want to read your travel stories too. I’ve been a writer for the last 11 years, with stories in magazines and newspapers in Georgia as well as nationally. I’ve lived, loved and...

November 15th, 2008 | Atlanta | Read More