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!

Pumpkins and corn maze fun at Jaemor Farms

You can’t just bring the kids out to buy a pumpkin then turn around and go home. There’s lots more to do. Make a day of it. At Jaemor Farms in Hall County, north of Gainesville, (see map) there’s enough to do to keep the kiddies entertained and goodies for you too. The drive along I-985 up towards the mountains is painted in gorgeous fall colors right now as well. Plenty of pumpkins to choose from First selecting that pumpkin is going to take some time, because Jaemor has plenty...

October 29th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Cavalia comes to Atlanta

The big white tent rising next to Atlantic Station is bound to pique your curiosity. No, it’s not another Cirque – but it was conceived by Cirque du Soleil co-founder, Normand Latourelle. This is Cavalia — not a circus, or a horse show, but theater with horses as performers. In fact there are 60 equine artists in this show and 40 human acrobats, aerialists, riders, musicians and dancers. The horses are from 12 different breeds, among them Arabians, Lusitanos, Spanish Pure Breeds,...

October 26th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Review: Papouli’s has fast food other than hamburgers

Want something quick but decidedly different? Papouli’s Cafe and Market in Alpharetta (see map) has Greek-to-go. Order at the counter from a menu with stuffed grape leaves, mousaka or pastitsio with a side Greek Salad and slice of bread. (Your mama would be proud!) They also have gyros, a Chicago style Italian sausage sandwich, a Greek burger and yes, for the diehards in the group — a hamburger. Then find a seat either outside on the sidewalk of the Terraces at Windward shopping center...

October 24th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Nine Ghost tours in the Atlanta area

I prefer to run into my ghosts on a walking tour rather than a haunted house, that way I have a running chance. You know the old joke about seeing a bear in the woods? I don’t have to be able to fun fast– just faster than you. Well, it applies on ghost tours as well. Seriously, ghost tours have more story in them, and depending on the particular tour, history. Since we have so much history here, there are lots of ghost stories and lots of community ghost tours. Chances are good there’s...

October 23rd, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Georgia offers deal at park lodges, photo contest

Just in time for Leaf-peepers, the state is cutting rates at state park lodges. Their “Lodge-ical rates” start at $69 at George T. Bagby, Little Ocmulgee and Red Top and $79 at Amicalola and Unicoi. Continental breakfast for two is included (full breakfast at Unicoi.) The last time I was at Amicalola, (see map) a mist had settled on top of the mountain, blurring the view from the glass-sided lodge, but the time before that I watched the sunrise chase the shadows down that spectacular...

October 21st, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Atlanta’s Haunted Houses

What would this month be without handing over a few bucks to get the heebie-jeebies scared out of you? (Just candy and costumes, that’s what.) My idea of fun in a haunted house is being one of the actors — I’d rather be scaring others than being scared myself. But for those of you who love them, here’s a rundown on places to go in and out of Atlanta. Chambers of Horrors (see map) $15, Oct. 1 – 31 In-town. Netherworld (see map) Norcross $20 – $25 Oct thru 11/1...

October 19th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Dahlonega’s Gold Rush Festival

Dahlonega is one of the best ways to approach the North Georgia mountains. It has an old fashioned square (see map) and every store around the square is worth a visit. Some of the store are reportedly haunted. But the ghosts make themselves scarce for Gold Rush Days, a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 event, this weekend. While there will be small-town contests, like a parade, wheel-barrow race, hog-calling and wrist wrestling, there is plenty to draw tourists from all over the Southeast. Over 300...

October 17th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Atlanta’s Best Neighborhood Halloween Parade

The folks in Little Five Points really know how to celebrate Halloween! Beginning with the 9th Annual L5P Halloween Festival today, which includes an outdoor screening of a classic horror movie and a concert of punk-rock songs performed by “mon-stars,” this is the place to be to enjoy the whimsical and not-too-scary holiday. Children’s activities start tomorrow at Davis Plaza (see map) from noon ’til 5 with other entertainment at Findley Plaza (see map) plus face painting,...

October 16th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Free – Georgia Literary Festival in Rome

Are you a book nut? Do you crane your neck to see the title of a book that even a stranger is reading? The 11th annual Georgia Literary Festival is right up your alley. There will be both local and national writers, including Terry Kay, author of To Dance with the White Dog, Vincent Coppola, former Newsweek writer, Joshilyn Jackson, Man Martin, Atlantans Hollis Gillespie, Eric Haney, Akbar Imhotep and Patrica Sprinkle, just to name a few. Put together by the Georgia Center for the Book (check out...

October 14th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Three drives for North Georgia leaves

Every change of season has its beauties, but Fall is surely the most glorious here in North Georgia. Once Labor Day has passed, people start talking about “peak,” as in the very moment when leaf colors are at their utmost brilliance. Obviously, “peak” hits earlier the farther north one is in the state – so theoretically, you can enjoy “peak” at Callaway Gardens several weeks after you have experienced it at Brasstown Bald. The U. S. Forest Service has set up a fall color hotline. Call...

October 13th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Moore in America leaves Atlanta Nov. 1

If you’ve been waiting for out-of-town friends to visit as an excuse to see the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s exhibition of Henry Moore’s sculptures, better clean out the spare room and call ‘em up. The 20 gigantic sculptures (the largest outdoor exhibition of Moore’s work in a single venue) will be leaving town after 10/31. (See map.) That also means this is last month to win the photo contest and have your pic as the Garden’s Facebook page profile for the month....

October 11th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Mediterranean Dining in Atlanta’s Inman Park

Condos and street side dining are the new normal in Inman Park. Sometimes the new is directly across the street from the old. Plenty of good restaurants are coming up within walking distance for residents, and both on and off street parking for those who drive in. Zaya Restaurant (see map) opened in 2008 with sumptuous-looking decor and gourmet-styled Mediterranean food. Chef Marshall Edge is actually from Eastman, Georgia and has spent much of his career in French, Creole and Cajun cooking. But...

October 9th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

North Georgia Fat Tire Fest promises family fun

The Helen Fat Tire Festival Powered by Duro starts this Friday (Oct. 9) at 6 pm at Unicoi State Park (see map) in Helen. Your $30 gets you into all the events – group rides, bike games, kids’ rodeo, scavenger hunt and a 12- and 6-hour cross country mountain bike race, plus lots of food, beverages, live music and mountain biker-type socializing. Individual events are $10, so the all inclusive admission is a great deal. If you’ve been thinking mountain biking looks like fun but dragging...

October 7th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Taste of Atlanta – 80 restaurants, discount for readers

The variety and quality of food at the Taste of Atlanta is stunning – seafood, ribs, fried chicken, desserts, vegies. One of Atlanta’s premier events, this year it was selected in an Oprah Magazine article as one of “Six Food Festivals That are Worth the Trip.” Already a chance to sample cuisine from many of the city’s great restaurants, this year there is an expanded locavore section called “Farm to Festival” – where you can buy locally grown fruits,...

October 1st, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Atlanta’s Greek Festival will fill you with Kefi

Atlanta’s Greek Festival is a three-day extravaganza of food, music and dance, held every fall at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Clairmont Rd.(see map.) For a paltry $3 admission this Friday, you’ll be charmed by the lively bouzouki music and drawn into the exuberance of the traditional dances performed by Troupe Hellas. Alpha-Omega Sound will be there with their lively music and “A Night in Athens” featuring Nick Trivelas and the Aegeans. (Briefly, the definitions I’ve...

September 30th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Turnin’ and Burnin’ in North Georgia

Chester Hewell grew up watching his parents and grandparents create garden ware and folk pottery. He learned the places to dig for clay and family recipes for glazes, both secrets jealously guarded from neighbors and competitors. He attempted his first clay creation at the age of 6 or 7. Now Hewell’s grandchildren shape their own pottery at the kickwheel, having started at an even earlier age than he did. “Most little kids would try to eat clay at first,” says Hewell proudly of...

September 28th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Ten Fall Festivals in the mountains

Nothing signals the beginning of fall in Georgia like a crisp breeze bringing the smell of boiled peanuts, a funnel cake in hand, blue grass music in the air and the sight of a handmade quilt framed by our beautiful mountains. If you’re longing for the North Georgia mountains, here are ten festivals to stop at on your way: 1. Sautee Jamboree – Sautee-Nacoochee, 9/26-27 – (see map) A destination in itself, this is a great kickoff for fall with “the soundtrack of Appalachia.”...

September 25th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Six small-town festivals for food, fun, lots of art and more

1. The Sandy Springs Festival at Heritage Green (see map) is this weekend. This is a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 event. Like the small towns everywhere, there’s a food court, music, a 10K race and a car show, but unlike many others, the art show is juried, there’s a Georgia Made, Georgia Grown section and a Sip & Sample. Admission is $5 for adults ($2 ages 6-18) and members of Heritage Sandy Springs get in free. 2. The Duluth Fall Festival is also this weekend. Duluth has...

September 24th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Free admission to museums, historic sites and state parks on Saturday, Sept. 26

Saturday September 26 is the Smithsonian Magazine’s Annual Museum Day, so a number of museums have free admission. For a complete list of Georgia museums, go the website. You will need to print the Museum Day Admission Card. Here are some Atlanta museums that are participating: High Museum of Art Museum of Design Atlanta (see map) Center for Puppetry Arts CDC Global Health Odyssey Museum (admission is always free here. Bring your government issued ID, such as a driver’s license.) (see...

September 23rd, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More

Latino Festival Free at International Horse Park in Conyers

Fiesta Georgia kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers (see map) on Sunday, September 20. There will be live music performed by both national and local musicians, free product samples, arts & crafts, dance and plenty of authentic food. Among the performers are Diana Reyes, El Gringo and Grupo Bandido, plus you’ll see traditional folkloric dances. This is the second year for the festival and they are expecting about 20,000 attendees. Doors open...

September 18th, 2009 | Atlanta | Read More