Atlanta Travel

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by Steve Yasick

Happy Holidays from Team 85! We're in the process of planning travel for the championship event and would like to know how other teams have chosen to travel while in Atlanta. Were you able to walk from your hotel to the location, or would you suggest booking a charter bus to travel around Atlanta? Let me know what you Atlanta veterans would suggest...

Steve,

If your team is flying down to Atlanta, I really see no reason to charter a bus. Last year all the hotels available through THS were either within walking distance of the Georgia Dome, or right on the MARTA (Subway) line. MARTA had passes specifically designed for FIRST that lasted either 4,5 or 6 days. These passes were around $7-13 and provided unlimited travel for your stay. There's even a MARTA stop at the airport, which saves the expense of a shuttle.

Also, unlike many other cities, the subways in Atlanta were safe and clean. A pleasure to ride.

[Elgin Clock]

http://www.centennialpark.com/images/Downtown%20map.pdf


Everything is within walking distance.

We stayed at where it says Peachtree plaza, in the topish rightish corner and it was either a 15 minute walk from my room to my pits, or a 10 minute subway ride.

The only reason it was 10 minutes on the subway is because you had to go south, then west and transfer to go that west.

It's not bad once you get used to it, but just don't forget which way you are going, or you may get into some trouble with your teammates for leading them off the correct train...

Also, a map of the actual Georgia World Congress Center (pits) and the GA Dome (stadium) complex can be found here.

http://www.gwcc.com/images/gwccmap.pdf


Good luck in 2005, and if you need help navigating Atlanta, just ask any team you see if they were there in 2004. BY three days of being in Atlanta, you pretty much know your way around.

[Mike AA]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

http://www.centennialpark.com/images/Downtown%20map.pdf


Everything is within walking distance.

We stayed at where it says Peachtree plaza, in the topish rightish corner and it was either a 15 minute walk from my room to my pits, or a 10 minute subway ride.

The only reason it was 10 minutes on the subway is because you had to go south, then west and transfer to go that west.

It's not bad once you get used to it, but just don't forget which way you are going, or you may get into some trouble with your teammates for leading them off the correct train...

Also, a map of the actual Georgia World Congress Center (pits) and the GA Dome (stadium) complex can be found here.

http://www.gwcc.com/images/gwccmap.pdf


Good luck in 2005, and if you need help navigating Atlanta, just ask any team you see if they were there in 2004. BY three days of being in Atlanta, you pretty much know your way around.

I second that, and what the others have said. I personally usually walked but a couple times took the MARTA to comp and at night took it to the different atractions. The pass was well worth the money and I would highly suggest it rather than renting a van or bus. $7 x 20 = 140 vs. bus= $hundreds ?

-Mike - Team 1654 In Holland Michigan