Ration + Dram Exterior

The Crimson White: Six Things to do in Atlanta

It’s another lonely away-game weekend in Tuscaloosa, leaving many students hankering for a getaway. Tuscaloosa is situated in the middle of the South, making it easy to jump in the car for a road trip to any number of destinations. Birmingham, Memphis, New Orleans, Nashville and Atlanta are all in within five hours of T-Town. So if you’re not following the Crimson Tide to Starkville this weekend, plan a weekend trip to Atlanta, located just 2.5 hours away, and go beyond the malls, aquarium and the World of Coke to experience some of these local hot spots.

Sublime Donuts: College students get 15 percent off with their ID’s at this local donut sensation. Located in the heart of Atlanta, this restaurant offers a large collection of unique donut eats. Flavors range from s’mores to sweet potato cake and even maple bacon cheddar (only offered on Saturdays). They also offer specialty donut ice cream sandwiches, including flavors such as the Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Burger. Donut-lovers will rejoice at the chance to experience any of Sublime Donuts’ unusual flavors.

Ponce City Market: Located in the historic Sears, Roebuck & Co, building in Atlanta and developed by the owners of Chelsea Market in Manhattan, this lively market is perfect for checking out food and shopping. Locals love drinking and dining in the Central Food Hall, and PCM also includes Atlanta favorites such as Dancing Goats Coffee Bar and King of Pops. Visitors can also check out boutiques as well as popular shopping spots like Anthropologie and J. Crew.

The Beltline: The Atlanta Beltline is the perfect place to satisfy a need for outdoor adventure, and to explore the city at the same time. Twenty-two miles of pedestrian-friendly trails situated on an old railroad is the perfect way to see views of the city. Development of the Beltline is expected to continue until 2030, eventually connecting up to 45 Atlanta neighborhoods. But there is still much to enjoy as of now: shops and restaurants line the path, and bikes are also available for rental. Also along the way is Krog Street Market, which locals love for eats and beverages. For information about the Beltline, visit beltline.org.

Terminal West: Located on the West Side, this popular venue showcases music and acts almost every night of the week. The lineup for this weekend is as follows: Friday- Desert Dwellers; Saturday- The Electric Sons; Sunday- The English Beat. Restaurant Stationside is also located at Terminal West, serving refreshments during and after shows. For ticket information visit http://www.terminalwestatl.com/.

Little Trouble: Also located on the West Side is Little Trouble, a “Blade Runner” themed bar that greets visitors with neon lights and a lively atmosphere. Not only is it a bar, but it’s also a great place to grab snacks and appetizers. The menu offers a wide variety of cocktails, wine and beer, as well as Asian-inspired appetizers such as dumplings, buns, slaw and ramen. Be sure to try the $5 drink specials during happy hour, which is Monday-Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Ration and Dram: Check out this local joint for its popular $1 oyster nights on Mondays, or stop by any time for a culinary experience. They serve local food, and they offer an extensive menu for vegans and vegetarians. Try their popular oysters or one the other customer favorites from the menu, including the southern classic, chicken and dumplings, French dip or pan-seared Georgia trout.