Access Atlanta > The Newcomer > Archives > 2008 > June > 20 > Entry
What’s the best vantage point to get a view of Atlanta?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We had a LOT to say Thursday about Google Street View and it eye on Atlanta.
For this week’s Q&A Friday, I have a different kind of look at the city.
Where’s the best place to get a view of the city? That perfect skyline shot or a nice look at something that really looks like your Atlanta?
You know, the place I could take my dad if he came to visit my new town and say, “Yeah, there it is.”
Maybe it’s the view from the top of a roller coaster or the top of a hill on the expressway. Whatever it is, let me know. We’re compiling them for a little project, and as always, we love your help.
Here’s one view of the skyline from March 2008, courtesy of AJC photographer Mikki Harris
P.S. A lot of you asked questions about Google Street View and how it works as it does for Atlanta. I’m working on it and will report back. In the meantime, enjoy this Web site of some of the best finds on Google Street View. I can do this for hours.
Permalink | Comments (30) | Post your comment | Categories: Questions & Answers
Comments
By Native
June 20, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
A favorite of mine is from the Ida Williams library or the from the Captial Grille, both in Buckhead.
By amy
June 20, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
The View from the top of Stone Mountain is neat if you’ve never done it before.
By Frank
June 20, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Best views of Atlanta: #1 - The Overlook parking deck in Vinings, which is closed during the night, but you can sneak up there on foot. #2 - On top of Sweat Mountain in northeast Cobb County - I think it is Highborne Dr. off Sandy Plains Rd. Used to be real scenic until they built houses all up and down the sides of the mountain. #3 - Stone Mountain, of course. #4 - Kennesaw Mt., on a clear day, when they let you go up. Closed at night.
By L
June 20, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
On top of Hartman Road in Austell, Ga. Our building sits way high on top of a hill and you can see the most beautiful skyline,
By L
June 20, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
On top of Hartman Road in Austell, Ga. Our building sits way high on top of a hill and you can see the most beautiful skyline,
By resident
June 20, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
Living in a high-rise I have a nice view of the city. So my outside guest can see some city view from my living room. So I don’t have to drive in like all the haters who bash Atlanta everyday that live in Cobb or Gwinnett. Of course its not New Yuk but Atlanta has 3 different skylines if you think about at the moment. However in 10 years or sooner it will be a 10 mile skyline from Downtown to Perimeter.
By Brent
June 20, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
My favorite view of Atlanta is on the East/West Marta Line between Georgia State and King Memorial Stations. You’re several stories up and the city unfolds before you.
By zeke
June 20, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
The absolute best view of Atlanta is in my rear view mirror as I drive away!!!!!!
By dawgdan
June 20, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
I’ve always thought that cresting the Freedom Parkway/Boulevard intersection was always pretty cool.
By JeremiahWright
June 20, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
The overlook parking deck in Vinings. I’m not sure the public can still access it, but it used to be a top spot.
By City Dweller
June 20, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
My favorite views of the city:
By Corey
June 20, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
The East/West MARTA line between King Memorial and GA State Stations. You can see the skyline from downtown all the way to Buckhead. A spectacular view!
By jgumbrecht_0508aa
June 20, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
This is so awesome. An interesting view of my city takes my breath away like nothing else. It’s SO nice to see other people feel that way!
By Nick
June 20, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
Blvd and Freedom Pkwy is Best hands down. Also from the Patio at Park Tavern in Piedmont Park and from Sky Field at the Ted.
By Another Native
June 20, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
GA 42 just north of Flippin. You can see the large buildings downtown, but none of the concrete, they sit in a sea of green.
By matt
June 20, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
I second the Overlook in Vinings (also the Vinings Athletic Club). Unincorporated Sandy Springs has some magnificent views as well. Rebel Trail (at Northside Drive and Mt. Vernon) has a view that is absolutely breathtaking, but it is only possible in the winter.
By Mark
June 20, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
The view from the lake in Piedmont Park, looking over the lake towards the midtown skyline… not the full atlanta view, but an amazing view of beautiful midtown.
Also, the roof deck at Six Feet Under in West Midtown has a fantastic view.
By ShantheMan
June 20, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
Great skyline views:
*Rooftop deck at Six Feet Under in West Midtown (DT, MT, and Buckhead) *Lake Clara Meer in Piedmont Park (MT) *Top of the parking deck at Lindbergh MARTA station (MT & DT) *Driving down Amsterdam Ave toward Amsterdam Walk area (MT) *Intersection of Boulevard and Highland (DT) *Traveling south on GA400
By Andre
June 20, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Driving north on 85 from the airport. The skyline just appears through the trees. Also, Six Flags drive is probably the best view or South Cobb drive. Google street view is great. I’ve been waiting on them to add Atlanta.
By WillM
June 20, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
To me the best views are from the North where the 3 skylines (DT, MT, and Buckhead) pile together, making Atlanta look like the megacity it’s starting to become. Best spot: right around where Johnson Ferry Rd and Glenridge Connector cross 285 near the Northside Medical Center.
On the other hand, the most dramatic view — where the city slowly unfolds in its full scope, is coming in on I-20 near Six Flags. Despite the holes, the skyline is starting to get dense enough that the lateral view is truly impressive, a la Chicago.
By gt
June 20, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
tons of places in Vinings/Smyrna to view the ENTIRE skyline (Downtown + Midtown + Buckhead) - and in places, you can see Kennesaw Mtn. + Stone Mtn. from the same view along with the start of the Appalachians off in the distance (on a clear day)…
By WillM
June 20, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
By the way, have you noticed that since the big towers in Buckhead were finished now for the first time you can see a seemingly endless chain of buildings rise up when driving into downtown from the South. It’s now just barely perceptible above the trees, but when you see it, it makes Atlanta’s perceived size almost double and no longer seem like just a mid-size city.
By Mike
June 20, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
My favorite view of Atlanta is the one from my rearview mirror.
By WillM
June 20, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
“My favorite view of Atlanta is the one from my rearview mirror”
Is there an echo in here?
By Becky
June 20, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
I agree with the view coming in I-20 at Six Flags..I have seen that view for the last 20 years every monring coming in to work..To those that say it’s in your rearview mirror, all the airlines here sell one way tickets out of here..
By WM
June 20, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
Grant Park at Fort Walker. (corner of Blvd and Atlanta Ave.) It is surprisingly nice.
By WillM
June 20, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
I agree, Becky (“To those that say it’s in your rearview mirror, all the airlines here sell one way tickets out of here”).
Guess the anti-urban types aren’t such rubes that they don’t have a computer or don’t read the paper. Still I’m kind of surprised they’d even bother reading a blog with this topic.
By BPJ
June 20, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
My favorite has already been mentioned a couple of times: spend a late afternoon/evening in Piedmont Park, walk around the ballfields (excuse me, “active oval”) and Oak Hill, explore the Botanical Gardens, and dine at Park Tavern as the sun sets. Wow.
Another distinctive view is from Oakland Cemetery, with the Victorian monuments in the foreground and Downtown in the background - a unique skyline.
By Brill
June 20, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
In the early 80’s we used to go to the Overlook Deck in Vinings on Friday and/or Saturday nights and there would be a bunch of cars up there.We would all hang out and drink beer and listen to music. The air would have a strange smell in it as well ;) I am sure that no longer takes place. Freedom and I-20 is pretty cool. TV always doing live remotes with Atlanta as the back drop.
By anne
June 20, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Are the swings at Chastain still there? They had a great view of the skyline back when I was in high school.
And Vinings Overlook is definitely the best! It’s becoming almost panoramic as the DT, MT, Buckhead and Perimeter skylines merge.