If you're an Atlantan, you're likely to spend a lot of time in your car, and much of it is probably quite grueling.
But, if you're Atlantan who loves car, the area's variety of motor-pumping adventures will fulfill your need for speed and almost make you forget the hours spent in traffic.
Try the following metro Atlanta car-related adventures:
Georgia Dome, 1 Georgia Dome Drive, Atlanta. 7 p.m. Jan. 14
Monster Jam, the world's biggest and most famous monster truck tour, is coming to Atlanta on Jan. 14. The 12-feet-tall, 10,000-pound machines will soar and crash their way around a Georgia Dome track, creating a noisy spectacle for all ages. The event features fan favorites such as Grave Digger and Scooby Doo, with tickets starting at $15.
Gates open at 5 p.m. for a show time of 7 p.m., or purchase special tickets to get access to a Pit Party that lets you meet some drivers and get an up-close look at some of their vehicles from 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Perimeter Mall, 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. First Sunday of each month from 8-11 a.m.
The largest monthly car show in North America is held right here in Atlanta at Perimeter Mall on the first Sunday of every month.
You'll get to see around 1,500 vehicles of all types, including muscle, classic and exotic cars, and admission is free. Bring the family, talk with other car enthusiasts and check out the cars from 8-11 a.m.
One Porsche Drive, Atlanta. 888-204-7474. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday with reservations highly recommended. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Who hasn't dreamed of being behind the wheel of a high-performance vehicle like a Porsche? At the Porsche Experience Center, you can choose one or more cars and hop behind the wheel with a driving coach for 90 minutes of wish fulfillment. Get some pointers to improve your driving skills, or just enjoy zooming around the track. Tours of One Porsche Drive, offered on Wednesdays and Fridays, let you learn about the center and the brand's history.
Car enthusiasts of any age can also race against each other on famous racetracks in the center's simulator lab.
Credit: Porsche Experience Center
Credit: Porsche Experience Center
5290 Winder Highway, Braselton. 800-221-1131. Class dates and times vary - check website for exact times.
Channel your inner race car driver at Skip Barber Racing School at Road Atlanta. The school gives you a chance to improve your skills over time by starting with a three-hour Intro to Racing School that lets you get behind the wheel of a formula car to learn the fundamentals of racing. Or try the one-day racing school that lets you drive either a Mazda Miata based MX-5 Cup Car or Formula Skip Barber 2000 open wheel single-seater on the track. To further hone your skills, come back for the Three-Day Racing School or Advanced High Performance Driving School.
Classes are held on an ongoing basis, so it shouldn't be hard to find one to fit your schedule.
1500 Tara Place, Hampton. 800-237-3889. Dates and times vary - check website to schedule an experience.
Take the wheel of a 600-horsepower NASCAR race car at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where you can reach speeds of up to 160 mph. You can choose packages that start at eight laps and go all the way up to 50 laps.
Or, if you'd like the experience of being in the race car without actually having to get behind the wheel, choose a ride-along experience.
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