A visitor's guide to 24 hours in atlanta

* I was there for a little more than 24 hours, and here's what we packed in: EAT LUNCH: Shawarma and rosemary chicken and falafels and baba ganoush at the Aviva by Kameel location at

CODA in Midtown. The small food hall also made for a fine place to meet and talk shop on a rainy day. DINNER: At Ponce City Market I spotted Botiwalla and King of Pops, which made me think

of Charlotte's favorite slogan: _Hey, we have that_ _in Charlotte, too! _ * But on this trip, Kristal and Thomas and I went a little fancier with Atrium, where we had a mix of cocktails

like the Deal's Revenge (a spicy old-fashioned) and zero-proofers like the All That Glitters (ginger, pepper, lime and soda), and followed them with steak and duck. One downside: I

ordered mussels that never arrived. * Of note: I did eye the W.H. Stiles Fish Camp, which I want to try on the next trip. COFFEE: The next morning, I met Emma at Biggerstaff Brewing for

coffee and a warm apple cider, then we snagged a light lunch at Bread & Butterfly. STAY HOTEL TRAVEL can be like opening a Christmas gift from your off-the-wall aunt: Never know

what's inside. But the Georgian Terrace exceeded expectations. The cost (about $200) was reasonable and the staff was kind and allowed me an early check-in.  * The building itself, made

of brick and marble with huge windows and chandeliers, sparkled with holiday decorations.  DO THE SUN CAME OUT on Day 2 and Emma took me on a walking tour of Old Fourth Ward. * We saw the

old Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King Jr. (and Sr.) preached; the new version where Sen. Raphael Warnock preaches; the tomb for King and his wife, Coretta Scott King; and

MLK’s birth home.  OF NOTE: We also strolled past a restaurant Charlotte can't wait to see arrive: Slutty Vegan. FROM THERE, we walked a bit along the Beltline, where I saw a few places

we've written about, and I learned a little more about the trail's story. Then we cut across to the Carter Center and its rolling green backyard. MY THOUGHT BUBBLE: I may lose my

Charlotte card for saying this, but Atlanta is a breathtaking blend of past, present and future. I'd move there … if not for the traffic.  * _Sorry, had to._