It's Snow Mountain! AJC photos by Jamie Gumbrecht

Were you able to identify the image in this week’s Access Points photo game? Indeed, commenter Tony was correct — it was a snow tube at Stone Mountain Park’s Snow Mountain attraction.

This is Stone Mountain Park’s second year of Snow Mountain playtime. It planned to open the attraction for the first time in 2007, but caught criticism for using more than 1 million gallons of tap water during a drought and watering ban. The park brought the plan back last year, using water from its own lake.

And I’m glad it worked, because snow is far more fun to play in than to drive in. By 9 a.m., there were hundreds of kids and parents dressing snow people, throwing balls at the Snowball Shooting Gallery and carving icy angels into the ground. I underestimated how much fun there is to be had with a bucket and a fresh layer of white on the ground.

There’s no time limit to how long you can stay in the play areas, and I could tell some children …

Continue reading Access Points 20: Snow tubes at Stone Mountain Park »

The Johnstown High School marching band from Johnstown, Ohio marches in the Chick-fil-A Bowl Parade on Thursday afternoon. AJC/Elissa Eubanks

Peach Drop family activities have been running downtown all day, and music will start in a few hours.

The Chick-fil-A Bowl Parade finished up a little while ago, and the bowl game will start in a few hours.

Offices are emptying as people head home to prepare for parties.

What are your New Year’s Eve plans? Share your experiences in the comments.

Happy 2010, everybody!

For instant updates, follow @insideaccess on Twitter.

Continue reading Atlanta New Year’s Eve: what are your plans? »

Arbitrary, unscientific and subjective though they are, I am in love with the glut of year- (and decade-) end Best Of lists infecting media right now, and not just because they draw more page views to this blog than I ever would have imagined.

Here’s why, in a convenient list:

1. Tidy packages
Most mornings, I post a list of fun things to do around Atlanta. It might be more comprehensive to just Tweet links to AccessAtlanta.com all day long, but if I’m going to wade through 200 listings anyway, it seems worth sharing what I found in a manageable, organized, clean way. Why not think the same way about a year’s worth of events? A few weeks ago, you nominated and voted on your favorite events of 2009. I tacked on my own list because, well, it’s my blog.

2. Sweet reminders
Catherine Fox’s list of Top 10 Exhibitions shows slivers of the visual art offerings around Atlanta. I have a friendly interest and zero expertise in art, but I’m surprised by how many of these I saw, and how …

Continue reading 5 reasons to love year-end Best Of lists »

"Orchid Daze: Towers of Flowers" opens on Feb. 6 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. AJC file photo

Before you stake your claim on a spot for the Peach Drop, please scoot over to the Atlanta Botanical Garden for the last day of “Moore in America.”

I understand that “go see a garden” is not a reasonable command when it’s sleeting outdoors. For more convincing, check out this post from October, which links to more reviews and stories about it. I wrote that post when the show was first scheduled to end. It was extended through the end of the year, but now we really have to say good-bye. (This will also be the last chance to see the Garden’s holiday displays and families might dig the New Year’s Across the Globe event today, too.)

So what comes next? The Botanical Garden’s annual orchid show, “Orchid Daze,” returns, this time with a “Towers of Flowers” theme. Here are some photos from last year’s show. It opens Feb. 6 and runs through April 11.

Want to go? “Moore in America” ends …

Continue reading Botanical Garden: ‘Moore’ ends, ‘Orchid Daze’ begins Feb. 6 »

Hmm, where around Atlanta have you seen this before? Share your ideas in the comments. AJC/Jamie Gumbrecht

Wow, we’re already at the 20th edition of our Access Points photo game? Way to play, Atlanta!

Just like the past 19 times, tell me what’s in this photo and where around Atlanta you’ll find it. Post your ideas in the comments, or on Twitter @insideaccess.

I’ll reveal the answer in photos and a story at 4 p.m. tomorrow!

To keep playing, check out our earlier Access Points stops, or see them on our Access Points map.

Continue reading Access Points 20: Can you guess what and where this is? »

Atlanta's Peach Drop in 1999. Ten years later, that 800-pound peach is ready to drop again. AJC file photo

If you’re planning to head downtown for the annual New Year’s Eve Peach Drop celebration, prepare youself for frigid temperatures and a huge crowd that sticks around, rain or shine. Peach Drop regulars will pack Underground Atlanta early, but the Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome will let out in plenty of time for that crowd to join the fun before midnight, too.

Peach Drop regulars, please share your tips to have a fun, safe and warm experience in the comments!

Here are more details about the Chick-fil-A Bowl, and here’s what you need to know before you go to the Peach Drop:

When and where: People begin gathering for the Peach Drop early on December 31, but the crowd in Underground Atlanta really starts to grow around 5 p.m. Here’s the full entertainment lineup.

• Kids entertainment and activities run from noon-6 p.m.
• Kenny’s Alley will have live entertainment from …

Continue reading Know before you go: Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta »

Dance: Kwanzaa celebration featuring Giwayan Mata dance ensemble, 3-6 p.m., Atlanta-Fulton County Central Library auditorium, Atlanta. FREE.

For kids: Pokemon City Championship, 11 a.m., Stevi B.’s Pizza, Marietta. FREE.

Music: KEM performs with Will Downing, 8 p.m., Fox Theatre, Atlanta.

Music: Widespread Panic performs, 8 p.m., Philips Arena, Atlanta.

Music: Zoe Myers and others performs a concert to benefit Southern HOPE Humane Society, 7 p.m., Red Clay Theatre and Arts Center, Duluth.

Have an event, venue, restaurant or performance in and around Atlanta? Add it to the AccessAtlanta.com calendar.

For instant updates, follow @insideaccess on Twitter.

Continue reading To do list: December 30 »

Dancers made their way to the Georgia World Congress Center during the 2007 Chick-fil-A Bowl Parade. Check out this year's parade as it heads through downtown Atlanta before the game on Thursday. AJC file photo

2010. 2010. 2010. If I don’t type it, I’ll never get it right because, despite my calendar obsession, I can’t really comprehend that we’re already making plan for New Year’s Eve weekend.

Here’s a list of events to keep you busy the next few days. If you’re strictly looking for New Year’s Eve parties, check out this list from AccessAtlanta.com. You can also find more live music ideas in our Atlanta Music Scene blog.

As always, if you’ve got suggestions for events this weekend, they’re welcome in the comments. Have fun, be careful, and I hope this list carries you all the way into 2010. — Jamie G.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31

Comedy: Tom Simmons performs, 8 p.m., Laughing Skull Lounge, Atlanta.

For kids: Noon Year’s Eve Party, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Smyrna Community Center, …

Continue reading New Year’s weekend to do list: Dec. 31, 2009-Jan. 3, 2010 »

The White Big Top in Atlantic Station is home to "Cavalia." AJC file photo

“Cavalia”, the dreamy horse-and-acrobat show under the White Big Top in Atlantic Station, had its 100,000 attendee in Atlanta today.

Atlanta has been its most successful market outside of Canada, doubling its planned run from five weeks to 10, and selling out for 31 of its 56 shows so far. After it closes in January, it will move on to Miami.

Michael Diamantides, general manager at Atlantic Station, said the show was on track with expectations, but hadn’t drawn audiences as strong as Cirque du Soleil’s — a difference he chalks up to name recognition. He also “Cavalia” will likely return to Atlantic Station in 2010 or 2011, and Cirque will be back, too, with a new show.

Still, the show was a win for some retailers, and especially restaurants, who enjoyed the dinner-and-a-horse-show crowd. Diamantides said word-of-mouth was good for the show, and they still get calls about it every day.

“It’s a great …

Continue reading ‘Cavalia’ draws 100,000, continues through Jan. 6 »

Auburn majorettes led the band to Centennial Olympic Park before the Chick-fil-A Bowl in 2007. Expect to see the same type of spirit from the Virginia Tech Hokies and Tennessee Vols in downtown Atlanta this New Year's Eve. AJC file photo

This New Year’s Eve will be a busy day in downtown Atlanta. The Chick-fil-A Bowl parade and fan events will warm everyone up, then revelers will be arriving for the Peach Drop in Underground Atlanta just as tailgaters are getting really serious about the game inside the Georgia Dome. This year’s ACC vs. SEC matchup features the Virginia Tech Hokies and Tennessee Vols.

Tips from veteran Chick-fil-A Bowl attendees are welcome in the comments! Otherwise, here’s what football fans need to know before they head to downtown Atlanta on New Year’s Eve:

When and where:

• The Chick-fil-A Bowl kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Gates open at the Georgia Dome at 5:30 p.m. Find tickets.
• The Big Green Egg Scholarship Luncheon and Chalk Talk for fans runs …

Continue reading Know before you go: New Year’s Eve Chick-fil-A Bowl »