The Waffle Palace at the Waffle House

When I first moved to Atlanta in 1987, I lived a stone's throw from the quaint, village-esque Avondale Estates, home of the first Waffle House, which opened on Labor Day 1955. But I never knew the restaurant was there, even though I'd passed it about a bazillion times.

Turns out, that that restaurant—the original Waffle House restaurant—reopened in 2008 as a museum honoring the company's history and now 1,600-plus restaurants, in 25 states, as "The Waffle House Museum."

Cast of "The Waffle Palace" (Horizon) at the Waffle House Museum

When exploring the multitude of "unknown Atlanta gems," the Waffle House Museum was on my list, but its being open to the public only once a month made it challenging to include in such a busy person's schedule. 

However, now having been, I do recommend making time to visit the Waffle House Museum, especially if you're someone who is or has been a fan of Waffle House waffles. For that reason and that it's such a well-known part of Atlanta history!

Waffle House Museum

I had a blast visiting the Museum the day I went...the cast of The Waffle Palace was there! Waffle Palace is a show currently running at Horizon Theatre in Little Five Points.

There were dozens and dozens of visitors and a rather diverse group it was. Everyone was having fun. 

The Waffle Palace cast was incredibly engaging, there were coupons for free waffles at Waffle House, there were raffles, there was music, and there were incredibly knowledgeable docents sharing a great amount of detail about the history of Waffle House—which impressed me given that the Museum is open only once a month.

The Original Waffle House, Waffle House Museum

I met Kristen Gwock while I was there. She's the Marketing Manager at Horizon Theatre and was incredibly enthusiastic about Waffle Palace...so much that I can hardly wait to go see it! 

And every member of the cast was fabulous...going around talking with visitors, posing for photos, in character and in costume...and always pleasant and fun.

Waffle House Museum

So, the Waffle House Museum is actually in two buildings, including the original restaurant, which features the dining room and the pantry (where all the food was stored and prepared). Of note, in 1955, EVERYTHING on the menu was prepared from scratch except for three items: Coca-Cola, Heinz ketchup, and Post Toasties cereal.

Waffle House Museum, Kitchen and Pantry

The Museum is also comprised of the attached neighboring building, which houses quite a few displays that include a restaurant counter, a juke box, artifacts from Waffle Houses in New Orleans that fell to Hurricane Katrina, and countless other historical items that tell the story of an incredibly successful restaurant.

There are recordings around the museum, so be sure to look for the activation buttons on the walls. They provide historical recollections and factoids—fun stuff!

One thing that I found very interesting was that in the original dining room there were no tables. There was the counter seating and a couple of benches against the opposing wall. And the benches we for those guests who wanted only coffee, while the counter was reserved for dining guests. Rather different these days, yes?

There's so more I could share, but don't want to spoil the fun. Here's one last photo to entice you to go see the Museum and you can find even more photos over on the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page. I also recommend, based on meeting the cast and Kristen, going to see The Waffle Palace.

Waffle House Museum

ATLANTApix: No-Cost Atlanta

Chandelier at the Georgia Governor's Mansion

I find myself shocked, amazed, and totally baffled when I hear people say "I'm bored" or "There's nothing to do." Now, when I hear "There's nothing on TV," that I'm inclined to agree with, but will never agree that there's nothing to do. There is so much to do in Atlanta and lots of it is available without an exchange of currency.

For example, tours of the Georgia Governor's Mansion (photo) cost nothing and it's an amazing tour. Tours of the Georgia Capitol Building are also a no-cost outing and they have an intriguing museum on the fourth floor. There are free concerts at Centennial Olympic Park on a regular basis. And there's always something going on in Piedmont Park, such as films, festivals, charity walks, as there are in other public parks in Atlanta.

Those are only a few of the many examples of things to do in Atlanta. For those on a tight budget looking for something to do, scroll through my blog and at the end of each post you'll find the cost (or no cost) for the tour in question. It's an easy way to find something to do on those days when the plague of boredom visits.

While you're here, subscribe (right column) to receive regular posts of new places to visit and new exhibits to see. Happy touring!

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Downtown, New and Old

Downtown Atlanta, "New and Old"

The other day I was on a tour with a visitor from England who commented on what we Atlantans consider an "historic" building. She was referring to the Swan House, built in 1928.

OK, so 1928 wasn't that long ago, but we're a young country and Atlanta is an even younger city, especially considering how much of the city was burned during the Civil War. Remember, we're called "The New South," so a lot of the surviving antebellum (pre-Civil War) buildings and artifacts are indeed "historic" to us.

This weekend is the final three days of the Atlanta Preservation Society's Phoenix Flies program and there are several tours that visitors and locals can still take advantage of, including an Historic Downtown Walking Tour.

Check the Phoenix Flies website for available days and times and remember that some of the tours require reservations, some do not (most of the walking tours do not). It's going to be a gorgeous weekend so get our and explore our beautiful, new (and historic) city.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Cotton

Atlanta Visitor Center (Cotton Display)

The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau's Visitor Center near Underground Atlanta does a lot more than pass out brochures for museums and attractions in Atlanta...a lot more! 

The Center is also a mini-museum featuring a cockpit of a Delta airplane, interactive stations (several with video) conveying information about Atlanta's top tourist attractions such as Stone Mountain, and informative displays telling of Georgia's rich history, including cotton production (photo).

On this day in Georgia history, March 14, 1794, Eli Whitney secured a patent for the cotton gin, which he invented the year before while living in Georgia. The cotton gin (short for cotton engine) significantly changed the production rate of cotton eventually making the South a global provider of the staple, which came with pros and cons. 

Today, Georgia continues to produce more cotton than any other state in the U.S., except for Texas.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Atlanta Pandas

Giant Panda, Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta is one of the very few cities in the United States to host the Giant Panda, which is indigenous to China. Zoo Atlanta is home to Lun Lun (female) and Lang Lang (male), both born in 1997, as well as youngsters Mei Lan (female) and Xi Lan (male), born in 2006 and 2008, respectively. And you can see them 363 days a year.

For a more detailed preview of what you'll see when you visit, check out my previous blog about Zoo Atlanta. And if you'd like a video preview of the Zoo's Giant Pandas, check out the Panda Cam. It's online Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time Zone.

The Zoo offers many volunteer opportunities and one very unique way to help Pandas in particular. You can donate bamboo! The Zoo Atlanta pandas consume approximately 220 pounds of bamboo every day. With such veracious appetites, the Zoo is appreciative of the generosity demonstrated by local citizens. Got bamboo?

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Centennial Park Holidays

Centennial Olympic Park

In the heart of downtown Atlanta, Centennial Olympic Park is decked out for the holidays...and it's teeming with activity!

Visitors, locals and tourists, are strolling, ice skating and and making funny photos of each other in the Olympic Rings Fountain.

The evening lights are a spectacular sight to see. Under the backdrop of Atlanta's beautiful skyline, the entire park twinkles.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Whale Shark

Whale Shark at Georgia Aquarium

Several members of the largest fish species in the world call land-locked Atlanta home. Whale Sharks (one pictured here) are part of the Ocean Voyager exhibit at Georgia Aquarium.

Actually, the Ocean Voyager exhibit was built specially to house Whale Sharks, which share their home with thousands of other fishes, including other sharks, manta rays, other rays, grouper and guitarfish, to name a few.

Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the world and will be expanding with a dolphin exhibit in early 2011. I can hardly wait!

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

Little Five Points: An Alternative Destination

Junkman's Daughter

Little Five Points (L5P) has grown from an "alternative" neighborhood to a popular alternative neighborhood-shopping-entertainment destination.

The anchor landmark, Junkman's Daughter, sports a UFO flying into or out of (I haven't been able to decipher which) its façade.  It's a shop of eclectic, curious bobbles, collectibles and fashion. If you're working on a Halloween costume, consider this store to start or complete your look.

The Vortex Bar & Grill

Dining in Little Five Points takes the palette on a journey around the world. Options include tastes from traditional American fare to the spice-laden flavors of India. The Vortex, easily identifiable by its huge laughing skull entry, is extremely popular among L5P visitors. Also popular is The Brewhouse Cafe, which boasts seemingly as many big screen televisions as there are sports in the world, is continually playing any or all currently-being-played games…and you can be as vocal for your favorite team as you like.

Theatre in L5P is abundant for such a tightly packed neighborhood. The long-standing 7 Stages Theatre and Variety Playhouse Theatre feature avant-garde productions as well as some closer to mainstream shows.

L5P Mural

Little Five Points features some of Atlanta's best murals—the art form, that is. Many of the would-be blank brick walls are covered with imagination-inspiring graffiti renderings, many indicative of the neighborhood in which they reside.

A great escape from the typical city life, Little Five Points is indeed an alternative distraction. A coffee at Aurora, new trendy shoes from Abbadabba’s, a pendant from Crystal Blue, a hard-to-find book at A Cappella Books or a tattoo at Sacred Heart Tattoo may be just the diversion you need.

The usual question: Will I return to Little Five Points? Yes indeed. On October 15-16, 2010, Little Five Points will host their 11^th Annual "Little Five Points Halloween Festival & Parade." I’ve not yet attended one, but I’ve heard some "wicked" reviews, so I can hardly to pick out my front row seat (curb) to what is sure to be one of the best shows in town.

Visiting Little Five Points

Date toured: Saturday, September 11, 2010
Location: Intersection of Moreland Avenue and Euclid Avenue
Parking: On-street parking (metered) and multiple attended parking lots (approximately $2-$10)
Website: http://littlefivepoints.net/