Dr. T

Darla and I are planning on doing the 2 day PDE (Porsche Driving Experience) in Birmingham this Oct. (Yes, she will be driving too!) We'll probably spend 2 days in Birmingham and the rest of the week in Atlanta. What should we do? Where should we stay? Good dining? Nice scenic drives? (Unfortunately we will have a rental). Have never been to the South so need direction. Not much into the city scene. Historical sites? Photography opportunities????
PDE recommends the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort in Birmingham...is this any good? (We're not into golf and usually stay at Four Seasons or similar)
Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
-Glen

silvershadow

I do business in Birmingham and am there about once or twice a year. I just got back from there the week before last. I usually stay in the south end of town off of 280. There are several good hotels of the Marriott variety. Most of the restaurants (chain and good privately owned restaurants) are there.

If you have never done a driving school before, don't worry too much about the hotel. Your brain will be fried by the end of the day. All you will want to do is get something to eat, take a bath and go to bed.

I do have lots of work type friends in Birmingham. I'll ask them for recommendations.

Matt_in_VA

It has been about a score since I have been to Birmingham. But as a Yankee (I was born and raised in NYC) I was pleasantly surprized what a cosmopolitan city it is.

I stayed at the Hyatt when I was there. Very nice.

But, I have to agree with Silvershadow to a large extent. If you are both driving (and it appears that you have a rental, which means that you should have equal "seat time") you will be mental mush and physically tired. So unless you plan on staying an extra day a flop house with a clean bed should fill the bill.

Unless, the Porsche school caters and pampers you with not pushing you to the limits. I have to say that the two times that I have been to the Skip Barber School, that I just wanted something to eat and a bed by the end of the day the first time. The second time, the Viper took some concentration, but the instructors "kill switch" took some of that fun out of it.

P.S. I have a funny story about that trip to the Hyatt. If you want to see it, send me a PM. If I get enough request I will post it off topic here.

Dr. T

Thanks for the help guys, We'll probably be staying at the Ross Bridge Resort since Porsche runs a shuttle to and from the track.
Matt, PDE provides each driver with a 997 and an instructor so we won't be sharing seat time! The rental is just to get around.
Any ideas on the Atlanta area?

Legal Bill

In Atlanta, check out the Buckhead area.

MsPerky

Glen - Post a thread in the Atlanta Forum if you haven't already. Have fun! Sounds like a great trip.

valentine

Dr. T: Atlanta is an interesting city and home of Coca Cola. I enjoyed the underground city which is a group of underground restaurants, shops, etc. in the center of downtown Atlanta. It is also neat that Atlanta has enclosed (glass) catwalks that connect all the areas of downtown so that you never have to go into the weather to get from place to place. I toured the CNN bldgs, the Olympic village and several other places that I cannot remember. Very large city, lots of homeless people, etc. Hope the folks over in the Atlanta forum are helpful.

Matt_in_VA

The Andretti Speed Lab is fun: In-door European style Kart track with transponders.

http://andrettikarting.com/

In Buck Head there is a really good Thai restaurant (but I forgot the name). However, Jelly Rolls is a HOOT! Dueling piano sing along bar, like Howl at the Moon in New Orleans.

Or this could be fun.
http://biplaneridesoveratlanta.com/website/aircraft.asp

Dr. T

Great info....this should be a fun trip!
Thanks again.

valentine

Please let us know if you and your lovely +1 get to shake your tooshies (sp?) on the catwalks of Altanta. I did. It was fun.