THINGS TO DO AT THE CONFERENCE
After spending an informative day at the Southeastern Home Inspectors Conference, there are a number of shopping, dining and entertainment options to for you to consider while enjoying your conference visit. Many choices are close to the conference near the Gwinnett Center, a few are one or two exits away. Whatever your tastes and budget, there is something for everyone.
VERY CLOSE TO THE CONFERENCE CENTER:
ENTERTAINMENT / DINING / SHOPPING:
Bass Pro Shops, Outdoor World: This sportsman’s paradise, “The World’s Greatest Outdoor Store is a must see if you’ve never been to one of the 17 mega-stores nationwide. This location has over three football fields full of fishing, camping, boating, and hunting items, as well as a spacious clothing and shoe section. The Atlanta store includes a boat center, climbing wall, shooting arcade, a huge fish tank and a nice gift shop. Located at the Discover Mills Mall across Interstate 85 from the conference center. For more information, visit www.basspro.com.
Discover Mills Mall: Hundreds of bargains await you at this outlet mall located just across I-85 from the convention center. Shop at major retailer outlet stores such as Eddie Bauer, Bose Stereo, Haggar, and Levis / Dockers among many others. Dining opportunities inside the mall include a large food court, Chill’s Bar and Grill, The Thai Diner, Johnny Rockets Burgers and Shakes, and many other restaurants (inside the food court as well as on the out-lying property) including pizza, subs, Mexican, and Chinese. For fun in the mall, try your hand at Glow in the Dark Putt Putt Golf, browse away at Books-a-Million, or see a first run movie at one of the 18 screens in the AMC onsite movie theater. For more information and a complete store listing, visit www.discovermills.com.
Jillians: Eat, Drink, and Play! Its Party Central at this entertainment and dining mega-plex that features a full restaurant and bar, Hi-Life multi-media bowling alley, billiards, the Video Café ( a sports bar with giant screen TVs), and the latest in electronic simulation games. Good food and appetizers round out this fun destination. For more information, visit www.jillians.com.
Medieval Times Dinner Show: Set inside a 13th century castle, guests will experience all of the feasting, tournament games and exciting sword fights that have made Medieval Times the number one dinner attraction in North America. This dining adventure begins with a live performance of Andalusian horses in a classical European dressage demonstration, and finishes with a medieval jousting tournament and the thunder of hooves as the knights joust and compete for the honor of “First Knight”. Great gift shop is open during non-show hours. For more information, visit www.medievaltimes.com or call 1-888-we-joust.
Other Dining Options near this location: Johnny Carinos Italian Restaurant (Discover Mills Property); Carraba’s Italian Grill, Chin Chin Chinese, Texas Roadhouse, and Johnny’s New York Pizza along with plenty of fast food options.
A SHORT DRIVE AWAY:
The Mall of Georgia: Shopping and Dining
Located 3 exits north of the convention center on Interstate 85 (Exit #115, Buford Drive, GA Highway 20), the Mall of Georgia is one of the largest shopping malls in the southeastern U.S.
Shopping opportunities abound in this area with mall anchors Macy’s, J. C. Penney, Dillards, Nordstrom’s, and Belk’s as well as 200 other stores. Nearby shopping includes Best Buy, Sam’s Club, CostCo, and dozens of other choices.
Dining options on the mall property are plenty and include a full food court, P.F. Changs Chinese, TGIF Fridays, Macaroni Grill, O’Charleys, Red Lobster, Long Horn’s Steaks, Olive Garden, Ted’s Montana Grill, Mimi’s Café, Taco Mac, On The Border, Kani House (Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi) and Chilli’s Bar and Grill.
For a change of pace at dinner, try a bison burger, bison steak or bison pot roast with homemade mashed potatoes at Ted’s Montana Grill (across GA hwy 20 from the mall, near Costco). If bison doesn’t interest you, Ted’s can offer beef burgers, steaks and chicken as well as home made vegetables and desserts. Don’t forget to try one of their excellent hand made shakes or malts. Beer, wine and a full bar are available.
If you’re a beer lover, don’t miss Taco Mac (adjacent to the mall, across from Best Buy) for their extensive selection of draft beers from around the world. They will be glad to assist you in your beer selection with a free sample. Taco Mac offers great wings, burgers, salads and tacos and includes big screen TVs in the dining area and bar for the sports fan.
California Dreaming Restaurant:
Located one exit north of the convention center on Interstate 85 (Exit 109, Old Peachtree Road), this reliable national chain offers great salads, steaks, ribs and shrimp and a full bar.
Wild Wing Café:
50 flavors of chicken wings await you at this popular restaurant and bar. Located 2 exits north of the convention center off I-85 (exit 111, Lawrenceville – Suwanee Road), this part family restaurant / part singles bar eatery has great wings, sandwiches and appetizers.
PGA Superstore:
A golfer’s delight, this huge, 65,000 square foot playground features a driving range, putting green, chipping area, teaching center and an excellent selection of men’s and ladies golf clubs and apparel. A tennis center and a full size tennis court are also present. The PGA Superstore is located at 4000 Venture Drive (off I-85, two exits south of the conference center at Pleasant Hill Road, Exit 104). Take a virtual tour at www.pgasuperstore.com; call 770.495.7100 for directions.
WORTH THE DRIVE:
Georgia Aquarium – Midtown Atlanta
A must see for visitors to Atlanta is the new Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the world. Located downtown next to Centennial Olympic Park and the CNN Center (approximately 35 miles from the Gwinnett Convention Center), the Georgia Aquarium has eight million gallons of fresh and marine water and more than 100,000 animals representing 500 species from around the globe - you’re sure to see things you have never seen before! The Georgia Aquarium promises wonder and excitement around every corner including whale sharks, beluga whales, penguins, jellies and much, much more. You can even touch bonnet head sharks, cow nose rays, anemones and sea stars. There is so much to see and do that you'll want to come back again and again. Contact the Georgia Aquarium at 404.581.4000 or www.georgiaaquarium.org.
Atlantic Station – Midtown Atlanta
Visitors to Atlanta can also enjoy Atlantic Station, a new 130 acre urban mixed use development near midtown (approximately 35 miles from the Gwinnett Convention Center) that was once the second largest construction project in the US, behind Boston’s infamous road improvement project, the Big Dig. Atlantic Station features an outdoor mall, movie theaters, multiple restaurant choices, a luxury hotel and the new IKEA store, the Swedish furniture retailer known for modern utilitarian design, high quality and low prices. The Atlanta IKEA store is one of the country’s largest and is the only one to serve grits in its affordable restaurant.
Buckhead
This popular restaurant and entertainment district features lots of shopping, dining and night life. Bring your credit cards and shop till you drop at the upscale Lennox Square Mall or Phipps Plaza just across the street. Choose from dozens of restaurants ranging from small tapas bars to full scale, high end seafood and steak houses. Consider fine dining options such as Ruth’s Chris, Emeril’s, New York Prime, Bones, Capital Grille, and Chops (featuring the Lobster Bar downstairs). Have fun at the ESPN Zone, Cheesecake Factory or at any of the smaller bars, pubs, dance clubs and pool halls nearby.