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Atlanta Glossary and Landmarks
So, you're moving to a metropolitan area of over 4.2 million people covering approximately 24 counties. As you might expect, there are some phrases that are insider terms for Atlanta’s residents. See below and you'll be a "native" before you know it.
King and Queen Dunwoody |
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Big Chicken Marietta
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Alpharetta Autobahn: Georgia 400, which runs from Buckhead to North Georgia cities like Alpharetta, Roswell and Cumming.
The Big Chicken: Often used as a landmark for directions, this 56-foot steel chicken structure at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Marietta has been located on the corner of Highway 120 and U.S. 41 since the 1960’s when it was a sign for Johnny Reb’s restaurant.
Buckhead: Home to the Governor’s Mansion, Buckhead is located north of Midtown and is considered on of Atlanta’s most affluent and elegant districts with its residential architecture, a growing number of imaginative commercial buildings and well-known shopping, dining and nightlife.
The Hooch: The Chattahoochee River begins in the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains and provides drinking water and power in North Georgia and serves as a major source of recreation.
The Connector: The Downtown Connector is the interstate highway running through Downtown and is created by the merging of I-75 and I-85.
Little Five Points: Located south of Emory University eclectic area of restaurants and shops was named after the “five points” intersection between Moreland, Euclid and McLendon.
Georgia Dome: Located in Downtown Atlanta, this is the largest cable-supported dome stadium in the world and is host to numerous events.
I-285: This interstate makes a 60-mile north-south oval around Atlanta and is meant for through traffic to bypass the city.
ITP: “Inside the perimeter,” meaning inside the I-285 loop. This term refers to everything intown and urban about Atlanta. See also OTP and Perimeter.
King and Queen Buildings: The landmark King and Queen office towers have architectural crowns on the top of their buildings and are located at the Concourse Corporate Center off Hammond Drive in the Perimeter area.
Midtown: This energetic business district located north of downtown is known for its diverse residential living for singles and young professionals and is home to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Piedmont Park, Woodruff Arts Center and the Fox Theatre.
OTP: Short for “Outside the perimeter,” OTP is often used to refer to communities of Atlanta that are beyond the I-285 loop.
Peachtree Street: Named after an Indian path called Peachtree Creek, this street runs south and north through the center of town, becoming Peachtree Road as it passes through the Buckhead section.
Spaghetti Junction: This is the multi-layer of loops and bridges located where I-85 and I-285 intersect on the northeast side of the city.
Sweet Auburn: This historic district is located on Auburn Avenue and reflects the history and achievements of Atlanta and Black Americans through its collection of businesses, social organizations and churches.
Underground Atlanta: This historic shopping and restaurant district is located in and below Downtown Atlanta.
The Varsity: Established in 1928, this fast food establishment known for its hot dogs was the largest drive-through in the world before it was sized down when the Downtown Connector was built.
The Highlands: Named after its location at the intersection of Virginia and North Highlands Avenues, this is a popular area for urban professionals with its shopping district, trendy nightclub scene and unique boutiques.
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