Atlantic Station and Ice Skating Rink

So I visited Atlantic Station and the surrounding area about a month ago and I just recently went to the Atlantic Station Ice Skating Rink. I’m going to put these two quest together into one post to make it easier.

Atlantic Station is a mixed-use neighborhood, meaning work, live, play. It was officially opened in 2005 in Midtown Atlanta but not without its problems. Atlantic Station was built on the site of the Atlantic Steel Mill. The project started in 1997 and in 2003 the first residents moved into the development. The 17th street bridge was complete in January 2004 to give direct access to the neighborhood. In 2005 though, a fire completely destroyed a residential building that was under construction and was deemed arson. An estimated five million dollars of damage was done to the buildings from the fire including eight cars parked on the street.

But since then, Atlantic Station has been an amazing development. The small town feel that the building gives is a wonderful break from the hectic city scene. There are many shops, restaurants and bars located here including a movie theater with IMAX screens!

After parking in the extremely large parking deck (I’ve never found trouble parking here) we walked around first to check things out. Next, we ventured away from the main area and took a look at Millennium Gate.

Millennium Gate is a very large arch next to the Commons Pond. As of 2008, Millennium Gate is the largest classical monument to be dedicated since the Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C. Here you can check out traditional and modern exhibits, and collections of artifacts from Georgia. It’s a great place for some picture taking despite the opinion that Millennium Gate serves little purpose and is historically confused.

Now walk pass Arc d’IKEA (Millennium Gate) and head to the next photography spot, the Commons Pond and bridge. You can get some wonderful photographs of the city and landscape and maybe even catch a glimpse of the elusive Blue Heron I’ve seen wondering around there.

Now you may have noticed I called Millennium Gate the arc d’IKEA, this nickname was given by Atlantan’s because IKEA is just a few minutes down the road. If you’ve never been to IKEA, you must go. Just don’t blame me when you don’t want to leave. Also, be prepared to lose all your money. I stay away from there. I can only handle my addiction to Target right now.

Inside Atlantic Station

The views

Nice little walk

Atlantic Station

View of the city

Another view of the city

Atlanta!

Millennium Gate

A view from the street

Millennium Gate from Commons Pond Bridge

Now, for the holiday’s I recently went back to experience Skate Atlantic Stations. It’s in the special events area by the Regal Cinemas and I could never more strongly encourage you to check this out! The ice rink is 10,000 square-feet and is very properly managed so you can expect smooth skating. It was such a blast and I won’t soon forget it. The Christmas music was playing and everywhere I looked people were laughing and happy. My favorite was when someone would fall, after the initial shock, they would burst into laughter. It’s one of those rare moments when I just simply loved all humans.  I went on Friday night and got in line just after 8pm and had very little wait time. I will say that when we were finished there was a very long line.

Here’s what’s on Atlantic Stations website about the times: