Atlanta is known for being one of the most beautiful cities in the South, a rap mecca, and home to the world's largest aquarium, but if you dig a little deeper, you'll also find it's one of the weirdest cities in America. If you're headed to ATL, use this Ultimate Offbeat Guide to add a little oddball fun to your visit.
Billed as one of the 25 best independent stores in America, Junkman's Daughter is an assault on the senses. Filled with aisle after aisle of bizarre items, from punk rock paraphernalia to Captain Kirk cookie jars, you've never seen so much stuff you didn't realize you needed. Give this place a look if you're in the market for some weird souvenirs - it has to be seen to be believed.
Tip: Parking is five bucks, but if you keep your eyes peeled, you won't have a problem finding street parking.
The Dark Horse Tavern has the distinction of being of the most popular karaoke spots in Atlanta, but don't expect to roll up to the stage singing the latest Katy Perry single. The specialty here is Heavy Metal Karaoke. Five night a week, the tavern hosts Metalsome, where can belt out your favorite heavy metal hits with a live band backing you.
Tip: There's no happy hour here, but the drinks are way, way cheaper than anyone else around, so you'll come out on top no matter when you visit.
As the world's largest bas-relief carving in the world (on the largest granite outcropping in the world), Stone Mountain is already worth the admission price, but the actual site is far more bizarre than you might imagine. As if having a gigantic stone carving dedicated to the Confederate leadership wasn't weird enough, Stone Mountain Park has morphed from a monument to the losing side of the Civil War into a kind of strange southern carnival, complete with funnel cake stands, laser shows, and live shows.
Tip: Tickets cost $15 a person, but expect to spend a lot more if you want to do a little bit of everything. Most attractions in the park cost extra.
Whether you find yourself sipping a crazy vegetable-flavored Coke product, visiting the southern White House, or doing some speed-metal karaoke, Atlanta has enough bizarre stuff to add a little offbeat flavor to any southern road trip.
Greg Newkirk
Writer and video dude for Roadtrippers, pro monster chaser with Planet Weird, curator of the fantastic & the bizarre. Let's be friends!