Tips for Your 2009 NFL Trip to Atlanta for the Atlanta Falcons vs. Philadelphia Eagles

So you are a National Football League fanatic? Welcome to the club. There are few things in life that bring on the level of excitement and enjoyment that is associated with a professional football game. One of the largest football games for the 2009 season in my area will be the contest between the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles. This much anticipated competition will take place at 1:00 p.m. on December 6, 2009 in Atlanta's Georgia Dome. This event may be the absolute biggest of the season simply because Michael Vick, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, will return to Atlanta with his new Philadelphia Eagles team. Ironically, Vick may not even play, but the city of Atlanta does not care. This game has people talking and looking forward to the match up months in advance. Here are some types if you want to make the most out of your visit the "ATL."

Travel Options

If you are traveling from Philadelphia, I recommend flying in for the weekend. There are two major airlines that dominate one of the world's busiest airports. Atlanta is the home to Delta Airlines and countless flights to and from the city can be found with Delta. Check www.delta.com for specials and the best deals. Likewise, Airtran Airlines (www.airtran.com) has direct flights out of Philadelphia and you can typically find really good deals if you search well in advance of your trip.

Lodging

There are tons of places to stay in Atlanta for the big game. However, with this arguably being the largest regular season game of the year, rooms could be at a premium. I suggest booking early. The first recommended location for the game is the Omni Hotel at CNN Center. They have close to 1000 rooms and the hotel is in walking distance to the Georgia Dome. The CNN News Center is right in the venue and the facility features a food court with abundant cuisine choices. The rooms are clean and well maintained. Most importantly, you do not have to get involved with any traffic. Atlanta traffic is a pure nightmare! The second place for lodging, if you want to get out into the city a bit, is the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Buckhead. Buckhead is filled with shops, dining, entertainment, and plenty of nightlife if you decide to cruise into town a few days before the game. The benefit of establishing your quarters at the J.W. Marriott is that it provides simple access to the MARTA train line while still being in a very upscale part of town. The train will provide you with a short uninterrupted trip to the Georgia Dome and you will be so happy to avoid the Atlanta traffic. The J.W. Marriott is somewhat pricey, but worth it.

Restaurants/Bars

If you are coming in for just the game, you will not be disappointed just to get to the Georgia Dome early and enjoy the wide variety of food and drinks available at the facility. However, the absolute best places to catch a meal and drinks are Dantanna's and Stats. Both of these establishments cater to the sports fan. Dantanna's has one location in Buckhead and one at the CNN Center. Dantanna's is an upscale sports restaurant with a variety of steaks, seafood, and freshly prepared dishes. The location nearest the Georgia Dome actually is less than a year old. Stats is the perfect sports bar located right in the heart of Atlanta and also walking distance from the Georgia Dome. My favorite aspects about the venue are the beer taps located at your personal table and the local radio connection. You can tune in to 790 The Zone on the AM frequency or just hang out at Stats. Generally speaking, the radio hosts will be broadcasting a live remote from Stats. You definitely do not want to overlook Stats on a game day. The food is excellent and the crowd is always filled with a diverse group of people with a love of sports. Both Stats and Dantanna's have plenty of televisions in case you do not have a ticket to the game.

Tickets

If you do not have tickets to the game between the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles, you are going to have a difficult time getting them. Shortly after Michael Vick signed with the Eagles, the remaining tickets were scooped up expeditiously. Nonetheless, where there is a will, there is a way. Check out www.StubHub.com for deals and specials. You will find tickets there if you act in advance of the game. Otherwise, you will probably end up seeking out the expensive services of the "street-level ticket brokers" located outside the Georgia Dome on game day.