Hotlanta!

By Francesca Merced

As the hometown of hotties like Usher, TLC, and “Miss Keri, baby,” it’s no wonder that we’re highlighting Atlanta, GA for this month’s hip, hot Downtime!

Nicknamed “Hotlanta” some twenty-plus years ago, Atlanta is a vibrant city that offers visitors a diverse historical experience coupled with some of the trendiest nightlife in the United States.

History buffs will enjoy tours of landmarks like the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site – which includes spaces like the “I Have a Dream” Rose Garden in the center’s plaza, and the D.R.E.A.M. Gallery which offers relevant and poignant exhibits celebrating the slain civil rights leader’s life.

C.A.S. – calling all shoppers!  You won’t want to miss Underground Atlanta located at 50 Upper Alabama Street. In addition to housing dozens of delish eateries certain to satisfy with some good Southern eating, the six-block Underground Atlanta is home to fabulous boutiques that offer wonderful apparel and must-have accessories for every budget and taste.

Once the sun goes down, you’ll want to step out and enjoy some of that hot nightlife I was telling you about before!  For my money, the coolest way to experience Hotlanta is at a trendy midtown lounge.  Just a short jaunt from world-famous Peachtree Street, you’ll find one, actually two, of my favorite ultra-hip places to sip, see and be seen.

All of you “ballers on a budget” will love the vibe they’re serving up at CosmoLava with their “2 clubs for one cover” experience.  With three levels, five bars, the hottest DJ’s and the coolest Cosmopolitans, CosmoLava is a must-do for taste-makers looking to sample some sexy Southern hospitality in Hotlanta.  Their tropical deck is an ideal setting for mixing and mingling with the fashionable, urban chic crowd that frequents this hotspot.  But, if private bottle-popping is more your speed, then you’ll want to opt for their gorgeous VIP Room where you and your group can kick it in celebrity style.

The Heartsfield-Atlanta Airport is absolutely enormous and international flights shuttle in and out every day, so getting to Hotlanta is no problem!  So if you’re looking for a hot way to spend the weekend, book your trip to one of the sexiest cities south of the Mason-Dixon line…and be sure to toast it up for me!

To learn more about the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, please visit:  nps.gov

For everything you need to know about Underground Atlanta, go to: underground-atlanta.com

For more information about CosmoLava, please check out: www.cosmolava.com

[learn_more caption=”About Downtime” state=”open”] With the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to get so caught up that we forget to take time out to relax. But taking “down time” is essential for maintaining our personal, physical and emotional balance. So, join us here, each week, for wonderful tips and insights on must-have products, activities and vacation destinations for making the most of your down time![/learn_more]