For the newbies

Will you be arriving early or staying late? Lots to do in Atlanta area. Here are some cool places to visit:

Underground Atlanta- http://www.underground-atlanta.com/

World of Coca-Cola - http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/

CNN Center - http://www.cnn.com/tour/atlanta/

Georgia Aquarium - http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/

Six Flags - http://www.sixflags.com/overGeorgia/index.aspx

I've done most of these over the course of several ProgPowers. All of these with the exception of Six Flags is an easy walk from MARTA (Atlanta's subway)
 
Links on Atlanta's subway called MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)

http://www.itsmarta.com/

MARTA Rail (subway) map:

http://www.itsmarta.com/rail-schedules-or-route.aspx

If you're flying in, take the underground trams to the concourse you land at to the Main Terminal and walk towards Baggage Claim. From there walk to the MARTA station (I think it's in South baggage claim). Take a northbound train (North Springs or Doraville - doesn't matter). For most of you, get off at N5 (Arts Center). However, if you're staying at the Courtyard Techwood, you might be better off taking the N4 stop (Midtown) and walking across the 10th street bridge and walking up Techwood Drive. This is due to the 14th street bridge construction. (Steve and I did this last year, it worked out well.)

One way fares are $1.75 (going up to $2 in October 2009). If you plan on using it quite a bit, I suggest getting a "Breeze" card. You can buy them at any MARTA rail station (such as the airport). I still have mine from last year.

Edit: I think it closes around 2 AM - which is too late if you want to see the last shows.

Edit #2: Looks like the 14th street bridge will reopen the week prior to ProgPower. So ifyou're staying at the Courtyard Techwood - take the N5 stop on the MARTA, walk a block south to 14th street, and then walk a couple of blocks west to the bridge, then to the hotel.
 
Earplugs...

Someone already mentioned this in another thread.

ER-20 High Fidelity ear plugs by Etymotic Research

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx

Better than plain foam or silicone earplugs. Sure, they'll protect your ears against loud heavy metal, but it won't sound very good. Want to hear the music AND protect your ears? Spend $12 on a pair of these. I have a couple of pair I plan on bringing.
 
Earplugs...

Someone already mentioned this in another thread.

ER-20 High Fidelity ear plugs by Etymotic Research

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx

Better than plain foam or silicone earplugs. Sure, they'll protect your ears against loud heavy metal, but it won't sound very good. Want to hear the music AND protect your ears? Spend $12 on a pair of these. I have a couple of pair I plan on bringing.

where can I get some of these? Radio Shack? Best Buy? Wal-Mart? I've been using the foam ones and usually take em out during the sets because the sound is way too muffled.
 
ER-20 High Fidelity ear plugs by Etymotic Research

Best there are, Rich and Lance turned me on to these my first ProgPower

Dr. Scholl's gel inserts are worth the investment also
 
Yeah I have to use MARTA definitively, last time I went was for PPVII and the venue was 3 blocks form the hotel. No idea what to expect this year.

I have custom made earplugs, I use them on PPVII and work so fine I even fall asleep through sveral bands :lol:. But seriously, you enjoy the show as well as anyone and your hearing will suffer much less.

The shoes are a must be, I will probably carry my boots, but I have my sneakers ready too. Walking in those boots for a long time kill anyone.

As for the Aquarium is a nice place but I think too expensive for what they show. I would like to see the Coca-Cola one if possible, will see there what's available and what is not.

One question: any big electronics shop near the venue or around the area, I would like to buy some stuff (foreign visitor you know?).
 
From what I've heard, there is a shopping mall called Atlantic Station:

http://www.shopatlanticstation.com/

Center Stage (the venue where all the PP USA happens) is on the corner of 17th Street and West Peachtree. Take 17th Street west across the freeway (the nice bridge you'll see as you line up to go inside the venue). It's a bit of a hike from what I've heard.

The shopping part of Atlantic Station is called The Village. Doesn't look like there's a dedicated electronics store, though Target tends to carry things like iPods and the like.

Since you're taking MARTA, there is a Best Buy at Lindberg Plaza. Take the MARTA to Lindbergh Center (N6, one north from Arts Center). Best Buy is probably the largest electronics store chain in the US. They should have what you're looking for.
 
It's far from the venue and not on Marta, but Fry's is a candy store for geeks, and they are definitely big.

It would be accessible via MARTA and Gwinnett Transit, but that'd be a hike. VERY cool store, though, and the only one in the ATL metro area. Not too many places where you can buy computer assembly components, cases, telescopes, CDs, DVDs, washers and dryers under one roof.
--And I like their one-line-for-all checkout procedure. During Christmas they can have as many as 60 checkout registers open.

Brandsmart USA's Doraville location isn't toooo far from MARTA's Doraville Station, maybe a ten-minute walk past the now-closed GM plant.
 
Thanks people for the info. It was a big shot just in case there was somehting nearby. I don't mind MARTA but I'm not too fond of walking :lol: I'll see, thanks a lot for the adresses too.
 
Earplugs...

Someone already mentioned this in another thread.

ER-20 High Fidelity ear plugs by Etymotic Research

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx

Better than plain foam or silicone earplugs. Sure, they'll protect your ears against loud heavy metal, but it won't sound very good. Want to hear the music AND protect your ears? Spend $12 on a pair of these. I have a couple of pair I plan on bringing.

Ok, I ordered them today, so they should be here on time.