I have an opportunity to go to either Atlanta or Phoenix in late November. It'll be a business trip, but I might add a day or two on the end of my stay to do some touristy things.

Which of the two is better for me? My interests range from the arts to outdoor activities. I'd like to check out the gay scene in whichever city I visit. Ideas, thoughts?

Well if you go to Phoenix you can meet PhillyFan. It's up to you whether that's a pro or a con. wink

Well....I might be biased, but Atlanta should have a slight edge over Phoenix for culture and the size of the gay community. Late November (Thanksgiving?) isn't actually a high activity time, although the new Georgia Aquarium is opening in downtown ATL then and its supposed to be the world's largest.

Phoenix, baby! Hot, wild sex with PhillyFan.

Phoenix is FANtastic, baby!!!

Just ask stinger! wink

I'd say go to Atlanta. I really enjoyed the museums and Olympic Park when I was there. Traffic is HORRIBLE though.

Well, I'm gonna say go with Atlanta, but only because I know this REALLY hot guy who lives there :cool:

Just let me know if you want me to set you up with him eek!

If its a weekend when PhillyFan is out of town and Stinger is in town, Id go to Phoenix.

Atlanta....Phoenix is a bit too stale and sterile for me....things are going up so fast there that everything seems to have been built just yesterday.

Atlanta...great downtown...Centennial Park, The Underground, Coca-Cola Museum, MLK Jr. Museum is a MUST see.

Phoenix, I guess I don't care much for the desert topography....seems so barren out there.

Aquaman
Phoenix is a much better destination, IMHO. I've never been impressed with Atlanta. I'd say both cities have a sizeable gay population, but Atlanta's is more visible. Otherwise, a bar is a bar no matter where you go. I doubt either city has much of an edge in the gay category.

Both Atlanta and Phoenix would have plenty of touristy things to occupy a day or two, but I'd give Phoenix the advantage for arts and outdoor activities. Scottsdale (part of metro Phoenix) is pretty artsy (as in galleries/artists). Phoenix has a boatload of parks that would give you a variety of option for outdoor activities (especially hiking).

Phoenix would be a bigger change of pace from Boston than would Atlanta, so if you're looking for something different, Phoenix is the only way to go.

I would agree with Weaselman.

I think Atlanta may have more cultural interests (museums, old buildings, historical stuff), but Phoenix will have more outdoor stuff.

I don't know what late Nov is like in ATL, but in PHX it's awesome.

Gay scene is probably about the same. I think ATL will have more clubs, etc. but PHX has a lot of local neighborhood type bars.

And although ATL has Herr Tiggee, Phoenix has PhillyFan. Now Tiggee is a treat...but c'mon, anybody who's met PF will agree that he's one of a kind!!

yeah and as sting can tell you, the trans-bos are much easier to make out with here...

If you really want easy though, go visit BPT.

Go to Sedona and take your favorite mountainbike. The one you want to die on Sedona Bike & Bean can hook you up with a bike. They probably know where to score some kind too. Escape the chains of gravity for precious moments in time and space. After the trail pounds your ass get caught up in a vortex. Wait naked in a clearing for the aliens to take you home :cool:

Oh wait this is for business frown

Phoenix is GREAT!! going up there this weekend myself, looking forward to it and Sedona is beautiful!!

Philly fan and Stinger going out this weekend?
plan on hitting amsterdam and after that who knows

Herr Tigge speaks

Here's the best advice you'll get. When I lived in Calif, I spent five separate vacations in Arizona. I've probably seen more of the state that most people who live in Phoenix. I am a huge hiking and history buff, and have a particular interest in Native American culture.

And since I live in Atlanta, my advice is as unbiased as you'll get.

GO TO PHOENIX - BUT RENT A CAR AND ESCAPE

Two choices:

1. Go to Tucson where you can see Saguaro natl park, Casa Grande Ruins (a little south of Tucson), and the Mission of San Xavier Del Bac. And if you can add one extra day - you MUST GO HIKING AT CHIRICAHUA IN SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA.
Chiricahua is easily my favorite hiking destination in Arizona, assuming you go all the way to the top and proceed to the promintory/overlook.

2. Sedona, although its touristy and the hiking is rather banal. Still, the scenery is beautiful, and there's shopping and some decent restaurants if that's your thing.

I am being as brief as I can. Arizona is a state that a person could spend 3 weeks covering from end to end; missions, national parks, hiking, indian ruins. If you had more time on your trip I could give you a MUCH better itinerary.

Oh, and before I forget - while you are in Phoenix, if time allows you should go to Scottsdale and see Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. If you are not into architecture, skip it.

Who could that be?? One thing Atlanta does have over Phoenix is Swinging Richards. eek!

Hmmm....so the advice that the Phoenix people are giving is basically "go to Phoenix, rent a car, and then leave town" (and drive an hour or two to Tucson or Sedona). If he's going to be limited to only a day or two in the respective city, why spend hours of it driving on the interstate?

On the other hand, you could stay in downtown/midtown Atlanta and walk (or ride MARTA) to everything, including the High Museum, the Botanical Gardens, MLK site, Aquarium, gay neighborhood, etc. However, Aquaman, I no longer work at Swinging Richards. wink

you're not?? DAMN!! frown

Having been to both and visit ATL more than I care to, I would suggest PHX. Atlanta is really just a business town with a lot of great restaurants. However, I find the town to be so full of itself that it is nauseating (especially the over-abundance of men that look like Tarzan and talk like Jane). Just playing fellas wink

ATL's weather in November is unpredictable. I find the downtown, unless a big event is going on or you have business as we do downtown, to be not very pedestrian friendly after hours; actually downright scary in places.

YIKES! When? I hate amsterdam and their $8 beers.

Well, I just found out that I'll be heading to Phoenix at the end of January. I am hearing conflicting reports as to how long I'll be there (anywhere from a single overnight trip to three days). My hotel is the Sheraton Crescent -- having never been to Phoenix, I have no idea where that is and I've got several questions:
- is there anything interesting in the near vicinity?
- how easy is it to get taxis?
- I read somewhere that Amsterdam('s?) is one of the best gay bars -- true, or myth? How far is it from where I'm staying?
- any cool things to see/do in the area?

Remember, I am going primarily for business, so my activities will be limited to post-5 pm.

Thanks for your input!!

Ummm is that the one by the metro center? Like on peoria or something?

PF: The hotel is on West Dunlap (near MetroCenter).

OK, bumping this to the top as my trip is on Monday... anyone? anyone?

Is it worth it to hop in a cab Monday evening and head over to Amsterdam? I heard it was voted best gay bar and wouldn't mind checking it out -- assuming it's worth it. (I'm already used to paying $10 for a drink, so that's not the deciding factor for me.) Thanks!

I think Amsterdam is good on Mondays. Should be worth a cab ride. Monday I believe is Manicure Mondays where it's $5 matinis and $5 manicures...but don't quote me on that.

I'll PM you my cell #.

I think they still have that, but we would usually do MNF this year, so i cant be sure.

Just monday night? That's it? Tuesday is 2-4-1 at Roscos and that is where everyone goes.

Or you can get it at the bus station when you get into town.

Which dumpster is it next to at the bus station?

Is your #

480-784-6485?

480-STING-85

That my friends is what Dennis Quaid would call a "rhymes with 'Chick' joke"



[ January 20, 2006, 01:48 PM: Message edited by: Chill-Trick ]