9 things to do while in Atlanta for University of Tennessee-Georgia Tech game

Sure, you’re going to the University of Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech game at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz stadium, but what do you do before and after the game?

For starters, the game starts at 8 p.m. Monday (Labor Day), which means, with Atlanta traffic, you’ll probably need to head out from your Atlanta hotel no later than 4:55 p.m. on Saturday (just kidding … well, sort of). I don’t even want to think about when you’ll need to start from Knoxville. So, let’s just assume you’re already in Atlanta and you have a little time to kill. It’s better if you got there a day early because there’s more to do.

1. Georgia Aquarium

You could actually start at 9 a.m. at the Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St. NW, where you can watch fish and aquatic mammals, including porpoises and sea lions, compete for food rather than chasing footballs across a field. The aquarium is open until 9 p.m.

2. Blue Man Group

The Blue Man Group’s antics are good for any age, but if you have kids aged 2 to 8, the Blue Man Group exhibit “Making Waves” at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta is a good place to let the kids pound, shout, whack and jump to make music and crazy sounds — not unlike their parents do at ballgames. This is the last day of the exhibit. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is at 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW. Call 404-659-5437 for more information.

3. Dragon Con

Labor Day is the final day of the geekiest event in the South, Dragon Con. That’s where science fiction, comic book, video game, anime, steampunk and all sorts of other fans all gather to meet favorite celebrities, dress up like favorite characters, see movie previews and basically geek out for a full weekend. The convention runs from Friday, Sept. 1, to Labor Day at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton and Westin Peachtree Plaza. Good luck finding a room for the game at those hotels and, if you do and drink too much beforehand, you may end up going to the game dressed like Deadpool or Harley Quinn. For more information visit www.dragoncon.org.

4. Black Gay Pride

Of course, depending on what other Atlanta spot you visit, you could end up in an entirely different kind of outfit, because Labor Day also marks the finale of the 21st Black Gay Pride weekend in Atlanta. The revelry will almost be over, but events will still be happening all over downtown Atlanta. Visit www.atlantaprideweekend.com to find out where.

5. Andy Warhol exhibit

Who knew in the 1960s and ‘70s that Andy Warhol would turn out to be one of the greatest artists of the 20th century and the most accurate prognosticator of what the 21st century would be like? The Atlanta Museum of High Art, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, has an exhibit of Warhol’s work, and now seems like a particularly good time to witness a painting in which Chairman Mao appears to be wearing lipstick. You’re not going to get in on game day, because the museum is closed on Mondays, so you’re going to have to get to town a day early.

Now that you have plenty to do before the game, what do you do afterward?

6. Porter Beer Bar

To relax, you might want a beer. The first place to check out might be The Porter Beer Bar, 1156 Euclid Ave., which has an amazing variety of craft beers, including some pretty crazy stouts, IPAs, ales, lagers, sours, lambics, tripels and I don’t even know what the heck a saison is, but it has plenty of them.

7. Manuel's Tavern

Another good stop might be Manuel's Tavern, 602 North Highland Ave. N.E., which has been named one of the best bars in the United States by Esquire magazine. From all appearances and reports, it’s homey and casual.

8. Blind Willie's

If you want to end the night on a slightly wilder note, you might want to visit the blues club Blind Willie's, 828 North Highland Ave., which has a slogan of “It ain’t easy bein’ sleazy.” The entertainment is likely to still be going on when you get there.

Maybe you just need something to eat before driving home.

9. The Varsity

The Varsity, 61 North Ave. NW, where cheeseburgers, milkshakes and onion rings are always available, now closes at 10:30 p.m. The Arm, 710 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, serves high-class snacks until 1 a.m. Hudson Grill, 120 Marietta St. NW, serves until 2 a.m. Cypress Street Pint and Plate, 817 W Peachtree St. NW, serves until 2:45 a.m. And the Majestic Diner, 1031 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, which has been open since 1929, is open and serving 24 hours.

Drive home safely.