Who else is over-the-moon excited about the completion of the beautiful new Mercedes Benz Stadium?! There's nothing like a crisp fall day at Centennial Park, tailgating and taking in the sites before a Falcons or United game (let's hope the cooler weather is here to stay!)
Downtown Atlanta is buzzing with support for both the Falcons and the inaugural season of the Atlanta United. Regardless of whether you have a ticket or not, there's a ton to do in the Centennial Park District before and after a game! I've partnered with the Centennial Park District to bring you my ATL Adventurer itinerary so you'll be in the know for gameday.
Stop 1 - Game-X
What's better than games, food, and a full bar? Nothing, in my humble opinion.
Stop 1 on my Centennial Park District gameday itinerary - Game-X! Located in the northwest corner of Centennial Park (right around the corner from some of the best sports bars in the area), Game-X is the perfect spot to kick off your day downtown.
Game-X is basically an adult playground - there are tons of fun arcade games (including beer pong!), a grub menu of pub-style favorites, and a full bar. Grab some wings and the BBQ bacon burger stack (and a few drinks if you're so inclined) for views of the park and a laid-back pregame spot.
Getting my beer pong on at Game-X
Stop 2 - SkyView Atlanta
While it might seem a little touristy, stop 2 at SkyView Atlanta was actually one of my favorite parts of my gameday itinerary!
I'd never been on the 20-story ferris wheel, so it was a blast to check it out right at sunset with the backdrop of Falcons fans hanging around Centennial Park. The panoramic view is such a cool way to experience our city - I recommend anyone to check out SkyView at least once during their time in Atlanta, whether you live here or not!
Pro tip - buy your tickets in advance to skip any lines that might pop up. It also gives you flexibility to visit whenever you want while you're downtown so that you're not tied to a specific time. Each gondola holds up to 6 people, so your whole squad can check out the views!
Stop 3 - Walk around Centennial Olympic Park + Georgia International Plaza
Time to get your walking shoes on! One of the best parts of a Falcons or United gameday is walking around the pretty parks of Centennial Park District. I love to see the pageantry of tailgating, the buzz of fans on the concourse, and the random bits of live music and group chants that pop up before a game.
Take in the historic sites at Centennial Olympic Park - it's a great place to bring parents and out-of-towners for a bit of history from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. If you're looking for more of a party scene, hop around to the bars and tailgate areas around the stadium where you're always bound to find a good time on gameday.
Stop 4 - STATS Sports Bar
Located on Marietta Street, a central hub for gameday bars downtown, STATS is my favorite spot to grab a drink (and some great pub food) either before or after a game (or both, if you're feeling ambitious!)
STATS has tons of TVs (70, to be exact) so you can catch every game while you're waiting for your team to play. They also has a super-unique system of serving their beer - you can order a normal brew, or take advantage of their tap system which allows you to pour your own beer right at your table!
Come hungry, 'cause STATS has an awesome menu to satisfy some gameday hunger. They just opened up their own brewpub in the restaurant, and there are tons of beer-inspired dishes all over the menu. My favorite bite was their everything pretzel with house-made beer cheese (featuring their pilsner) and tangy mustard.
If you're in the mood for something sweet, you absolutely must try the toffee brownie topped with ice cream - it's crazy good, which you might not expect from a sports bar - so take my advice and order it!
Looking to head to the Centennial Park District for some gameday fun? The next big game features the Atlanta United taking on the Montreal Impact this Sunday, 9/24 at 5 pm at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Want more ATL adventures? Check out my Instagram at @atladventurer!
Thanks to the Centennial Park District for having me on gameday! This post was sponsored by the Centennial Park District, but all opinions are my own.