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MACON IS WHERE LEGENDS LIVE

Posted by Liz and John, 11/11/25

Macon, Georgia is where legends live. Being only 1.5 hours from our house in North Metro Atlanta, it is an easy weekend getaway! From Macon’s deep roots in the national music scene, to local downtown bars, restaurants, nightlife, and historical attractions steeped in history, Macon has it all. That’s why we fell in love with it. Find out where to stay, what to eat and drink, and what to do when you visit.

Where to Stay:

Hotel Forty-Five

Hotel Forty-Five is where legends lay their heads. We stayed at the Hotel Forty-Five again on this trip and loved every minute of it! The hotel was originally built by Hay as Macon’s original skyscraper! He was one of the most prominent men in Macon and built it for his insurance company. The original floor and elevators still exist in the lobby! The hotel embodies the music soul of the city. From greats like Otis Redding to Allman Brothers have roots here, museums, and Capricorn Studios is still recording to this day!

The homage to music at the hotel is everywhere from the Allmand Brother’s plaques at the elevators to knock backs and books in the lobby. The lobby is cool and circular, and then the elevator area is still decorated like an insurance company with original elevator doors and art deco flooring! The rooms are spacious and comfortable. It has modern yet art deco decor, stunning Macon downtown mural, comfy bed, stunning center light, and marbled bathroom. Plus, love the downtown views!

Food and drink on site are top notch starting with their rooftop bar. Hightales is located on the 6th floor with epic views of downtown! Churches and building, and even the Macon Auditorium. They serve up delicious hand-crafted cocktails like an Old Fashioned, but a play on a classic with tequila! Downstairs in the lobby is the beautiful Loom restaurant! Really enjoyed the smoky, creamy smoked fish dip, the old fashioned made with their own bourbon, and the sensational juicy steak for an entree. Our full food review below in where to eat and drink in Macon.

Macon’s is All About Music

It is where legends are made! When we were in Macon, something that really struck a chord with us is how in tune Macon is with music. Being huge music lovers, we wanted to put together a list of music related things to do in Macon for you to save for an upcoming stay! Did you know legends like Allman Brothers and Otis Redding lived and created hits in Macon?

Here is our curated itinerary for the music lover:

📍 Allman Brothers Big House & Museum: the place where the brothers and their band lived, performed, and created some of their biggest hits. Travel through the band’s history, memorabilia, clothing, and their equipment! Go upstairs to see how they lived and some cool memorabilia they left behind.

📍 Rose Hill Cemetery. Grab a map from the Big House and explore where the brothers rest. Ring the bell in honor of their late mother, Mama Carolyn.

📍 Capricorn Records. Originally purchased by Otis Redding as his recording studio, he passed before it was finished and it finally became Capricorn Records. The tour takes you on a journey from new recording spots and then all the way back in time to the original studio where Allman brothers and Marshall Tucker recorded back in the day. It is original and looks the same today! Did you know guitarists play in another room and mixed into the music after?? Plus, they have a museum and a catalog of all their music you can listen to upstairs!

📍 Otis Redding Museum. No video or photos allowed. Take a walk through Otis Redding’s life! It is packed with treasures and memorabilia for the king of soul.

📍 Fresh Produce: downtown Macon’s go-to spot for music, vinyl, and more!

📍 Grant’s Lounge: still open for nightly music has been around since the 70s and is a historical music landmark. In the early days, bands would come and play in hopes to get signed by Capricorn. We saw blues legend Robert Coleman the night we went!

📍 Hummingbirds: music joint with live music! We saw Hung Jury when we visited.

Historical Tours: Hay House, “Palace of the South”

We went right before Halloween so we went to Legends and Lore at night, but the Hay House has a daily tour during the day you can do! We stepped into the world of chilling tales in one of the most opulent mansions I’ve ever seen! The Johnstons built the house in The Johnstons built the house in 1851 who traveled Europe for 3 years and brought Italian design to it. There are rounded pocket doors, stained glass, ballrooms and lavish dining rooms, state of the art air and communication for the time and even an elevator.

You’ll tour the kitchen, pantry, and area where the help would have worked. The main floor is stunning with formal dining room, ballroom, and siting rooms. The third floor is where the family lived, bedrooms, and bathrooms, even a secret room! This house was handed down to the Felton’s and then sold to Hay. There is a really cool spire at the top where you go up a spiral staircase to see a view from 7 flight up! Yes, it is that tall!

Where to eat and drink in Macon, GA

GA is where legends eat (and drink) well! While we were in Macon, GA, we had some delicious adventures at several restaurants, bars, and more.

Here are our recommendations:

Macon Bagels is a must try for your morning bagel fix. I got the scrumptious The Champ loaded with crunchy bacon, creamy avocado, tomato and a divine caramelized onion cream cheese on a garlic bagel! They also serve coffee and other morning musts!

H&H Restaurant is an institution! The Allman Brothers ate here frequently and became fast friends with the place! I got the Midnight Rider biscuit from the brunch menu a buttery, flaky biscuit piled with crunchy, tender fried chicken, sweet bacon jam, and creamy pimento cheese. Got a side of delicious, creamy, well-seasoned deviled eggs! John got an egg and bacon biscuit! They also have meat and 3 or lunch options as well!

Yollah for brunch! I’d been for a burger there once and loved it so had to try their brunch! Here are a few things I love from Yollah. Starting with their breakfast empanada that is crispy outside and filled with creamy potatoes, egg and cheese, spicy chorizo. You must try the perfectly spiced and gooey, Tres Leches Cinnamon Roll. It can’t get over the Tres Leches icing. If savory is your thing, opt for the breakfast skillet. Filled with hearty potatoes, spicy chorizo, creamy queso, runny egg and cheese, topped with pico, it is delicious. Finally, the Avocado Toast is a thick buttery bread with creamy avocado, pickled onions, tangy pico de gallo, and runny egg.

Rookery is a well-known burger joint downtown! It was established in 1976 and has been serving burgers to locals for years! I got the fantastic Walden Greenback burger loaded with a crunchy fried green tomato, tangy green onion, thick applewood cut bacon, cheese, and an earthy creamy sun-dried tomato remoulade. I paired it with house made onion rings! John just got a regular cheeseburger and fries.

Another dinner spot is Loom in the Hotel Forty-Five. Starting with their epic Smoked Trout Dip. Toasty and herbed crunchy bread, creamy, dill forward trout dip, sweet peppers, and olives all culminate in a great bite. Steak lovers will love their steak! Perfectly cooked steak with a rich Demi glaze and tasty wedge potatoes sure with garlic and herbs, tangy yet sweet caramelized onions. Also enjoyed the Catch of the day, a lemon pepper rubbed, flaky cobia fish. Served with bright and tart lemon thyme vinaigrette with a delicious white bean puree and a ton of earthy veggies. The favorite of the cocktails is Old Fashioned. They curate their own bourbon for this cocktail, and it is boozy, sweet, and citrusy.

No Macon trip would be complete without a visit to Monkey’s Paw Tiki bar! We stumbled on them last time we were in town and had to go back! Their tiki drinks are top notch, full show, tiki mugs and all! We get mai tais and painkillers!

LET’S SPEND 24-HOURS WITH DOC BROWN FARM & DISTILLERS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/21/25

Our time at the Farm

John and I joined a few fellow whiskey enthusiasts at Doc Brown Farm out in Senoia, Ga in Coweta County a couple of weekends ago! This women-owned business is truly one-of-a-kind! They are known as farm to barrel craft whiskey distillers and we got to explore their unique and detailed process, a tour of the farm, tastings and a 3-course dinner, cocktails, and chats by the fire. It was a weekend to remember.

Our time with Amy, Paige and their family started with a tour of the farm! We learned more about whiskey and the process than I ever imagined. Then, we did a whiskey meditation with Sailor who taught us how to smell the whiskey and suggested notes for us to taste! It was eye opening! We got a delicious apple cider cocktail and did a tasting. We tasted several of their available products like southern ember, Uncle bogue, honey bourbon, hot honey bourbon, butter pecan bourbon, peach bourbon. More on their products below.

After our tasting, we had a cocktail hour with the best pumpkin old fashioned in a pumpkin! Then, we dined Al fresco as the sun set, and the stars came out! The meal consisted of a 3-course by Your Chef to Go! First course was a delicious fall salad, followed by sensational short rib and root vegetables, and mango panna cotta for dessert. After our dinner, we chatted as a group around the fire and sipped on a s’more me cocktail featuring Doc Brown’s cream bourbon product!

Doc Brown Process

What is farm to barrel craft whiskey? Doc Brown! We got a deep dive into their unique, detailed process and it all starts with Doc Brown growing their own Jimmy red corn right on their property! They use bat boxes with 250 bats each instead of pesticides. They have several bee colonies for their honey, as well as a garden to grown vegetables like their peppers for their hot honey! Once the corn is ready at the right humidity (14% or so) they harvest and coordinate with their distillery on delivery.

They literally drive a box truck of their corn up to their distillery in Chamblee, Distillery of Modern Art. They wanted us to see the process in its entirety, so we got to tour their facility! In beautiful facility that mixes art and spirits, we started in the tasting room and moved to the art gallery to the bottling room. We see where the corn is stored and prepared and then put into barrels. It usually 2-3 weeks for the process from harvest to barrel. A lot of work goes into it!

Doc Brown Products:

Something I learned was to use one nostril to smell the bourbon before tasting. Here was two from their tasting. Southern ember is their third bourbon. It is finished with pecan barrels with notes of caramel and chocolate. It is not on the market yet. Uncle bogue is barreled in wolf mountain winery red, French oak, barrels and cut with 8-year OZ Tyler. You can literally taste the red wine. Pro tip for whiskey and bourbon tastings is to add water to your bourbon! It causes blooms of flavor and helps proof it down to mitigate the burn.

Day Swigger series from the tasting included Honey bourbon using the honey from the bees on property. It has real honey, that is floral and pairs well with the bourbon. Their Peach bourbon is made with real peach puree from DOMA and smells and tastes like eating a peach! It is not on the market yet, though. As for the Butter pecan, it is made from real pecan extract and drinks like a cocktail. It really does smell and taste like buttery pecan. But the best of them all is the Hot honey bourbon. you can SMELL the peppers in it! It is made with the peppers, honey and whiskey bourbon all go into the barrel and it comes out spicy pepper up front and floral honey on the back.

When we got to DOMA, we also had a tasting of some of the products in the works like their Effie and Effie from Tx. One was barreled here and one in Texas and the one in Texas is very interesting! It is more briny and heavy from the humidity. The one barreled here is sweeter to me. My favorite of the products we tasted at DOMA is the Resurrection Red. It was hard to drink up front, but after the initial spice up front it mellows into a delightful, sweet vanilla finish.

The future happenings at Doc Brown:

DOMA soon to market tasting: none of these are on the market yet:
Ressurgens Red is spicy up front with a sweet vanilla finish. My fave of these.
Effie and Effie TX: interestingly the Texas barrel one is more briny and heavy from the humidity! 👀

Go to their website to find out where to purchase the products, they are in select bottle shops: Doc Brown Farm & Distillers – Georgia’s only seed-to-still distillery.. They are planning a grand opening and tasting room 2026. Farm tours will start back in 2026 as well!

Fun facts:

Paige: she built the cutest smoke house outside with her father before he passed called, Hooptie Hooch. They had a naming contest to name it too!

Amy: she used to own a pecan farm down in Cordele, GA, and is a from a farming family.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CELEBRATES 90 YEARS OF HEISMAN MEMORIAL TROPHY – SPECIAL EXHIBIT IN ATLANTA

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/19/25

Bring your friends and family to see priceless Heisman memorabilia and celebrate college football’s most prestigious award like never before

The College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta is set to unveil a new specialty exhibit to honor the 90th anniversary of the Heisman Memorial Trophy. The temporary exhibit will showcase rare artifacts, priceless memorabilia and interactive experiences that highlight the history and legacy of college football’s most prestigious individual award, which is given annually to the outstanding college football player whose performance epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance and hard work.

Among the highlights of the exhibit is a jersey from Yale’s Clinton Frank, who won the Heisman in 1937, making his jersey the exhibit’s oldest artifact from a Heisman-winning player. In addition to nine replica helmets spanning nine decades of Heisman winners, fans will also get to see unique campaign memorabilia such as Ty Detmer’s tie, Byron Leftwich’s bobblehead and DeAngelo Williams’ diecast NASCAR toy. Joe Burrow’s jersey, Bryce Young’s helmet, Ron Dayne’s cleats and Tony Dorsett’s shoulder pads are just some of the uniform pieces on display, as well as infographic posters detailing the origin and sculpting of the trophy and an interactive kiosk exploring the impact of the trophy on college football.

“The Heisman Trophy represents the very best of college football and is synonymous with excellence and tradition in the sport,” said Kimberly Beaudin, CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame. “For nearly a century, it has honored the players talents continue to inspire fans across the country, and this exhibit gives us the opportunity to share the legacy and importance of the award with visitors to The Hall.”

The exhibit will also contain details on the Heisman voting process, the programs boasting seven or more winners, and some of the most memorable moments in Heisman history, while a wall of portraits showcasing past Heisman Trophy winners will provide insights into the portrait process. Just outside the exhibit, guests will be able to see a display dedicated to the most recent Heisman Trophy winner, Suwanee native Travis Hunter, check out an exact replica of the Heisman Trophy, and can use The Hall’s interactive technology to virtually pose with the trophy.

“We created an exhibit that highlights the history of the Heisman and shows the creativity and culture surrounding the award,” said Denis Crawford, Lead Historian and Exhibit Designer of the College Football Hall of Fame. “Now, The Hall is proud to use its platform as a leader in the college football landscape to educate and excite fans with stories from the Heisman’s history and what the trophy means to college football.”

The Heisman Trophy exhibit will be housed in the Andrea and James Clarke Family Gallery on the second floor of the venue, and will be available to guests starting on Thursday, Oct. 16 until the spring of 2026. During their visit, fans are encouraged to strike their best Heisman pose, share it on social media, and join The Hall in celebrating college football’s most storied award. For more information about the College Football Hall of Fame, including hours of operation, ticket prices, and other visitor guidelines, please visit cfbhall.com.

MARVELOUS 3 LIGHT UP CENTER STAGE, OCTOBER 13TH!

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/16/25

On Friday, October 3, 2025, Atlanta’s own Marvelous 3 took the stage at Center Stage Theater for a sold-out hometown show that felt like a long-overdue family reunion. The rock trio, frontman Butch Walker, bassist Jayce Fincher, and drummer Doug “Slug” Mitchell reunited in recent years after a hiatus, and their energy on this night was infectious. From the moment they started, the band radiated happiness, grinning ear-to-ear as they powered through a set packed with classics and newer hits.

The evening kicked off with opener Major, a fitting choice as the band’s lead guitarist is none other than Holden Fincher, Jayce’s son. Holden has been joining Marvelous 3 on the road as a fourth member, adding rhythm guitar and youth to the lineup. His seamless integration amplified the familial vibe. It made it a multi-generational rock affair.

Marvelous 3 wasted no time diving into their catalog, blending high-energy anthems with heartfelt moments that had the audience singing along word-for-word. The setlist, clocking in at 18 songs, was a masterclass in ’90s-inspired rock with a modern edge. They opened strong with “Little Head,” Walker’s charismatic voice cutting through the mix as the band locked into a tight groove. Off and on, Walker bantered with the crowd between songs, cracking jokes about Atlanta traffic and thanking fans for sticking with them through the years.

Mid-set, they dipped into fan favorites like “#27” and “Grant Park,” the latter a nod to Atlanta’s iconic green space that is tailor-made for this crowd Atlanta crowd. Followed by “You’re So Yesterday,” “Until You See” helmed by Holden, “Every Monday,” “Jackie and Tina” honoring both mothers in the crowd, and a heartfelt tribute to the unity of music, “Melt With You” cover of Modern English.

But, the biggest moment of the night was the pure mastery of “Freak of the Week.” It is their most well known, signature hit that exploded with energy. The crowd was so into it. Walker, Fincher, Mitchell, and young Holden looked ecstatic, hugging it out onstage as the final notes faded. It was a reminder of why Marvelous 3 endures—their music is fun, unpretentious, and delivered with genuine heart. They went on to also perform hits, “Sugarbuzz,” and encored with “Cigarette Lighter Love Song,” and “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me” with Butch in the crowd.

Fans leaving Center Stage buzzed about the band’s unbreakable spirit. In a world of polished rock, Marvelous 3’s raw happiness and family ties made this hometown show unforgettable. If this is what reunion tours can be, sign us up for more.

Our favorite photos from the night, taken by John and I:

AFTERNOON TEA ARRIVES AT BRASSERIE MARGOT THIS FALL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/9/25

New Saturday and Sunday Service Launches Saturday, October 18

A timeless ritual meets everyday charm as Brasserie Margot debuts its new Afternoon Tea service beginning Saturday, October 18. Offered every Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m., the experience unfolds between Bar Margot and Brasserie Margot, where the light-filled space becomes a striking stage for weekend gatherings.

The service showcases a refined balance of pâtisserie and savoury bites, presented alongside a curated selection of JING teas, coffee favorites, and sparkling cocktails. Guests can indulge in chocolate-dipped madeleines, rose and pistachio macarons, and flourless chocolate hazelnut cake, paired with delicate sandwiches including coronation chicken brioche rolls, smoked salmon with herb cream cheese, and roast turkey with avocado on sweet potato bread.

The beverage menu brings its own sense of occasion, spanning classics like Earl Grey and matcha to modern signatures including flat whites and sparkling pours such as the Colour Me Pink (pink guava, sherry, lemon, sparkling wine).

“Our approach to Afternoon Tea is about connection and discovery,” says Ashish Sharma, General Manager of Brasserie Margot. “It’s a relaxed, delicious escape meant for conversation, laughter, and a few unexpected surprises along the way.”

Brasserie Margot’s Afternoon Tea will be offered Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m. starting October 18. Reservations are recommended and can be made at brasseriemargot.com.

Located inside Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta at 75 Fourteenth Street NE, Atlanta, Brasserie Margot is an intimately chic brasserie that blends approachable, modern French cuisine with a charismatic mid-century aesthetic and exceptional service. From house-baked pastries and a jewel-box bar to a curated music program and tableside flambé desserts, Brasserie Margot brings the charm and refinement of a Parisian brasserie to life, infused with Atlanta’s ever-evolving energy. Stay connected on Instagram @brasseriemargotatl.

SHAKY KNEES 2025 DAY 3: WE’RE NIRVANA

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/22/25

Photo: Pooneh Ghana, Shaky Knees

Now that Shaky Knees day three has wrapped, it’s time to reminisce about our favorite moments from the final day of the festival. Our legs hurt, we’ve walked over 13,000 steps each day, and all of it was totally worth it. From seeing Weird Al for the first time to taking a trip down memory lane with Devo, we ended Shaky Knees 2025 on a high note.

I want to go straight for the jugular today and hit it off with my favorite performance of the day, Weird Al! I didn’t ever think I would be saying that but, he really is animated and puts on a great show. It has you rolling laughing! My friend even cried a little he was thought it was so funny. He started out with We’re Nirvana (Smells Like Teen Spirit) and dressed like Kurt Kobain in the original video, and we found out online that he used the same set, janitor, and extras. He then moved on to a Devo parody, literally wearing the same outfit that Devo, who played right before him wore!

After that, Weird Al did a compilation singing everything from Eat It (Beat It), Like a Surgeon (Like a Virgin), and so many more all rolled together. Moving on to White & Nerdy riding a segway on the stage to Amish Paradise (Gangstas Paradise). Finally, doing a whole ending about Star Wars, the Yoda song, and the oddest set of mixed together chanting I have ever heard. I can’t imagine getting everyone in sync acapella on this song!

Best of the rest, included getting to hear Devo sing Whip It live. We loved watching all of their really funny graphic like a donut and a french fry. Plus, they work their iconic red hats. They threw some out into the audience, but I was too far back. The Stereophonics did their main song, Dakota and it was fun to hear it live. We caught Vampire Weekend and my friend exclaimed, “They sound like the Jonas Brothers.” Do they? I’ve never heard the Jonas Brothers. As we walked out, a couple was getting married on stage of the Lucy Dacus show. I’ve never seen anything like that before, so we stopped and watched!

Oops, I did it again. Our ride was leaving before Blink 182, so we didn’t stay. How much did we miss?

With Shaky Knees in the rear view, my favorite performances in this order included Deftones at the top. Then Cage the Elephant came in second for me. Then, rounding out the top three is Cage the Elephant. What was yours?

SHAKY KNEES 2025 DAY 2: MESS AROUND

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/21/25

Photo: Roger Ho, Shaky Knees

With day 2 in the Shaky Knees book, yesterday was a whirl wind of bands and music. We call it the mess around, a nod to my favorite Cage the Elephant Song. We saw as many bands as we could from Radio City Alice to kick it off to Public Enemy to end the night. Here are some of our thoughts on them.

Starting with Radio Free Alice, they had a solid sound and vocals and were impressed with them for such young men. Next, we joined our friends to watch Johnny Marr. I should know who he is as he is the guitarist from the Smiths, but I had no idea until my writer and photographer friend, Reece told me, so I had to go. They didn’t disappoint playing greats like my favorite of theirs, How is Soon Now? and The Charming Man. Morrisey who?

We walked over to Highly Suspect but it was more a chat fest for our group. We agreed they were like a folky Cage the Elephant. Returning back to the Peachtree stage, we caught TV On the Radio. I have always wanted to see Wolf Like Me live since falling in love with the cover by Local H. They turned me on to the song.

Now on to Cage the Elephant, the best show of the day. I have so many stories about their music, like my niece, Katherine, was a huge fan in her teens and I took her to their concert as her birthday present and really enjoyed it. Shultz is so animated and seems to really enjoy his own music. When we covered Shaky back in 2016 at Centennial Park, the group was in the media room doing interviews, so we listened in and caught the show there and were impressed. This one was just as good, maybe better. We were on the hill, and the light show and pyrotechnics were fun, the energy high. They played all of their hits from my favorite Mess Around to Trouble, their first hit Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked, and ending with Cigarette Dreams.

We ended our night seeing a few songs from The Black Keys and heard the iconic Lonely Boy to open. But we really wanted to catch Public Enemy because we love old school rap. They are so engaging, really talk to the crowd, and want the crowd to be in it. They actually have new music that was good!! It was a nice reprieve from all the rock we’d heard all day and a great way to end the night.

I know, we didn’t stay for My Chemical Romance. I liked their first album but was disappointed in a concert I saw before the pandemic. To be honest, I was just so tired by then, I hit a wall.

Pro tip: bring a flashlight!

SHAKY KNEES 2025 DAY 1: MONKEYS GONE TO HEAVEN

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/20/25

Photo: Ismael Quintanilla III, Shaky Knees

John and I boarded Marta and took the train down to Piedmont Park for day one of Shaky Knees 2025. For us, today was about getting acquainted with the new venue, perusing all the fun activations, deciding on what merch to purchase, and of course catching all the great bands performing on my birthday! I thank them for making my birthday an epic one.

First, my favorite thing all day, was what I call “large Ozzy.” A larger-than-life Ozzy costume with a huge bat with whom I had some fun interactions. He was walking around near the media tent and food row and tried to “bite my head off.” It was hilarious. It is a great tribute to the late rocker. The coolest activation we found is the two-story Patron Tequila bar. It looks like a real bar and restaurant with lounge seating upstairs and DJ’s spinning every hour. They even have their own DJ line-up you can enjoy. I’m definitely going to spend some time there today upstairs during the day. We also ran into our friend, Steve Craig, DJ at 99x and had a great chat about Inhaler that they were going to interview that day. I didn’t know Elijah Hewson; the lead singer is Bono’s son. Yes, that Bono. I wish we had made it to their show now.

We made our way to the Piedmont stage to check out Idles first. I was really impressed with their sound; it really is a throwback to punk of old with a mix of grunge, rock elements, and a strong bold voice. I don’t know if this is what they were going for, but it was like Rage Against the Machine with a mix of Dead Kennedys, Henry Rollins, and then a grunge influence. I am not a huge Rage fan but love Dead Kennedys and grunge, so I enjoyed the performance. But what I really like is his voice. It is bold, deep, and commanding.

What who we really went to see were Pixies and Deftones. Starting with Pixies, I first discovered them in 1999 from the Fight Club soundtrack. Where is My Mind was an anthem to the times and still rings true today, so immediately I was hooked. This performance was just as good as all the ones I’ve seen before, with Doolittle and crew singing everything from poppy, surfer rock, Here Comes Your Man to grungy Gouge Away to one of my favorites, Monkeys Gone to Heaven. Fitting that the T-shirt they were selling for this tour is a monkey with a halo in clouds. I had to have it.

This leads me to the headliner of the night, Deftones. We literally just saw them about 4 months or so ago at State Farm Arena where they filled an entire arena with fans. They have seemed to have a resurgence in popularity lately and we are here for it! What strikes me every time with Deftones is their use of light and video in tandem with the Chino’s melonic voice. Their performance is always spot on and they know how to keep a crowd engaged sticking mostly with the hits. Deftones performed several of my favorites including Quiet and Drive (Far Away) to start then proceeding with My Own Summer that launched their career, Knife Party, then slowing it down a little with Diamond Eyes and Digital Bath. The hits kept coming with some of their new album, that is absolutely amazing, but nothing is better live than Change (In the House of Flies). The sun rising behind Chino is just chilling and beautiful. Deftones stock has risen! Now, how do I get them to play my favorite of their songs, Passenger from White Pony.

DRAGON CON 2025: A ONE DAY ITINERARY

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/15/25

Come with us to a day at Dragon con! John and I have attended Dragon Con for years, over 20 for him and in the teens for me. So needless to say, we’re veterans! So, we thought we’d put together the ultimate day at the con for you to grab for next year!

This itinerary is based on Saturday and you will need to purchase a badge to get into any of the Dragon Con hotels.

You’ll start your day by going to see the 10 am Saturday morning Dragon Con parade. It is the best way to see all the best costumes and this is free and open to the public. So, we would recommend you get there an hour early to get a good enough seat to see! Plus, bring water, camp chairs, and snacks as the parade is 2 hours!

Next you will need to fuel your day, so take a lunch break. Grab a bite at any of the local restaurants like Gus’ Fried Chicken for hot fried chicken. Other spots include the Peachtree Center food court, Aviva, or Willy’s to name a few. Plus, there is a food truck parking lot.

While at lunch, download the Dragon Con app and find some things to do during the day, like attend an early afternoon panel with one of your favorite celebrities, comic book artists, and more. This year we saw David Boreanaz who has starred in shows like Buffy, Angle, and Bones. The second panel was Simon Pegg from Sean of the Dead and Mission Impossible. I couldn’t make it to the 40th anniversary panel of Back to the Future, that would have been interesting to see Christopher Lloyd.

Go to the Marriott Marquis and take a walk around the walk of fame. It is a ballroom filled with all types of famous people from TV shows to movies to animators and voice actors. You can just walk around and see who is there or get in line to talk to one of your favorites. Typically, the celebrities charge for photos and signatures so bring some cash!

Then, go find your favorite cosplayers walking around and score a ribbon to attach to your badge! Usually if you interact with them or take their photo, they will give you one, and sometimes swag!

Are you into art? Head to America’s Mart to do some shopping. They have all kinds of goodies you can take home. This is something you could also do first thing during the parade, as we’ve heard that is lighter. The lines can be very long, so if you do this make sure you have at least an hour an a half.

Now, if you don’t want to do this you can head to the Hyatt Regency and people watch in the lobby. People are always happy to snap photos and video with you. They also have a fun “bucket of rum” you can get while doing this.

For our 21 and up readers, this is the perfect time to grab a drink and take a break. Some of our favorites are everything from the bourbon drinks at Sear in the Marquis to beers and Tin Lizzy’s and Skol Brewery to the famed mai tai at Trader Vic’s in the Hilton. There are other great cocktail, wine, and beer locations like Meehan’s Irish Pub downtown and cocktails at Red Phone Booth. Red Phone Booth even does a theme with specialty cocktails and food!

Take a trip down the skybridge, it is great people watching and take a stroll around the Hilton. It is the spot for group photos so you may be able to see a large group of Mario characters to maybe a Marvel meet up. Make sure to visit the Cult of John while you’re in the skybridge as well.

Make sure to turn right after exiting the skybridge between the Hyatt and Marriott Marquis, you’ll find a collection of working droids, and you can interact with! They are my favorite part of Dragon Con and there are so many new ones each year. Wall-e, R2, and BB8 are always there, as well!

It’s time to find another panel! There are so many, two a day is usually what I shoot for, and they are always fun and entertaining. I will never forget the one with Vincent D’Onafro last year! His story about how he got cast in full metal jacket is epic. Or the time, I went the Smallville panel, and all the stars stood on their chairs and sang.

Take a dinner break at one of the local restaurants or hotel restaurants around. We typically always eat dinner at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina, it is really affordable, and I love their So Cal bowl. Then, there is also Alma, they have the best Bulgogi beef tacos and a delightful fish dish.

After dinner, is the ultimate people watching time and the lobby of the Mariott Marquis is the best spot. You can grab some Mead from the Monk’s Mead and take in all the over-the-top cosplays! I’m sure you’ll find a photo op! This year, I really enjoyed what I call, “experience cosplay” where you can interact with the person, play a game, buy a trinket. Like the guy who dressed as a game show host and actually hosted a game show, or the battle of wits from Princess Bride. Also, hopefully you’ll see a herd of T-Rexes as well while you are there. They run a herd most nights!

It’s time for the Saturday night party in one of the ballrooms with dancing, drinks, and fun people watching. One is the Heroes and Villans Ball or the Zombie Prom.

If you’re up for it, concerts start at midnight and you can find some fun, entertaining acts. One year Here come the Mummies played and it was so worth the late night!

That is one packed day!

ETTE HOTEL & THE SALT AND CELLAR – ORLANDO, FL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/11/25

Opulent is the perfect world to describe this stunning Orlando hotel, Ette Hotel! John and I decided to stay a night in Orlando on the way to our summer beach vacation and we were treated to one of the nicest hotels. From the moment you arrive, you know you’re in for luxury. The right mix of minimalism and calm, with hints of elegance, class, and splendor. And it all starts with gorgeous Ette plant wall outside!

In the lobby, you are greeted with a lush seating area between the automatic doors, and in front of you is a table decked out in skincare, large flowers, with a large steel light. The check-in area is 20s deco lines, minimalistic with the word ette small and unobtrusive. Flanking each side of the check in are cozy, clean sitting areas with pops of purple color couches, piano, and skincare bookcase! I am in love with the mural outside the spa with the girl decked out in royal clothing taking a modern selfie!

Up in the room, I could not get over how calming the spacious room we stayed in! They provide ultimate comfort and the finest touches. It was calming off white with classy furniture, and sleek lines. I really loved the wardrobe; glass and metal and open with a laundry bag hanging if you need. In the bedroom, the large bed is sprawling and comfortable, the sound of water is played as you enter. The bed design and headboard are modern yet simple with gorgeous metal, clean lighting. The bathroom is also a stunner! There is a large vanity, and round mirror reflects off the glass shower. The best part of the shower is the rainfall shower head with its gentle, soothing in-room spa!

Next let’s talk about the on-site restaurant, Salt & The Cellar. It is gorgeous spot in the lobby, a collaboration with Michelin star chef Akira Back. ambiance is so much fun with monkeys hanging from the ceiling, beautiful sweeping bar, and amazing art deco dining room with lush seating. As for the food and drinks, we can’t get over the epic drink presentations from my smoky old fashioned to amazing Asian-Mediterranean dishes. Let’s take a stroll around the menu items we loved!

We started out with two appetizers, the Chef’s Roll and the Assorted Sashimi. The chef’s roll is a delicious roll with a tender fish, creamy avocado and cream cheese, crunchy, salty tempura fried, and so many other flavors like sweet, spicy, and rich. Chef’s kiss. My favorite of the appetizers was the assorted sashimi. What I really loved was the fresh fish mixed with garlic, salty caviar, tangy ponzu, and to be honest, I could have drank the sauce. It was topped with 24k gold flakes!

After that, we went for the Toro tartare experience! It is a tableside experience with a tasty toro tuna in an ice box, then covered in tangy chives, salt, salty caviar, tangy onions, crunchy garlic and a fantastic ponzu poured over it and then tossed right in front of you. You can also add more of what you want from the mixes to truly mix and match. I paired this with the visually stunning experience, the smoked old fashioned, a boozy and smoky yet sweet cocktail!

For dinner I opted for the well-presented 5oz filet steak. It is brought out sizzling with a top, presented to you and then a ponzu is drizzled on the top that creates a smoke effect that is a must see. The steak itself is super tender and flavorful with foraged mushroom underneath with a ton of earthy flavors. On top, earthy greens with butter cap off the meal with creamy and rich balancing flavor. I can’t get over the sauce mixed with the steak and accoutrement. Wow!

Beyond the restaurant, there are a ton of amenities at The Ette Hotel. They have a spa relaxation room that is open to the hotel to relax. Outside, there is a beautiful pool with luxurious lounging area, courtyard with gorgeous waterfall feature, dotted with tables, and painted duck art sculpture. You can also have breakfast and dinner out there from the restaurant. The breakfast is a buffet with tons of options like waffles, fruit, eggs, pastries, but the star of the breakfast show is the delicious tomato and cheese quiche/frittata. It is worth every penny. If you go out to the right of the property, we found the Ette Hotel has a walking path with water feature and a place to take in the small pond with seating dotted near the front.

And we have a treat for you! They offer and Florida and Georgia residence package:
15% off room rates
$50 daily breakfast credit
https://tinyurl.com/Ette-Georgia-Resident-Discount

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