By Gray Chapman
Anyone who has walked through SCAD-Atlanta this past week can probably tell that finals have descended upon the school. Students haunt the computer labs like bleary-eyed ghosts in search of caffeine and/or sleep. But this doesn’t have to be you.
There are a few spots in Atlanta that can provide a reprieve from the hamster-in-a-wheel feeling of those endless final projects. Whether you’re looking for a stimulating cup of coffee, a Zen-like retreat, or just some fresh air, we’ve got the lowdown on how to survive the next few days without frying your immune system in caffeine.
SUSTANENCE: R. Thomas’ Deluxe Grill seems like it was made for SCAD students in the midst of final projects. The grill offers fresh, healthy food that won’t make you crash, it’s right down the street from the school, and – best of all – it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So even if you’re working on that monstrous final project at 4 a.m. when the hunger strikes, you can just mosey on down to R. Thomas and join the rest of Atlanta’s nocturnal crowd. Rather than sugar-drenched soda and a bucket of fried carbohydrates, the menu at R. Thomas allows you to choose from healthier options like nutrient-rich fruit smoothies and the best ungreasy hamburger in Midtown.
R. Thomas Deluxe Grille, 1812 Peachtree St NW, (404) 872-2942
FRESH AIR: Sometimes, all we need for a good second wind is a big gulp of oxygen and some Vitamin D – from the sun, not from Vitamin water. Of course, there’s always the SCAD-Atlanta parking deck, but if you’re not a fan of cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes, head to Piedmont Park. You can’t miss it – it’s the huge green space smack-dab in the middle of Midtown, complete with a large pond and a scenic view of the skyline. Just being in the park is enough to lift your spirits, but you can also walk the trails around the pond and check out the dog park for extra endorphins. The park is closed after 10 p.m., so check it out during the daylight hours when there are lots of people frolicking about and the sun is shining.
Piedmont Park, 400 Park Dr NE, (404) 875-7275
CAFFEINE: There are plenty of places to get a cup of coffee in Atlanta. But there’s really only one place where you can go at any hour and get a bottomless cup of joe for just over a dollar. The Majestic is another 24/7 hotspot, with cheap coffee, good milkshakes, and comfort food. While it may sound weird to study in a diner, The Majestic is a great place to hit the books. You get a whole booth to yourself to spread out your work, not to mention the infinitely entertaining people-watching that can occur on any given night. Plus, the servers don’t get snippy when you stick around for a few extra hours.
The Majestic Diner, 1031 Ponce De Leon Ave NE (404) 875-0276
RELAXATION: The Hub’s napping pods aren’t the only place of respite from finals stress. Key Lime Pie, an Aveda salon and spa in the Virginia Highlands, is a soothing place to escape. While you may not have the cash to fork over for the all-inclusive seven-hour spa day (don’t we wish), the smaller treatments are still enough to Zen you out for a little while. The ambience of the spa is serene, and the staff is friendly, soft-spoken and attentive. No matter what treatment you pick, you’ll sit in the waiting area for a few minutes, where you’ll be offered some herbal tea and sometimes even an organic muffin. Arrive at the spa a little early so you can fully soak up the calming effects (and enjoy a couple extra cups of that tea).
Key Lime Pie Salon and Wellness Spa, 806 N. Highland Ave., (404) 873 6512
SUGAR BUZZ: There are loads of bakeries in Atlanta, but there’s only one across the street from SCAD-Atlanta. Jolie Kobe Bakery is temptingly close to the school, which can potentially be dangerous (remember, spring break is right after finals). But during the stress and exhaustion we all endure in the middle of finals, a few sweets here and there can assuage our pain. Plus, after your body becomes resistant to caffeine, you have to get creative with your energy-boosting methods. While a sugar high will only last so long, it might just be what you need to eek out the last bit of that project. Jolie Kobe’s handmade sweets and pastries go beyond a deluxe bag of Reese’s. They’re sinfully delicious and, often, too pretty to eat (but you probably won’t have any trouble with that).
Jolie Kobe Bakery and Café, 1545 Peachtree Street NE Suite #115, (404) 870-0640