Football time: MARTA to the Georgia Dome and Bobby Dodd Stadium

Flickr.com/Alfred Benway

Football season has begun in Atlanta.  Weekend afternoons seem quieter now that half the city is in front of flat-screen TVs or down at a local game at the Dome or Georgia Tech.

Luckily, both destinations are an easy ride on MARTA.

To get to the Georgia Dome, you'll want to exit at the W1 Dome/GWCC/Phillips Arena stop OR the W2 Vine City. The Vine City stop will have less traffic and put you more easily on street level without all the underground climbing at the W1 stop. 

If you are coming from the north or south lines, you will have to transfer at Five Points.  This is where it can get tricky.  Make sure you follow signs to the WESTBOUND platform.  Many times I have seen people go up a stairway or escalator that is to the eastbound platform, and there is no way to get to the train you need that way.  Generally, it is usually better to exit to the outside (not center) platform.  When in doubt, just follow the signs as there are plenty that can direct you to the westbound train. Once you get to W1, merely follow the signs pointing to the Georgia Dome.  Or if you get off at W2, Vine City, merely walk down Rhodes Street when you exit the station (see map).  You can't miss seeing the Dome.

For Tech fans, getting to the Bobby Dodd Stadium on MARTA is also fairly convenient.  You'll want to exit at the North Avenue Station, following the signs to North Avenue/West Peachtree Street and avoiding the exits pointing to the Fox Theatre.  Walk about five minutes west on North Avenue, crossing over the connector, and the stadium will be on your right (see map).