Know Before You Go: NCAA Final Four events in Atlanta

I am thrilled the Final Four is coming to Atlanta this weekend!  The pomp and circumstance…the fans…the fun events!  Yea! The NCAA is bringing in tons of activities, celebrities, and things to do downtown this weekend.  But where should you go? What should you do?  How do you get down there? There will be the “Big Dance” with huge concerts, sports clinics, the Northwest Mutual 5K, and the ultimate fan experience, Bracket Town.  With so much going on you need a go-to guide to make sure you have a good time.  Well here it is!

Know Before You Go: The Final Four
1. Come early.  Organizers expect huge crowds and when you’re navigating around with kids, you want to avoid the crazy crowds later in the day.
2. Consider taking MARTA. Public transportation isn’t super easy to navigate with kids but think of it as an adventure.  The Georgia World Congress Center parking lots are expected to fill up quickly.  While they will remain $10 as long as they are available, if they are full and you have to park at area lots expect to pay two or three times that amount.
3. Plan for the playground to be closed. Sorry fellow moms and dads, it looks like the playground area will be closed because of the activities going on. But there will be lots of other fun stuff to do!
4. Look for discounts. Get discount tickets for Bracket Town at McDonald’s.  Buy a large soft drink for only $1 and get 50% off tickets to the ultimate fan experience, Bracket Town.
5.  Bring the whole family.  Organizers have gone to great lengths to make sure there is something for everyone at every age.  From basketball and cheer clinics to concerts to autograph sessions, everyone can have some fun.
6.  Pack light. There will be security checking bags so make it easy on yourself and bring as little as you can. Lines will be shorter for those who don’t have bags.
7. Strollers are welcome. The events are nearby each other but even older kids might get tired hoofing it all day.  So don’t be afraid to bring the stroller. You might have to search around for an elevator but you will have something to hold all your stuff, and your kid(s).
8. There will be capacity limits. This will be especially true for the “Big Dance” concerts.  Want to see Sting? Dave Mathews Band? Ludicrous? Three words: Get. There. Early. You don’t want to miss you on the (free) concert of the year!
9. Stay in the loop. Download the mobile app for iPhone or Android to keep abreast on the latest news, events, and happenings during the Final Four weekend.
10.  Have fun and chill out.  Look:  There will be crowds.  There will be pushy New Yorkers and country folks from Kansas and tourists from everywhere in between but just relax and enjoy the show!