How to enjoy Dragon Con without attending Dragon Con
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One way to beat Labor Day weekend traffic. Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Dragon Con, the largest sci-fi and fantasy convention in the Southeast and an Atlanta treasure, is back. But you don't need a badge or deep understanding of "Doctor Who" history to experience the fun.
Why it matters: The five-day convention is a Labor Day weekend tradition, and organizers estimate roughly 75,000 people will attend the parties, panels and a concert by a "Star Wars"-themed heavy metal band that performs composer John Williams' scores.
Reality check: One of Atlanta's greatest pastimes — grabbing a drink at the hotel bars and watching cosplayers — may be hard to enjoy.
- As in recent years, organizers say hotels will limit access to Dragon Con badge holders; the Hyatt Regency told Axios the cutoff is Thursday at 4pm.
Yes, but: There are plenty of ways to be one with the con.
🦸 Line the streets: Saturday morning's free parade features every sci-fi and fantasy character you can imagine, plus a phalanx of "Star Wars" stormtroopers and hideous monsters courtesy of Netherworld. The fun starts at 10am and will also be broadcast live on CBS Atlanta.
Pro tip: The route runs along Peachtree Street and is within walking distance of the North Avenue, Civic Center and Peachtree Center MARTA stations. Don't bother driving.
🕹️ Frogger, anyone? Joystick Gamebar is operating a pop-up arcade running into the wee morning hours with free-play classic games and pinball machines in the former Benihana space on Peachtree Center Avenue.
- $5 gets you an all-day pass. Dragon Con badge holders get in free.
🍔 Feed me, Seymour: Captain America's gotta eat, which means nearby Downtown restaurants will be filled with Con attendees.
- Sip a Mai Tai with Spock at Trader Vic's under the Hilton Atlanta or watch Aviva by Kameel devotees dress up like the gregarious chef.
🐋 Swim with the fishes: The Georgia Aquarium hosts its after-hours Dragon Con Night on Saturday with music, bars, food and a special sea lion presentation.
- Tickets are $62.99 and a Dragon Con badge doesn't grant admission.
🧝 People watch: The sidewalks, plaz as and public spaces surrounding the host hotels become a never-ending display of cosplay as tens of thousands of attendees move between venues.
- Peachtree Center's Hub food court also makes a great base of operations.
The bottom line: There's nothing like Dragon Con weekend in Atlanta. Go enjoy it.