| Atlanta History Center
130 W Paces Ferry Rd
404-814-4000
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00am to 5:30 pm, Sun 12:00pm to 5:30 pm
Admission charged.
A contemporary atmosphere marks this historical center, which holds the largest, most comprehensive Civil War exhibits in the South, and touches on aspects of Southern and Atlanta history, including the civil-rights struggle. Two historic homes on the 23-acre grounds of the center are open for touring: an authentic 1840s-working farm (The Tullie Smith House), and a 1928 grand Italianate mansion (The Swan House)
Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Ave NE
404-876-5859
Hours: Tue-Sun 9:00am to 6:00pm
Admission charged. Free on Thursdays
The Garden features several distinct exhibit areas. The Fuqua Conservatory is a giant greenhouse enclosing different climate-controlled ecosystems. The steamy Tropical Rotunda features colossal-leaved plant life and towering rubber trees. Visitors feels like they are in a real rainforest. Outdoors, there are numerous paths to guide guests through planned nature walks. The influence of Japanese architecture is evident throughout, and quiet spots to sit and absorb the beauty of the landscape are abundant. Children are special guests at the Botanical Gardens. An interactive "kid's space" is a popular addition!
Centennial Olympic Park
Centennial Park is clean and well-maintained space, featuring a decorative mosaic of grass-green patches and various geometric shapes composed in red brick. The Quilt of Remembrance, a memorial to those killed by the bomb planted here during the 1996 Olympics, is the most notable of the park's many artistic adornments. Every day at noon sharp jets of water suddenly burst from the six rings of an Olympic logo in a beautiful water display that includes programmed music.
Center for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring Street
404-873-3391
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm
Admission charged.
Located in a former elementary school, the 22-year-old center prides itself on being the largest organization in the U.S. devoted to puppetry. The center offers puppetry classes, daily performances by center puppeteers and various companies, along with a great interactive museum that includes figures like the Muppets.
CNN Center
1 CNN Center
404-827-2491
Hours: Daily
The global headquarters of the CNN News Group and Turner Broadcasting and also an entertainment-shopping-dining-hotel extravaganza. The crown jewel of the Center is the CNN Studios tour, a must-see for an impressive behind-the-scenes look at global news in the making.
Fabulous Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree Street NE
404-881-2100
Box office open all day on day of show
This beautiful 1920s structure was built as an Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque and features Moorish designs inside and out, including onion domes, minarets, and arches. An open-air Arabian courtyard serves as the auditorium. The Fox showcases a colossal theater organ with four keyboards, 3,622 pipes, 376 stops, and 42 ranks. This attraction is one of Atlanta's most beloved landmarks.
Grant Park
Corner of Berne Street and Boulevard Atlanta
In 1883, Colonel Lemuel P. Grant bequeathed 85 acres of his private estate to Atlanta for use as a public park. The city won 44 more acres of land before opening the park in 1891. The park has cozy glens, abundant small hills, gazebos and open pavilions. Grant Park also contains the Atlanta Zoo.
Kennesaw Mountain National Park
900 Kennesaw Mountain DR NW
770-427-4686
Hours: Daily 8:30am to 5:00pm
Prices: Free
Kennesaw Mountain National Park commemorates the 1864 Civil War battle for Atlanta. Union forces under General Sherman assaulted the heavily fortified Confederate positions on Kennesaw, losing more than 5,000 men. Eventually, Confederate forces retreated amidst the horror of hand-to-hand combat. Today, the park encloses 2,882 acres of protected land and boasts 16 miles of hiking trails. Over 11 miles of Confederate trenches form visible rings on the mountainside. Historic markers and memorials provide information about significant battle sites and events. A small museum displays Civil War-era artifacts. Guests often picnic here and enjoy views of Atlanta and even Chattanooga, Tennessee. Over 1 million people visit this park each year.
Lake Lanier Islands
6950 Holiday Rd
770-932-7255
Hours: Fri-Sat 10:00am to 7:00pm, Sun-Thu 10:00am to 6:00pm
Admission charged.
Lake Lanier Islands is a resort and waterpark spread across 1,200 acres There are numerous hotels, golf courses, boat rentals. But the biggest attraction is the Waterpark, featuring water-slide rides, a king-size wave pool, a mile and a half of white sandy beach, volleyball, and live music and DJs.
Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site
450 Auburn NE
404-331-6922
Hours: Daily 9:00am to 5:00pm
Admission: Free
A half-mile stretch of Auburn Avenue east of downtown is marked by its association with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These sites include the Queen Anne-style house where he was born, Ebenezer Baptist Church where he preached, and the memorial tomb at the King Center where he is buried. The Visitor Center offers outstanding exhibits on the life and times of King.
Piedmont Park
Piedmont Ave NE at 14th Street
Hours: Daily 6:00am to 11:00pm
Admission: Free
Piedmont Park is now the center of outdoor and recreational activities in Atlanta, where virtually any game or activity imaginable can be found here. Piedmont also hosts various statuary and memorials that bear witness to the city's history.
SciTrek Science & Tech Museum
395 Piedmont Ave NE
404-522-5500
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00am to 5:00pm, Sun 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Admission charged.
SciTrek, Atlanta's museum of science and technology, prides itself on its hands-on exhibits. More than 150 permanent exhibits explain science through doing, touching, and playing. The many activities and regularly scheduled science shows are educational and fun for kids of all ages.
Six Flags Over Georgia
7561 Six Flags Way
770-948-9290
Hours: Seasonal Hours. During the week 10:00am to 9:00pm Weekends 10am to 10pm
A 331-acre, state-of-the-art theme park, Six Flags has over 100 rides, attractions, and shows. Water Flumes, roller coasters, stage shows, musicals, carnival food, restaurants, and more greet millions of visitors to this regional attraction each year. Check it out for a wild and fun time!
Stone Mountain Park
770-498-5690
Hours: Daily 6:00am to 12:00am
Admission charged per car
Stone Mountain is located 20 minutes outside of Atlanta, and features a three-acre sculpture of Confederate leaders etched into the mountainside. Stone Mountain also has a restored Antebellum Plantation, featuring 18th and 19th century colonial mansions, slave cabins, coach houses, and barns. The Park's 3,200 acres contain numerous lakes, hiking trails, paved recreational paths, and a 1.3 mile climb to the top of Stone Mountain. From the top one can see Atlanta's modern skyline and the nearby Appalachians. There are also a wildlife preserve and petting zoo operates year round. Finally, there is a nightly laser show that recreates historical events.
World Of Coca-Cola
55 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
404-676-5151
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm, Sun 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Admission charged.
This museum is dedicated entirely to the history of the world's most recognizable brand: Coca-Cola. Thousands of Coke objects, commercials, radio jingles, and billboards from Coke's 114 year history can be found within. Visitors learn how Coke is bottled, and see Coke's international side. A Coke tasting session caps off the tour, where visitors can sample Coke from around the world. |
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