Sights and Attractions in Atlanta
Atlanta offers a variety of sights. Among the most popular are Centennial Park and surrounding attractions in Downtown, and the Historic King District. Another option is Midtown which includes Piedmont Park, the Fox Theater, and the Woodruff Arts Center.
Atlanta does not fall short of shopping and nightlife areas either, as you have Virginia-Highland, Little Five Points, Buckhead, and Atlantic Station to shop or have a few drinks at a local tavern.
Atlanta also has a few view points where you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the city in Downtown. One of them is the Sundial atop Westin Peachtree. Another is the Polaris atop the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, and there is also Nikolai's Roof on top of the Hilton.
All types of cultural experiences can be found in Atlanta, such as the Atlanta Ballet. Founded in 1929, it is the oldest professional dance company in America, the largest self-supported arts organization in Georgia and the official Ballet of Georgia. The company's performances combine contemporary and traditional styles with classic ballets and new choreography. Its annual season is presented at the fabulous Fox Theatre, including the holdiay season favorite "The Nutcracker."
Opera fans can enjoy the Atlanta Opera. Atlanta's love affair with opera has spanned over 125 years of the city's history. Founded in 1979, the has won numerous awards both nationally and locally. How about orchestra fans?
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is recognized for its creativity and innovation internationally. It is also known as a wonderful training ground for musicians who go on to stellar careers with other orchestras. Regular performances can be caught at the new Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. Atlanta has one of the most impressive theater communities in the United States with more than 65 active performance groups. Metro theatres present a variety of new and old works: Broadway musicals through Broadway in Atlanta, and Theater of the Stars, inprovisation, southern themes, political and human issues, contemporary, classic and, of course, Shakespeare. Check out Alliance Theatre, Dad's Garage, Georgia Shakespeare Theatre, Fox Theatre and Theatre in the Square.
Atlanta also has plenty of musuems, such as the High Museum of Art, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Atlanta History Center. Another way to learn about Atlanta's history is at the Cyclorama, which is located adjacent to the zoo in Grant Park.
Itineraries for Atlanta Vacation
One day in Atlanta - This busy one-day tour will show you the many sides of Atlanta.
Old South and New South - This tour takes you through the old historical sides of Atlanta and the new rapidly growing areas with postmodern architecture and technology, as well as unique culture.
"Gone with the Wind" and the Civil War [link] - Although the movie premiered more than 65 years ago, "Gone with the Wind" still inspires curiosity about Atlanta and the Southern way of life.
African-American History Civil Rights and Beyond [link] - This tour takes you to all the major locations that influenced the Civil Rights movement in Atlanta during the 1960s.
Only in Atlanta [link] - This three day itenerary highlights only a few attractions, but prepare for sensory overload as you visit the sites seen only in Atlanta.
Family Fun [link] - The kids will have a ball in Atlanta. From puppets to roller coasters, kangaroos to dinosaurs, there is plenty to see and do for the whole family.
Sports in Atlanta
Atlanta Braves and Turner Field — The Atlanta Braves' regular season takes place April through September at Turner Field. Check out the Ivan Allen Jr. Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame at Turner Field, both open year-round.
Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome — The Atlanta Falcons have created a host of exciting game-day experiences and affordable family ticket packages for the fans. The 1998 NFC Champions, the Atlanta Falcons, gear up each September to kick off the official season. The Georgia Dome has hosted numberous events including parts of the 1999 Summer Olympics, Super Bowl XXXIV, the annual Chic-fil-A Bowl and the Sugar Bowl.
Atlanta Motor Sports — The Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton is an 870-acre racing complex hosting NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series events in March and October. In addition to the race weekend, the facility hosts events ranging from driving schools, Thursday Thunder Legends racing, Friday Night Drags, Car Shows and many others. Also, check us out at www.myspace.com/AtlantaMotorSpeedway
Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers, and Atlanta Dream at Philips Arena — Covering 4.4 acres, Philips Arena is Atlanta's state-of-the-art multi purpose sports and entertainment complex. The arena is home to the NBA Atlanta Hawks, the NHL Atlanta Thrashers and the new WNBA Atlanta Dream.
Georgia Force Arena Football — Georgia Force play exciting games in the Arena at Gwinnett, a state-of-the-art entertainment and sports venue.
Atlanta Silverbacks Soccer — The Atlanta Silverbacks are helping to bring the phenomenon of soccer to the States.
Things to do in Atlanta
Learn about Atlanta's Civil War History at the 100-year old Atlanta Cyclorama, which tells the history of the 1864 Battle of Atlanta through a massive circular painting and narrated dialogue. Visitors can also learn more about Atlanta's role in the Civil War by visiting the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park featuring 11 miles of Union and Confederate earthworks marking Civil War sites. Historic Oakland Cemetery serves as the final resting place for more than 3,900 Confederate soldiers, famous Atlanta author Margaret Mitchell, golfing legend Bobby Jones, six Georgia governors and 25 Atlanta mayors.
More of Atlanta's history can be learned at the Atlanta History Center. This Buckhead attraction features 32 acres of gardens, wildlife trails and woodland areas. The complex includes the 1840s Tullie Smith Farm, a fully restored 1928 Swan House mansion and Swan Coach House Restaurant. The Buckhead campus expanded by 27,000 square feet including a 20,000 square-foot wing dedicated to memorializing the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. It also has the largest private collection of Civil War memorabilia in the nation.
Visit Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s house, memorial, and Ebenezer Baptist Church in Sweet Auburn.
Take a stroll through Centennial Park and relax by the fountain of rings or the man-made river in the summer time, or go ice skating on the skating rink in the winter time. Attend the many festivals such as the Christmas tree lighting and 4th of July concert.
Walk through Piedmont Park, the largest park in Atlanta. Attend the Dogwood Festival in the spring time or one of the many musical events.
Explore the city scape and enjoy the many pieces of architecture built all around Atlanta, from the skyscrapers of Midtown, to the Downtown skyline, to the houses on Highland Avenue, to the mansions of Buckhead.
Go bar hopping in Buckhead, Midtown, Virginia-Highland, or Little Five Points on a Friday or Saturday night.
Take the Inside CNN Studio Tour. Even if you're not a top news anchor, you can still get in on all the action of TV news making at the headquarters of CNN and Headline News. The tour includes the Control Room Theatre, a look at CNN Espanol, the workings of the Special Effects Studio and the Main Newsroom.
Visit the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, which includes exhibition galleries and an IMAX Theatre. Special features include displays of Argentinosaurus, the largest dinosaur ever unearthed and Giganotosaurus, the largest meat-eater ever discovered. The musuem also features Martinis & IMAX, one of Atlanta's most popular "after five" events available every Friday, January through November from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Visit the Georgia Aquarium, the world's largest and most engaging aquarium, is home to more than 100,000 animals of 500 different species, eight million gallons of fresh water and marine water, with five galleries depicting different habitats. The Aquarium recently added a new swim and dive activity called "Journey with Gentle Giants." It is the only opportunity in the world to swim with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world.
Relive one of the most famous films about Atlanta in The "Gone with the Wind" Experience. Start by touring the three story Tudor Revival mansion in Midtown where author Margaret Mitchell lived from 1925 to 1932 and wrote her Pulitzer Prize- winning novel. The Margaret Mitchell House & Museum offers tours, a museum and museum shop, as well as a literature series that showcases Southern authors. Then, head north to Marietta’s Gone with the Wind Movie Museum featuring the largest private collection of movie memorabilia. Another exceptional collection of “Gone With the Wind” memorabilia owned by Herb Bridges can be found at the Road to Tara Museum, located at the Jonesboro Depot Welcome Center in Clayton County.
Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, one of ten presidential libraries administered by the National Archives & Records Administration and the only one in the Southeast, includes photographs, historical memorabilia from his presidency, an exact replica of the Oval Office, a permanent exhibit of significant events during Carter’s life and political career and the permanent home of the former president’s Nobel Peace Price awarded in late 2002.
The New World of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Place in the heart of downtown Atlanta is the only place where you can explore the complete story- past present and future- of the world’s best-known brand and sample
Check out Underground Atlanta. Six city blocks in the heart of downtown Atlanta have been transformed into Underground Atlanta, a spirited marketplace that offers historic guided tours and features restaurants, specialty stores, entertainment emporiums and street-cart merchants.
Eat at the Varsity. Located in Midtown, is the world's largest drive-in restaraunt. The menu offers burgers, hot dogs, and sandwhiches at a reasonable price.
Visit the High Museum of Art at the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown.
Zoo Atlanta, located just minutes from Downtown Atlanta, features 700 specimens, representing more than 200 species of animals from unique destinations, such as Bornean Sumatran orangutans, Asian small-clawed otters and giant pandas.
The Atlanta City Pass costs $69.00 for adults and $49 for children. It allows buyers to visit four top Atlanta attractions (Georgia Aquarium, New World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta and Inside CNN Studio Tour) and choose between Fernbank Museum of Natural History or Atlanta Botanical Garden and the High Museum of Art or the Atlanta History Center. Buying the Atlanta City Pass helps you save over $40!
Festivals in Atlanta
In January and February, look for the city-wide celebration of visual arts with ATLart and enjoy an early spring at the Southeastern Flower Show held at the Cobb Galleria Centre.
In March, Atlanta celebrates Irish Heritage with Downtown Atlanta's St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, followed, in April, by the Atlanta Dogwood Festival staged at Piedmont Park with children's activities, an artist market, and more.
The Georgia Renaissance Festival allows people to experience merry olde England during the days of King Arthur.
Each May celebrates jazz in Atlanta, the Atlanta Jazz Festival is presented at the Woodruff Arts Center and other venues.
In June, visitors can experience the Atlanta Film Festival. The Georgia Shakespeare Festival presents plays from June through October at the Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University.
The National Black Arts Festival is held during the third week in July and is the world's largest cultural celebration of African-American art. The Atlanta Gay Pride Weekend is a three-day celebration at the Atlanta Civic Center in July.
Atlanta Celebrates Photography promotes photography exhibitions and events citywide every October.
Information on this page may be printed out for your use when you visit Atlanta.
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