Atlanta Cyclorama
800 Cherokee Avenue, SE
(In Grant Park)
Atlanta, GA 30315
404-658-7625
This domed 1920s structure houses an immense circular painting of
a day in the Civil War Battle of Atlanta. Painted in 1885 and meticulously
restored, it is one of the last such surviving canvases. Three dimensional
figures add life to the scene, which is viewed from a revolving stage
to the accompaniment of a dramatic taped narration.
Atlanta State Farmers Market
16 Forest Parkway (Exit 237 off I-75 South)
Forest Park, GA 30297
404-675-1782
A sprawling complex of outdoor stalls and an indoor market. Fresh
fruits and vegetables by the bushel or basket, meat, poultry and
local specialties. A cafeteria serves homestyle meals.
CNN Center
One CNN Center
Marietta Street at Techwood Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-827-2491
Atlanta’s news and entertainment center—headquarters of
Turner Broadcasting, CNN’s international broadcast studios and
networks. Take a first-hand look at global news in the making on the
CNN Studio Tour. Stops on the tour include the main control room where
footage from 37 television monitors is pared down to a live broadcast.
Call 404-827-2300 for information and reservations. Or be in the live
national audience of CNN TalkBack Live, originating from an open-air
studio in the CNN Center Atrium, telecast weekdays at 3 p.m. (ET).
Tickets to the show are free. Call 1-800-410-4CNN for reservations.
CNN Center also houses a movie theater, eateries, a bank and post
office, specialty stores—including the Braves Clubhouse Store
and The Turner Store, plus the luxurious Omni Hotel. Located adjacent
to Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia
Dome, Philips Arena and MARTA, CNN Center is open daily.
Georgia’s Stone Mountain Park
Highway 78
Stone Mountain, GA 30086
770-498-5600
www.stonemountainpark.com
The world’s largest exposed rock rises 825 feet above the surrounding
3,200-acre park. Confederate heroes are carved in the mountain’s
sheer face and form the backdrop for summer evening laser shows. Visitors
can climb the mountain’s gentle slope or take a skylift to the
top. They can also enjoy fishing, swimming, tennis, golf, a 19-building
antebellum plantation, steam locomotive or paddlewheel riverboat excursions,
and a Civil War exhibit.
Underground Atlanta
Peachtree Street & Upper Alabama Street
www.underatl.com
Walk the cobbled streets of the original downtown Atlanta. Buried
beneath concrete overpasses of the 1920s, revived as a quaint tourist
attraction in the 1970s, this historic area is now the focal point
for a spectacular shopping, restaurant and entertainment district
covering six city blocks. It’s a true urban gathering place,
with shops, restaurants, clubs, a street market, pushcart vendors
and more. A 138-foot light tower and water cascade mark the entrance.
The World of Coca-Cola Pavilion
Adjacent to Underground Atlanta
55 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303-3505
404-676-5151
www.woccatlanta.com
The story of Coca-Cola—past, present and future—is told
through fascinating exhibits, an eye-popping collection of memorabilia,
classic radio and television advertisements, a fanciful representation
of the bottling process and a spectacular futuristic soda fountain.
Culture & Education
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
980 Briarcliff Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
404-872-5338
www.callanwolde.org
The fine arts center for DeKalb County, this 1920s mansion, with its
gardens and grounds, was built by a son of Coca-Cola Company-founder
Asa Candler. Today it’s a setting for classes, performances,
a gallery and a gift shop.
Carter Presidential Center
441 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30307
404-331-3942
www.jimmycarterlibrary.org
The Carter Library and Museum offer a close-up look at the Georgia
peanut farmer who became president of the United States, at his administration,
and at the presidency itself. The Japanese garden offers a commanding
view of the Atlanta skyline from the hill where General Sherman watched
the city burn in 1864.
Center for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-873-3391 (box office)
404-873-3089 (business office)
www.puppet.org
This internationally acclaimed organization offers performances written
for children and adults. The Puppetry of the World Museum houses the
country’s largest private collection of puppets and also offers
a history of puppetry.
Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University
571 South Kilgo Street
Atlanta, GA 30322
carlos.emory.edu
Take a peek at the past, the distant past. A mummy and other Egyptian
artifacts, Greek statues, Pre-Columbian pottery and other ancient
treasures are on standing exhibition, as well as an extensive collection
of prints and drawings from the 13th century to the present. The museum
also presents touring exhibitions.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
767 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30307
404-370-0960
www.fernbank.edu/museum
One of Atlanta’s largest museum’s, Fernbank is also one
of the nation’s foremost museums of natural history. With eight
permanent exhibitions (including the renowned Cultures of the World,
which features over 200 objects from the Dorothy Methvin McClatchey
Collection) and several new exhibitions a year, Fernbank is guaranteed
to delight almost any history lover. Visitors also have access to
the museum’s amazing four-story IMAX movie screen.
Fox Theater
660 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-249-6400 (Ticketmaster)
404-688-3350 (Walking Tours)
www.foxtheatre.org
This grand 1929 movie theater was built to simulate a Moorish palace,
complete with canopied “courtyard” clouds and starlit
sky. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the theater
hosts touring artists and shows, plus a summer movie series.
Governor’s Mansion
391 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-261-1776
The home of Georgia’s chief executive is designed in Greek-revival
style popular in antebellum South. Built in 1968, it houses an impressive
collection of Federal-era antique American furnishings and is open
for tours Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
High Museum of Art
1280 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-733-4400
404-733-HIGH (24-hour information line)
www.high.org
The building itself, designed by Richard Meier, is a work of art.
The museum encompasses European and American paintings, sculpture,
decorative arts, photography, and graphics arts, plus a special exhibition
area for children. The High regularly hosts international touring
exhibitions.
High Museum of Art Folk Art and Photography
Galleries
30 John Wesley Dobbs Avenue, NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-577-6940
www.high.org
This downtown arts center, recipient of an American Institute of Architects
award, shows major works from the uptown High and also offers its
own rotating exhibitions, lectures, films and gift shop.
Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent
Social Change
449 Auburn Avenue, NE
Atlanta, GA 30312
404-524-1956
www.thekingcenter.org
You can visit Martin Luther King’s grave, view a film presentation
and an exhibit chronicling his life.
SciTrek—Science and Technology Museum
395 Piedmont Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-522-5500
www.scitrek.org
Truth proves itself stranger by far than fiction, as hands-on exhibits,
experiments and demonstrations instruct and delight children and adults
alike.
Woodruff Arts Center
1280 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-733-4200
www.woodruffcenter.org
This arts complex is home to several of Atlanta’s top performing
groups. The Grammy-Award-winning Atlanta Symphony, one of the youngest
American orchestras to achieve prominence in the last quarter-century,
performs in the 1,800-seat Symphony Hall. The 800-seat Alliance Theatre
has its own acting troupe. The 200-seat Studio Theatre is known for
staging new works. The center is also home to the Atlanta Children’s
Theatre and Atlanta College of Art.
Historic Atlanta
Atlanta History Center
130 West Paces Ferry Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-814-4000
www.atlantahistorycenter.com
From cotton fields to railroads, the Civil War to civil rights, you’ll
find the real story of Atlanta’s past at the Atlanta History
Center. Tour the 83,000-square-foot Atlanta History Museum and you’ll
learn how Atlanta grew into the South’s leading city, about
African-American History, the Civil War, “Gone with the Wind”
and a lot more. The story continues at two houses on the National
Register of Historic Places: Swan House, a 1928 mansion, and Tullie
Smith Farm, with its 1840s plantation-plain house and outbuildings.
Visitors also enjoy 33 acres of gardens and nature trails. McElreath
Hall contains the Center’s research 1library/archives with manuscript
and photo collections totalling 3.5 million items. Located in Buckhead,
just two blocks from Peachtree Road, the Center also offers a museum
shop, the Coca-Cola Cafe, a restaurant and picnic area.
Atlanta Preservation Center
327 St. Paul Avenue, SE
Atlanta, GA 30312
404-688-3350
www.preserveatlanta.com
The Atlanta Preservation Center features guided walking tours of historically
and culturally significant close-in areas: The Fox Theatre (vintage
faux Moorish movie theater), Historic Downtown, Sweet Auburn Avenue
(historic civil rights area), Inman Park (Victoria era homes in city’s
first suburb), Ansley Park (early, wealthy suburb), Walking Miss Daisy’s
Druid Hills and Grant Park (historic area and site of a zoo, park
and battle for Atlanta exhibit). A great way to learn the city!
Herndon Home
587 University Place, NW
Atlanta, GA 30314
404-581-9813
www.herndonhome.org
This 15-room mansion was built in 1910 by Alonzo F. Herndon. A former
slave, he was the founder of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, the
second-largest black-owned insurance company in the nation. The house
is shown complete with original furnishings, artwork and photographs.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive
(Old Highway 41 and Stilesboro Road)
Kennesaw, GA 30152
770-427-4686
www.nps.gov/kemo
Climb Kennesaw Mountain and relive this pivotal engagement in the
Civil War Battle of Atlanta. The 2,884-acre park includes 17.3 miles
of original earthworks and is a popular site for Civil War reenactments.
Margaret Mitchell House and Museum
990 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-249-7012
www.gwtw.org
Learn about the creation of one of the world’s most beloved
novels, “Gone With the Wind,” by touring the historic
house and apartment where Margaret Mitchell wrote it. Photograph exhibis
and memoribilia tell the story of Atlanta through the life of this
fascinating woman. Open daily from 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Gift shop open
until 6 p.m. Group tours and special events by appointment. Located
at the corner of 10th and Peachtree, adjacent to the Midtown MARTA
station. Free parking.
Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District
Auburn Avenue between Jackson & Randolph Streets
Atlanta, GA 30312
The home where civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., was born has been restored and is on tour.
Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached, is open to the public
and holds Sunday services.
Wren’s Nest
1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., SW
Atlanta, GA 30310
404-753-7735 Tours/Info
Located in Atlanta’s historic West End neighborhood, the restored
Victorian Wren’s Nest was home to Joel Chandler Harris, creator
of Br’er Rabbit and all the other characters that populate the
Tales of Uncle Remus.
Great For Kids
Children’s Museum
275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive
Atlanta, GA 30313
404-659-KIDS
www.childrensmuseumatl.org
Currently Atlanta’s newest museum—and certainly its most
playful—the Children’s Museum of Atlanta offers hands-on
experiences that combine fun and education. Located in the heart of
downtown, the museum is open seven days a week (except Christmas and
Thanksgiving) from 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m.
Six Flags Over Georgia
275 Riverside Parkway
Austell, GA 30168
770-948-9290
www.sixflags.com/georgia
A state-of-the-art theme park with more than 100 rides, shows and
attractions. Thrill to the Looping Starship, Mindbender, and the Great
American Scream Machine, or enjoy Broadway-style reviews. For smallfry
there’s Bugs Bunny World with its “Flying Tasmanian Devil”
and “Tweety’s Swing.”
Six Flags White Water Park
North Marietta Parkway Exit
off I-75
250 Cobb Parkway North
Marietta, GA 30062
770-424-WAVE
www.sixflags.com
Would you believe the Atlanta Ocean—complete with waves? Also
speed flumes, water slides, wave pools and other thrills at this 35-acre
water park. Open summers, and on weekends in May and September.
Yellow River Wildlife Game Ranch
4525 Highway 78
Lilburn, GA 30047
770-972-6643
www.yellowrivergameranch.com
This 24-acre natural habitat petting zoo along the banks of the Yellow
River shelters some 600 native Georgia animals. Pet the deer, rabbits
and other relatively tame critters. See the wild ones—bear,
buffalo, mountain lions, foxes, raccoons—in natural surroundings.
Summer brings newborn fawns.
Zoo Atlanta
Grant Park
800 Cherokee Avenue, SE
Atlanta, GA 30315
404-624-5600
www.zooatlanta.org
Spend a day where Willie B. Jr., baby Kudzoo and other gorillas run
“wild” in the Ford African Rain Forest, and lions, zebras,
ostriches and giraffes inhabit an area reminiscent of the Serengeti
plain. See Chilean flamingoes, pet animals in the Publix Petting Zoo,
and watch an elephant demonstration.
Babyland General Hospital
73 West Underwood Street
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-865-2171
Rambling and homey, this white frame “adoption clinic”
86 miles northwest of Atlanta is the birthplace of the Cabbage Patch
Kids and still offers plenty of young-uns for adoption.
The Great Outdoors
Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Avenue, NE
Atlanta, GA 30309-3366
404-876-5859
www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org
The $5.5 million Fuqua Conservatory is a tropical paradise of exotic
and endangered plants from around the world. Outside, blooms and activities
draw visitors year round. Located adjacent to Piedmont Park, a green
urban oasis with a crystal lake, ball fields, tennis center, bike
trails.
Amicalola Falls State Park
240 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd.
Dawsonville, GA 30534
1-706-265-4703
Amicacola Falls State Park is the home of Georgia’s tallest
waterfall (729 feet) and the Springer Mountain approach trail, which
leads to southern end of the famed Georgia-to-Maine Appalachian Trail.
Open year round; 19 miles west of Dahlonega.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
9135 Willeo Road
Roswell, GA 30075
770-992-2055
The Chattahoochee Nature Center sits on 127 acres of unspoiled land
along the Chattahoochee River.
The Nature Center provides a paradise for birdwatchers and plant lovers.
Included are woodland trails, marsh boardwalk, indoor/outdoor exhibits,
picnic area and nature store.
Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites
800-864-7275
gastateparks.org
The state park system is comprised of 63 parks and historic sites,
with many of these close enough to serve as easy day trips from the
Atlanta area. Eight of these parks are close to an hour’s drive
from Atlanta. All parks require a $2 parking fee and historic sites
have a fee range of $1-$4 per person. Showcase parks within the area
include: Panola Mountain State Park, Sweet Water Creek State Park,
F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Indian Springs State Park, James H. Floyd
State Park and Victoria Bryant State Park.
Panola Mountain State Park
2600 Highway 155, SW
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-389-7801
This 100-acre granite mountain is the home to rare Piedmont plants
and native animals. It is 18 miles southeast of Atlanta, and features
hiking trails and nature programs.
Entertainment Venues
HiFi Buys Lakewood Amphitheater
2002 Lakewood Way
Atlanta, GA 30315
404-443-5090
The top names of pop, rock, and jazz draw fans to this 19,000-seat
outdoor concert arena.
The Georgia Dome
1 Georgia Dome Drive
Atlanta, GA 30313
404-223-9200
www.gadome.com
The 71,500-seat domed stadium, opened in 1992, is home to the Atlanta
Falcons (National Football League). The $210-million facility, which
includes an executive club and concourse, was also the site for the
1994 Super Bowl and numerous other sports events, plus concerts and
major conventions and assemblies.
Philips Arena
1 Philips Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-878-3000
www.philipsarena.com
This 21,000-seat arena (where the abstract columns spell Atlanta)
is home to the Thrashers (hockey) and the Hawks (basketball) and has
played host to numerous concerts and special events since its opening
in 1999. Located adjacent to CNN Center near the Georgia Dome, Philips
Arena can be easily reached via MARTA; plenty of paid parking is also
nearby.
Getaways
Callaway Gardens
Pine Mountain, GA 31822
706-633-2281
800-282-8181
www.callawaygardens.com
Begun as a preserve for Georgia’s native flowers, this stunning
resort 75 miles southwest of Atlanta is comprised of several thousand
acres of nature and bike trails, scenic drives, golf, a man-made lake
with white sand beach and summer water show, a top-rated inn, villas,
cottages, and a delightful greenhouse complex. The gardens also house
the spectacular Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, one of the largest
glass-enclosed conservatory in North America for the display of living
butterflies in free flight, plus tropical birds and hummingbirds in
a tropical setting.
Château Élan Winery & Resort
100 Rue Charlemagne
Braselton, GA 30517
678-425-0900
800-233-WINE
www.chateauelanatlanta.com
Take a free tour and sample award-winning Château Élan
wines in this stunning replica of a 16th century French château.
Guests enjoy a wine museum, art gallery, wine market with specialty
items for sale, restaurants, nature trails and picnic areas, golf
club, tennis center, European-style health spa, equestrian show center
and a 253-room country French Inn. Just 40 minutes north of Atlanta,
I-85 at Exit 126.
Helen Chamber of Commerce
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-2181/800-858-8027
This mountain town 110 miles north of Atlanta is an Alpine village
with its own biergarten, quaint shops, and a year round schedule of
festival activities. Nearby are Anna Ruby Falls, Unicoi State park,
and Georgia’s highest mountain, Brasstown Bald.
Lake Lanier Islands
7000 Holiday Road
Lake Lanier Islands, GA 30518
770-932-7200
800-840-LAKE
A 1,100-acre year-round resort surrounded by a 38,000-acre lake. Beach
& Water Park, stables, rental boats, picnic facilities, camping.
Emerald Pointe Resort (770-945-8787) and Renaissance PineIsle Resort
(770-945-8921) each have their own 18-hole golf courses and additional
recreational facilities. 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta.
Little White House
Georgia Highway 85 West
Warm Springs, GA 31830
706-655-5870
The cottage that was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s rural
Georgia retreat is preserved as it was when he died in 1945. Nearby
Warm Springs Village (706-655-2609) maintains its turn-of the-century
ambience, with restaurants, some 60 antiques and craft shops and a
bed and breakfast. 75 miles south of Atlanta.
Madison Chamber of Commerce
115 East Jefferson Street
Madison, GA 30650
706-342-4454/800-709-7406
www.madisonga.org
Known for its antebellum mansions, this town of 3,200, just 60 miles
east of Atlanta, boasts 35 houses on the National Register of Historic
Places, and the Madison Morgan Cultural Center. Regular walking tours.
Westville
P.O. Box 1850
Lumpkin, GA 31815
229-838-6310
Blacksmiths, leather workers, potters, and other artisans display
their skills daily for visitors at this 1850’s pioneer vilage
on 60 acres. Near Providence Canyon State Park, with its aptly named
Little Grand Canyon. Located 150 miles southwest of Atlanta.
|