Showing 1-18 of 18 results
-
Atlanta Botanical Garden
In the northwest corner of Piedmont Park, the stunning 30-acre Atlanta Botanical Garden has a Japanese garden, winding paths and the amazing Fuqua Orchid Center.
-
Atlanta Cyclorama
The Atlanta Cyclorama is one of the city's most famous attractions, a circular painting 109m(358ft) around and 12m(42ft) high depicting the 1864 Battle of Atlanta. Painted in 1886, it is the largest in the world and one of only three such Victorian-era circular paintings remaining in the USA. There's an accompanying Civil War museum on site.
-
Centennial Olympic Park
Just north of the CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park is a 21-acre legacy to the 1996 Olympic Games. Concerts and special events are held throughout the year. The fountain is a popular summertime spot for kids in bathing suits. This isn't the world's grandest or grassiest park, but there's plenty of room to toss a ball or have a picnic.
-
CNN Center
CNN Center is the headquarters of the cable-TV news service. You might be tempted to take the CNN tour, a behind-the-scenes glance at the 24-hour news organization, but don't be heartbroken if you miss it. The tour is dark, dingy and just a little bit condescending. Except for an early encounter with a teleprompter, visitors don't get close enough to the action to feel connected. They do, however, get to ride on an enormous escalator that climbs above a food court and into the CNN facility.
-
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Ebenezer Baptist Church was the preaching ground for King, his father and grandfather, who were all pastors here. This is also where King Jr's mother was murdered in 1974. You can take a free tour of the original church, but Sunday services are now held at a new Ebenezer across the street.
-
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Fernbank Museum of Natural History makes other museums seem hopelessly dull. It covers the natural world from seashells to giant lizards, and it has an Imax theater. On Fridays (January to November), the lobby turns into a cocktail lounge and live jazz echoes through the bones of a 123ft dinosaur.
-
Georgia Aquarium
The showstopper of the bunch is the Georgia Aquarium, a colossal facility billing itself as the world's largest aquarium. It's been massively successful among tourists, drawing five million guests in its first 18 months, but animal rights activists have criticized the aquarium for displaying exotic whale sharks, two of which died not long after the attraction opened. Nevertheless, the Georgia Aquarium has other whale sharks still swimming, and it also boasts a tank of gorgeous beluga whales.
-
Georgia State Capitol
The gold-domed Georgia State Capitol is Atlanta's political hub. Tours include a film about the legislative process and a glance at the government's communications facility.
-
Grant Park
A large oasis of green situated on the edge of the city center, Grant Park is home to Zoo Atlanta, which features flamingos, elephants, kangaroo and the odd tiger. But the zoo's pride and joy is baby Mei Lan, the giant panda cub whose every movement is a picture of adorability. Be prepared to wait if you want to see her.
-
High Museum of Art
Through 2009, the expanded High Museum of Art, is working in partnership with the Louvre, displaying works that belong to the famous Parisian museum. But don't overlook the High's permanent collection of American art, which includes fascinating works from the turn of the 20th century, plus contemporary pieces from the likes of Gerhard Richter and folk art from Georgia treasure Howard Finster. The whole museum is done up in blinding white, making the facility itself feel quite artful.
-
Advertisement
-
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum
Located on a hilltop overlooking downtown, the Carter Presidential Library & Museum features exhibits highlighting Jimmy Carter's 1977-81 presidency, including a replica of the Oval Office. Carter's Nobel Prize is also on display. Don't miss the tranquil Japanese garden out back.
-
King Center for Non-Violent Social Change
The King Center for Non-Violent Social Change has information on Martin Luther King's life and work, and a few of his personal effects, including his Nobel Peace Prize. His gravesite, between the church and center, is surrounded by a long, reflecting pool and can be viewed anytime.
-
Margaret Mitchell House & Museum
Margaret Mitchell House & Museum is a shrine to the author of Gone With the Wind . Mitchell wrote her epic in a small apartment in the basement of this historic house. A separate, adjacent museum includes memorabilia from the blockbuster film version of the title.
-
Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site Visitors Center
The historic Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site commemorates the life, work and legacy of the Civil Rights lodestar. The center takes up several blocks. A stop by the bustling Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site visitors center will help you get oriented with a map and brochure of area sites and exhibits. From here, free guided tours leave for the Martin Luther King Jr Birthplace. If you miss the tour, a film in the visitors center tells about King's life in the house.
Read more about Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site Visitors Center
-
Oakland Cemetery
Gone With the Wind author Margaret Mitchell and golf great Bobby Jones are buried in the Oakland Cemetery. Many interesting Victorian and neoclassical monuments are scattered throughout the site, and - if it doesn't creep you out too much - there's a nice open greenspace for picnics.
-
Piedmont Park
In the middle of Midtown, Piedmont Park is a glorious, rambling urban park and the setting of many cultural and music festivals. The park has fantastic bike paths, a Saturday Green Market, a well-loved dog area and lovely green spaces. Neighboring Skate Escape, at 12th St, rents out bicycles and in-line skates.
-
World of Coca-Cola
Next door to the Georgia Aquarium is the new World of Coca-Cola, a self-congratulatory yet entertaining museum that opened in 2007, relocating from several blocks away. The climactic moment comes when guests sample Coke products from around the world. But there are also Andy Warhol pieces to view, a 4-D film to catch, company history to learn, and what seems like 20 billion promotional materials to behold.
-
Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta is an exemplary natural environment that includes a large gorilla exhibit. The zoo's pride and joy are Lun Lun and Yang Yang, two of only a small population of giant panda bears in captivity.
-
Advertisement
Showing 1-18 of 18 results
