Atlanta attractions guide

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BUCKHEAD
CUSTOM MAP SOLUTIONS
NW
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Rd NE
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WHITE WATER
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FEDERAL
RESERVE
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ALEXANDER
MEMORIAL
COLISEUM
VIRGINIA 46
45
HIGHLAND !
MIDTOWN
250
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45
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43
24
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STONE MOUNTAIN
PARK
2
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GEORGIA TECH
UNIVERSITY
249D
!11 ATLANTA BALLET
NORTH N3
AVENUE
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Collie
r
Renaissance
Park
N2 CIVIC
CENTER
249C
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236
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Rd N
W
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SOUTH
BUCKHEAD
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§
75 401
ATLANTIC
STATION
LEGEND
27
HIGHWAY EXIT
MARTA STOP
!
13
252A
Central
Park
86
Lindbergh Dr NE
19
4
249D
LINDBERGH
CENTER N6
Creek
d NE
treet R
Peach
(
236
(
FERNBANK MUSEUM
OF NATURAL HISTORY
CRAWFORD
LONG
MEMORIAL
!
Sidney Marcus Blvd NE
403
25
24
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! FOX THEATRE
Lindbergh Dr NE
MIAMI
CIRCLE
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Pi
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BOBBY DODD
STADIUM
GRANT FIELD
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Peachtre
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3
ROBERT FERST CENTER
FOR PERFORMING ARTS !
LENOX
49
!
9
Northside Dr NW
(
Peachtree Battle Ave NW
TECHNOLOGY
SQUARE
NE7
YELLOW RIVER
GAME RANCH
E Wesley Rd NE
3
!
!
Lenox Square
Mall
W
W Wesley Rd NW
HOUSE
t
d
400
16
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30
29 MARGARET
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MITCHELL
MIDTOWN N4
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ach
R
ree
NE
Rd
NE
BUCKHEAD
Peachtree Rd NE
KING PLOW
ARTS CENTER
!
! !
ATLANTA
HISTORY
CENTER
Northside Dr NW
(
ATLANTIX 14
141
!7
PIEDMONT
PARK
Lake Clara
Meer
BUCKHEAD
VILLAGE
Fe
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R
dN
N7
Lenox Rd NE
NW
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W Paces Ferry Rd
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75
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no
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Lenox Rd NE
op
Lo
mo
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75
THE
VILLAGE
HISTORIC
DISTRICT
Le
1
ATLANTA
BOTANICAL
GARDEN
2
Roswell
THE
COMMONS
34
!
MARIETTA
d
Pie
JEWISH HERITAGE
MUSEUM HIGH MUSEUM
OF ART
ATLANTA
SYMPHONY
31
13
ORCHESTRA
10
9
N5
ARTS
!
CENTER
WOODRUFF
ARTS CENTER
HISTORIC
DISTRICT
W
250
1
20
!
CHATEAU
CONSERVATION
ELAN
CENTER
WINERY
& RESORT
dN
13
38
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CHATTAHOOCHEE
RIVER FUN
yR
CENTER FOR
18
16 PUPPETRY ARTS
!
47
46
!
WILLIAM BREMAN
THE
DISTRICT
CHASTAIN PARK
AMPHITHEATRE
38
49 D
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!
ROSWELL KANGAROO
rr
Fe
DOWNTOWN
AND
MIDTOWN
19
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Pe
ac
ht
C
C
10
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Piedmont Ave NE
B
B
Peachtree Dunwoody Rd NE
A
Piedmont Ave NE
A
RHODES!
HALL
251
84
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85
403
85
85
0
1.6 Km
0
1 mile
CUSTOM MAP SOLUTIONS
BOISFEUILLET
249B
! JONES ATLANTA
CIVIC CENTER
249A
3
(
(
Building
B
Building
C
!
!
54 GEORGIA International
Plaza
! DOME
W1
!65
OMNI-DOME
WORLD
CONGRESS
CENTER
MORRIS
BROWN
COLLEGE
4
¨
§
FULTON COUNTY
PUBLIC LIBRARY
85
!
!
22
20
!INSIDE CNN
248C
RIALTO CENTER
FOR THE
PERFORMING ARTS
Woodruff
Park
Hurt Park
GEORGIA STATE
UNIVERSITY
FIVE
POINTS
!
!!
UNDERGROUND
45
43
! ATLANTA
48
48 WORLD OF E1
!
Georgia COCA-COLA
Plaza
Park
CITY
HALL
GARNETT
S1
MOREHOUSE CLARK
COLLEGE COLLEGE
!
CITY OF DECATUR
35
33
!
! APEX
MUSEUM
GRADY
MEMORIAL
HOSPITAL
248B
GEORGIA
STATE
E2
248A
KING MEMORIAL
28
27
!
OAKLAND
CEMETERY
!
GEORGIA
STATE CAPITOL
!
21
24
!
MARTIN LUTHER KING,
JR. NATIONAL HISTORIC
SITE AND SWEET
AUBURN DISTRICT
!
STUDIO TOUR
FULTON CTY !
GOV'T CTR
!
248D
ATLANTIX 14
36
40
36
CITY SEGWAY TOURS
(
!
75
PEACHTREE N1
CENTER
CNN
CENTER
PHILIPS
ARENA
¨
§
! DESIGN
!
Building
A
PHILIPS
W2
VINE
CITY
MUSEUM OF
AMERICAS
MART
17
15
GEORGIA
WORLD
CONGRESS
CENTER
ATLANTA
MEDICAL
CENTER
248C
MUSEUM
CENTENNIAL
OLYMPIC PARK
JIMMY CARTER
LIBRARY
AND MUSEUM
!
GEORGIA
AQUARIUM
27
30 NEW WORLD OF
!
COCA-COLA(2007)
IMAGINE IT!
!
32
47 THE CHILDREN'S
!
33
31
!
ATLANTA
98 OPERA
247
(
11
10 ATLANTA
!
UNIVERSITY
56B
CENTER
246
!
!
42
38
57
SPELLMAN
COLLEGE
57
56B
¨
§
SIX FLAGS
55B
(
¨
§
20
20
58A
58B
59B
59A
56A
247
¨
§
¨
§!
Grant
Park
75
5
@
TURNER FIELD
TURNER
FIELD
W
E
CYCLORAMA
!
S
ZOO
ATLANTA
50
50
!
246
59A
* BKH: See Buckhead map at top of this page
3 ATLANTA BRAVES
12
S2 WEST
END
AmericasMart—Atlanta ............................................C3
Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Inc.................................D1
Atlanta Cyclorama ....................................................D4
Atlanta Fulton County Library ..................................C4
*Atlanta History Center ....................................BKH-B2
Atlantic Station .........................................................B1
Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center....................C3
Centennial Olympic Park ..........................................B3
Center for Puppetry Arts ..........................................B1
Federal Reserve Bank ...............................................C1
Fox Theatre ..............................................................C2
Georgia Aquarium ....................................................B3
Georgia Dome ..........................................................B4
Georgia State Capital...............................................C4
GWCC (Building A/B/C) ...........................................B3
High Museum of Art.................................................C1
Historic West End .....................................................B5
Inside CNN Studio Tour............................................B3
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library ............................D3
*Lenox Square Mall..........................................BKH-D1
Margaret Mitchell House & Museum .......................C2
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site ..........D4
Museum of Design ...................................................C3
Oakland Cemetery ...................................................D4
Peachtree Center......................................................C3
Philips Arena .............................................................B4
*Phipps Plaza....................................................BKH-D1
Rhodes Hall...............................................................C1
Rialto Center for the Performing Arts
at Georgia State University ......................................C4
Sweet Auburn District ..............................................D4
The Apex Museum ...................................................C4
Turner Field ..............................................................C5
Underground Atlanta ...............................................C4
Virginia Highland ......................................................D2
William Breman Jewish Heritage..............................B1
Woodruff Arts Center ...............................................C1
Zoo Atlanta...............................................................D5
N
85
!
POINTS OF INTEREST
I N D E X
THE ACVB VISITORS CENTERS ARE LOCATED:
n Georgia Aquarium
n Georgia World Congress Center
n Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport
n Underground Atlanta
ATLANTA.net
The Official Fun Guide
and Map of the
Atlanta Convention
& Visitors Bureau
50
FUN THINGS TO
SEE AND DO IN
ATLANTA
The Atlanta Ballet, founded in 1929, is the oldest professional dance company in America, the largest self-supported arts
organization in Georgia and is the official Ballet of Georgia. It
is one of the nation’s premier professional ballet companies,
recognized for the artistry of its dancers and its innovative programming. Its annual season is presented at the fabulous Fox
Theatre (404-873-5811).
10 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and
Chastain Park Amphitheatre
The Classic Chastain series features musicians and the Atlanta
Symphony Orchestra performing at Chastain Park
Amphitheatre while guests dine by moonlight. The Symphony,
lead by music director Robert Spano and principle guest conductor Donald Runnicles, also presents a series of concerts at
parks and churches, in addition to the regular season at
Symphony Hall in the Woodruff Arts Center (404-733-5000).
11 Atlanta University Center and the
Historic West End.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
2 Atlanta Botanical Garden
This peaceful oasis includes 30 acres of gardens, an urban forest, wildflower trails, the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua
Conservatory and a 10,000 square-foot Fuqua Orchid Center.
A charming bridge links the main gardens to the Children’s
Healthcare of Atlanta Children’s Garden where an
amphitheatre, maze and waterfall may be found to delight the
young at heart. The Garden also offers the visitor a wealth of
year-round special events, exhibits and educational workshops
(404-876-5859).
3 Atlanta Braves and Turner Field
The Atlanta Braves regular season takes place April through
September at Turner Field (404-577-9100). The Ivan Allen Jr.
Braves Museum and Hall of Fame at Turner Field (404-6142311) offers two new Hank Aaron exhibits. Both the Braves
Museum and Turner Field are open year-round, even when the
team is not in action.
4 Atlanta Civil War History
The 100+ year-old Atlanta Cyclorama tells the history of the
1864 Battle of Atlanta through a massive circular painting and
narrated dialogue (404-658-7625). Visitors also can 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 (770-427-4686). Historic Oakland Cemetery serves
as the final resting place for more than 3,900 Confederate soldiers (404-688-2107). The Atlanta History Center also has
the largest private collection of civic war memorabilia in the
nation.
5 Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome
Under the ownership of Arthur Blank, Home Depot co-founder
and Atlanta philanthropist, the Atlanta Falcons will be creating a host of exciting game-day experiences and affordable family ticket packages for the fans. For Falcons tickets call (404223-8444). The Georgia Dome has hosted numerous events
including: events for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games,
Super Bowls XXVIII and XXXIV, the annual Chick-fil-A Bowl,
and most recently, the 72nd Nokia Sugar Bowl in 2005. Dome
tours can be scheduled by calling (404-233-TOUR).
6 Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers
at Philips Arena
Covering 4.4 acres, Philips Arena is Atlanta’s state-of-the-art
multi-purpose sports and entertainment complex (800-3264000). The arena is home to the NBA Atlanta Hawks (404249-6400) and the NHL Atlanta Thrashers (404-584-PUCK).
7 Atlanta History Center
This Buckhead facility features 33 acres of gardens, wildlife
trails and woodland areas. The complex includes the 1840s
Tullie Smith Farm, newly restored 1928 Swan House mansion
and Swan Coach House restaurant. The museum features permanent exhibitions such as “Down the Fairway with Bobby
Jones” and changing exhibitions on subjects such as the Civil
War, African-American heritage and Southern folk art. The
Atlanta History Center’s Buckhead campus expanded by
27,000 square feet in 2006. The new expansion includes a
20,000 square foot wing dedicated to memorializing the 1996
Centennial Olympic Games held in Atlanta and the throughout the state of Georgia (404-814-4000).
8 Atlanta Motor Sports
Road Atlanta in Braselton is a 2.5-mile track featuring sports
car, vintage, motorcycle, motor cross and go-cart races from
March through November (770-967-6143). The Atlanta Motor
Speedway in Hampton is an 87-acre racing complex hosting
NASCAR and ARCA events in March and November and Indycar racing in August (770-946-4211). For a taste of what racing
is really like, visit the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the
Atlanta Motor Speedway, Atlanta Dragway in Commerce
(706-335-2301) or the Andretti Speed Lab in Roswell (770992-5688), featuring rides in custom-built Indy cars or karts
among other racing themed entertainment.
9 Atlanta Opera
Atlanta’s love affair with opera has spanned over 125 years of
the city’s history. Founded in 1979, the Atlanta Opera is led
by its General Director, Dennis Hanthorn, and has won
numerous awards both nationally and locally. The organization offers four main stage productions each season, in addition to other programs, such as the “Pre-Opera Lectures” and
student matinees to further enhance the experience of opera.
All Atlanta Opera performances take place at the Boisfeuillet
Jones Atlanta Civic Center, located on the corner of Piedmont
Avenue and Ralph McGill Blvd. (404-881-8801).
The Vine City area of Atlanta holds the country’s largest concentration of African-American colleges dating back to the postCivil War era—-often referred to as the Atlanta University
Center. The AUC is comprised of Clark Atlanta University,
Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College,
Morehouse School of Medicine, Morris Brown College and
Spelman College. It is home to the Clark Atlanta University Art
Gallery and the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art (404523-5148). Plans are underway at Morehouse College for the
new Ray Charles Performing Arts Center. The Historical West
End community dates back to the 1830s. Museums in the area
include Hammonds House Galleries (404-752-8730), known
for its exhibitions of African-American and Haitian art.
12 Atlanta Walking Tours
A multitude of walking tours are available for visitors in
Atlanta, from historic neighborhoods to prominent buildings.
The Atlanta Preservation Center (404-688-3350) offers
guided walking tours of neighborhoods such as: Ansley Park,
a 230-acre residential district developed in 1904; Druid Hills,
where you will find the home used in the movie “Driving Miss
Daisy;” Grant Park, with the antebellum Grant Mansion and
beautiful park; Inman Park, one of Atlanta’s first garden suburbs; and historic Downtown.
13 Atlantic Station
It’s the nation’s most innovative Live-Work-Play community.
Nestled in midtown Atlanta at 17th Street and I-75/85,
Atlantic Station is a downtown that’s very “uptown” featuring
boutiques, sidewalk cafes, hip restaurants and more, all in a
streetscape-style setting with brick paved streets and a Central
Park. It’s the Regal Cinemas 16 + festivals, concerts and the
TWELVE® Hotel. It’s even free shuttles from the High
Museum and Arts Center MARTA Station. It’s Atlantic
Station. LIFE HAPPENS HERE ®. Download a District
Map and store, event and community information at
www.atlanticstation.com.
14 AtlanTIX
AtlantTIX, opened as the first same day half-price ticket booth in
the Southeast, offers a wide variety of local attractions, theater,
dance, and musical performances to the savvy consumer. Tickets
may be purchased year-round at half-price. AtlanTIX booths can
be found at Underground Atlanta (at the ACVB Visitor Center on
the corner of Upper Alabama and Pryor Streets) and at Lenox
Square Mall (at the Simon Guest Services booth on the main mall
level). For more information, visit www.atlantaperforms.com/joinus/email.asp, or call (678-318-1400).
15 See a Broadway Show
Broadway shows are presented by the professional theater
groups of Broadway in Atlanta and Theater of the Stars at
performing arts venues such as the Fox Theatre (404-8812100) and the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center (404523-1879). Discount tickets for performances are often available through AtlanTIX, which offers same day, half-price tickets (678-318-1400).
16 Buckhead — A luxurious experience
Buckhead is not only noted for exquisite homes on rolling,
wooded lands, but also as the ultimate shopping destination in
the southeast. In addition to fabulous boutiques and spas, art
& antique galleries, two elegant malls, and a host of fine dining restaurants, Buckhead is also home to the Georgia
Governor’s Mansion (404-261-1776) and the Atlanta
History Center (404-814-4000).
21 City of Decatur
Founded in 1823, Decatur is the second-oldest municipality in
the metro area. The Old Courthouse on the Square is the
focus of annual festivals and special events, including the
Decatur Arts Festival in May, the Decatur Beach Party in June
and outdoor concerts in the spring and fall (404-370-1088).
22 Inside CNN Studio Tour
Even if you’re not a top news anchor, you can still get in on all
of the action of TV news making at the headquarters of CNN
and Headline News. The Inside CNN Studio Tour includes
the Control Room Theater, a look at CNN Español, the workings of the Special Effects Studio and the Main Newsroom
(877-CNN-TOUR).
23 Dine Out
A variety of restaurants, award-winning chefs and culinary
diversity all have helped Atlanta earn a place on the menu
alongside other top dining destinations. There are more than
8,000 restaurants in metro Atlanta featuring a wide variety of
choices—-everything from a juicy steak to scrumptious sushi to
Southern barbeque (404-222-6688).
24 Let’s Do Downtown — Year Round
Downtown Atlanta has been booming with the help of the
influx of young professionals and artists. In addition to serving
as the home of Underground Atlanta and hosting all of the
city’s major sports venues, Downtown offers year-round
events to excite any age group. Exciting events include: “celebrations” of the holidays, the Southeastern Flower Show, an
annual tour of downtown lofts, parades and fireworks at July
4th, and great dining—-especially during the annual
Downtown Restaurant Week. Downtown also presents a
popular monthly gallery walk, Turner’s First Thursday, from
spring to fall, and an outdoor weekly event called “Lunch on
Broad.” Residents and visitors alike will discover there is
always something fun to do in Atlanta’s town centre!
This educational museum includes exhibition galleries and an
IMAX Theater. Special features include displays of
Argentinosaurus, the largest dinosaur ever unearthed and
Giganotosaurus, the largest meat-eater ever discovered.
Fernbank’s 150-acre complex also includes a science center,
planetarium, observatory and a forest with trails that wind
through majestic old trees (404-929-6300).
26 Festivals Galore
In January and February, look for the city-wide celebration of
visual arts with ATLart and enjoy an early spring at
Southeastern Flower Show (404-351-1074), held each year
at the Georgia World Congress Center. In March, Atlanta celebrates Irish Heritage with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and
Festival and also celebrates the traveling American Craft
Council Craft Show. In April, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival
takes place in Piedmont Park (404-875-PARK). Every spring,
the Georgia Renaissance Festival allows people to experience
what it was like in merry olde England during the days of King
Arthur (770-964-8575). The Atlanta Jazz Festival is presented during the month of May at Piedmont Park and other venues (404-817-6815). In June, visitors can experience the
Atlanta Film Festival (404-634-8864) and the Atlanta Gay
Pride Weekend (404-688-4800). The Georgia Shakespeare
Festival presents plays from June through October at the
Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University (404264-0020). The National Black Arts Festival, now held annually during the third week of July, is the world’s largest cultural
celebration of African-American art (404-730-7315). In
October, Atlanta Celebrates Photography promotes photographic exhibitions and events citywide (404-634-6884). Taste
of Atlanta (404-875-4434) is moving to its new location at
Atlantic Station in mid-October, 2006 and holidays in Atlanta
would not be the same without the annual Festival of Trees,
staged each year at the Georgia World Congress Center (404785-8815).
18 Center for Puppetry Arts
The Center for Puppetry Arts is the largest organization in
North America dedicated to the art of puppetry, and celebrated its 25th year in 2004! The center offers performances from
the Family Series for everyone and New Directions for adults.
An interactive museum, Puppets: The Power of Wonder, is the
largest puppetry museum in the United States (404-873-3391).
20 Chateau Elan Winery & Resort
This 16th-century-styled French retreat about 30 minutes
north of Atlanta has a festive atmosphere that encourages
guests to tour the vineyards, visit the winery, have lunch at a
sidewalk café and play a round of golf. Visitors to Chateau
Elan’s 3,100-acre facility can also enjoy treatments at their
renowned spa (678-425-0900).
29 Golf in Atlanta
Atlanta hosts its share of world-class golf tournaments ranging
from the BellSouth Classic PGA Tournament in the suburb of
Duluth to the Atlanta Charity Championship hosted by
Nancy Lopez (770-474-4653) at Eagle’s Landing Country Club
south of the city. For visitors who would rather play than watch,
the metro area has 71 public courses, 14 semi-private and 48 private courses that encompass everything from in-town spots such
as Bobby Jones Golf Course to championship links at Chateau
Elan Winery & Resort, Stone Mountain Park and Lake Lanier
Islands Resort.
30 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 (404-249-7012). Then, head north to
Marietta’s Gone with the Wind Movie Museum featuring
the largest private collection of movie memorabilia (770-7945576). 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 (770-478-2521).
37 Piedmont Park
Founded in 1904 with more than 180 acres, the park is situated between 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue in Midtown.
Piedmont Park features woods, sports fields, Lake Clara Meer,
picnic spots, walking and skating paths and annual events. Free
tours are offered by the Piedmont Park Conservancy (404875-PARK).
38 Roswell Historic District
Take a walking tour of downtown starting at the Historic
Roswell Visitors Center or tour the antebellum homes such
as Bulloch Hall, the childhood home of former United States
President Theodore Roosevelt’s mother, or Smith Plantation
built in 1845 and fully furnished in period pieces belonging to
the original family (770-640-3253).
One should never overlook exploring Atlanta’s higher educational institutions for a special cultural experience. Spivey Hall,
opened on the campus of Clayton State College & University in
Morrow as an acoustically superb recital venue. Georgia
Institute of Technology and Georgia State University also developed performance venues which attract the best of national and
international music, dance and theatrical presentations. Georgia
Tech has the Robert Ferst Center for the Arts. Georgia
State’s Rialto Center for the Performing Arts, offers an 833seat performing arts venue located in the heart of downtown
Atlanta. Georgia State is also home to the GSU Welch School
of Arts & Design Gallery. In 1997, the 4-story Miriam H.
and John A. Conant Performing Arts Center opened at
Oglethorpe University serving primarily as home to the
Georgia Shakespeare Festival and the university’s theatre
program; Oglethorpe also houses a superb Museum of Art. In
the fall of 2002, Emory University completed its 90,000 square
foot Donna and Marvin Schwartz Center for Performing
Arts featuring a world-class concert hall, dance studio and theater lab to “incubate” new work. The Michael C. Carlos
Museum, which focuses on the art of the ancient cultures of the
Mediterranean, the Americas, Egypt, Far East and Africa, is
also located on the campus of Emory University.
High Museum of Art
31 “A New High” Museum of Art for Atlanta
Located in the heart of Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood, the
High Museum of Art is the leading art museum in the southeast. Visitors to the High can expect a broad, diverse selection
of art comprising 19th/20th century American works,
European paintings, decorative arts, African, AfricanAmerican art, photography, modern and contemporary art.
The High has completed a major expansion designed by Renzo
Piano, the cornerstone of the overall upgrade of Atlanta’s
Woodruff Arts Center. Three new buildings have more than
doubled the size of the museum’s landmark building designed
by Richard Meier. In October 2006, the High will launch an
unprecedented, 3-year partnership with the Musée du Louvre
which will bring hundreds of works of art from Paris to
Atlanta. Through the “Louvre Atlanta” partnership, the High
will present a series of long-term, thematic exhibitions featuring masterworks from this world-renown museum, many of
which have never been seen before in the United States (404733-HIGH).
40 City Segway Tours
32 Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Located near Centennial Olympic Park, Imagine It! The
Children’s Museum of Atlanta features hands-on, colorful
exhibits and activities, in which children can look, listen, touch
and explore as they learn how things work in their world. The
30,000 square foot space helps expand children’s minds using
proven sensory learning techniques where they can invent, create, observe and absorb (404-659-5437).
27 Georgia Aquarium
There is so much about the Georgia Aquarium that makes it
unlike anything visitors have ever experienced before.
Think…the Louvre meets Disney World. Or the Ritz-Carlton
at 20,000 leagues under the sea. With more than eight million
gallons of marine and fresh water, and more than 100,000 animals of 500 different species, the Georgia Aquarium is the
largest aquarium in the world! Come meet Ralph & Norton,
the whale sharks which are the largest fish species in the world.
Reservations are recommended as all tickets are dated and
timed. Visit the website to make quick and easy reservations
(www.georgiaaquarium.org) or call (404-581-4444).
28 Georgia’s History Under the Gold Dome
Native gold from Lumpkin County tops the dome of the
Stone Mountain Park is a fun destination where you can experience over 3,200 acres of entertainment and recreation.
Guests can visit Crossroads to meet fascinating characters and
skilled crafters who show what life may have been like in an
1870s Southern town. Enjoy Georgia’s first 4D theater, Great
Barn, Treehouse Challenge, Paddlewheel Riverboat, and an
Alpine-style Skylift to the top of the world’s largest piece of
exposed granite. Stone Mountain Park also includes the Park
Scenic Railroad, Antebellum Plantation & Farmyard,
Museums, Mini-Golf, a waterslide complex, shopping, dining
and more! See the world’s largest Lasershow Spectacular.
Stay at one of Marriott’s on-park resorts or on the beautiful
campground. www.stonemountainpark.com (770-498-5690).
44 Find Theater at its Best
Atlanta has one of the most impressive theater communities in
the United States with more than 65 active performing groups.
Metro theaters present a variety of works: Broadway musicals,
improvisation, southern themes, political and human issues; contemporary, classical and, of course, Shakespeare. You won’t
regret your experience at any of the following metro Atlanta theaters: 7 Stages (404-523-7647), Alliance Theatre (404-7335000), Actor’s Express (404-878-1606), Atlanta Lyric
Theatre (404-894-9600), Dad’s Garage (404-523-3141), the
fabulous Fox Theatre (404-881-2100), Georgia Ensemble
Theatre (770-641-1260), Georgia Shakespeare Festival
(404-264-0020), Horizon Theatre (404-523-1477), New
American Shakespeare Theatre (404-874-5299), Out of
Hand Theatre (404-312-0971); Synchronicity Performance
Group (404-284-1151), Theatre Gael (404-876-1138),
Theatre in the Square (770-422-8369), Theatrical Outfit
(404-577-5255), and True Colors (404-588-0308).
33 Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
This city, established in 1832, is introduced to visitors through
a walking or driving tour of its five National Register Historic
Districts. Visit the square, with specialty and antique shops,
nightspots, restaurants, the Theatre in the Square and Glover
Park (770-429-1115).
35 Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
and Sweet Auburn District
This area served as the thriving center of black enterprise in
Atlanta from the 1890s through the 1940s. It is the birthplace
of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference. Visit the Martin Luther King Jr.
Historic Site with the King tomb, birth home and visitor center (404-331-3920).
36 Midtown, the heart of the arts
A cosmopolitan community connecting Downtown Atlanta
with Buckhead, Midtown has a healthy mix of offices and skyscrapers, cultural destinations, green space, great neighborhoods and contemporary high-rise condos springing up along
Underground Atlanta
45 Underground Atlanta
Six city blocks in the heart of downtown Atlanta have been
transformed into a spirited marketplace that offers historic
guided tours and features Kenny’s Alley with 12 spectacular
restaurants, more than 100 specialty store, entertainment
emporiums, street-cart merchants, and the newest attraction,
Aero Balloon, an adventure ride that rises up to 350 feet above
Atlanta’s downtown streets. Segway Tours also offer a unique
tour of the city. (404-523-2311)
46 Virginia-Highland
Imagine cruising effortlessly through beautiful parks and
downtown Atlanta sidewalks while receiving a great historical
and informational orientation of The City! The Segway is the
first of its kind: a self balancing personal transportation device
designed to operate in any pedestrian environment. (1-877SEG-TOUR)
This community east of Midtown is best known for its restaurants, pubs, galleries and interesting shops. Local favorites
include Murphy’s, Dish, Harvest, LaTavola, Noche, Horizon,
Blind Willie’s blues bar, and 20th Century Antiques (404-5216688).
41 Shop Until You Drop
Through its exhibitions, publications and resources, this museum of the Atlanta Jewish Federation explores Jewish heritage
in general and relates to other cultures and religions. It contains
two permanent galleries and hosts special rotating exhibits
year-round (404-873-1661).
The latest fashions and today’s trends can be found around
Atlanta’s upscale Buckhead neighborhood, including two
Simon Malls adjacent from one another: Lenox Square Mall
and Phipps Plaza. With more than 30 new stores between the
two malls, there is something for every shopper. Phipps Plaza
spells luxury with stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom,
while Lenox Square Mall is anchored by Neiman Marcus,
Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. Just a short distance from
Buckhead shopping is Perimeter Mall, and a drive outside the
perimeter will take you to the Mall of Georgia, Discover Mills
and the North Georgia Premium Outlets (404-222-6688).
42 Six Flags Over Georgia & Six Flags White Water
34 Marietta Historic District
Georgia Aquarium
43 Stone Mountain Park
39 School’s in for a little culture!
One of ten presidential libraries administered by the National
Archives & Records Administration and the only one in the
southeast, the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum includes
photographs, historical memorabilia from his presidency
(1976-1981), 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 Prize awarded in late 2002. The Carter-King
Peace Walk, comprised of six historical markers that link the
Carter Center with the MLK Jr. Historic Site along 1.5 miles
of the Freedom Park Trail, celebrates the lives of two
Georgians who pursued human and civil rights for all people
(404-865-7131).
This 21-acre site was one of the most popular spots in the city
during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. Today, yearround programming featuring concerts, family activities and
artists’ markets make the park a gathering place for Atlantans
and visitors alike. The park features the world’s largest
Olympic Ring fountain (404-222-PARK).
Sixteen recreation areas along a 48-mile stretch of the
Chattahoochee River have been designed to conserve the river
and provide outdoor entertainment for the whole family. In
addition, the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell
(770-992-2055) offers educational environmental programs,
canoe trips and other recreational activities. Contact the
Chattahoochee National Park Service to plan your outdoor
fun (770-952-4419).
the Peachtree corridor. Its reputation is that of a chic, vibrant
neighborhood where people come to be inspired or simply to
have fun. Serving as the “bookends” for Midtown’s cultural
explosion are the fabulous Fox Theatre — at its southern
boundary — and the Woodruff Arts Center, a few blocks
away. The Woodruff Arts Center is the largest in the southeast, ranked among the top four centers in the United States,
and serves as the home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,
High Museum of Art, Alliance Theatre, Atlanta College of
Art (merged with Savannah School of Art & Design), the
14th Street Playhouse and Young Audiences. Other strong
cultural venues located in Midtown include the Atlanta Ballet,
Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta Opera Center, Center
for Puppetry Arts, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Visitors Center and Monetary Museum, Ferst Center for
the Arts at Georgia Tech, Margaret Mitchell House &
Museum, National Museum of Patriotism, Piedmont Park,
William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, Rhodes Hall,
The Contemporary, The Museum of Contemporary Art of
GA (MOCA GA), and the Robert C. Williams American
Museum of Papermaking (404-222-6688)
25 Fernbank Museum of Natural History
17 Centennial Olympic Park
19 Chattahoochee River Fun
Georgia State Capitol. This restored 1889 building houses a
museum which collects, maintains, and exhibits significant
artifacts, including a priceless collection of Georgia’s state
flags. 60-90 minute tours are available (404-656-2844).
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE/JOE COOK
1 Atlanta Ballet
Six Flags Over Georgia is a family amusement park that also
caters to groups and conventions. Open weekends, March
through October, and daily, June through mid-August, you can
thrill to Batman The Ride and Superman-Ultimate Flight, or
cool-off in Skull Island, the world’s largest interactive theme
park water play structure.
Goliath is the newest
attraction, the tallest
roller coaster in the
Southeast, soaring over
200 feet above the park
and covering 8.5 acres!
Be sure and check out the
Summer Concert Series
for a listing of performances throughout the
park (770-948-9290). Six
Flags White Water
offers a variety of thrilling
water rides, slides and
waterfalls,
including
Tornado, the Ultimate
Storm, and Cliffhanger,
one of the tallest freefalls
in the world (770-424WAVE).
Martin Luther
King Jr.
National
Historic Site
47 William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum
48 World of Coca-Cola
More than one million people visit this attraction annually to
learn about the world’s most popular soft drink through memorabilia, video presentations and displays. Included is a recreation of a 1930s soda fountain and the “Everything CocaCola” retail store. In 2007, the World of Coca-Cola (404-6765151) will move from its current site, adjacent to Underground
Atlanta, to the Centennial Olympic Park area, joining a host of
other popular attractions: Georgia Aquarium, Inside CNN
Studio Tours, and Imagine-It, The Children’s Museum.
49 Yellow River Game Ranch and
Kangaroo Conservation Center
Parents and their children will relish a visit to this 24-acre
Game Ranch set on a naturally wooded preserve along the
banks of the Yellow River. It features more than 600 native
Georgia animals, such as deer, buffalo, bears and the famous
weather predicting groundhog, General Beauregard Lee. The
Game Ranch is open seven days a week, year round (770-9726643). The Kangaroo Conservation Center is “Georgia’s
Aussie Adventure,” home to the largest population of kangaroos outside of Australia. Tours are offered in early spring
through late fall (706-265-6100).
50 Zoo Atlanta
Located just minutes from Downtown Atlanta in historic
Grant Park, the Zoo features 700 specimens, representing
more than 200 species of animals. A leader in building naturalistic habitats for animals, the Zoo’s landscape spans nearly 40
acres of lush greenery and shimmering forests. Some unusual
creatures to seek out include a pair of Giant Pandas from
China, the Bornean Sumatran orangutans, Asian small-clawed
otters and Sumatran tigers. The Ford African Rain Forest
houses one of the largest captive gorilla populations in North
America with a total of 22 gorillas (404-624-5600).