ATLANTA - ATTRACTIONS & HIGHLIGHTS

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 10:30 am

Phillips Arena, Atlanta

The home of two Atlanta teams - the Hawks in basketball and the Thrashers in hockey.
Attraction type: Arena/stadium/field

Georgia Dome, Atlanta

This stadium is home to the Atlanta Falcons football team.
Attraction type: Arena/stadium/field

Turner Field

Attend a Braves game on a clear summer night and you've found the perfect Atlanta outing--there's even a Coke bottle that spews fireworks.

Underground Atlanta, Atlanta

Underground shopping mall full of pushcart vendors, casual eateries and storefront retailers.
Attraction type: Mall; Nature reserve

Midtown, Atlanta

Midtown Atlanta is a district in Atlanta, Georgia, situated between the commercial and financial district of Downtown to the south and the affluent residential and nightlife district of Buckhead to the north. Midtown includes the city's tallest building, Bank of America Plaza, and about one-third of the city's high-rises. It is bounded by Belt Line (Atlanta) on the East, I-85 and I-75 to the North and West, and North Avenue on the south.

Atlanta has its own multicultural flavor in its variety of restaurants, most of which are situated on Peachtree Street and spread out in a fashion characteristic of the rest of the city. On Juniper Street north of Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta boasts its own signature "restaurant row" district, with upscale gathering places and bustling nightclubs.

Midtown Atlanta is currently a fast-growing community with appreciating land and property values, as land is a precious commodity in this urban area. As residents begin to return to the city following decades of suburban retreat from the city centre, Midtown Atlanta offers an attractive mix of amenities and attractions, as well as proximity to downtown offices and destinations. The recent construction and opening of the Seventeenth Street Bridge over the Downtown Connector has reconnected Midtown with the west-side of the city. It connects Midtown to a new multi-billion dollar mixed-use development, called Atlantic Station, on the former site of the Atlantic Steel company, which is the site of new housing, office, and retail space.

Midtown Atlanta is served by Atlanta's underground rapid rail system, MARTA, at the Midtown MARTA train station. There is also a daytime shuttle between the Midtown MARTA station and Georgia Tech called the "Tech Trolley."

World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta

A popular Atlanta attraction, this tribute to the world-famous soft drink, born a century ago in a local Atlanta pharmacy, fills three stories with everything you ever wanted to know about Coca-Cola. A spectacular collection of memorabilia, entertaining, hands-on exhibits and video presentations as well as unlimited samples in many flavors await you.
Attraction type: History museum; Factory tour; Specialty museum; Tour; Museum

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, Atlanta

Start at the visitor center and then work your way around the three main sites in this historic park: the home in which the leader of the Civil Rights movement in America was born, the church where he preached and the memorial site where he is buried. A major Atlanta attraction, the park draws some 500,000 visitors each year.
Attraction type: Historic home; Historic site

Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta

A great experience for the family or just you and your significant other. Expect substantial amount of visitors which may hamper your ability to stay in a certain area for extended amount of time.
Attraction type: Aquarium; Nature center

Fox Theatre, Atlanta

Recently restored to its original gilded look of the 1920s, the Fox Theatre features "Mighty Mo," a classic Moller organ with over 3,600 pipes. The lavish theatre currently hosts Broadway musicals, comedy shows and dance companies throughout the year.
Attraction type: Theater; Architectural building

Six Flags Over Georgia

Over 101 acres of amusement park are available for days of fun at Six Flags Over Georgia. The park has roller coasters, an area for small children, extreme rides and Skull Island a water park complete with three towers, six slides and hundreds of activities.

High Museum of Art, Atlanta

This stunning, porcelain-enameled building was designed by famed architect Richard Meier and is rivaled only by the art inside. Featuring American, European and African art, as well as decorative art and photography, the High Museum boasts a permanent collection of over 11,000 pieces, many of which can be viewed from different levels of the four-story, glass atrium.
Attraction type: Art museum; Museum; Art gallery

Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum, Atlanta

In the 1880s, before there were epic motion pictures, there were Cycloramas. This 42-foot-high cylindrical oil painting depicts the Battle of Atlanta in 1864. Viewed from a 360-degree rotating platform, the vivid details of this historic Civil War battle are now restored and enhanced with music, narration and sound effects. Accompanying the Cyclorama is the Civil War Museum, highlighted by a steam locomotive from 1862.
Attraction type: History museum; Art museum

Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta

This art and theater complex is home to Atlanta's largest and most prominent art institutions.
Attraction type: Architectural building; Art museum; Educational site; Theater district; Symphony; Performance

The Varsity, Atlanta

Whether you think it's a grease pit or glorious, there's nothing else like this Atlanta treasure. Head to the world's largest drive-in for a frosted orange, onion rings and a chili dog.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta

Located in the Woodruff Arts Center, this is the famed symphony orchestra of Atlanta.
Attraction type: Symphony

CNN Center / Studio Tour, Atlanta

Home to the world's first and largest 24-hour news network, the CNN Center features a Studio Tour that treats visitors to a behind-the scenes look at the live newsrooms in action. The tour features history and trivia as well as interactive exhibits that put visitors in the control room and at the anchor desk of their own television newscast.
Attraction type: Architectural building; Tour

Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta

Step into a world of magic and serenity at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, where new additions like the Fuqua Orchid Center treat visitors to a rare collection of high-elevation orchids never before grown in the southeast.
Attraction type: Garden

Atlanta History Center, Atlanta

Get a glimpse into the lives of Georgian farmers at the Tullie Smith Farm and of wealthy Atlantans at the Swan House Mansion, and visit the museum which traces Atlanta's as well as Georgia's history through Civil War artifacts, photographs, and decorative arts. The 33-acre center contains forests and gardens, including the mile-long Swan Woods Trail.
Attraction type: History museum; Garden

Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta

One of the largest natural history museums in the U.S., the Fernbank's architecture is as intriguing as the fascinating exhibits inside. The building has spiraling staircases, huge columns, a brick atrium and windows looking out onto the forest that it borders. The exhibits are spectacular and include a life-sized kaleidoscope, a skeleton of the largest dinosaur ever discovered, an IMAX theater and a "Walk Through Time in Georgia," a story of the earth's develoment, complete with sound effects and recreated landscapes of a swamp, cavern, marsh and plateau.
Attraction type: Natural history museum

Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta

This historical park is the final resting place for many Civil War soldiers, golfing legend Bobby Jones, and "Gone With the Wind" author Margaret Mitchell. In 2003, the cemetery began a 5-year, $15 million restoration project.
Attraction type: Cemetery; Mysterious site

Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta

Built for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, this public park offers weekly free concerts, a dancing water fountain for the kids and a memorial quilt in remembrance of the victims of the 1996 Olympic bombing.
Attraction type: Park; Historic site

Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta

This extraordinary zoo, one of the oldest in the U.S., underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in the 1980s and is still expanding. Its landscaping replicates the natural habitats of the numerous animals, some of which are endangered species. Two panda bears from China delight the crowds, and groups of gorillas separated by moats do their own share of entertaining.
Attraction type: Zoo

Buckhead, Atlanta

With its upscale neighborhoods and multi-million dollar mansions, the Buckhead section of Atlanta is one of the most affluent communities in town, and home to some of the best art galleries, restaurants and nightlife.
Attraction type: Neighborhood; Historic walking area

Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, Atlanta

Margaret Mitchell's one and only novel, "Gone with the Wind," was born in an apartment in this turn-of-the-century Tudor Revival mansion. Now a museum on the National Register of Historic Places, the house offers visitors a 90-minute guided tour that tells the story of the author, the Pulitzer Prize-winning book and the making of the movie.
Attraction type: Specialty museum; Historic home; Museum; History museum

Sweet Auburn, Atlanta

The heart of African American commerce and culture in Atlanta at the turn of the century.
Attraction type: Neighborhood

Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, Atlanta

Learn about the administration - and personal life - of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at this extensive library and museum situated on a historic hilltop amid 30 acres of gardens, lakes and waterfalls. You'll view an exact, full-scale replica of the Oval Office, participatory videos, gifts to the White House, exhibits focusing on Carter's support of human rights and, of course, plenty of documents, photographs and correspondence.
Attraction type: Library; History museum

Little Five Points, Atlanta

Off-beat and funky neighborhood that offers vintage-clothing shops, sidewalk vendors and street musicians.
Attraction type: Town center/square/plaza; Neighborhood; Specialty shops

Michael C. Carlos Museum, Atlanta

This 45,000-square-foot museum on the campus of Emory University is the largest natural history museum in the Southeast.
Attraction type: Natural history museum; Art museum

Lenox Square, Atlanta

Elegant and expensive Atlanta shopping mall. One of Atlanta's favorite shopping destinations, this upscale mall boasts wide, well-lit corridors and some of the nation's most well-known retailers. In fact, more than 250 businesses occupy the mall, ensuring that you'll never go away empty-handed. Among the anchors are Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's and Macy's. Other familiar tenants include Brooks Brothers, Polo by Ralph Lauren, Ann Taylor, Burberry, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Kate Spade. A food court, full-service restaurants, and a movie theater are available as well.
Attraction type: Mall

Halo Lounge, MIDTOWN

Sleek furnishings of chrome, glass and wood ably temper the poured concrete shell of this hip lounge. Its centerpiece, a white onyx bar, takes on the colors of changing light, and patrons cozy up to it for Halo's fabulous cocktails. During the week, the scene takes on a low-key vibe, and relaxing with friends is a standard pastime. On weekends, though, the pace picks up, DJs spin the latest tunes, and folks revel in the heightened activity. Drinks are top quality, food is served from 5pm till 10pm, and just so you know, the entrance to the lounge is located on Sixth Street, not Peachtree.

Onyx, Atlanta

Atlanta's biggest Urban Executive Adult nightclub

Grand Hyatt Hotel, Buckhead

This luxury hotel features a business center, multilingual staff, fully equipped fitness center, pool and relaxing Japanese garden. Cassis, the hotel's signature restaurant, combines a relaxed setting with innovative cookery; meanwhile, the Onyx at the Grand Bar is perfect for an evening of cocktails and music. Guest rooms are equipped with voice mail, three phones, fax, computer hook-up and a video message service. Meeting, banquet, and ballroom facilities to accommodate 1250. 439 Rooms. 22 Suites. Valet parking $22/day; self parking $15/day.

The Lava Lounge, Atlanta

A night scene trifecta in the truest sense, this multi-level building houses one of the trendiest nightclubs in Atlanta, a suave lava-surfaced bar and a cozy South Beach-style lounge area. The dance floor, located on the lower level, vibrates to the latest house and industrial beats. Between songs, the young and the beautiful alike line up at the crescent-shaped lava bar to sample what many believe are Midtown's best martinis. Meanwhile, the tony lounge, highlighted by indigo and saffron accents, entices patrons to relax amid velvet couches and a warm fireplace. Lava's 20-something scene often spills onto its candlelit patio, shared with sister nightspot Cosmo.

The Westin Hotel/Resort, Downtown Landmark

This 73-story tower, topped by the revolving Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View, graces the heart of Atlanta. Connected to AmericasMart, The Westin Peachtree Plaza, is steps from CNN, Georgia Aquarium, Georgia World Congress Center and the Georgia Dome.

Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, Atlanta

Scale sized model go-karts race around the indoor track at Andretti's Indoor Karting center. The facility has two European kart tracks and a large gaming area that includes arcade games, shuffleboard, billiards and a rope-course.

American Adventures Theme Park

Bumper cars, twirling swings, a high-speed roller coaster and more help to create this, one of three Six Flags parks in the Atlanta area. The park has a combination of thrill and family rides in an attempt to ensure that all ages have a fun time at the park.

White Water Theme Park

Sample the aquatic fun at White Water Park in Atlanta, Georgia. The Park, divided into four sections consists of Wildwater Lagoon, Pine Valley and flash Flood Canyon. Rides range from extreme drops and turns at high speeds to zero-depth pools for small children.

Malibu Grand Prix Norcross

A 3/4 mile race track is the pinnacle of this park. Guests with a drivers license can race Indy-style cars around the track at high speeds. For the younger crowd there are bumper boats, miniature golf and batting cages to enjoy as well.

Here's just a few more, I didn't really want to go into too much detail on them, but there are plenty more attractions completely unlisted here....

Atlanta Civic Center, Atlanta

Attraction type: Civic center

The Punchline, Atlanta

Attraction type: Comedy club

Institut' DERMed - Buckhead, Atlanta

This spa, favored by Atlanta's socialites includes a MediClinical Spa, an education facility and an extensive line of treatment products.
Attraction type: Spa

Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta

Attraction type: Convention center

Compound, Atlanta

Attraction type: Bar/club

Fish Statue, Atlanta

Located outside the Atlanta Fish Market Restaurant, this will soon be recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest statue of a fish in the world.
Attraction type: Restaurant/Statue

Muffler Man, Atlanta

A giant statue of a man holding a hot dog.
Attraction type: Statue

Peachtree Sports, Atlanta

Running specialty store that serves as the starting point for local Sunday
morning runs.
Attraction type: Specialty shop

Village to Village, Atlanta

Attraction type: Specialty shop

Swan House, Atlanta

Attraction type: Historic home; Garden

Piedmont Park Tennis Center, Atlanta

Attraction type: Sports complex

Cochran Mill Park, Atlanta

Waterfalls, streams and trails, with a nature center sheltering wild animals.
Attraction type: Nature trail; Park; Scenic/historic walking area; Waterfall; Wildlife park

PATH, Atlanta

Attraction type: Trail; Biking trail (road); Scenic/historic walking area

Alfred Tup Holmes, Atlanta

Attraction type: Golf course

Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Atlanta

Attraction type: Art gallery

Candler Park Golf Course, Atlanta

Attraction type: Golf course

Centennial Golf Club, Atlanta

Attraction type: Golf course

Cross Creek Golf Course, Atlanta (THERE ARE MANY GOLF COURSES IN ATLANTA)

Attraction type: Golf course

Dixie Coca-Cola Bottling Plant, Atlanta

Attraction type: Historic site

Emory University, Atlanta

Attraction type: Educational site

Hard Rock Cafe, Atlanta

Attraction type: Restaurant

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The Castle, Atlanta

Attraction type: Architectural building

Telephone Museum, Atlanta

Attraction type: Specialty museum

NOPI NATIONALS, ATLANTA:

MALLS IN THE ATLANTA AREA:

Perimeter Mall, North Point Mall, Phipps Plaza, Lenox Mall, Cumberland Mall, and now the great big Mall of Georgia!