Atlanta, Georgia Hotels and City Guide

Atlanta - Attractions

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Many people outside of the United States assume that Atlanta is a city that has only been on the world scene since the end of the Olympics. The truth is that Atlanta has been a cultural capital for decades and they have the museums, aquariums, sights and attractions to prove it. In fact, many tourists leave the city shaking their heads since they weren’t able to even come close to seeing everything there is to offer here.

The first time many folks heard of the city of Atlanta was thanks to the hit book, and subsequent film, Gone With The Wind. While the plantation that the characters called home was completely made up, you can find some authentic southern plantations about 20 miles outside of the city in Kennesaw, as well as in the towns of Marietta and Roswell. You’ll need a car to visit these areas as there isn’t any transit that heads that far out of Atlanta, but if you are a civil war buff or you are simply looking for a beautiful day trip, these towns have a lot to offer.

Atlanta Attractions

Centennial Olympic Park

Address: Marietta St. and Centennial Olympic Park Dr., Downtown, Atlanta, GA
Phone: 404/223-4412
Open: Daily 7 AM-11 PM

If you managed to catch any of the 1996 Olympics on television, chances are you saw Centennial Olympic Park showcased on a number of occasions. This beautiful patch of green located right in the heart of downtown measures out at 21-acres and is often packed full of people having picnics, playing Frisbee or simply relaxing and watching others. If you have time, be sure to visit the park once the sun goes down. A series of beautiful light towers illuminate the park. It is a must see event for those looking to add a little romance in their vacation.

Georgia Aquarium

Address: 225 Baker St., Downtown, Atlanta, GA
Phone: 404/581-4000; 877/434-7442
Cost: $23

Nearby, you will find the largest aquarium in the world. The Georgia Aquarium measures an astonishing 550,000 square feet and is shaped like the giant bow of a ship. As impressive as this aquarium is on the outside, it is even more entertaining on the inside. You’ll find massive whale sharks swimming in one of the biggest pools in the world, as well as a huge coral reef. Kids will love the other exhibits, as well, such as penguins and other marine life. There is a small café inside in case you get hungry and you can even get a behind the scenes tour for about $50. Admission to the aquarium is about $23 and you can buy your tickets online and print them out yourself so you can bypass the sometimes long lines at the ticket counter.

Zoo Atlanta

Address: 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Grant Park, Atlanta, GA
Phone: 404/624-5600
Cost: $18
Open: Daily 9:30-4:30

If you just can’t get enough of nature and animals, head over to the beautiful Zoo Atlanta. Zoo Atlanta is heralded throughout the United States for providing all natural habitats for their animals to live in. No tiny cages here. The zoo boasts over 1,000 different animals and there is a petting zoo here, as well as a handful of small rides for kids. The highlight of the trip for most folks is seeing the zoo’s two beautiful panda bears. Admission is $18 and the zoo is open most days from 9:30 in the morning till dinner time.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and Birth Home

Address: 501 Auburn Ave., Sweet Auburn, Atlanta, GA
Phone: 404/331-5190 Ext. 3017
Cost: Free
Open: Tours: daily 10-5

No visit to Atlanta, or the South in general, is complete without a look at how the civil rights movement shaped the people and the city. In Atlanta, you can visit the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Not surprisingly, the home itself is modest, but the impact the occupants had on American history isn’t. There is a wonderfully produced multimedia presentation that should be required viewing for anyone visiting Atlanta. You can sign up for tours by visiting the office across the street from the home. Due to the cramped nature of the attraction, there are limited numbers of people that can see it each day and the National Park Service that runs the home does not take prior reservations, so tours are strictly on a first come, first served basis.

Atlanta History Center

Address: 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Buckhead, Atlanta, GA
Phone: 404/814-4000
Cost: $15
Open: Mon.-Sat. 10-5:30, Sun. noon-5:30

Atlanta is a city rich in history and museums and picking just one to visit can be a tough choice, but if you are only going to be in the city for a day or two, check out the Atlanta History Center. This is a true history center that goes out of its way not to whitewash the controversy and race relation issues citizens of Atlanta have had to deal with for centuries. You’ll see information on the notorious Ku Klux Klan, as well as displays highlighting the recent Olympic games and so much more. There is a very nice café here that serves lunch and the gift shop is not to be missed, either.

World of Coca Cola 

Address: 121 Baker Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30313-1807
Phone: (404) 676-5151
Cost: $15
Open: Mon.-Sat. 9 – 7:30, Sun. 10-7:30

Of course, the first stop for many people when they visit Atlanta is the headquarters of Coca Cola. The world’s most popular beverage that’s not tea has called Atlanta home for quite a few years and you can go and visit The World of Coca Cola. This huge attraction looks to not only educate folks about Coke in all of its various forms, but also gives you a chance to interact with exhibits and even taste up to 80 beverages made by the Coca Cola Company. There is an exciting 3-D theatre with moving seats that almost resembles a theme park ride, as well as a chance to view the largest collection of Coke memorabilia in the world. Every visitor gets a free bottle of the bubbly beverage to take home, as well. Adult tickets are $15, youth tickets are $10 and annual passes are available for those who can’t get enough Coke.

One CNN Center

Address: 1 CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30348
Phone: (404) 827 2300
Cost: $13
Open: daily 9 - 5

One final place that is a must visit for anyone who has cable television is One CNN Center, right in the heart of downtown. This is the headquarters of the CNN 24-hour news network. While a visit likely won’t put you on TV, you can get a tour of this massive building that is part television studio, part office building and park shopping mall. Tours are pricey, but completely worth it if you have ever wondered how a network like this operates. If you are a hardcore news junkie, there is a VIP tour that you can take, as well that costs a bit more but allows access to even more of the CNN empire.

Sci-Trek

Address: 395 Piedmont Ave, Atlanta 30308
Phone: (404) 522 5500
Cost: $9.50
Open: Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5

The SciTrek-The Science & Technology Museum of Atlanta is a wonderful museum for those interested in science, technology or even science fiction. Atlanta has always been a city that has considered itself one step ahead of most of the United States when it came to developing new technology, and this museum does an excellent job of showcasing that. This is a great place to visit if you are thinking about brining small children with you on your vacation. Many of the exhibits here are hands on and completely interactive. There are even weekend workshops that vary throughout the year for those that really want to immerse themselves in the experience. Admission is fairly reasonable.

Georgia Dome

Address: One Georgia Dome Drive, Atlanta 30313-1591
Phone: (404) 223 INFO
Cost: $6
Open: Tues-Sat 10 - 3

If you are simply a fan of big things, a tour of the massive Georgia Dome shouldn’t be missed. During the fall, the dome plays host to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. The Georgia Dome is the largest cable-supported dome in the world and the venue also played host to many events during the 1996 Olympics. The tours alone of this venue are completely worth seeing, but if you have a chance to see an event here, don’t miss it.

Turner Field

Address: 755 Hank Aaron Dr SW, Atlanta  30315-1120
Phone: (404) 614 2311
Cost: $12
Open: Mon-Sat 9 - 3

Turner Field is another sports venue that shouldn’t be missed. It played host to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics and now serves as the permanent home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. Braves tickets are often easy to come by and are affordable enough for those that only want to stay an inning or two to walk around and buy a hot dog. Even if you aren’t much of a baseball fan, this new stadium isn’t to be missed.

Hotels in Atlanta, Georgia