SIX NOT TO MISS

Looking for fun attractions to visit? You're not likely to go wrong starting with these six:

Centennial Olympic Park. Built for the 1996 Olympics, which were held in Atlanta, the 21-acre park was an integral part of that event and a legacy that remains. Engraved brick pathways, interlocking Olympic ring fountain and a picnic area. Free. Centennial Olympic Park Drive at Andrew Young International Boulevard. 404-222-7275, www.centennialpark.com

Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Permanent and special exhibits explore the history of Earth from its early formation to prehistoric dinosaurs and modern man. Imax Theater runs special features throughout the year. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Museum $12 adults; $11 students and seniors; $10 children. Imax $10 adults; $9 students and seniors; $8 children. Special rates for combination museum and Imax admission and for Imax double features. 767 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-929-6300, www.fernbank.edu/museum

Fernbank Science Center. Outdoor area includes a 65-acre old-growth forest with paved, shaded walking trails, a composting demonstration site, and gardens, lawns, ponds and streams. The center also has a science reference library and a variety of teaching laboratories. Also has an aerospace center with planetarium theater, an Aerospace Education Lab with a flight simulator and a wind tunnel, an Apollo Space Capsule and an observatory. Science experts in every field are available to answer questions. Open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays; 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. Free admission, except for planetarium. 156 Heaton Park Drive N.E., Atlanta. 404-378-4311, www.fsc.fernbank.edu

Six Flags Over Georgia. If you're a thrill-seeking, roller-coaster-riding, free-fall fanatic, Six Flags could be your nirvana. The family theme park prides itself on its reputation of having the biggest, highest, scariest rides going. The park features nine roller coasters, including the new "Superman -- Ultimate Flight." Also children's rides, water attractions and fireworks. Hours of operation vary with the season. One-day passes $41.99 adults; $26.24, children under 48 inches and seniors 55 and older; under 2 free; $9-$12 parking. I-20 at Six Flags exit, Austell. 770-948-9290, www.sixflags.com/georgia

Stone Mountain Park. The world's largest mass of exposed granite is the centerpiece of a 3,200-acre wooded park. In addition to its popular laser shows, Stone Mountain has a railroad, sky lift to the mountain's peak, antebellum plantation, riverboat, restaurants and lodging; Crossroads, a replica 1870s Southern town; campgrounds, a golf course, an Antique Car and Treasure Museum, the Discovering Stone Mountain Museum and wooded trails in a natural habitat for native animals, along with Zoo Atlanta Wildlife Preserve. Gates open 6 a.m.-midnight daily; attraction hours may vary. Park entry is free; parking is $7. One-day all attractions passes are $19 for adults; $15 for children 3-11. Stone Mountain Park exit off U.S. 78, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690, www.stonemountainpark.com

Zoo Atlanta. A statue of the zoo's late gorilla Willie B. greets visitors. Panda bears Lun Lun and Yang Yang and more than 1,000 other animals can be seen in natural habitats. A petting zoo features llamas, pygmy goats, potbellied pigs and sheep. Also rides on the Zoo Express railroad ($1). Stroller rentals available. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. $16 adults; $12 senior citizens; $11 ages 3-11; free admission for members and ages 2 and under. 800 Cherokee Ave. S.E., in Grant Park, Atlanta. 404-624-5600, www.zooatlanta.org

MORE WORTH SEEING

Alpine Antique & Buggy Museum. Classic car museum. Open daily 10 a.m.-7 p.m. $5 ages 16 and up; ages 6 through 15 $3; ages 5 and under and 80 and over free. 115 Escowee Drive, Helen. 706-878-0072, www.alpineantiqueandbuggymuseum.com

American Adventures. Indoor attractions include the Foam Factory Funhouse and arcade. All children's admissions are based on height. Open daily 10 a.m.-8 p.m. For those 36 inches or taller, Foam Factory-only passes are $6; under 36 inches and adults are $5. Season rates are $40 for children 36 inches and taller; $15 for children under 36 inches and adults. Outdoor family amusement park with 14 rides suitable for children from toddlers to teens, mini-golf and go-carts. Noon-8 p.m. daily. Daily Fun Pass for all attractions: Children 36 inches and taller are $15; children under 36 inches and adults are $5. Group discounts and birthday parties. 250 N. Cobb Parkway, Marietta. 770-424-9283, www.americanadventurespark.com

Andretti Speed Lab. Indoor racing and sports complex features Euro-style high performance racing, an arcade and a sports bar. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays; noon-10 p.m. Sundays. Under 18 must be accompanied by adult over 25. Activity fees $1-$18. 11000 Alpharetta Highway, Roswell. 770-992-5688, www.andrettispeedlab.com

BabyLand General Hospital. The turn-of-the-century medical clinic is home of the original, soft-sculptured Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. Admission: Free. 73 W. Underwood St., Cleveland. 706-865-2171, www.cabbagepatchkids.com

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Offering a 26-mile, three-hour round trip from Blue Ridge to McCaysville along the Toccoa River. Train leaves 11 a.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays; 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. $9.95-$24.95. 241 Depot St., Blue Ridge. 1-800-934-1898, www.brscenic.com

Charlemagne's Kingdom. Alpine Helen's exhibit hall offers a miniature topographical look at Germany, from the North Sea to the Alps. Complete with trains, houses, an autobahn and miniatures, the attraction also features a colorful glockenspiel that rings three times daily. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. $5; $2.50 children. Downtown Helen, Ga. 17 and Ga. 75. 706-878-2200

Château Élan Winery & Resort. A 3,100-acre complex, highlighted by a 16th century-style French château, offers vineyard tours, winery tours and tastings, wine museum, art gallery, restaurants, an equestrian center, golf, hotel and spa. 100 Tour de France, Braselton. 770-932-0900, www.chateauelan.com

Chick-fil-A Museum. Tours are self-guided, but visitors must call in advance. Learn about the man who made a fortune by tempting you to "eat mor chikin." Open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Free. 5200 Buffington Road, College Park. 404-765-8000

CNN Studio Tours. A 45-minute walking tour of CNN, the headquarters of Turner Broadcasting. Tours offered in 14 languages. Also VIP tours available. Children under 6 not permitted on tours. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. $8; $6 senior citizens; $5 under 12. 1 CNN Center, Atlanta. 404-827-2300, 404-827-2400, www.cnn.com/studiotour

Lewis Grizzard Memorial Museum. The humorist is remembered through memorabilia, belongings, videos and writings. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. $1 donation. At Trixie's Place, 2769 U.S. 29, at Church Street, Moreland. 770-304-1490

Lake Lanier Islands. Beach and water park attractions include the FunDunker, "100 new ways to get wet," water slides, a surf wave, volleyball, video arcade, children's play area. Through Aug. 7, open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily and Saturdays 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.; Aug. 8-Sept. 8, open weekends only. $25.99 adults; $16.99 seniors and age 3 to 42 inches tall; under 2 free. $7 parking. 6950 Holiday Road, Lake Lanier Islands. 770-932-7200, www.lakelanierislands.com

Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences. The Mark Smith Planetarium features changing shows. 2 and 4 p.m. daily. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and Saturdays; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays; 1-5 p.m. Sundays. $7; $6 senior citizens; $5 students; $4 under 12. 4182 Forsyth Road, Macon. 478-477-3232, www.masmacon.com

Margaret Mitchell House and Museum. Scarlett and Rhett take you behind the scenes of "Gone With the Wind" with a tour of author Margaret Mitchell's apartment, a visitors center showcasing her work, and a movie museum filled with "GWTW" memorabilia. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. $12 adults, $9 seniors and students, $5 children ages 6-17. 990 Peachtree St. NE. 404-249-7012, www.gwtw.org

SciTrek (Science and Technology Museum of Georgia). Interactive science hall explores ideas in math, technology and science. Features 120 permanent exhibit stations, including "Zoomzone," based on the PBS show "Zoom," a Virtual Village based on computer technology, a history of communications station and KidSpace, with interactive water play and face painting. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Closed on major holidays. $7.50; $6 ages 3-17, college students, senior citizens and military; under 3 and members free. 395 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-522-5500, www.scitrek.org

Sun Dial View. High atop the Westin Peachtree Plaza, 72 stories in the air, view Atlanta and its environs from all directions. A two-minute ride in scenic glass elevators takes visitors to a viewpoint area for self-guided walking tours with telescopes and a display wall. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. $7.50; $4 under 12 and senior citizens (free with restaurant reservations). 210 Peachtree St. N.W. 404-659-1400

Underground Atlanta. Entertainment and shopping complex houses historic and commercial shops. Also, community festivities are planned throughout the year. Free. Alabama at Pryor Street. 404-523-2311, www.underatl.com

White Water. South's largest water park. Rides include a Cliffhanger free-fall (a 90-foot free-fall body flume), and the Run-a-Way River tunnel raft ride. Also, water slides, the Atlanta Ocean wave pool, and children's and water attractions. Through Aug. 11, open 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Saturdays-Thursdays; Fridays 10 a.m.-11 p.m. $29.99 adults; $19.99 age 3 to 4 feet tall, and seniors; 2 and under free. Parking $5. 250 N. Cobb Parkway N.E., Marietta. 770-424-9283, www.whitewaterpark.com

The World of Coca-Cola. More than 1,000 artifacts tracing the century-long history of Coca-Cola, plus exhibits using state-of-the-art technology, including the Soda Fountain of the Future, and film and video presentations. Also Everything Coca-Cola retail store. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-6 p.m. Sundays. $6; $4 age 55 and older; $3 ages 6-11; under 6 free with adult. 55 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive S.E., Atlanta. 404-676-5151, www.woccatl.com