Arts, attractions, gardening and nature Arts Five fabulous art museums City's music scene pulses with energy Arts onstage -- music, opera, theater Major concert/performing arts venues Attractions ajc.com dining guide Reviews of more than 650 metro-area restaurants ajc.com movie locator Reviews of dozens of films; search for when and where a movie is playing Places not to miss Venues for the fans Shopping: metro malls and beyond Some shopping tips A selection of bars and nightclubs Television and radio stations Newspapers and magazines Learning about local history Walking tours offer galleries, sculptures Take a tour Gardening, nature Area conditions offer challenges, rewards Some garden plants for the area State parks are found in three regions Learning about, experiencing nature Ultimate Guide Index to the full Ultimate Guide to Atlanta

HIGHLANDS REGION

Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge. Camping, hiking, picnicking, trout fishing, interpretive programs. 240 Amicalola Falls State Park Road, Dawsonville 30534. 706-265-4703 (visitors center); 706-265-8888 (lodge). 70 miles from downtown Atlanta

Black Rock Mountain State Park. Camping, hiking, picnicking, lake fishing (bass, bream, catfish, trout). P.O. Drawer A, Mountain City 30562. 706-746-2141. 110 miles from downtown Atlanta

Cloudland Canyon State Park. Camping, hiking, waterfalls trail, backpacking trail, picnic, tennis, swimming. 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn 30738. 706-657-4050. 118 miles from downtown Atlanta

Fort Mountain State Park. Camping, hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, pedal boat rentals (seasonal), beach (Memorial Day to Labor Day), horseback riding with horse rental, miniature golf, mountain bike trails. 181 Fort Mountain Park Road, Chatsworth 30705. 706-695-2621 (park), 706-517-8555 (stables). 95 miles from downtown Atlanta

Hart State Park. Camping, boating, fishing, hiking, bicycling, multiuse trail, canoe and pedal boat rental (seasonal). 330 Hart State Park Road, Hartwell 30643. 706-376-8756. 109 miles from downtown Atlanta

James H. "Sloppy" Floyd State Park. Camping, hiking, boating (electric motors only), fishing, pedal boat rentals (seasonal). 2800 Sloppy Floyd Lake Road, Summerville 30747. 706-857-0826. 95 miles from downtown Atlanta

Moccasin Creek State Park. Camping, hiking, lake fishing, stream fishing (restricted to seniors 65 and older, children 11 and younger), canoe rental (seasonal). 3655 Ga. 197, Clarkesville 30523. 706-947-3194. 86 miles from downtown Atlanta

Red Top Mountain State Park and Lodge. Camping, hiking, boating and water skiing (marina, ramps and docks), fishing, picnicking, swimming, miniature golf. 659 Red Top Mountain Road S.E., Cartersville 30120. 770-975-4226. 37 miles from downtown Atlanta

Smithgall Woods-Duke Creek Conservation Area. Camping, trout fishing (reservations required), hiking, bicycling, nature photography, wildlife observation. 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen 30545. 706-878-3087. 82 miles from downtown Atlanta

Tallulah Gorge State Park. Camping, hiking, mountain bike trails, whitewater paddling (first two April weekends, first three November weekends), bicycle paths, swimming, fishing, picnicking. 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls 30573. 706-754-7970. 96 miles from downtown Atlanta

Tugaloo State Park. Camping, fishing, boating, hiking, canoe rental (seasonal), volleyball, horseshoes, miniature golf. 1763 Tugaloo State Park Road, Lavonia 30553. 706-356-4362. 98 miles from downtown Atlanta

Unicoi State Park and Lodge. Camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing (accessible docks), swimming, canoe and pedal boat rental (seasonal). 1788 Ga. 356, North Helen 30545. 706-878-3982 (park office), 706-878-3983 (programs). 87 miles from downtown Atlanta

Vogel State Park. Camping, hiking, backpacking, Appalachian Trail nearby, fishing, swimming, pedal boat rental (seasonal), miniature golf. 7485 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville 30512. 706-745-2628. 89 miles from downtown Atlanta

PIEDMONT REGION

Bobby Brown State Park. Camping, fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, picnicking. 2509 Bobby Brown State Park Road, Elberton 30635. 706-213-2046. 124 miles from downtown Atlanta

Elijah Clark State Park. Camping, boating, water skiing, fishing, weekend museum tours (April-December), hiking. 2959 McCormick Highway, Lincolnton 30817. 706-359-3458. 127 miles from downtown Atlanta

Fort Yargo State Park. Camping, hiking, bicycling, fishing, boating (canoe, fishing boat, pedal boat rentals), picnicking, miniature golf. 210 South Broad St., Winder 30680. 770-867-3489. 48 miles from downtown Atlanta

Hamburg State Park. Camping, fishing, hiking, boat rental (pedal boats, canoes, fishing boats, electric motors). 6071 Hamburg State Park Road, Mitchell 30820. 478-552-2393. 117 miles from downtown Atlanta

Hard Labor Creek Park. Camping, golf, pedal boats, canoes, fishing boats, fishing, horseback riding (no horse rentals), hiking. P.O. Box 247, Rutledge 30663. 706-557-3001 (park); 706-557-3006 (golf course). 50 miles from downtown Atlanta

Mistletoe State Park. Camping, hiking, fishing, boating, swimming. 3723 Mistletoe Road, Appling 30802. 706-541-0321. 129 miles from downtown Atlanta

Panola Mountain State Conservation Park. Hiking, educational programs, interpretive center, picnic shelters. 2600 Ga. 155 S.W., Stockbridge 30281. 770-389-7801. 18 miles from downtown Atlanta

Richard B. Russell State Park. Camping, disc golf, fishing, boating, water skiing, rowing, beach volleyball, swimming, hiking, bicycling. 2650 Russell State Park Road, Elberton 30635. 706-213-2045. 106 miles from downtown Atlanta

A.H. Stephens State Park. Camping, fishing, boating, walking trails, horseback riding. 456 Alexander St. North, Crawfordville 30631. 706-456-2602. 106 miles from downtown Atlanta

Sweetwater Creek State Park. Fishing, boating, hiking. 1760 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs 30122. 770-732-5871. 18 miles from Atlanta

John Tanner State Park. Camping, swimming, canoe, pedal and fishing boat rental (seasonal), boating (private electric motor only), hiking, miniature golf. 354 Tanner's Beach Road, Carrollton 30117. 770-830-2222. 53 miles from downtown Atlanta

Victoria Bryant State Park. Camping, hiking, bicycling, fishing, swimming, golf. 1105 Bryant Park Road, Royston 30662. 706-245-6270 (park); 706-245-6770 (golf course). 90 miles from downtown Atlanta

Watson Mill Bridge State Park. Camping, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding (no horse rental), boating, fishing. 650 Watson Mill Road, Comer 30629. 706-783-5349. 87 miles from downtown Atlanta

PLAINS REGION

Indian Springs State Park. Camping, boating, fishing, swimming, miniature golf. 678 Lake Clark Road, Flovilla 30216. 770-504-2277. 56 miles from downtown Atlanta

High Falls State Park. Camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, miniature golf. 76 High Falls Park Drive, Jackson 30233. 478-993-3053. 51 miles from downtown Atlanta

F.D. Roosevelt State Park. Camping, hiking, fishing, boating. 2970 Highway 190, Pine Mountain 31822. 706-663-4858. 85 miles from downtown Atlanta