Where
to go? Just dive right in
Wanna get some entertaining education? Splash around the new Georiga Aquarium in downtown Atlanta. Or check out one of the area's
many museums, such as the locomotive museum in Kennesaw or the Atlanta History Center. Curious
about an Atlanta institution? Visit the World of Coca-Cola, the CNN
Center, Fox Theatre or the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic
Site.
Of
course, there's always the zoo, the park, the gardens, the puppetry
center …
The
puppetry center? Sure. Read on.
STOP
BY (AT LEAST)
Centennial
Olympic Park
Techwood Drive
at Marietta Street
MARTA station:
Dome/Philips Arena. 404-222-7275 |
 Engraved
brick pathways and the famous Olympic Rings fountain make this
park a great place to meet, catch an occasional free concert
or just take in an interesting ground-level view of downtown
and Midtown. During the winter holidays you can go skating;
in the summer the kids will love cooling off in the fountain.
Hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. www.centennialpark.com
|
Governor's Mansion
391 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W.
404-261-1776 |
After
taking a tour of the 30-room Greek Revival mansion, drive east
or west on West Paces Ferry to see some of Atlanta's most exquisite
and extravagant homes. 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday.
www.gov.state.ga.us |
The
King Center
449 Auburn Ave. MARTA station: King Memorial
404-526-8900 |
 Across
the street from the historic site operated by the National Park
Service is the privately operated memorial and gravesite of
the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., established in 1968 by his
widow, Coretta Scott King. Even if you don't go inside to see
the collection of King's personal effects, you should spend
a quiet moment at his crypt. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. www.thekingcenter.org |
TAKE
AN HOUR OR TWO
APEX
Museum
135 Auburn Ave.
MARTA station:
Five Points, King Memorial.
404-523-2739 |
An
acronym for African American Panoramic Experience, the APEX
seeks to show history from the African-American perspective.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.apexmuseum.org
|
Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Ave. N.E.
404-876-5859 |
 With
15 acres of landscaped gardens and 15 acres of woodlands in
Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Garden features a variety
of specialties, including rose, herb, rock and Japanese gardens.
There's also a children's garden with lots of interactive exhibits
and a stunning orchid center. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (7 p.m. April-September)
Tuesday-Sunday. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org |
Atlanta
Cyclorama
800 Cherokee Ave. S.E.
404-658-7625 |
The 1864 Civil War Battle of Atlanta is narrated in the world's
largest painting and diorama in the round. Zoo Atlanta is next
door. www.webguide.com/cyclorama.html
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. |
Braves
Museum
& Turner Field tours
755 Hank Aaron Drive S.E.
404-614-2311
MARTA station:
Five Points |
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Turner Field and check out the
Ivan Allen Jr. Braves Museum & Hall of Fame. Featuring the
Atlanta Braves clubhouse and dugout, broadcast booth, press
box, luxury suites and the Braves memorabilia museum, with items
from 1871 to the present. Hours vary by season and game schedule;
it's best to call ahead. braves.mlb.com
|
Center
for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring St. N.W.
MARTA station:
Arts Center.
404-873-3391 |
 Although
the performances, workshops and museum are certainly popular
with children, this unusual spot is not just for families. The
Web site specifies which events are more suitable for teens
or adults. Museum hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 11
a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Open until show time for evening performances.
www.puppet.org
|
CNN studio tours
1 CNN Center
MARTA station:
Dome/Philips Arena.
404-827-2300 |
Tour the network that started the 24-hour news craze - in 40
minutes. You'll see CNN special effects studios, Headline News
and International News studios. Call at least a day ahead for
tour reservations. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. www.cnn.com/studiotour |
Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree St. N.E.
MARTA station:
North Avenue.
404-881-2100 |
A
fabulous 1929 relic of the golden era of movie palaces, this
marvel of domes and Moorish arches almost became a casualty
of '70s "progress." The campaign to save it from demolition
marked the awakening of the city's preservation consciousness.
Tours are offered at 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Saturday, and again at 11 a.m. Saturday, but can be canceled
for production conflicts. Please call ahead. www.foxtheatre.org
|
Georgia Dome
1 Georgia Dome Drive N.W.
MARTA:
Dome/Philips Arena
404-223-8687 |
 You
can take a 45-minute tour of the largest cable-supported domed
stadium in the world –- and home of the Atlanta Falcons
football team. You'll see locker rooms, the press box, suites
and seating for 71,200. You'll even get to touch the turf. Hours:
10 a.m. -3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, except when events are scheduled.
www.gadome.com
|
Herndon Home
587 University Place N.W. MARTA station: Vine City
404-581-9813 |
Built
in 1910, the 15-room mansion features furnishings, artwork,
fine silver, Roman and Venetian glass and photographs of the
family of Alonzo F. Herndon, who rose from slavery to found
Atlanta Life Insurance Co. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday- Saturday.
www.herndonhome.org |
Jimmy Carter Library
and Museum
441 Freedom Parkway
MARTA station:
Five Points.
404-865-7131 |
 Visitors
can see a replica of the 1976 Oval Office that is so accurate
it has been used in films. There are dozens of exhibits packed
with information about Carter's policies, his day-to-day life
in the White House, and complex issues such as the Iran hostage
crisis, the SALT II arms control agreement and human rights.
Carter's Nobel Peace Prize is also on display. Hours: 9 a.m.-4:45
p.m. Monday - Saturday; noon - 4:45 p.m. Sunday. www.jimmycarterlibrary.org
|
Piedmont Park
Midtown
Entrances are on Piedmont Avenue, 10th Street and Monroe Drive
404-875-7275 |
 Atlanta's
version of Central Park, Piedmont is visited by 1.5 million
people annually. On nice days, you have to dodge the in-line
skaters, joggers, walkers and cyclists just to take a stroll,
but it's worth it for both its natural beauty and its excellent
people-watching opportunities. In June 2004, Piedmont marks
its 100th anniversary as a city park. Hours: 6 a.m.-11 p.m.
daily. www.piedmontpark.org |
The World of Coca-Cola
55 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive S.W.
MARTA:
Five Points
770-578-4325 ext. 1465 |
Everything you ever wanted (or didn't know you wanted) to know
about Coca-Cola. You'll sample Coke products and view exhibits,
including a collection of nostalgic radio and TV ads. And, as
you might expect, there's a souvenir shop. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
(6 p.m. June-August) Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
www.woccatlanta.com
|
SPEND
A HALF DAY OR MORE
Atlanta History Center
130 West Paces Ferry Road N.W.
404-814-4000 |
 The
history center tells the story of Atlanta, the South and
the Civil War in its permanent exhibitions. After you view
the exhibits, tour the gardens and the historic homes: the
Swan House and Tullie Smith Farm. Parts of the center are
appealing to children -- in particular the 1845 farmhouse.
Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5:30 p.m.
Sunday. www.atlhist.org |
| Imagine
It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta
275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive N.W.
MARTA station: Peachtree Center
404-659-5437 |
 No
one ever says “don't touch” at this learning museum
for young children. Make sand castles, paint on the walls,
dress up and see yourself dance on TV – all in a well-supervised,
educational environment. Hours: 10 a.m.-4: p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. www.imagineit-cma.org
|
Fernbank Museum
of Natural History
767 Clifton Road N.E.
404-929-6300 |
 You
can't help but notice Giganotosaurus and its friends in the
permanent exhibit "Giants of the Mesozoic," but
you will be charmed by “A Walk Through Time in Georgia,”
which chronicles natural history from a local perspective.
The museum also houses a giant-screen Imax Theatre. Museum
hours: 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m.
Sunday. www.fernbank.edu |
Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker St.
(404) 581-4000 |
 World's largest aquarium aims to blow you away with five galleries representing life in the sea. Whale sharks, beluga whales and a huge coral reef are among the star attractions. Hours: 9 a.m.– 6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 9 a.m.– 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. www.georgiaaquarium.org |
High Museum of Art
1280 Peachtree St. N.E.
MARTA station:
Arts Center.
404-733-4400 |
 Architect
Richard Meier designed the large white building on Peachtree
Street, next door to the Woodruff Arts Center. Its permanent
collection is noted for significant holdings of 19th- and
20th-century American art. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday;
noon-5 p.m. Sunday. www.high.org |
Martin Luther King Jr.
National Historic Site
450 Auburn Ave. N.E.
MARTA station:
King Memorial.
404-331-3920 |
The birthplace of the revered civil rights leader, plus Ebenezer
Baptist Church, where he delivered his first sermon, are tied
together by a Visitors Center that tells the story of King's
life. The surrounding 68-acre preservation district includes
Sweet Auburn, the economic and cultural center of Atlanta's
black community during much of the 20th century. Hours: 9
a.m.-5 p.m. daily; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily June 15-August 15.
www.nps.gov/malu |
Michael C. Carlos Museum
571 S. Kilgo St.
(Emory University)
404-727-4282 |
 Mummies
and other artifacts from ancient Egypt fascinate allages.
The permanent collection includes 15,000 objects from Egypt,
Greece, Rome, Asia and Africa. Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday,
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Thursday;
noon- 5 p.m. Sunday. carlos.emory.edu |
Stone Mountain Park
U.S. 78, Stone Mountain
770-498-5690 |
Southern history, natural beauty and theme-park amusement
come together at this publicly owned, privately operated property.
The centerpiece is Stone Mountain, a huge granite outcropping
sporting a carved tribute to three Confederate heroes. Attractions
include the 19th-century theme town Crossroads, a sky lift
to the top of the mountain, a scenic railroad and several
museums. In the summer, stay after dark for the “Lasershow
Spectacular.” Admission to the park is $7 per car; several
attractions carry additional fees. www.stonemountainpark.com
|
Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Ave. S.E.
404-624-5600 |
 This
is where the world-famous pandas Lun Lun and Yang Yang live.
Don't expect a lot of action -- generally they're big on eating
bamboo -- but when they do move, they're undeniably cute.
When the pandas doze, you can check some of the other 249
species represented here, including Starlet O'Hara the painting
elephant, and Jalal the Sumatran tiger. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-4:30
p.m. (5:30 p.m. summer weekends) daily. www.zooatlanta.org |
|
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