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 Atlanta
attractions comprise an illustrious mix of historical sites,
world-class museums, modern landmarks, parks and gardens and
more. Now the largest city in the Southeast, Atlanta played a
significant role not only in the Civil War, but also in the
subsequent social and political development of the entire United
States. Today, numerous historical museums and monuments
scattered throughout the city offer visitors a peek into
Atlanta’s past and rapid coming of age. As interesting as
Atlanta’s heritage is, being a city always on the cutting edge
of industrial evolution, Atlanta's contemporary amenities are equally
as enticing. Whether it’s a visit to the house of author Margaret
Mitchell (Gone With The Wind), a tranquil stroll
through the Atlanta Botanical Gardens or an intriguing
tour through the CNN Center, Atlanta’s attractions are
diverse, distinctive and enjoyed by all ages.
Two of
Atlanta’s most popular modern attractions are located in the
heart of downtown. The World of Coca-Cola, a gigantic
interactive and very informative museum/center that provides
visitors with everything they ever wanted to know about
“America’s favorite soft drink” and the CNN Center,
where visitors can tour the world’s largest news-gathering
organization, which is actually a lot more fun than it sounds.
 Several
of Atlanta’s major attractions pay tribute to her sons and
daughters. For example, east of downtown is the home of Dr.
Martin Luther King, now known as the Martin Luther King, Jr.
National Historic Site, where visitors can learn more about
one of the greatest social reform leaders in American history.
Located in Little Five Points, the Jimmy Carter Presidential
Library houses countless documents and photographs of
Carter’s years in the White House. And southeast of Downtown
is Atlanta Cyclorama, where the Civil War Battle of
Atlanta literally revolves around you via sight and sound
through this immense painting in the round, completed in 1885.
Atlanta
also boasts a wide array of world-class museums. Perhaps the
city’s most prominent museum is the High Museum of Art,
with a permanent collection that exceeds 10,000 pieces. The
Atlanta Ballet and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra also operate from
here. A museum unique to Atlanta is the Center for Puppetry
Arts, a museum/center dedicated to the art of puppetry and a
great place to bring the kids.
Located
about 16 miles east from downtown is Georgia’s biggest tourist
attraction, Stone Mountain Park. The Park offers
thousands of acres of wooded area and lakes, perfect for a
scenic hike or a simple stroll, complete with wildlife trails
and a petting zoo. Stone Mountain itself is actually the
world’s largest single mass of granite, standing at 1,683 feet
above sea level and covering 583 acres. Carved in its side is a
90-foot-high, 190-foot-wide monument to the Confederacy, the
largest bas-relief sculpture in the world. The park also offers
swimming, golf, tennis and more, which, altogether, is why Stone
Mountain is one of the ten most visited paid attractions in the
United States.---Words and photos by Michael Rando
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