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Atlanta
is one of the grandest metropolises in America and is fast becoming one of the
country's most popular tourist destinations.
Much of Atlanta’s acclaim as well as its rapid growth is due
to the many recreational opportunities offered both in the city
and in surrounding areas. Whether you enjoy spectator sports,
fishing, golf, tennis, parks and gardens or even kayaking,
you’ll soon find that there is more to this city than
skyscrapers, Freaknick and John Rocker.
Atlanta
has four professional major league sports teams: Major League
Baseball’s Atlanta Braves, the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks,
the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers.
Over the last decade, the Braves have been the most successful
of all of Atlanta’s professional sports teams. They are
perpetual playoff contenders and have been referred to as “the
team of the ‘90s.” They won the World Series in 1995.
Naturally,
you won’t find any golf courses located in downtown Atlanta;
however, many courses do exist just a short drive from the heart
of town. The American Golf Corporation, located at 384
Woodward Way (404/ 350-1717), hosts more than 35,000 outings and
tournaments yearly at its 300 or so golf courses across the
country. They have nine courses spread throughout the Atlanta
area. Located 10 minutes from Downtown Atlanta, the Bobby
Jones Golf Course (404/ 355-1009) offers tournament
services, banquet hall facilities and a full service pro-shop.
For more info visit bobbyjones@webcombo.com.
Georgia’s
Stone Mountain Park is the state's biggest tourist
attraction. Located about 16 miles east of downtown on U.S. 78,
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 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.
Spreading
for 185 acres, Piedmont Park is the largest park within
the city of Atlanta. Located between 10th St. & Piedmont Ave
(404) 876-2040, the park was founded in 1904 and is one
of the oldest parks in the state. Here visitors can enjoy
woodlands, sports fields, Lake Clara Meer, tennis courts, picnic
areas, asphalt paths for exercising, annual cultural and sports
events and more. In addition, the magnificent Atlanta
Botanical Garden is located next door, occupying about 30
acres. Exquisite gardens, whispering water falls and tranquil
wooded areas are just part of what makes this botanical garden
so healing to mind, body and spirit.
West
of Atlanta, Six Flags Over Georgia, is a family amusement
park offering rides, live Broadway-style shows and thrilling
attractions. Located at 7561 Six Flags Road at I-20 West
Mableton, GA (770) 948-9290.
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