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Atlanta is a city of the future born of the elegant sophistication of the past. A place where breaking news is broadcast around the globe by the mighty CNN and yet where the Southern style of Gone With The Wind is at its very core.
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The city was born in 1837, as a railroad crossroads and is now the crossroads of the Southeast. A metropolis that attracts the height of culture and sport, shopping and rock 'n' roll. If ever a city had a coming of age, it was Atlanta as the host of the 1996 Olympic Games, the biggest games ever held, on the centenary of the modern competition.
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| Peachtree & West Peachtree |
The legacy of the Olympics has made the place a city for the 21st century. Centennial Olympic Park is a £40million, 21-acre place to walk and relax in the heart of an increasingly strollable downtown area where gleaming towers sit side by side with historic edifices. The investment has seen the streets lined with artwork, wider footpaths, better signs, miles of light rail, renovated buildings, including areas of loft-style apartments and other upmarket inner city housing combining to make the place great fun to visit. The 55 wandering Downtown Ambassadors who walk the streets are at hand to help you make the most of your visit. A visit that is sure to be unforgettable.
For a feel of the old days, start at the Atlanta History Center in the smart Buckhead district. Fascinating exhibits take you from railroad town to modern metropolis and explain why the Civil War happened. The Atlanta Cyclorama, a 358ft-long, 42ft-high circular painting of a Civil War battle, lets you see and hear the whole story from a revolving stage.
Then visit the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum. Marvel at how the author created her romantic Civil War epic Gone With The Wind in her dark basement apartment, goggle at the film memorabilia and enjoy exhibits from its Atlanta premiere.
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| Underground Atlanta |
Head back in time in Underground Atlanta, the oldest part of the city, dating back to when the maze of railroad tracks (and early streets) was
spanned by more and more bridges until a whole new ground level emerged. Descend into a forgotten world, now revamped into an interesting bunch of shops. Just next door you can enjoy another trip through time at the World of Coca-Cola. From its creation in Atlanta in 1886 to its status as a cultural icon, it's all here including tastes of Coke products from around the world.
Don't miss the State Capitol building, similar to the one in Washington, with a dome covered in gold leaf (mined from the North Georgia mountains). For a more up to date activity, visit the CNN Center offering behind the scenes tours of Ted Turner's groundbreaking news channel, and the chance to be in a chat show studio audience!
Walking around the neighbourhoods is a great way to get to know Atlanta. Buckhead, the "Beverly Hills of the South," is full of posh houses and even posher shops. Virginia Highland has lots of nicely renovated homes while elegant, magnolia tree-filled Druid Hills was a backdrop in the movie Driving Miss Daisy.
Atlanta's green areas are a world apart from the big-city bustle. Georgia International Plaza, next to Centennial Park, delightful Woodruff Park, midtown's Piedmont and Hardy Ivy Park and city edge Freedom Park with its bike and running trails are all regularly enjoyed.
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| The Swan House |
Historically Atlanta is fascinating. This is where you'll find the final resting place of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., looking over the street in the Sweet Auburn area, where he used to preach. Visit his birthplace, a National Historic Site, and his church, Ebenezer Baptist, where he, his father and grandfather all preached.
The Jimmy Carter Library and Museum charts the ex-president's life in films and exhibits.
The city also has endless museums and galleries, not least the Fernbank Museum of Natural History with its permanent exhibit, A Walk Through Time In Georgia. SciTrek, a science museum great for children, and the High Museum of Art, known for its excellent permanent exhibit as well as a host of blockbuster travelling exhibitions, provide great entertainment.
Nightlife is centred around several districts. Smart Buckhead has a lively strip of bars, clubs and eateries; Little Five Points is younger, more student orientated, and rockier; and Virginia Highland attracts a yuppie crowd.
On the city's edge is the Chattahoochee River, where Chattahoochee Park is a nine-mile protected wildlife area. It adjoins Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, 16 separate areas along 48 miles of river, created when environmental groups started buying up development-threatened land in the 70's. It is a great area for hiking, canoeing and rafting.
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| Stone Mountain |
Outside the city, one of the area's biggest attractions is Stone Mountain Park, 16 miles from downtown. It makes one catch a breath as you gaze at 825ft high Stone Mountain, the world's largest granite outcrop, from the surrounding 3,200 acres of parkland. A massive rock sculpture, larger than Mt. Rushmore, depicts Confederate heroes. The park also has the new Crossroads, a recreation of an old Georgia town, an antebellum plantation and a scenic railroad ride around the mountain. Further afield, the Lake Lanier Islands are excellent for outdoor pursuits. Also a visit to the Chateau Elan winery is worth the visit.
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Atlanta
Atlanta is a great place for shopping, whether an upmarket mall in Buckhead or outlet malls out of town.
Nashville
Walk Nashville's music district, Music Row and see the names of record companies lining the street.
New Orleans
Go shopping...Louisiana is tax free for international visitors.
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