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Things To Do
Atlanta boasts history and Southern hospitality, along with a cutting-edge music scene and plenty of shopping. Find bliss in your search for Tara or enjoy delicious Southern cooking as you explore Atlanta’s sights.
Sports & Outdoors
Atlanta’s premier sports and recreation facilities are all conveniently located downtown, providing easy access from the city’s MARTA light rail train.
Centennial Olympic Park, the central venue for the 1996 Summer Olympics, features 21 acres of manicured green lands, the Fountain of Rings and winter ice skating. A seasonal concert series and festivals take place during the warmer months. For more information, call 404-223-4412. Marietta Street and Techwood Drive, Atlanta.
Football’s Atlanta Falcons are featured at the 1.6 million-square-foot Georgia Dome, as well as other sporting events, conventions and trade shows. The cable-supported, domed stadium holds 71,250 spectators. For more information, call 404-223-8687. 1 Georgia Dome Drive, Atlanta.
Turner Field, home of baseball’s Atlanta Braves, houses the Braves Museum and Scouts Alley. Tours are available year-round. For more information, call 404-522-7630. 755 Hank Aaron Drive S.W., Atlanta.
Arts Museums & Landmarks
The famed Fox Theatre, constructed in 1929, features a sky- and star-adorned ceiling, grand staircase, Egyptian torches and the Mighty Mo organ. The prime venue showcases Broadway musicals, concerts, symphonies, dance performances and film festivals. For more information, call 404-881-2100. 660 Peachtree Street, Atlanta.
The impressive permanent collection at the High Museum of Art includes African decorative arts, French Impressionism, folk art and photography, while touring exhibits include Matisse’s works or a Norman Rockwell show. An additional treat is live jazz on the third Friday of each month. For more information, call 404-733-4400. 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta.
The World of Coca-Cola offers samples of 38 Coca-Cola Company products from all over the world as guests visit the corporate archives, special exhibits and gift shop. For more information, call 770-578-4325. 55 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Atlanta.
The world’s largest aquarium, the new Georgia Aquarium rests on more than nine acres next to Centennial Olympic Park. Holding more than 8 million gallons of water, the aquarium features 100,000 animals representing more than 500 species. A highlight: two white Beluga whales in an 800,000-gallon glass structure. For more information, call 404-581-4000. 225 Baker Street, Atlanta.
Dining
Ethnic restaurants, gourmet eateries and classic southern barbecue all blend together in Atlanta. However, comfort food reigns here; try the sweet iced tea, crispy fried chicken or fried catfish at the myriad Southern establishments in this melting pot of dining tastes.
Order a walk-a-dog (hot dog) or bag of rags (fries) at the glorified drive-in, the Varsity. Founded in 1928, the Varsity features homemade chili, burgers and fried foods served on window trays. For more information, call 404-881-1706. 61 North Avenue N.W., Atlanta.
The ribs at Dreamland BBQ are a Southern legend in the Roswell area. The restaurant is a typical barbecue joint, with a barbecue pit in full view of patrons. For more information, call 678-352-7999. 10730 Alpharetta Highway, Roswell.
The international menu changes daily at Bacchanalia, where elegant gourmet fare is the norm. Celebrate a special occasion or just enjoy a romantic night out at one of Atlanta’s finest restaurants. For reservations, call 404-365-0410. 1198 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta.
Buckhead’s 30-foot copper fish greets guests as they enter the popular Atlanta Fish Market restaurant, where more than 100 varieties of fresh seafood are prepared daily. Try the potato-crusted cod or shrimp pot stickers from the ever-changing, mouthwatering menu. For reservations, call 404-262-3165. 365 Pharr Road, Atlanta.
Shopping
Large malls, antique shops, specialty boutiques and department stores encompass Atlanta’s shopping scene. For high-end shopping, try Phipps Plaza or Lenox Square. For a unique find, visit Underground Atlanta, or for antiques, try Peachtree Road in Buckhead.
Lenox Square features hundreds of high-end shops, anchored by Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and Rich’s, and also includes cinemas and restaurants. A complimentary shuttle service, the Shoppers’ Chauffeur, whisks guests between Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza. For more information, call 404-233-6767. 3393 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta.
Phipps Plaza, Lenox Square’s smaller, quieter neighbor, features glitzy stores among crystal chandeliers, rotundas and grand staircases. Anchor stores include Saks Fifth Avenue, Parisian and Lord & Taylor. For more information, call 404-262-0992. 3500 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta.
When the city of Atlanta built viaducts over train tracks in 1929, merchants moved their storefronts to the new viaduct level, creating Underground Atlanta, which is anchored by the World of Coca-Cola. Today, the six-block district’s ornamental facades and brick streets house shopping emporiums, cafes, art galleries and clubs. For more information, call 404-523-2311. 50 Upper Alabama Street, Atlanta.
An edgy shopping alternative is the Little Five Points area, a northeast district filled with tattoo parlors, retro clothing stores, alternative nightclubs and a bohemian atmosphere.
Events
Atlanta and the surrounding areas offer outdoor events and cultural activities for a variety of tastes.
Movie buffs gather each year for the Atlanta Film Festival at various venues in the Midtown and downtown areas of Atlanta. More than 150 films are presented amidst panel discussions, nightly soirees and awards ceremonies. The 30th Annual Atlanta Film Festival takes place June 9 to 17, 2006. For more information, call 404-352-4225.
Ready to bike 400 miles in seven days? If you are part of Bicycle Ride Across Georgia, you are. The route takes you from Dalton to Augusta from June 10 to 17, 2006. The event benefits Special Olympics Georgia. For more information, call 770-498-5153.
The largest arts and crafts show in the United States, the Yellow Daisy Festival, takes place at Stone Mountain Park from September 8 to 11, 2006. Ceramics, glassware, sculpture and clothing are displayed, as well as the famed yellow daisies. This family-friendly event is free. For more information, call 770-498-5690. Highway 78 East, Stone Mountain.
Gay Pride Events and Gay Parades in Atlanta
Neighborhoods
1. Downtown Atlanta
Boasting the world headquarters of Coca-Cola, sports venues and major chain hotels, downtown Atlanta serves as the business and government center. Across the street from the Georgia Dome is the CNN Center, home to cable television’s famous news network.
2. Midtown
Cultural pursuits are celebrated in Midtown, where visitors find the Fabulous Fox Theatre, the High Museum of Art and the Woodruff Arts Center. A diverse population, including Georgia Tech students and the city’s vibrant gay community, plus nightclubs and Piedmont Park, make Midtown a melting pot of culture and cuisine.
Atlantic Station, a city within a city, boasts condos, lofts and town homes, parks, office space, shops and restaurants in the Midtown Atlanta area.
3. Buckhead/Lenox Square
Extravagant homes, upscale dining and posh malls line this scenic residential district. Attractions in this neighborhood include the Ritz-Carlton, Phipps Plaza, Lenox Square and the Georgia Governor’s Mansion.
4. Airport Area
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport sits just 11 miles southwest of Atlanta. The area is also home to the Georgia International Convention Center.
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