see & do
Atlanta History Center 
130 West Paces Ferry Road, NW Atlanta, GA 30305 404-814-4000 atlantahistorycenter.com
From cotton fields to railroads, the Civil War to civil rights, you'll find the real story of Atlanta's past at the Atlanta History Center. Tour the 83,000-square-foot Atlanta History Museum and you'll learn how Atlanta grew into the South's leading city, about African-American History, the Civil War, "Gone with the Wind" and a lot more. The story continues at two houses on the National Register of Historic Places: Swan House, a 1928 mansion, and Tullie Smith Farm, with its 1840s plantation-plain house and outbuildings. Visitors also enjoy 33 acres of gardens and nature trails. McElreath Hall contains the Center's research library/archives with manuscript and photo collections totaling 3.5 million items. Located in Buckhead, just two blocks
from Peachtree Road, the Center also offers a museum shop, the Coca-Cola Cafe
and a restaurant and picnic area.
Atlanta Preservation Center
327 St. Paul Avenue, SE Atlanta, GA 30312 404-688-3350 preserveatlanta.com
The Atlanta Preservation Center features guided walking tours of historically and culturally significant close-in areas: The Fox Theatre (vintage faux Moorish movie theater), Historic Downtown, Sweet Auburn Avenue (historic civil rights area), Inman Park (Victoria era homes in city's first suburb), Ansley Park (early wealthy suburb), Walking Miss Daisy's Druid Hills and Grant Park (historic area and site of a zoo, park and battle for Atlanta exhibit). A great way to learn the city!
Herndon Home
587 University Place, NW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-581-9813 herndonhome.org
This 15-room mansion was built in 1910 by Alonzo F. Herndon. A former slave, he was the founder of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, the second-largest black-owned insurance company in the nation. The house is shown complete with original furnishings, artwork and photographs.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive (Old Highway 41 and Stilesboro Road) Kennesaw, GA 30152
770-427-4686 nps.gov/kemo
Climb Kennesaw Mountain and relive this pivotal engagement in the Civil War Battle of Atlanta. The 2,884- acre park includes 17.3 miles of original earthworks and is a popular site for Civil War reenactments.
Margaret Mitchell House and Museum
990 Peachtree Street Atlanta, GA 30309 404-249-7015 gwtw.org
Learn about the creation of one of the world's most beloved novels, "Gone With the Wind," by touring the historic house and apartment where Margaret Mitchell wrote it. Photograph exhibitions and memorabilia tell the story of Atlanta through the life of this fascinating woman. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Gift shop open until 6 p.m. Group tours and special events by appointment. Located at the corner of 10th and Peachtree, adjacent to the Midtown MARTA station. Free parking.
Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District
459 Auburn Avenue between Jackson & Randolph Streets Atlanta, GA 30312 nps.gov/malu/ 404-331-6922
The home where civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was born has been restored and is on tour. Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached, is open to the public and holds Sunday services.
Wren's Nest
1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, SW Atlanta, GA 30310 404-753-7735 Tours/Info
Located in Atlanta's historic West End neighborhood, the restored Victorian Wren's Nest was home to Joel Chandler Harris, creator of Br'er Rabbit and all the other characters that populate the Tales of Uncle Remus.
Great For Kids
Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta
275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. Atlanta, GA 30313 404-659-KIDS childrensmuseumatl.org
Currently Atlanta's newest museum-and certainly it's most playful-the Children's Museum of Atlanta offers hands-on experiences that combine fun and education. Located in the heart of downtown, the museum is open seven days a week (except Christmas and Thanksgiving) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Six Flags Over Georgia
275 Riverside Parkway Austell, GA 30168 770-948-9290 sixflags.com/georgia
A state-of-the-art theme park with more than 100 rides, shows and attractions. Thrill to the Looping Starship, Mindbender, and the Great American Scream Machine, or enjoy Broadway-style reviews. For smallfry there's Bugs Bunny World with its "Flying Tasmanian Devil" and Tweety's Swing".
Six Flags White Water Park
North Marietta Parkway Exit off I-75 250 Cobb Parkway North Marietta, GA 30062 770-424-WAVE
sixflags.com
Would you believe the Atlanta Ocean-complete with waves? Also speed flumes, water slides, wave pools and other thrills at this 35-acre water park. Open summers, and on weekends in May and September.
Yellow River Wildlife Game Ranch
4525 Highway 78 Lilburn, GA 30047 770-972-6643 yellowrivergameranch.com
This 24-acre natural habitat petting zoo along the banks of the Yellow River shelters some 600 native Georgia, animals. Pet the deer, rabbits and other relatively tame critters. See the wild ones-bear, buffalo, mountain lions, foxes, raccoons-in natural surroundings. Summer brings newborn fawns.
Zoo Atlanta
Grant Park 800 Cherokee Avenue, SE Atlanta, GA 30315 404-624-5600 zooatlanta.org
Spend a day where Willie B. Jr., baby Kudzoo and other gorillas run "wild" in the Ford African Rain Forest, and lions, zebras, ostriches and giraffes inhabit an area reminiscent of the Serengeti plain. See Chilean flamingos, pet animals in the Orkin Children's Zoo, and watch an elephant demonstration.
Babyland General Hospital
74 West Underwood Street Cleveland, GA 30528 706-865-2171
Rambling and homey, this white frame "adoption clinic" 86 miles northwest of Atlanta is the birthplace of the Cabbage Patch Kids and still offers plenty of young-uns for adoption.
The Great Outdoors
Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Avenue, NE Atlanta, GA 30309-3366 404-876-5859 atlantabotanicalgarden.org
The $5.5 million Fuqua Conservatory is a tropical paradise of exotic and endangered plants from around the world. Outside, blooms and activities draw visitors year round. Located adjacent to Piedmont Park, a green urban oasis with a crystal lake, ball fields, tennis center, bike trails.
Amicalola Falls State Park
240 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. Dawsonville, GA 30534 1-706-265-4703
Amicalola Falls State Park is the home of Georgia's tallest waterfall (729 feet) and the Springer Mountain approach trail, which leads to southern end of the famed Georgia - to - Maine Appalachian Trail. Open year round: 19 miles west of Dahlonega.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
9135 Willeo Road Roswell, GA 30075 770-992-2055
The Chattahoochee Nature Center sits on 127 acres of unspoiled land along the Chattahoochee River. The Nature Center provides a paradise for birdwatchers and plant lovers. Included are woodland trails, marsh boardwalk, indoor/outdoor exhibits, picnic area and nature store.
Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites
800-864-7275 gastateparks.org
The state park system is comprised of 63 parks and historic sites, with many of these close enough to serve as easy day trips from the Atlanta area. Eight of these parks are close to an hour's drive from Atlanta. All parks require a $2 parking fee and historic sites have a fee range of $1 - $4 per person. Showcase parks within the area include: Panola Mountain State Park, Sweet Water Creek State Park, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Indian Springs State Park, James H. Floyd State Park and Victoria Bryant State park.
Panola Mountain State Park
2600 Highway 155, SW Stockbridge, GA 30281 770-389-7801
This 100 - acre granite mountain is the home to rare Piedmont plants and native animals. It is 18 miles southeast of Atlanta, and features hiking trails and nature programs.
Entertainment Venues
HiFi Buys Lakewood Amphitheater
2002 Lakewood Way Atlanta, GA 30315 404-443-5090
The top names of pop, rock, and jazz draw fans to this 19,000 - seat outdoor concert arena.
The Georgia Dome
1 Georgia Dome Drive Atlanta, GA 30313 404-223-9200 gadome.com
The 71,500 - seat domed stadium, opened in 1992, is home to the Atlanta Falcons (National Football League). The $210 - million facility, which includes an executive club and concourse, was also the site for the 1994 Super Bowl and numerous other sports events, plus concerts and major conventions and assemblies.
Philips Arena
1 Philips Drive Atlanta, GA 30303 404-878-3000 philipsarena.com
This 21,000 - seat arena (where the abstract columns spell Atlanta) is home to the Thrashers (hockey) and the Hawks (basketball) and has played host to numerous concerts and special events since its opening in 1999. Located adjacent to CNN Center near the Georgia Dome, Philips Arena can be easily reached via Marta; plenty of paid parking is also nearby.
Getaways
The Biltmore Estate
Asheville, NC 28803 (800) 624-1575 biltmore.com
Located in Asheville, N.C., about three hours north of Atlanta, the Biltmore Estate bills itself as "America's Largest Home." Built by the Vanderbilt family at the turn of the century, the estate has acres of gardens, parklands and managed forests. With more than 250 rooms built in the ornate style popular at the time and all kinds of outdoor activities, the Biltmore is a great country retreat for urban Atlantans looking for a get away.
Callaway Gardens
Pine Mountain, GA 31822 706-633-2281 800-282-8181 callawaygardens.com
Begun as a preserve for Georgia's native flowers, this stunning resort 75 miles southwest of Atlanta is comprised of several thousand acres of nature and bike trails, scenic drives, golf, a man - made lake with white sand beach and summer water show, a top - rated inn, villas, cottages, and a delightful greenhouse complex. The gardens also house the spectacular Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, one of the largest glass - enclosed conservatory in North America for the display of living butterflies in free flight, plus tropical birds and hummingbirds in a tropical setting.
Chateau …lan Winery & Resort
100 Rue Charlemagne Braselton, GA 30517 678-425-0900 800-233-WINE chateauelanatlanta.com
Take a free tour and sample award - winning Chateau …lan wines in this stunning replica of a 16th century French chateau. Guests enjoy a wine museum, art gallery, wine market with specialty items for sale, restaurants, nature trails and picnic areas, golf club, tennis center. European - style health spa, equestrian show center and a 253 - room country French Inn. Just 40 minutes north of Atlanta, I-85 at Exit 126.
Helen Chamber of Commerce
Helen, GA 30545 706-878-2181/800-858-8027
This mountain town 110 miles north of Atlanta is an Alpine Village with its own biergarten, quaint shops, a year round schedule of festival activities. Nearby are Anna Ruby Falls, Unicoi State park and Georgia's highest mountain, Brasstown Bald.
Lake Lanier Islands
7000 Holiday Road Lake Lanier Islands, GA 30518 770-932-7200 800-840-LAKE
A 1,100- acre year-round resort surrounded by a 38,000 - acre lake, Beach & Water Park, stables, rental boats, picnic facilities, camping. Emerald Pointe Resort (770-945-8787) and Renaissance PineIsle Resort (770-945-8921) each have their own 18 - hole golf courses and additional recreational facilities. 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta.
Little White House
Georgia Highway 85 West Warm Springs, GA 31830 706-655-5870
The cottage that was President Franklin D. Roosevelt's rural Georgia retreat is preserved as it was when he died in 1945. Nearby Warm Springs Village (706-655-2609) maintains its turn of the century ambience, with restaurants, some 60 antiques and craft shops and a bed and breakfast. 75 miles south of Atlanta.
Madison Chamber of Commerce
115 East Jefferson Street Madison , GA 30650 706-342-4454/800-709-7406 madisonga.org
Known for its antebellum mansions, this town of 3,200 just 60 miles east of Atlanta, boasts 35 houses on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Madison Morgan Cultural Center. Regular walking tours.
Westville
P.O. Box 1850 Lumpkin, GA 31815 229-838-6310
Blacksmiths, leather workers, potters, and other artisans display their skills daily for visitors at this 1850's pioneer village on 60 acres. Near Providence Canyon State Park, with its aptly named Little Grand Canyon. Located 150 miles southwest of Atlanta.
