Atlanta Area Attractions
Host of the 1996 Olympics, Atlanta is home to Braves baseball, Falcons football, the Fabulous Fox Theatre, and the world’s largest aquarium. Atlanta has a thriving cultural scene with the Carter Presidential Center, King Center, High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, and Woodruff Arts Center.
Cultural and Heritage Institutions | Attractions | Parks | Sporting Events | Shopping
Cultural & Heritage Institutions
Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Atlanta Botanical Garden in Piedmont Park is a beautiful exhibition
of nature's glory in the heart of the city. A walk through the garden
is a great stress reliever. There are always special events, including
unique flowers, summer concerts, romantic jazz nights, and children's
activities.
Atlanta Cyclorama
Experience the Battle of Atlanta in the round through the famous
Cyclorama painting and Civil War Museum. The Cyclorama, a large 3-D
cyclical painting, is the longest running show in America and the
largest oil painting in the world.
Atlanta History Center
Founded in 1926 as the Atlanta Historical Society, the history center
includes one of the Southeast’s largest history museums; a research
library and archives; two historic houses, The Swann House and the
Tullie Smith Farm, illustrating over a century of Atlanta’s history;
and a series of gardens unique in both design and horticultural
presentation.
The Carter Center
Founded in 1982 by Nobel Prize winner and former President Jimmy Carter
and former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the Atlanta-based Carter Center
has helped to improve the quality of life for people in more than 65
countries.
Center for Puppetry Arts
The Center for Puppetry Arts is the largest organization in North
America dedicated to the art of puppetry. The center offers
performances for everyone. An interactive museum, Puppets: The Power of
Wonder, is the largest puppetry museum in the United States.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Atlanta’s home to the dinosaurs, Fernbank Museum of Natural History
allows visitors to explore Earth’s history, the physical universe, the
environment, and human culture through interactive exhibitions, IMAX
movies, artifacts, and more.
High Museum of Art
With more than 11,000 works of art in its permanent collection, the
High Museum of Art has an extensive anthology of 19th- and 20th-century
American art; significant holdings of European paintings and decorative
art; and growing collections of African-American art, photography,
modern and contemporary art, and African art. The High is dedicated to
supporting and collecting works by Southern artists.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield is a 2,888 acre National Battlefield
preserving a Civil War battleground of the Atlanta Campaign on the
city’s north side. The battle raged from June 19, until July 2, 1864.
It is the only national park that commemorates the Battle of Atlanta.
The King Center
Get inspired at the King Center through its many interactive exhibits
that illustrate the beloved community that Martin Luther King Jr.
envisioned and how that dream can still become a reality.
Margaret Mitchell House
For literary lovers and Gone With the Wind fans, explore the house where Margaret Mitchell wrote her famous novel.
It houses memorabilia from the famed author's career and serves as a
literary center for Southern authors. Watch for special author readings
and creative writing courses.
Attractions
CNN Center
Take a behind-the-scenes peek at the frenzied world of television
journalism with the CNN Studio tour. Gain insight into the world of
broadcast journalism. Reservations are highly recommended.
The Fox Theatre
Originally
the Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque and Shriners headquarters, the Fox
became the nationally acclaimed theater it is today during the Great
Depression. Today it is one of the best places to see a show or catch
an old movie during the summer.
Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium, one of Atlanta's premier tourist attractions,
features whale sharks and other creatures of the deep in a world-class
facility located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta.
Six Flags Over Georgia
Atlanta’s premier theme park, Six Flags Over Georgia offers adventure
for the whole family with rides and a water park.
Turner Field
Tour Turner Field and explore Atlanta Braves history. See the press
box, the clubhouse, the dugout, a luxury suite, and the broadcast
booth. Don't miss the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame.
World of Coca-Cola
This kid-friendly museum is dedicated to the world's favorite beverage.
Learn about the history of Coca-Cola, which was developed in Atlanta,
then taste various formulas of the soda from all over the world in the
tasting room.
Zoo Atlanta
Minutes from downtown Atlanta and Turner Field, Zoo Atlanta, founded in
1889, is one of the 10 oldest zoos in continuous operation in the
United States. The Zoo is home to the famous western lowland gorillas
and the giant pandas, including our toddler panda Mei-Lan.
Parks
Centennial Olympic Park
Honoring the 1996 Olympics, this expansive park offers a quiet oasis in
the middle of bustling Downtown Atlanta, though it can become a beehive
of activity with special events and concerts. For a fun, free way to
entertain the kids, let them play in the fountains.
Piedmont Park
Atlanta’s “Common Ground” since 1904, Piedmont Park is located
approximately 2 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. The finish line
for the world-famous Peachtree Road Race, the park is also home to
myriad festivals and concerts include the Screen on the Green and
Dogwood Festival.
Stone Mountain Park
One of Atlanta's most recognizable tourist attractions, this huge
monument covers 25 million square feet and rises 825 feet above the
surrounding area, carved with the likeness of three Confederate heroes.
There is plenty to see and do, including the ever popular laser show,
holiday events, hiking, boating, fishing, and souvenir shopping.
Sporting Events
Braves Baseball
Winners of 14 straight division titles and one World Series
Championship in 1995, the Atlanta Braves are one of the best games in
town. Catch them at Turner Field.
Hawks Basketball
From Pistol Pete to the Human Highlight Film, the Atlanta Hawks are a franchise rich with history and tradition.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta’s NFL team, the Falcons, play in the fall. The Falcons played in the Super Bowl in 1999.
Atlanta Thrashers
Founded in 1997, Atlanta’s pro hockey team played its first game in
2000 and made the playoffs for the first time in 2007.
Shopping
Atlantic Station
A national model for smart growth and sustainable development, Atlantic
Station combines an attractive mix of affordable, middle-income, and
up-scale housing with world-class restaurants, theaters, and retailers.
Lenox Square
Located in Buckhead, Lenox Square is Atlanta’s premier shopping mall.
Anchors include Neiman Marcus and Macy’s. The mall features nearly 250
specialty stores—like Anthropologie, BCBG, Bobby Jones, Burberry,
Brooks Brothers, and Cartier.
Underground Atlanta
Shop below street level while getting your Atlanta souvenirs. Enjoy the spring and summer festivals at Underground.