Downtown, Atlanta

At the point where two covered shopping malls now meet (Alabama St., between Peachtree St. and Central Ave.) there once stood the terminus of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, the nucleus of the present city. During the Civil War there was an assembly point for wounded here. Since 1865 this area has lain below the present street level. For many years it was hidden and forgotten; then in the 1980s, when its possibilities were realised, it was restored in period (1880-1900) style and reopened in 1989. The underground passages, enlivened by musicians, entertainers and street traders, are now occupied by restaurants and over a hundred shops and boutiques.The area covered six city blocks. Some of the annual highlights include the St. Patrick's Day Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Peachtree Latino Festival and Peach Drop, the southeast's largest New Year's Eve celebration.There is also a guided history tour called Civil War to Civil Rights.

Visiors on the CNN Studio Tour take a guided tour of the state of the art studio, find out about news coverage, and learn more about the CNN News Group.Visitors get an up-close, in-depth look at global news in the making. The Inside CNN Atlanta Studio Tour takes you behind the scenes with the inventors of 24-hour news. Inside CNN Atlanta is a 55-minute guided walking tour offering guests an glimpse of newsgathering and broadcasting from the studios of CNN.

The Peachtree Center, a futuristic complex of tower blocks designed by John Portman (between Baker St., Ellis St., Williams St. and Courtland St.), with the world's tallest hotel, rises to varying heights between 302 ft and 722 ft. With numerous offices and a wide variety of shopping, dining and entertainment facilities, it forms a second city centre. Westin Peachtree Plaza is the tallest hotel in the United States; the fantastic atrium of the Hyatt Regency should also be seen.

The Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta features gold leaf covering the exterior dome. It was built in 1889 and houses natural science displays, the Hall of Flags and a Hall of Fame that honors outstanding Georgians.The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Atlanta Civic Center offers theatre and stage productions, live media broadcasts, and concerts and comedy shows. It is now called the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center after an Atlanta donor.

Herndon Home in Atlanta is a memorial to the Herndon family. The family achieved a rise from slavery in Georgia to leadership of the nation's African-American business community. The home is a National Historic Landmark.

The Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta features everything from concerts, company picnics, and weddings, to major festivals.

The Fortson State Archives and Records Building in Atlanta is home to historical exhibits, Civil War records, and state documents.

The Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta has more than 950,000 square feet of exhibit space and 76 meeting rooms.

The Philips Arena in Atlanta is the home of the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers. Tours are available of the press boxes, luxury suites and locker rooms.

The Science & Technology Museum of Atlanta, called Scitrek, lets visitors explore how technology has changed our lives and how it will change our lives.