Atlanta Attractions

The Atlanta Botanical Garden offers a lovely space with a variety of well laid out gardens. The idea for the garden was presented in the early 1970s and by the early 1980s the garden saw its first visitors. Over the decades since it opened the complex has gradually expanded with new gardens, new features, and new programs.

The Botanical Garden is a great place year round, with something always in bloom. Spring is, of course, an amazing time with a riot of colors. Some of the highlights include the Orchid Display House in the Fuqua Orchid Center, the Rose Garden, the Winter Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Conservation Garden, and the Desert House, to name just a few. What there is to see will depend somewhat on the time of year you are visiting. However, the indoor gardens are always pleasant to wander through.

The Atlanta History Center is a large complex that comprises the Atlanta History Museum, Centennial Olympic Games Museum, Swan House, Smith Family Farm, and the Kenan Research Center, along with a number of historic gardens. The History Museum features changing exhibitions and a permanent collection with topics such as the American Civil War, Folk Art of the South, and various other exhibits related to the history of Atlanta.

The historic houses range in age from the 1860s to the 1920s and offer a glimpse of life during these time periods. The Margaret Mitchell House contains the apartment where this author wrote Gone With the Wind. The guided tour includes a look at this room as well as a brief film and exhibition on Margaret Mitchell.

The six historic gardens include both natural areas and formal gardens. The Frank A. Smith Rhododendron Garden is a delight in spring when the rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom. Visitors can also see an 1860s style garden at the Tullie Smith Farm.

Check with the History Center to learn about upcoming temporary and traveling exhibitions.

Opened in 1992, Fernbank Museum of Natural History portrays the natural history of Georgia as well as technical and scientific phenomena with the aid of modern techniques. Some of the most eye catching exhibits at the museum are the huge dinosaur statues at the entrance and the dinosaur skeletons in the Great Hall. Perhaps more entertaining are the interactive displays of the "Sensing Nature". There are many other interesting exhibits on the natural history of the local landscape and cultures from other parts of the world. Note that the floors are made of limestone tiles with embedded fossils.

A huge gallery is dedicated to special exhibitions of temporary and traveling exhibits. There is also an IMAX theater showing nature related movies, as well as an on sight Star Gallery.

The Historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta began as six acres in 1850. It was originally designed as a garden cemetery. Over the years, particularly during the time of the Civil War, the site grew, accommodating those killed on the battlefield. Eventually the cemetery came to encompass 88 acres. A green house was added and in the 19th C the cemetery was well tended. In 1884 the cemetery stopped selling plots. Eventually this once lovely cemetery fell into disrepair as those tending the plots moved away or died.

In 1976 Oakland Cemetery was declared a National Historic Landmark and the Historic Oakland Foundation was established. In combination with the city the organization has done much work to maintain the cemetery. Today it is promoted as a historic cemetery and parkland with gardens, sculptures, and wildlife. There is even a Visitor Center and Museum Shop.

Located just a short distance northeast of downtown Atlanta, Piedmont Park is the oldest and largest park in the Atlanta metro region. The grounds were originally part of the Battle at Peachtree Creek during the Civil War.

In 2006 plans were drawn up to update and revitalize the park; a plan which resulted in a lovely new look for Piedmont Park. The former bathhouse which served as a locker room was transformed in the Greystone, a lovely lake front venue which can now be used for weddings, receptions, and other events. The overhaul of the pool area, which is now the Piedmont Park Aquatic Center, led to the expansion of Piedmont Park and has been well received since opening in 2009. Other additions include the Legacy Fountain, the Magnolia Greenway, new bridges, fishing piers, and restored natural areas with trails and walkways.

The park also hosts various events from musical entertainment to fitness programs. Check the calendar to see what's happening.

The Fox Theatre was built in the 1920s as the Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque, with an extremely posh Arabian-themed design. It has had a varied history, with problems during the Great Depression, but has always been a much loved landmark building since its construction. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The interior of the theatre has seen considerable restoration work over the years in an attempt to maintain its original elegance, including the repair and restoration of the furniture collection to preserve its 1929 appearance.

Performances at the Fox include diverse entertainment options such as operas, ballet, rock concerts, and movies, with hundreds of performances each year. In addition to the theatre, there are two ballrooms, the Egyptian Ballroom and the Grand Salon. Both of these have been beautifully restored and are available for special events.

The origin and history of the Atlanta Braves is displayed at the Ivan Allen Jr. Braves Museum & Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Beginning with the teams history in Boston and later Milwaukee the museum presents various artifacts such as games bats, uniforms and the 1955 World Series trophy. There are all kinds of photos in the museum as well as a video presentation. Don't miss the Hall of Fame to learn about some of the sport's greatest athletes.

Visitors can take a guided tour of Turner Field which begins at the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame. Tours generally last about one hour and take in all the major highlights, such as the Coca-Cola Sky Field, Scouts Alley, the Broadcast Booth, the Press Box, Clubhouse, and various other locations.

The museum can be found on the northwest side of Turner Field. Tours are available year round and begin on the hour.

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.

The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center in Atlanta features contemporary works of art by local, regional, national, and international artists. Four exhibition periods are presented annually, as well as regular education opportunities geared toward artists and collectors.

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 Carter Presidential Center and Museum of the Jimmy Carter Library in Atlanta has more than 27 million documents, photographs and other artifacts regarding the Carter administration.

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

The Center for Puppetry Arts is a hands-on museum with over 1,000 puppets on display. There are puppets from around the world such as Chinese hand puppets and African rod puppets. Other exhibits include posters, videos and photographs about puppetry. The Center offers a range of productions, from the Family Series performances to New Directions Series performances, which are designed for teen and adult audiences and feature more sophisticated themes.

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area stretches for 48mi/77km and provides recreational activities such as fishing, hiking, picnicking, and boating, as well as a chance to interact with nature. The park contains historic sites and Native American archeological sites.

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

The Georgia Capitol Museum is housed in the State Capitol building. The history of the Capitol Building as well as events that have occurred within are highlighted. The museum began in 1889 when a display of minerals, plants and soils from all over Georgia was put on display.

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

Hammond House Galleries is housed in an 1857 Atlanta house. The museum displays works by African American artists.

Atlanta's international airport (Hartsfield Airport), 10 mi. south of the city centre, is the second busiest airport in the United States and in the world after Chicago O'Hare (over 63 million passengers in 1996).

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.

An exhibit of Martin Luther King Jr's personal memorabilia and the King Center's Library are available for visitors to the Martin Luther King Jr Center for Non-violent Social Change in Atlanta.

The Michael C Carlos Museum of Emory University has the largest collection of ancient art in the Southeast with objects from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Near East, and the ancient Americas.

The Museum of Design Atlanta is an affiliate of the Washington-based Smithsonian Institution. The museum is devoted to the study and celebration of all things design. MODA examines how design affects our daily lives through engaging exhibitions such as architecture, industrial and product design, interiors and furniture, graphics, and fashion.

The National Museum of Patriotism explores the history of patriotism.

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 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.

Six Flags over Georgia features more than 100 rides, including a triple-loop roller coaster. Musical shows and strolling groups, as well as audience participation.

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.

This William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum in Atlanta is a tribute to Jewish history, especially the Atlanta Jewish experience.

The Wren's Nest in Atlanta is a 19th-century farmhouse that once belonged to Joel Chandler Harris, the author of Brer Rabbit and Uncle Remus stories. Uncle Remus stories made Harris a very popular American writer in the 19th and 20th centuries, and into present day. The Queen Anne Victorian home, which became a museum in 1913, features thousands of artifacts from the Harris family, who lived there from 1881 until 1913. Harris' wife, Esther LaRose, kept the author's bedroom intact after his death. Aside from cleaning and wallpaper repair, it is almost completely untouched to this day.

Originally called "Snap Bean Farm," the house was renamed to Wren's Nest after wrens made a nest in the mailbox 120 years ago. If visiting in the spring, you might see that wrens still make nests in the mailbox.

The Wren's Nest has a large yard with picnic tables and a storytelling garden; visitors are encouraged to picnic on the grounds.