Atlanta, Georgia - Attractions

Museums

• High Museum of Art — The High Museum of Art is the leading art museum in the southeast, where visitors can expect a broad, diverse selection of art comprising 19th/20th century American, European, African and African-American paintings, decorative arts, photography, and modern and contemporary art.

• Fernbank Museum of Natural History — This education museum includes exhibition galleries and an IMAX Theatre. Special features include displays of Argentinosaurus, the largest dinosaur ever unearthed and Giganotosaurus, the largest meat-eater ever discovered. Fernbank also features Martinis & IMAX, one of Atlanta's most popular "after five" events available every Friday, January through November from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta — Located near Centennial Olympic Park, Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta features hands-on, colorful exhibits and activities, in which children can look, listen, touch and explore as they learn how things work in their world.

• Jimmy Carter Library and Museum — One of ten presidential libraries administered by the National Archives & Records Administration and the only one in the Southeast, the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum includes photographs, historical memorabilia from his presidency, an exact replica of the Oval Office, a permanent exhibit of significant events during Carter’s life and political career and the permanent home of the former president’s Nobel Peace Price awarded in late 2002.

• William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum — Through its exhibitions, publications, and resources, the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum of the Atlanta Jewish Federation explores Jewish heritage in general and as it relates to other cultures and religions.

Other

• Atlanta Ballet — The Atlanta Ballet, founded in 1929, is the oldest professional dance company in America, the largest self-supported arts organization in Georgia and the official Ballet of Georgia. The company's performances combine contemporary and traditional styles with classic ballets and new choreography. Its annual season is presented at the fabulous Fox Theatre, including the holdiay season favorite "The Nutcracker."

• Atlanta Botanical Gardens — This peaceful oasis includes 30 acres of garden, an urban forest, wildflower trails, the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory and a 10,000 square-foot Fuqua Orchid Center. The Garden also offers visitors a wealth of year-round special events, exhibits, and educational workshops.

• Atlanta Opera — Atlanta's love affair with opera has spanned over 125 years of the city's history. Founded in 1979, the Atlanta Opera has won numerous awards both nationally and locally.

• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra — The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is recognized for its creativity and innovation internationally. It is also known as a wonderful training ground for musicians who go on to stellar careers with other orchestras. Regular performances can be caught at the new Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.

• Atlanta University Center and the Historic West End — The Vine City area of Atlanta holds the country's largest concentration of African-American colleges dating back to the post-Civil War era- often referred to as the Atlanta University Center. The Historic West End community dates back to the 1830s and features restored period homes and Victorian cottages.

• Theatre Galore — Atlanta has one of the most impressive theater communities in the United States with more than 65 active performance groups. Metro theatres present a variety of new and old works: Broadway musicals through Broadway in Atlanta, and Theater of the Stars, inprovisation, southern themes, political and human issues, contemporary, classic and, of course, Shakespeare. Check out Alliance Theatre, Dad's Garage, Georgia Shakespeare Theatre, Fox Theatre and Theatre in the Square.

• Georgia State Capitol — Native gold from Lumpkin Coutny tops the dome of the Georgia State Capitol Building. This restored 1889 building houses a museum which collects, maintains and exhibits significant artifacts, including a priceless collection of Georgia's state flags.

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and Sweet Auburn District — This area served as the thriving center of black enterprise in Atlanta from the 1890s through the 1940s and is the birthplace of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visitors can explore his birth home, the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King Center, where Dr. King's Nobel Prize is on exhibit. The crypt and gravesite of Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, are also located at the King Center.

• Piedmont Park — Founded in 1904 and comprised of more than 180 acres, Piedmont Park is situated between 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue in Midtown. The park features woods, sports fields, Lake Clara Meed, picnic spots, walking and skating paths and annual events including the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and Bark in the Park.

Itineraries

• One day in Atlanta — This busy one-day tour will show you the many sides of Atlanta.
• Old South and New South — This tour takes you through the old historical sides of Atlanta and the new rapidly growing areas with postmodern architecture and technology, as well as unique culture.
• "Gone with the Wind" and the Civil War — Although the movie premiered more than 65 years ago, "Gone with the Wind" still inspires curiosity about Atlanta and the Southern way of life.
• African-American History Civil Rights and Beyond — This tour takes you to all the major locations that influenced the Civil Rights movement in Atlanta during the 1960s.
• Only in Atlanta — This three day itenerary highlights only a few attractions, but prepare for sensory overload as you visit the sites seen only in Atlanta.
• Family Fun — The kids will have a ball in Atlanta. From puppets to roller coasters, kangaroos to dinosaurs, there is plenty to see and do for the whole family.