Things To Do On a Trip to Atlanta

The city of Atlanta, Georgia is an exciting and diverse place that offers many fun, exciting, entertaining, adventurous, and educational things to do. If you are planning to visit the city, this page will give you a pretty good idea of what not to miss in the city and some areas outside of the city. Unless you're visiting for a year or so, you won't be able to see everything Atlanta and its surrounding areas have to offer, but we'll touch on several activities and spots that a trip to Atlanta just wouldn't be complete without. From Six Flags Over Georgia and the World of Coke, to Stone Mountain and The Georgia Aquarium, by the time you leave this page, you'll have quite the itinerary!

Photo Credit: http://debchaney.fastpage.name/georgiamapoutline/

The renowned High Museum of Art is a marvel to gaze upon even before you enter the building, as you can see from the picture. Located in Midtown Atlanta, the museum was designed by the famous architect Richard Meier and houses more than 13,000 works of art from around the world. With art from America, Europe and Africa, the High is known as the top art museum in the southeastern United States and is home to folk art, modern and contemporary art, art by self-taught artists, a growing collection of African American art, 19th and 20th century works, and art by very famous artists such as Picasso, Bellini, Monet, and Mary Cassatt (who happens to be an ancestor of mine!). Don't miss this gem when you visit Atlanta!

Don't Miss It!

In this section, we will talk about all there is to do and see at and near Centennial Olympic Park. This includes the park itself, CNN Center, The World of Coca-Cola, and the Georgia Aquarium.

Centennial Olympic Park was the location of the gathering area during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and has since been transformed into a beautiful park area complete with the well-known Olympic rings fountain. Kids and adults alike love to run through the water that squirts out of the ground and, at intervals throughout the day and into the evening, is synchronized with music.

As you stroll through the park drying off from your playtime in the fountains, head over to The World of Coca-Cola where you can enjoy a very large collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia and history. You are able to taste dozens of different types of Coke that are sold all over the globe. As we say down here, "Stay AWAY from the Beverly." You'll see what we mean if you try it.

Right near The World of Coca-Cola is the world's largest aquarium, The Georgia Aquarium. Thousands of marine animals are housed within their beautiful man-made ecosystems and are just waiting to be admired. Every time I think of the Aquarium I envision the stunning jellyfish in an amazing habitat in which they glow spectacularly. At the Georgia Aquarium, you can enjoy sea otter encounters, pet gentle rays that feel like very fine sandpaper, enjoy dolphin shows, and gaze upon penguins, thousands of fish, odd-looking sea horses, sharks, and a myriad of other marine life.

Kind of backtracking a bit to the other end of Olympic Park, you will find the world-famous CNN Center where you are able to take a guided and educational tour into the actual studios. You will see broadcasting as it is happening and discover how the weather news is broadcast every day.

Located a jog to the east in DeKalb County rests the single most important place you must visit when you are in Atlanta - Stone Mountain. Stone Mountain is a breathtaking expression of Mother Nature at her best. It is a massive, solid piece of granite that rises some 800 feet above the ground, but the amazing part is that it stretches even further than that below the ground. It is known as a geographical phenomenon, but also because it features a massive carving depicting three prominent figures of the Confederate States of America: Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Jefferson Davis.

In my opinion, the very best thing to do at Stone Mountain Park is to hike up and down the mountain itself. It doesn't look like it can be done, but it can, even with kids. I'm not saying it is easy, but the experience is truly one you will never forget. Stroll around on the summit of the huge rock and take in its expanse and its beauty while gazing out at breathtaking views in all directions. Super cool.

If you are not interested making the trek up Stone Mountain, take the Summit Skyride that takes you right up to the top. Other various activities abound at Stone Mountain Park, such as the SkyHike, Geyser Towers, fishing, camping, hiking, museum-visiting, golfing, dining, and shopping. In the wintertime the big hill that people sit on to watch the Laser Show (not sure how else to word that) is layered with man-made snow and becomes Snow Mountain. Also, all throughout the year there are celebrations, festivals, and other activities. But DO NOT leave before dark or you'll miss the well-known and very popular Laser Show Spectacular!

When you enter the large park at Stone Mountain, pick up a park map that will guide you to where you want to go. You don't want to just start scaling the face of the mountain if you plan to hike it. There is an entryway that provides a less steep alternative. Here is a very cool interactive map of Stone Mountain Park.

Take the time to watch this brief overview of the Grant Park Area, which includes attractions such as Zoo Atlanta, the amazing Cyclorama, and historical Oakland Cemetery.

Just west of the city you'll find Six Flags Over Georgia. Thrill-seekers will love to find eleven roller coasters inside this largest theme park in the southeastern United States. The Goliath (pictured), Daredevil Dive, and the Sky Screamer are just three of the heart-stopping thrill rides you will enjoy at the park. There is also plenty of fun for kids of all ages, including an amazingly fun water area called Skull Island that will soak you to the bone, which is good because they don't call us Hotlanta for nothin.

This video touches upon many things we already have mentioned, but it goes over a few others such as The Varsity, the famous Fox Theatre, and The Fernbank Museum.

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