Atlanta: Spend Time in the Thriving Capital of the South

I have lived in Atlanta, Georgia since 1994, and I love it here. Atlanta has everything a world-class city should offer: fabulous shopping, great dining, major league sports teams, family attractions, and lots of history.

While Atlanta is one of the top picks for convention-goers, it’s pretty much off the radar for many vacationers. Although Atlanta isn’t a vacation mecca like New York and Las Vegas are, the city has plenty to keep leisure visitors busy and entertained.

When you first settle in Atlanta, you may want to head downtown to Westin Peachtree Plaza, or specifically the Sun Dial restaurant at the top. You’ll see breathtaking panoramic views of Atlanta as the restaurant slowly turns. Visiting the Sun Dial is a way to combine a satisfying meal with orienting yourself to Atlanta.

If Atlanta had one attraction not to be missed, it would be the incredible Georgia Aquarium. At just 5 years old, the Aquarium was a gift from Bernie Marcus, one of the two founders of The Home Depot. It is the largest aquarium in the world and its 8 million gallons of water are inhabited by more than 100,000 animals representing 500 species from around the world. It is made up of 5 impressive exhibits.

The Georgia Aquarium is located in the area that was the epicenter of the 1996 Summer Olympics, which were a catalyst for the neighborhood’s transformation. Across the street from the Aquarium is the new World of (a world famous soft drink). This is, in effect, a museum, with memorabilia that traces the history of the legendary drink. The building also features state-of-the-art video and interactive exhibits. You’ll enjoy the Happiness Factory Theater, which offers a glimpse into the magic in the bottle, and Bottle Works, which offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on the bottling process.

While you’re in the neighborhood, take a tour of the biggest name in the news, CNN. It is also the largest news gathering operation in the world. While much of CNN’s programming now originates from New York, Atlanta’s CNN Center is home to CNN, CNN International, Headline News, and CNN en Español. The 50-minute tour offers an inside look at how the 24-hour news process happens.

The CNN Center is located across from Centennial Olympic Park, where people with and without Olympic event tickets had an authentic Olympic experience during the 1996 games. The park links the main part of downtown with the once neglected neighborhood that now occupies the Georgia Aquarium and the World of (that famous soda).

Another attraction that Atlanta has become world famous for is a short drive from Centennial Olympic Park, the Martin Luther King, Jr.National Historic Site.The site includes the birthplace of Dr. King, the Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King center. While in the area, visit Sweet Auburn Market for a delicious lunch from the market vendors.

If shopping is on your agenda, your destination should be Buckhead, home to two of the best malls in the country, Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza. Some of the top stores found in these prime locations include Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Macy’s, and Neiman Marcus. Buckhead also has some of the best restaurants in Atlanta.