Atlanta-Georgia
When people plan to go on vacation in the United States, it is easy to think of obvious locations like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles. Even cities like Denver and New Orleans get a great deal of publicity and acknowledgement; however, Atlanta, Georgia is a forgotten gem in the heart of the South. There are many great activities and sites to see in this city known for its lush green treetop-lined ceiling. Another perk of Atlanta is its accessibility. Home to one of the busiest airports in the world, there are many low-priced tickets to hop on a flight and explore this city. Read on to find more information on what to do while exploring Atlanta.
Georgia Aquarium
Opened in 2005, the Georgia Aquarium is a fantastic facility full of many amazing animals, exhibits and shows. Containing around 120,000 fish and other creatures, this aquarium has state of the art viewing areas and tunnels to make you feel as if you are in the ocean with these animals. They produce three spectacular dolphin shows a day that are included with general admission, as well as a 4D movie experience. This aquarium has many special features and opportunities to go behind the scenes with the trainers, and really encompasses fun for the whole family.
Piedmont Park
Atlanta, known for its great deal of green space, has a large 189-acre urban park located within the city. Originally planned to be used as an exclusive club and racing ground for horse enthusiasts, it was later decided that the park would accommodate fairs and expositions. It has since garnered a rich history, holding many famous rivalry baseball and football games. Since its opening, the park has gone through many expansions, and most recently an expansion of the north side of the park which started in early 2013.
Historic Martin Luther King Jr. Sites
Atlanta is also the birthplace and final resting place of one of the prominent American leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. The birthplace and childhood home of Martin Luther King Jr., located in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood, now houses a small collection of artifacts and a theater. The church and burial site are also spectacular and interesting places to visit, rich with history. The reflecting pool and raised crypt offer a picturesque location where people come daily to pay their respects to this history changer.
The Fox Theatre
The Fox Theatre, also known as the Fabulous Fox, is the centerpiece of the Fox Theatre Historic District in Midtown Atlanta. Originally, the project was planned to be a Shrine Temple, which is reflected in its Moorish design. Then developed as a movie theater, the Fox Theatre now hosts many different performances including concerts and Broadway shows.
Theme Parks
If you are looking for something more exciting to get your blood pumping, there are plenty of amusement parks for all ages. Six Flags Over Georgia is a 100-acre park packed with over 40 rides to enjoy all day. Legoland is another fun place to spend the day with rides and unique sculptures built solely of the small children’s toy.
Colleges & Universities
Atlanta boasts the largest concentration of colleges and universities in the Southern United States, including Georgia State, Georgia Tech, and Emory College, making it a great place for entertainment and sports. Due to this great location and abundance of universities, the College Football Hall of Fame is in the process of moving from South Bend, IN to Atlanta, and will be open in 2014.
Underground Atlanta
Underground Atlanta is just a few blocks away from the city center, and has many great shops and restaurants to enjoy. This bustling area is known for attracting food trucks, live music, and many other local events and festivals. This is the perfect place to enjoy a nice dinner on the town from one of the many award-winning restaurants throughout Underground Atlanta.
If you only make it to one or two of these suggested areas, you are bound to find many other exciting things to see in Atlanta and the surrounding area. Not only will you be wowed with the great history that lingers throughout the city, but the up-and-coming culture as well. Atlanta really has it all, from thrilling amusement parks to relaxing green space where you can simply enjoy a stroll.
