Finding Fun in the A
Whether it’s a stop on your summer road trip or the destination itself, Atlanta is worth the visit. It’s here you’ll find festivals and nightclubs, museums and historical landmarks, sports games and golf courses, boutique shops and antique stores, and a whole lot more.
We’ve compiled this list of some of the best things to do in Atlanta to keep you, your friends, and your family entertained throughout your stay in the Empire City of the South.
Stroll Down Peachtree Street
Starting at the Five Points district in downtown Atlanta and stretching to the Buckhead district, Peachtree Street is one of Atlanta’s most famed thoroughfares. It contains Midtown Mile, a glitzy area positively packed with high-end boutiques.
You’ll also find historical attractions such as Fox Theatre (a theater crafted in Middle Eastern-style), the High Museum of Art, and the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum (dedicated to the author of “Gone With the Wind”). If you’d like a bite and a pint, there’s the Shakespeare Tavern, an honest to goodness British tavern in the heart of the Deep South’s biggest metropolis.
Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
The 35 acres of property located on Auburn Avenue contains multiple exhibits of interest to those who want to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement. Arrive early at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site for a guided tour of King’s birth home before swinging over to the International World Peace Rose Garden.
The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame contains bronze castings of the feet of famous activists, while Ebenezer Baptist Church offers recordings of King’s sermons. Finally, Dr. and Mrs. King’s Tomb marks the final resting place of the man who made his mark on America.
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Scale Stone Mountain Park
For those outdoorsy folks looking for fun things to do in Atlanta, a visit to Stone Mountain Park is a must. Part kitschy Americana and part geographical wonder, Stone Mountain is a giant quartz dome that heaves up out of the ground just east of Atlanta. This brooding rocky monolith serves as home to Stone Mountain Park, a destination positively packed with family-friendly goodness.
Soar nearly 1,000 feet in the air on a gondola. Enjoy an amazing 18-hole miniature golf course. Until the end of February, fly down snow-covered slopes in giant, multi-person intertubes. Above all, though, enjoy the excellent view of Atlanta from this natural wonder.
Build Something Grand at LEGOLAND Discovery Center
If you’re looking to escape the heat or cold, depending on the time of year you’re visiting, the LEGOLAND Discovery Center (3500 Peachtree Road) puts a roof over the California and Florida LEGOLAND parks. It’s one of the best things to do in Atlanta with kids as they can enjoy a pair of rides, as well as dedicated building zones.
They’ll get to test their creations at shuddering earthquake towers, see pint-sized re-creations of cities, and race their own LEGO cars against other kids. There’s even a factory tour so children can see how their favorite building blocks get made. Parents may not find the kid-centric grub at the onsite cafe quite to their liking, but they can take heart knowing their little ones will love it.
Tour CNN Studios
News junkies, rejoice! Atlanta is the home of CNN, the nation’s first round-the-clock news station, and it offers tours of its home studios. Learn how the news comes to television sets all over America by going behind the scenes. See how a green screen works for reporting the weather, ride the world’s longest escalator, and sit behind a phalanx of monitors in the control rooms.
Visit the CNN website for more information. Regular tours start at $15 USD per person for adults, and VIP tours cost $33 USD.
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Sip Away at World of Coca-Cola
World of Coca-Cola may bill itself as a museum, but it’s the tastiest museum you’ll ever enjoy. More than 100 flavors from around the world are on tap at this monument to Atlanta’s very own soft drink. Try sodas from Africa, Italy, India, Greece and Thailand in addition to all of the American standards.
The museum also contains exhibits highlighting Coca-Cola’s history and cultural importance. Meet the Coca-Cola polar bear, see the drink get bottled and buy exclusive merchandise.