Atlanta is one of our nation’s great Southern cities, exhibiting a vibrant culture and lifestyle that’s all its own. While visiting be sure to get out and explore the many museums, art galleries, neighborhoods, shopping districts, restaurants and entertainment venues. The following selection only scratches the surface of all this beautiful city has to offer.
Cultural Pursuits
\Whether you enjoy American, European, or Modern and Contemporary styles, Atlanta’s High Museum of Art is a world-renowned institution that aficionados should definitely make part of their itinerary. Devotees of history will find plenty to do, as well.
High Museum of Art—The High Museum is one of the nation’s leading art museums. Founded in 1905 as the Atlanta Art Association, the High Museum of Art was first housed in the family residence of Mrs. Joseph M. High along Peachtree Street. Today the museum is comprised of two separate buildings, with the majority of its main collection—which includes Monet, Tournier, Tiepolo and Ernst, amongst others—housed in the midtown building designed by Richard Meir, and its folk art and photography collections in the Georgia-Pacific Center. The High Museum prides itself on its 11,000-piece collection comprised of American, European, African, decorative and folk art, as well as photography and contemporary works and a top notch schedule of travelling exhibitions. Because it is continually expanding its collection, another building will join the High Museum on the Woodruff Arts Center campus. For a more interactive experience the museum features jazz music on Friday nights and family and youth programs on Thursdays, in addition to other educational programs and guest lecturers. Don’t forget about the Museum Gift Shop which features hundreds of unique items including prints of your favorite Van Gogh pieces, jewelry, posters and more. www.high.org
Atlanta History Center—Founded in 1926, the Atlanta History Center located in Buckhead is an all-inclusive 30-three acre destination featuring the Atlanta History Museum, one of the Southeast’s largest history museums; two historic houses, the 1928 Swan House and the Smith Family Farm; the Centennial Olympic Games Museum; the Kenan Research Center; the Grand Overlook event space; the Coca-Cola Café; a museum gift shop and acres of historic gardens and woodland trails. In addition, the History Center operates the Margaret Mitchell House. Located in Midtown Atlanta, the two-acre campus features tours of the apartment where Margaret Mitchell wrote her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Gone With the Wind,” an exhibit highlighting the life and times of Margaret Mitchell, a “Gone with the Wind” movie exhibit and a gift shop. www.atlantahistorycenter.com
Natural Escapes
Animal lovers can observe creatures from across the globe at Zoo Atlanta, and those swimming its oceans at the Georgia Aquarium. More active individuals can trek up Stone Mountain and witness its amazing laser-light show.
Georgia Aquarium—The Georgia Aquarium opened in 2005 and is the world’s largest aquarium. Occupying more than a half-million square feet on 9.5 acres adjacent to the Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium is home to tens of thousands of animals including 500 species from around the world. The aquarium holds more than 10 million gallons of fresh and marina water and also features more than 60 habitats including 16,000 square feet of viewing windows, topping a total of 328 tons of acrylic. The largest exhibit displayed at the Georgia Aquarium measures 284 feet long x 126 feet wide x 30 feet deep at the maximum depth, holding 6.3 million gallons of water and housing four whale sharks and four manta rays along with thousands of animals. The second-largest exhibit holds 800,000 gallons of water and is home to four beluga whales. Other features include the 4D theater, the Learning Loop and the world-class veterinary services and conservation medicine facility. www.georgiaaquarium.org
Zoo Atlanta—An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta inspires value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family fun. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,500 animals from around the world. A slate of new “up close and personal” experiences opened in spring 2012: giraffe feeding and Wild Encounters, three new behind-the-scenes adventures with African elephants, giant pandas and Komodo dragon. Other highlights include the largest collections of gorillas and orangutans in the U.S. and a global center of excellence for the care and study of vanishing reptiles and amphibians. The zoo is open daily. www.zooatlanta.org
Stone Mountain Park—Located on 3,200 acres of natural beauty, Stone Mountain Park features a wide variety of fun family activities and things to do in the Atlanta area. Amazing adventures await as you discover interactive attractions. Stone Mountain Park activities are suitable for all ages: Experience Geyser Towers, a first and only adventure of its kind where you can play in the spray or stay high and dry. Explore a four-story barn and Sky Hike, an adventure course in the treetops. Take the Skyride to the top of Stone Mountain to get an up-close look at the Stone Mountain Carving and ride a scenic train around the mountain. End your day at the world’s largest laser light show, the Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision featuring a fireworks finale. Private Lasershow terrace seating is available. Stone Mountain Park is open year-round, but attraction hours vary by season. Check hours of operations and events calendar for schedules on the date(s) of your visit. www.stonemountainpark.com
Amusements Abound
Are you a thrillseeker who always sits in the front of the roller coaster car? Then Six Flags Over Georgia is right up your alley, or you can enjoy more sedate pursuits at Atlantic Station.
Six Flags Over Georgia—Get everyone together for a good scream at Six Flags Over Georgia, which offers great rates for groups. Once inside, relax with a catered meal in your own private picnic area. Six Flags is your planning partner—check out the Organization Station to customize your visit. www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia
Atlantic Station—Great boutiques, sidewalk cafes, hip restaurants and a 16-screen IMAX 3D theater are the focus at Atlantic Station, designed to feel like a city within a city. Every week taste the local flavor during Food Truck Fridays. Each summer Central Park hosts open-air artisan markets and screens just-released films. Free shuttles are available from the Arts Center MARTA Station. www.atlanticstation.com
On the Town
To cap off a productive day at Medtrade, head downtown to Underground Atlanta, where there’s no shortage of late-night entertainment. Atlanta is a dining mecca, so check out some of the restaurants listed here—and in our accompanying sidebar, as well—to satisfy your appetite for fun.
Underground Atlanta—Located in the heart of downtown, Underground Atlanta is bustling with activity day or night. Enjoy daily entertainment, fortune telling, homemade candy, delicious dining and souvenir shopping. Learn of Atlanta’s past on the guided history tour, “From Civil War to Civil Rights.” After dark, enjoy clubs and restaurants in Kenny’s Alley for a night of pure entertainment. Experience it all on the original streets of Atlanta. More than six blocks of shopping, dining, history and entertainment. www.underground-atlanta.com
Hot Spots—Atlanta’s hot spots are perfect whether you’re looking to unwind, dance to Top 40 or spot celebrities. In the downtown nightlife scene enjoy drinks and sports at STATS (www.statsatl.com) and Taco Mac (www.tacomac.com) or watch the world turn from the Sun Dial Restaurant Bar & View (www.sundialrestaurant.com). Relax with Wednesday WindDown Centennial Olympic Park or have a taste of drama at Agatha’s–A Taste of Mystery (www.agathas.com). Rock your way to the Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta (www.hardrock.com) to experience exceptional “Love All, Serve All” service and delicious food inside a museum of rock music memorabilia. The Midtown Nightlife district is home to the legendary Opera Atlanta Night Club (www.operaatlanta.com), Sutra Lounge (sss.sutraloungeatl.com), and Loca Luna (www.loca-luna.com) while Peachtree Street offers upscale lounges such as Reign Nightclub (www.reignatl.com). For luxurious Buckhead nightlife visit the Andrew’s Entertainment Complex—Atlanta’s premiere party venue (www.andrewsdistrict.com)—and Havana Club (www.havanaclubatl.com). Be sure to catch the city’s most talented musicians at Dante’s Down the Hatch (www.dantesdownthehatch.com) and the Buckhead Theatre (www.thebuckheadtheatre.com).
Sporting Enthusiasts
Even when your favorite sport isn’t in season, there’s still tons to do in Atlanta, including visiting the Braves Museum & Hall of Fame. Or play a couple of rounds on one of the many fine courses available in and near the city center.
Atlanta Braves Museum & Hall of Fame—The Braves Museum & Hall of Fame (BMHF) is an education and entertainment venue that features more than 600 Braves artifacts and photographs that trace the team’s history from its beginnings in Boston (1871-1952) to Milwaukee (1953-65) to Atlanta (1966-present). It is located on the northwest side of Turner Field at Aisle 134. The museum is open year-round and is the starting point of one-hour guided tours of Turner Field. Tours take visitors to Sky Field; a Braves luxury suite; the press box, broadcast booth, clubhouse (locker room) and dugout; Scouts Alley; and The Museum Store. atlanta.braves.mlb.com
Golf in Atlanta—Atlanta has more than 100 public and private golf courses across the metro area. Enjoy in-town hot spots such as Charlie Yates Golf Course (www.charlieyatesgolfcourse.com). Championship links just outside the perimeter include Stone Mountain Golf Club (www.stonemountaingolf.com), Legacy on Lanier Golf Club (www.lakelanierislands.com), Canongate Clubs (www.canongategolf.com) and the driving range at Foxhall Resort & Sporting Club (www.foxhallsportingclub.com).
Credit: The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.atlanta.net)
Where to Eat
Atlanta’s Top Five Restaurants, according to Atlanta Magazine.
1. Bacchanalia
Features contemporary American cuisine from Chefs/Owners Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison.
1198 Howell Mill Road
404-365-0410
www.starprovisions.com
2. Restaurant Eugene
The approach at Restaurant Eugene is both traditional and urbane, allowing a local, house-made pantry to drive the menu.
2277 Peachtree Road
404-355-0321
www.restauranteugene.com
3. Cakes & Ale
Modeled after Chef Billy Allin’s basic dining philosophy: cook unassuming food using the highest quality ingredients and serve it in a comfortable and welcoming setting.
155 Sycamore Street
404-377-7994
www.cakesandalerestaurant.com
4. Holeman and Finch Public House
The menu is a tip of the hat to the historic recipes that pubs, bistros and Southern kitchens have served for centuries.
2277 Peachtree Road
404-948-1175
www.holeman-finch.com
5. Tomo Japanese Restaurant
Tomo offers the city’s best sushi displayed in artfully sculptural arrangements.
3630 Peachtree Road
404-835-2708
www.tomojapanese.com
Where to Stay
Hotels near Medtrade.
Omni Hotel at CNN Center
* headquarter hotel
404-659-0000
www.omnihotels.com
Atlanta Marriott Downtown
160 Spring Street NW
404-688-8600
www.marriott.com
Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Downtown
133 Carnegie Way
404-222-2416
www.marriott.com
Embassy Suites Atlanta at Centennial Park
267 Marietta Street
404-223-2300
www.embassysuites.com
Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Downtown
161 Spring Street NW
404-589-1111
www.hamptoninn.com
Hilton Atlanta
255 Courtland Street NE
404-659-2000
www.hilton.com
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
265 Peachtree Street NE
404-577-1234
atlantaregency.hyatt.com
Online Resources
The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.atlanta.net
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
www.ajc.com
Atlanta Magazine
www.atlantamagazine.com
