Atlanta, Georgia's Top Attractions

Georgia Aquarium Luther King Center Zoo Atlanta World Congress Center Science Center Fox Theatre Atlantic Station U.S. Play State University Marietta Square Recreation Area

Six Flags White Water. White Water is the largest waterpark in the South and rated one of The Travel Channel's top 10 water parks in the country. Enjoy nearly 50 attractions including one of the tallest freefall slides in the world, a one-of-a-kind family raft ride, an interactive tree house, a wave pool, and many wet and wild rides and slides. Visit www.sixflags.com/whiteWater.

American Adventures Atlanta. American Adventures is a family theme park for kids, featuring classic amusement rides and attractions, such Rio Grande Railroad, American Revolution Tilt-A-Whirl, Turn of the Century Scrambler, Foam Factory and Main Street Bumper Cars. Enjoy exciting concerts, shows and events, such as KidsFest, Mad Science Days, and Fall Family Festival. Visit www.sixflags.com/parks/aadventures.

Georgia Aquarium. The world’s largest aquarium, this exciting attraction exhibits over 100,000 animals from around the globe and aquatic creatures you have never seen before. The Georgia Aquarium features wondrous sights and attractions, including whale sharks, beluga whales, penguins, and jellies. Touch sharks, rays, anemones and sea stars. Visit www.georgiaaquarium.org.

Underground Atlanta. Underground Atlanta is a lively place where old Atlanta meets new. Located in downtown, this vibrant marketplace is lined with unique shops, eateries, nightclubs, bars and attractions. Browse the shops, or enjoy live music, entertainment, dining and a bustling nightlife scene. There’s an array of dining experiences and funky bars in Kenny’s Alley, which sizzles below the skyline. Visit www.underground-atlanta.com.

Atlanta Motor Speedway. Racing action revs up at Atlanta Motor Speedway, a motor sports venue 20 miles south of Atlanta. AMS is one of the country's top sports and entertainment facilities with a fast 1.54-mile quad-oval track and grandstand for 20,000 fans. The Speedway presents everything from NASCAR, Busch Series, ARCA, Drag Racing and Indy car racing to dog shows and concerts. See the country’s fastest drivers and enjoy weekly themes, contests and activities. Visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.  [Top]

Martin Luther King Center. The King Center is the living memorial to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., leader of America’s greatest nonviolent movement for justice, equality and peace. View unique exhibits that illustrate Dr. King’s life and teachings, and visit the King Center’s Library, Archives, his final resting place, his birth home, and other facilities. Located in Atlanta’s Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, the King Center pays to homage to Dr. King’s life and work for social change. Visit www.thekingcenter.org.

Centennial Olympic Park. Serving as Georgia’s lasting legacy of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, Centennial Park is a 21-acre urban oasis and community space for free concerts, events, and festivals, including the Fourth of July Celebration and Music at Noon. Explore the park’s cascading Water Gardens, Centennial Plaza, Fountain of Rings, interactive fountains with lights and water synchronized to music, and Gateway of Dreams, a sculpture that pays homage to the founder of the modern Olympics. Visit www.centennialpark.com.

Georgia Dome/Atlanta Falcons. Home venue for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and site of the 2007 NCCA Men’s Final Four, the Georgia Dome is the largest cable-supported domed stadium in the world, seating 71,250 spectators. Located in downtown Atlanta, the Dome hosts the Atlanta Football Classic, the SEC Football Championship, Chick-fil-A Bowl and top sporting events. The Dome has hosted many of the largest sporting events in the world - Super Bowl XXVII and XXXIV, and gymnastics and basketball events for the 1996 Olympics. The Dome presents blockbuster concerts, events and trade shows. Visit www.gadome.com or www.atlantafalcons.com.

High Museum of Art. Located in Midtown’s arts district, High Museum of Art is the leading art museum in the South, with 11,000 works of art in its permenant collection, including 19th- and 20th-century American art; European paintings and decorative art; African American art and photography; modern and contemporary art; and African art. Dedicated to collecting works by Southern artists, the High is the only major museum in North America devoted to folk art. Through 2009, the High also presents prestigious works from the Musée du Louvre’s collection. Visit www.high,org.   [Top]

Zoo Atlanta. Located in Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta is one of the 10 oldest zoos in the country, protecting wildlife and providing educational, engaging experiences. One of only four zoos in the U.S. exhibiting giant pandas, Zoo Atlanta also features a preeminent great ape collection, including a rare set of gorilla twins, a world-renowned herpetology department, and Wild Like Me, an innovative play space. Visit www.zooatlanta.org.

Philips Arena. Home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers, Philips Arena is one of North America’s most spectacular major league sports facilities. The exciting event venue, with its unique design elements and interactive attractions, offers a variety of entertainment, including blockbuster concerts, shows and tournaments. Visit www.philipsarena.com.

NEW World of Coca­Cola. Adjacent to Underground Atlanta in a 3-story pavilion, the World of Coca-Cola encompasses the history and progress of the beverage that was created in Atlanta over 110 years ago. From a thrilling 4D cinematic experience to the largest collection of Coke memorabilia to the sampling of 70 different products – there’s a world of Coke to experience. Visit www.woccatlanta.com.

CNN Studio Tour. Experience world news live on a guided CNN Studio Tour offering a dramatic look at the history of the CNN News Group, their coverage of the world-shaping events and state-of-the art studios. The tour includes a re-creation of CNN's main control room where you will see and hear elements of live news and demonstrations of how images are created. The interactive exhibit area lets you view video clips of CNN’s top 100 news stories covered in the past 20 years. Visit www.cnn.com/StudioTour.   [Top]

Georgia World Congress Center. Downtown Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center is one of the world’s premiere convention, sports, entertainment, and meeting facilities. GWCC is comprised of the 3.9 million sq. ft. convention center, the 71,250-seat Georgia Dome and 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park. GCCC encompasses 1.4 million square feet of prime exhibit space, 12 exhibit halls, 106 meeting rooms, 2 ballrooms, 3 auditoriums and landscaped plazas. Events range from international trade shows to outdoor concerts to Atlanta Falcons football. Visit www.gwcc.com.

Atlanta Civic Center. Atlanta Civic Center hosts the world's most highly anticipated productions. Home of the Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Civic Center boasts the largest performance stage in the Southeast, making it a popular venue for diverse productions, concerts, plays, and exclusive events, including Broadway shows, children’s productions, and the hottest musical performers and comedians. In addition to the 4,600 seat theatre, there is 5,800 square feet of meeting space. Visit www.atlantaciviccenter.com.

Stone Mountain Park. With 3,200 acres of natural beauty, Stone Mountain Park features a spectrum of recreation and adventures. Hike 15 miles of wooded trails, climb the 1.3 mile trail to the top of Stone Mountain, or enjoy a skyride to the world's largest carving, depicting heroes of the American Confederacy. Take a train ride around the mountain - the world's largest mass of exposed granite - enjoy a paddlewheel riverboat cruise on Stone Mountain Lake, or tee off on two golf courses. The lawn is transformed into a natural amphitheater for the Lasershow Spectacular with colorful lasers, surround sound, and effects into a light show choreographed to music. Visit www.stonemountainpark.com.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Fernbank presents a world of massive dinosaurs, artifacts, science, wildlife, IMAX films and extraordinary exhibits. Unique exhibitions, such as A Walk Through Time in Georgia, Sensing Nature, and Giants of the Mesozoic, and unique adventures lead you through an exploration of the earth’s history, the physical universe, the environment and human culture. See the Argentinosaurus, a 123-foot long plant-eater from 100 million year ago – the largest dinosaur discovered! Visit www.fernbank.edu.  [Top]

Fernbank Science Center. Fernbank Science Center is a unique educational science resource center, classroom and woodland complex in the suburbs of Atlanta. Tour the 65-acre Fernbank Forest and experience the Exhibit hall’s interpretations of life and physical sciences, frequent traveling exhibits, a vegetable garden and butterfly garden, rose test gardens, a 500-seat Planetarium, the Observatory with a 36-inch reflecting telescope, and electron microscope laboratories. Visit www.fernbank.edu.

Turner Field/ Atlanta Braves. Home of the Atlanta Braves, Turner Field - once home of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games - is an Atlanta landmark and a state-of-the-art ballpark. When the Atlanta Braves hit the field, fans do the tomahawk chop by the 27-foot long neon tomahawk atop the BravesVision video board. The Braves Museum & Hall of Fame features historic artifacts and photographs, and one-hour guided tours. Visit www.braves.mlb.com.

Atlanta Botanical Garden. With 15 acres of landscaped gardens and woodlands in Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Garden features a variety of roses, herbs, rockeries, and Japanese gardens. The children's garden offers interactive exhibits and a stunning orchid center. Visit www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

Woodruff Arts Center. One of the most dynamic centers for the visual and performing arts in the South, the Woodruff Arts Center includes the Alliance Theatre, High Museum of Art, Young Audiences, 14th Street Playhouse and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Visit www.woodruffcenter.org/.   [Top]

Fabulous Fox Theatre. Enjoy theatre, movies, music and dance at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, which opened its opulent doors during the Great Depression. A National Historic Landmark and a Georgia Museum Building, the Fox presents concerts, shows, movies, and artistic events, including the Atlanta Ballet, a summer film series, and Broadway performances. A blend of Moorish and Egyptian style, this magnificent, mosque-like structure boasts minarets, onion domes, and a lavish décor. The 4,678-seat auditorium replicates an Arabian courtyard with a night sky of 96 stars and drifting clouds. Visit www.foxtheatre.org.

Atlanta Cyclorama. The 1864 Civil War Battle of Atlanta is narrated here in the world's largest painting and diorama in the round, complete with music and sound effects. The museum is also home of the “Texas,” a famous Civil War locomotive. Visit www.webguide.com/cyclorama.html

Margaret Mitchell House & Gone With the Wind Museum. Margaret Mitchell House and Gone With the Wind Museum offer a look into the life and career of this renowned author and Atlanta during the three-day gala surrounding the 1939 premier of the famous movie. Visit www.gwtw.org

Atlanta History Center. America's premier history museum, Atlanta History Center includes 4 signature exhibitions and 2 changing exhibition galleries in the Atlanta History Museum, with one of the world’s largest collections of Civil War artifacts, two historic houses - Swan House and Tullie Smith Farm - James G. Kenan Research Center, Grand Overlook event space and 33 acres of gardens. Visit www.atlantahistorycenter.com.   [Top]

Atlantic Station. A city within a city, Atlantic Station is a mixed use community development in midtown Atlanta with a fusion of functional and creative architecture. It combines an attractive mix of housing, world-class restaurants, theaters, and retailers. Many different events and activities take place throughout the year. Visit www.atlanticstation.com.

Georgia International Convention Center. The second largest convention center in Georgia, the Georgia International Convention Center - minutes from Hartsfield International Airport - offers state-of-the-art facilities for meetings, conferences, trade shows, competitions, art exhibitions, and banquets up to 2,000 guests. Visit www.gicc.com.

Chateau Elan Winery. Set inside a16th century-style French chateau, the winery is the largest producer of premium wines in Georgia. Recognized by Wine Spectator for exceptional vintages, Chateau Elan Winery features two restaurants, an art gallery and wine market. For Tours and tastings, visit www.chateauelanatlanta.com/.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield is a 2,888 acre National Battlefield that preserves a Civil War battleground of the 1864 Atlanta Campaign. The park offers 17.3 miles of interpretive walking trails with historic earthworks, cannon emplacements and interpretive signs. Facilities include a museum, gift shop and picnic areas/grills. Visit www.nps.gov/kemo.   [Top]

U.S. Play. Enjoy a 52,000 sq. ft. indoor recreational facility, which includes a private banquet room surrounded by a bowling center with 24 Brunswick lanes, billiards, a video arcade with 150 video games and simulators, a sports bar and a Brew Pub & Restaurant with hand-crafted ales from an in-house brewery. Visit www.usplay.com.

Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History. With membership in the Smithsonian Affiliations Program, the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History features impressive collections and unique exhibits, including a glimpse into the daily lives of Civil War soldiers, a reproduction of a turn-of-the-century locomotive factory, and an exciting depiction of the Civil War’s Great Locomotive Chase. Visit www.southernmuseum.org.

Lake Lanier/Lake Lanier Islands. Nestled on the picturesque shores of Lake Sidney Lanier, Lake Lanier Islands is Georgia’s popular lakeside destination. This 1,100-acre oasis features Harbor Landing marina, 36-holes of championship golf, a beach and waterpark, horseback riding and exquisite spas. With 38,000 acres of water, this gorgeous lake is ideal for sailing, boating, water skiing, jet skiing, fishing, tubing and water sports. Visit www.lakelanierislands.com/.

Town Center Mall. An indoor mall with 220 stores, Town Center at Cobb features stores such as Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Gap, Nine West, Abercrombie, Victoria’s Secret and many top specialty stores. Visit www.shopsimon.com   [Top]

Kennesaw State University. Located on a beautifully landscaped, 183-acre pedestrian campus, the four-year University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of majors. Kennesaw State Owls compete in the Peach Belt Conference in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. Visit www.kennesaw.edu


Al Bishop Softball Complex. This impressive complex features five softball fields with a seating capacity of 700 people. The facility is host to regional and national softball tournaments. Call 770-528-8860.

Cowboys. Enjoy upscale country entertainment in Marietta, featuring national recording acts live on stage and an array of adult beverages. Visit www.cowboysdancehall.com or call 770-426-5006.

Jim R. Miller Park. This beautiful regional park features 2 multi-use buildings, a pond, an equestrian ring, market plaza, and a cross-country track. The Park hosts a number of large outdoor events including the annual North Georgia State fair. Call 770-528-8800.   [Top]

Historic Marietta Square. Highlighted by Glover Park, Historic Marietta Square features the Marietta Welcome Center in a vintage 1898 train depot, the antebellum Kennesaw House, home to the Marietta History Museum, and the Gone With The Wind Movie Museum - Scarlett on the Square. Extending to Root House and the Marietta/Cobb County Museum of Art, Marietta Square offers restaurants, shops and businesses. Visit www.mariettasquare.com.

Road to Tara Museum. Experience the Legendary Land of Gone With the Wind in Scarlett O'Hara's hometown of Jonesboro, Ga. The museum features displays of novel and movie memorabilia, an oil mural depicting scenes from the film, rare photos, a costume gallery, authentic movie props, Civil War artifacts and a fun audio tour. Visit www.visitscarlett.com/attractions.htm.

Sun Valley Beach. Nestled on 40 acres of shady pines and hardwoods, Sun Valley Beach is Georgia's premier water park with 1.5 acres of crystal clear water surrounded by sandy beaches. The Southeast’s largest pool offers 11 waterslides, a dolphin fountain, showering umbrella, lumber jack log roll, diving platforms, and swinging ropes. The beach offers a playground, rental pavilions, picnic areas, grills, concessions and beach lounge chairs. Visit www.sunvalleybeach.com.

Lake Allatoona & Lake Acworth. Easily accessible from Kennesaw, Lake Allatoona and Lake Acworth are spectacular recreation areas that provide a wide array of water sport and outdoor activities. These beautiful lakes are wonderful destinations for boasting, sailing, fishing, swimming, and water skiing.   [Top]

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is a series of parklands stretching 48 miles along the gently-flowing Chattahoochee River, featuring hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, fishing spots and boat and raft launches. Take a walk to enjoy nature’s display, raft through the rocky shoals, fish the misty waters, or enjoy a picnic. Visit www.nps.gov/chat.

Marietta Museum of History. Located on the second floor of the historic Kennesaw House, the Marietta Museum of History houses the city’s extensive historical collections of photographs, artifacts on Marietta and North Georgia. Visit www.mariettahistory.org.

Red Top Mountain State Park. Named for its rich red soils, Red Top Mountain State Park was once an important mining area for iron. Situated on the 12,000-acre Lake Allatoona, Red Top features hiking, swimming, boating, and fishing activities, as well as a lodge and restaurant. Visitors can bring boats or rent from nearby marinas. Visit www.georgiastateparks.org/info/redtop.   [Top]