Atlanta, Georgia — Sightseeing & Attractions

Related information: Atlanta, Georgia — Overview for Travelers — Weather, Airport, Transportation, Map, Population, Visitor Center etc.

Atlanta Top 10 Sightseeing & Attraction

World of Coca-Cola

The NEW World of Coca-Cola®, in the heart of downtown Atlanta, is the only place where visitors can explore the complete story — past, present and future — behind the world’s best-known brand.

Dedicated to the legacy of John S. Pemberton, who invented Coca-Cola® in 1886, Pemberton lace is now home to the NEW World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. The attractions will soon be joined by a human rights center.

An Enhanced Experience

• More than 1,000 artifacts from around the world that, until now, have never been displayed to the public
• Interactive exhibits that provide guests with an engaging way to learn about the history of Coca-Cola
• 92,000 sq ft facility with more than 60,000 sq ft of guest areas
• Guest visit estimated to average 90 minutes
• Self-directed guest experience with direction from ambassadors and a variety of media

The land for both the center and the Aquarium, valued at about $36 million, was donated by The Coca-Cola Company as part of its long history of commitment to downtown Atlanta.
Pemberton Place also includes 5 acres of beautiful green space open to city residents and visitors. The area features tranquil water gardens that symbolically reference water’s importance to the planet and to The Coca-Cola Company.

The attraction, featuring the world’s largest collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia, traces the century -plus history of Coca-Cola.
Since its grand opening in 1990 at the former location, World of Coca-Cola Atlanta has welcomed nearly ten million visitors and become Atlanta’s most visited indoor attraction.

Address: Pemberton Place, Centennial Park, Downtown Atlanta.

Web: Atlanta Attraction, Museum, & Venue | World of Coca-Cola

Georgia State Capitol

… of Georgia’s capitol, an 1889 building that houses natural science displays, a Hall of Flags and a Hall of Fame honoring outstanding Georgians.
Capitol Avenue at Washington Street

The Georgia Capitol Museum
is a public educational institution housed in the State Capitol building under the administration of the Office of Secretary of State.
The Museum seeks to preserve and interpret the history of the Georgia State Capitol building itself, as well as the events that have taken place within its walls.
To carry out this purpose, the Museum collects, maintains, and exhibits significant artifacts, including historic flags and works of art, within the State Capitol.

The museum is located in downtown Atlanta and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

CNN Center

…plus the studios and newsrooms for CNN’s international networks.
CNN Center also houses eateries and specialty stores, including the Turner Store. Visitors can take a first-hand look at global news in the making on the CNN Studio Tour or participate in Talk Back Live, an interactive television town meeting providing a forum for citizens to speak on issues affecting their lives.
The studio tour features a number of behind-the-scenes demonstrations. Here you’ll learn just how we make images–like weather mapsnappear behind our anchors and correspondents.
An interactive exhibit area where guests can view video clips of the top 100 news stories that CNN has covered during the past 20 years, log on to CNN.com, test their knowledge with the journalism ethics display, and trace the growth of CNN as it parallels world events.
Or put all you learned on the tour to work at the Interactive Area inside The Turner Store.
Here you can make a video of yourself reading the day’s top news stories, or have your picture taken with a variety of Turner personalities on the Studio Chromakey.
Make your visit to the Turner Store complete by picking up a memento from the store’s complete line of news, sports, and entertainment network merchandise.

Centennial Olympic Park

The Park boasts a variety of free, fun-filled, family entertainment throughout the year, including a mid-day, evening and weekend concert series, Family Fun Days, a spectacular Fourth of July Celebration, a Holiday in Lights festival complete with an ice skating rink, unforgettable fountain shows and much more!
To see what’s coming to the Park, visit the Park’s calendar listing.

Web: Centennial Olympic Park – Georgia World Congress Center Authority (gwcca.org)

Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site

Visit The King Center site and Dr. King’s grave, the King birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached.

The surrounding historic ‘Sweet Auburn’ District, centered around Auburn Avenue, was the thriving center of black enterprise in Atlanta from the 1890s through the 1940s.

Just past noon on January 15, 1929, a son was born to the Reverend and Mrs. Martin Luther King in an upstairs bedroom of 501 Auburn Avenue, in Atlanta, Georgia.
The couple named their first son after Rev. King, but he was simply called “M.L.” by the family. During the next 12 years, this fine two story Victorian home is where “M.L.” would live with his parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and their boarders.

The home is located in the residential section of “Sweet Auburn”, the center of black Atlanta.

Two blocks west of the home is Ebenezer Baptist Church, the pastorate of Martin’s grandfather and father. It was in these surroundings of home, church and neighborhood that “M.L.” experienced his childhood. Here, “M.L.” learned about family and Christian love, segregation in the days of “Jim Crow” laws, diligence and tolerance.
It was to Ebenezer Baptist Church that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would return in 1960. As co-pastor with his father, “Daddy King”, Dr. King, Jr. would preach about love, equality, and non-violence.

Address

The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, 449 Auburn Ave, Atlanta

Web: Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Underground Atlanta

At Underground Atlanta, visitors can experience it all: shopping, dining, history and great special events!
You can visit one of the 100 plus vendors that line the cobblestone streets with face painting, magic tricks, fortune telling, toys, food, and accessories. Shopping at Underground Atlanta is like stepping back in time. Stroll down some of the original streets of old Atlanta and see what the more than 100 different stores have to offer at Underground Atlanta. Whether it’s clothing and accessories for a variety of occasions, that great gift for someone special or souvenirs to remember your trip, Underground has it all.

You can also take our guided history tour, enjoy fine dining or attend the Peach Drop, the “Largest New Year’s Eve Party in the Southeast.” There’s something for everyone at Underground Atlanta!

Address:
Peachtree at Alabama Streets

Web: Underground Atlanta

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Add a tour of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to your next vacation. This 15-acre oasis bordering Piedmont Park features rare and endangered tropical and desert plants from around the world in the Fuqua Conservatory.

Delight in over 30 acres of breathtaking gardens, woodlands and more. The Fuqua Conservatory displays rare and endangered plants in tropical and desert environments. The Atlanta Gardens consists of 30 acres of specialty flower gardens, a Woodland Shade garden, a conservation garden and a waterlily pool.
The Children’s Garden brings plant education and interactive entertainment together with its themed gardens.
Other captivating displays in the Botanical Gardens in Atlanta are the Fuqua Orchid Center, Smithgall Arboretum and Art in the Garden.

Events at the Botanical Gardens in Atlanta include Chihuly Nights, Concerts in the Garden, Moon Stroll and the Southeastern Flower Show.

Address:
Piedmont Avenue at The Prado

Web: Atlanta Botanical Garden | Botanical Gardens in Atlanta and Gainesville (atlantabg.org)

Atlanta, Historical Sites and Museums

Atlanta Cyclorama, The 1864 Civil War Battle of Atlanta revolves around visitors in this immense painting in the round, completed in 1885.
Grant Park at Georgia and Cherokee Avenues
Web: Cyclorama: The Big Picture | Exhibitions | Atlanta History Center

Atlanta History Center, Visitors explore ‘Gone With The Wind’ and the Civil War, civil rights and more at the museum, then tour two historic homes, the 1928 Swan House and the Tullie Smith House, an 1840s plantation farmhouse with outbuildings, beautiful gardens and nature trails.
130 West Paces Ferry Rd
Web: Home | Atlanta History Center

Bulloch Hall, Built in 1840, this was the childhood home of Mittie Bulloch, the bride of Theodore Roosevelt Sr. and the mother of President Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States.
180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell, GA
Web: Bulloch Hall | Roswell, GA (roswellgov.com)

Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, A fine arts center located in the Gothic-Tudor mansion built in 1920 for Charles Howard Candler, son of Asa Candler, founder of the Coca-Cola Company and located on 12 acres of sculptured lawns and formal gardens.
980 Briarcliff Rd.
Web: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center – Arts Education, Live Concerts, Weddings

Governor’s Mansion, A Greek Revival-style house with a very fine collection of Federal Period furnishings.
391 West Paces Ferry Rd.
Web: Governor’s Mansion (georgia.gov)

The Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, The apartment where Margaret Mitchell wrote Gone With The Wind has been renovated, while the rest of the building exhibits the book, movie, Atlanta and her life.
999 Peachtree St
Web: Atlanta History Center Midtown | Atlanta History Center

Rhodes Hall, One of the last great mansions on Peachtree Street, this Romanesque Revival house was completed in 1904 and features exquisite stained-glass windows, a winding hand-carved mahogany staircase, beautiful fireplaces surrounded by colorful mosaics and elaborate woodwork and plasterwork on its main floor.
1516 Peachtree St
Web: Home – Rhodes Hall

The Wren’s Nest, The Victorian-era home of Georgia author Joel Chandler Harris, famous for his Uncle Remus tales, features guided tours, special storytelling programs and a museum shop with books and Br’er Rabbit memorabilia.
1050 R.D. Abernathy Blvd
Web: Home – The Wren’s Nest (wrensnest.org)

Stone Mountain Park

The surrounding park of 3,200 acres features swimming, fishing, tennis, golf, sky lift and other activities.
There are two new additions to Stone Mountain Park. Crossroads is a small Georgia town from 1870’s and brings to life, the story, people and crafts-makers of the south.
Inside the new Great Barn, kids will find a gigantic climbing structure with rope nets, mazes, interactive games and a 40-foot ultimate super slide.

At Stone Mountain Park guests can continue to enjoy the traditional favorites at a Stone Mountain Christmas. Activities include the nightly Snowfall & Fireworks Celebration, Live Shows, the Snow Angel, the Train Ride, the nightly grand entrance of Santa Claus, shopping, dining and more.

Stone Mountain Park is Georgia’s most visited attraction, drawing nearly four million guests each year. With over 3,200 acres of natural beauty, the Park is a unique and fun destination where families and friends can enjoy the outdoors together, while experiencing an exciting variety of attractions, entertainment and recreation.
Visitors will travel back in time to the town of Crossroads®, where they’ll meet fascinating townsfolk and skilled crafters who will show them what life may have been like in an 1870s Southern town. Crossroads includes the NEW Camp Highland Outpost, the Treehouse Challenge – Atlanta’s Ultimate Kids’ Adventure, Tall Tales of the South -Georgia’s first 4D theater, The Great Barn® – Atlanta’s largest children’s indoor play experience and live shows & entertainment.

Other favorite attractions include: the Summit Skyride to the top of Stone Mountain (see the world’s largest free standing piece of exposed granite and world’s largest high relief carving,) the Scenic Railroad, the Scarlett O’Hara Paddlewheel Riverboat, the Antebellum Plantation & Farmyard, the Antique Car & Treasure Museum, Discovering Stone Mountain Museum at Memorial Hall and Mini-Golf. Guests will also enjoy the Ride the Ducks™ sightseeing adventure, unique shopping, great dining, two championship golf courses, Marriott hotels, a beautiful campground and more.

Stone Mountain Park is located just 16 miles east of downtown Atlanta. To get to the park, take I-285 to exit 39B, Highway 78 East. Stone Mountain Park is exit #8 on Highway 78.

Address:
Highway 78, Stone Mountain, GA

Web: Stone Mountain Park | Stone Mountain Park