Atlanta Travel Guide
Rich in culture, cuisine and hospitality, Georgia's vibrant capital is widely regarded as one of America's most iconic cities, and is a must for anyone venturing to the South. Those who want a real sense of how the modern US came to be should visit the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site and other quality museums, which showcase why Atlanta is known as the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement. Often called the Hollywood of the South, the destination has plenty of stardust as well, along with a nightlife that offers everything from laid-back lounges to chic and trendy scenes in Midtown. Art enthusiasts will enjoy the acclaimed High Museum of Art; Stone Mountain is only 20 minutes away for lovers of the outdoors.
Best time to visit Atlanta
Spring (March and April) is the ideal time to visit Atlanta, with its pleasant temperatures and cool breezes. Atlanta can be stifling in the summer but, if visitors can beat the heat and humidity, late May through August is a wonderful time to enjoy the best of Atlanta's concerts and outdoor activities. Winters are also good as the weather is mild.
What to see in Atlanta
-Appreciate the views across Atlanta at the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield.
-See talented performers at the Fox Theatre.
-Explore the Fernbank Museum of Natural History and gain insight into the history of the world.
-Admire the Ebenezer Baptist Church; the epicentre of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
What to do in Atlanta
-Go back in time at the Atlanta History Center.
-Take a trip to the Georgia Aquarium and find over 100,000 animals from 500 species.
-Have some fun with the kids at the Imagine It! Children's Museum.
-Visit the World Of Coca-Cola and explore their interactive exhibits.
Beyond Atlanta
Only 50 minutes outside of Atlanta by car, travellers find Madison, a town once voted the best small town in America. Madison has a great Southern atmosphere and is definitely worth the visit. For something a little different, visitors should take a trip southwest (only two hours by car) and explore the Providence Canyon State Park, also known as 'The Little Grand Canyon'. It has over 1,000 acres of deep, rocky canyons and beautiful native vegetation and wildflowers, making for a unique excursion. Of course the Georgia Mountains only a short distance away also offer hundreds of wooded hiking trails, streams, scenic lakes, and camp sites.
Getting there
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is considered the main point of commute in Atlanta. Located 10 miles (16km) south of downtown Atlanta, the airport is easily accessible. There are direct flights available from London, as well as other destinations such as Paris, Toronto, Cancun, Dakar, London, Johannesburg, Seoul, and San Francisco.
Did you know?
-Atlanta is home to varied dialects, accents, and languages due to the diversity of the population.
-The city got its name from railroad engineer J. Edgar Thompson. It's thought to be a shortened version of Atlantica-Pacifica.
-There are over 55 streets in Atlanta with the name 'Peachtree'.
-Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport is truly the busiest airport in the world.