Atlanta is a lively southern city with plenty of attractions, activities and old southern charm. This hometown of Martin Luther King Jr. hosts both excellent shopping, lively cultural scene, vibrant nightlife, museums, big concerts, theme parks and many other great attractions such as the world’s largest aquarium and the Stone Mountain Park that are sure to entertain both shopaholics, history buffs, theater enthusiasts and families having a vacation in Atlanta.
Southern metropolis known also as Hotlanta, Atlanta is the capital of the state of Georgia, located in the southeast of the US. Atlanta has the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States and is one of the fastest growing cities in the developed world. The city was founded in the early 1800s following the construction of a railroad. Much of the city was burned in 1861 during the American Civil War, but Atlanta was fast to re-emerge from the ashes. Today, Atlanta is a major business center with fair amount of tourism and has even hosted the Olympic Games in 1996. With a majority of African American population, Atlanta still retains much of its old southern characteristics.
Culture & recreation. Piedmont Park in Midtown area hosts many cultural events and festivals in Atlanta, and the historic West End area offers some nice architecture from the 1800s. Atlanta also has an opera, a zoo, a botanical garden, a ballet, great variety of theaters and a symphony orchestra. You can also find a great variety of large concerts in Atlanta. Stone Mountain east of Atlanta is a large recreational area with a variety of outdoor activities from hiking and climbing to camping. There are also many golf courses in Atlanta, and 16 more recreation areas along the Chatahoochee River flowing through Atlanta that are nice for canoeing, biking and many more activities.
Southern metropolis known also as Hotlanta, Atlanta is the capital of the state of Georgia, located in the southeast of the US. Atlanta has the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States and is one of the fastest growing cities in the developed world. The city was founded in the early 1800s following the construction of a railroad. Much of the city was burned in 1861 during the American Civil War, but Atlanta was fast to re-emerge from the ashes. Today, Atlanta is a major business center with fair amount of tourism and has even hosted the Olympic Games in 1996. With a majority of African American population, Atlanta still retains much of its old southern characteristics.
Sights and activities in Atlanta: Historical attractions, museums, parks & shopping
Atlanta is home to a great deal of interesting attractions ranging from excellent museums and historic sites to Stone Mountain, CNN Center, New World of Coca-Cola and Six Flags Over Georgia theme parks and Georgia Aquarium, which is the biggest of its kind in the world. Shopping in Atlanta is excellent in the downtown shopping centers like the historic Underground Atlanta, or in the hip neighborhoods of Buckhead and Little Five Points. The many museums in Atlanta cater for a great variety of interests from history and arts to nature and business. Atlanta’s Downtown area houses the state capitol, the city hall and many more historic buildings, as well as the Centennial Park with many of the attractions listed above, whereas Midtown area is a modern business district with many nightlife opportunities.Culture & recreation. Piedmont Park in Midtown area hosts many cultural events and festivals in Atlanta, and the historic West End area offers some nice architecture from the 1800s. Atlanta also has an opera, a zoo, a botanical garden, a ballet, great variety of theaters and a symphony orchestra. You can also find a great variety of large concerts in Atlanta. Stone Mountain east of Atlanta is a large recreational area with a variety of outdoor activities from hiking and climbing to camping. There are also many golf courses in Atlanta, and 16 more recreation areas along the Chatahoochee River flowing through Atlanta that are nice for canoeing, biking and many more activities.
Atlanta travel information and practical tips
Atlanta has a humid subtropical climate with hot,
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humid summers and mild winters with occasional snowfall. As the city is located on a high elevation plateau, its climate is cooler than in many other cities in the South of the US. There is some rainfall throughout the year, especially in late winter and early spring, and remnants of hurricanes bring heavy rains and winds during the late summer months.
Traveling to Atlanta is easy in a variety of ways. There is a large international airport with regular flights to Atlanta from many parts of the US and around the world. You can also travel to Atlanta by train from many cities in the South and East coast of the US, or by bus or private car from all over the country.
Public transport in Atlanta is offered by rapid rail and bus networks. Taxis are available and recommended at night, but you should call them in advance. You can get around easily by walking in Downtown, Midtown and a few other pedestrian-friendly areas in Atlanta. Car rental in Atlanta is a convenient way to travel in the outer areas of the city.
Services for visitors. There is a large amount of hotels in Atlanta, representing a good variety from small inns to large conference hotels. Restaurants in Atlanta offer plenty of choice from fine dining and Southern specialties to inexpensive Asian and Latin American restaurants. Nightlife in Atlanta is lively with a great variety of entertainment options.
Safety. Atlanta is a fairly safe city to visit, but as elsewhere in the US, it contains some neighborhoods that have high rates of crime and should be avoided. The southwest and southeast parts of Atlanta fall into this category, while Downtown and Midtown areas are perfectly safe. Traveling out of these central areas of Atlanta at night is safer with a taxi or a rental car.
