ATLANTA is a relatively young city: only incorporated in 1847, it was little more than a minor transportation center until the Civil War, when its accessibility made it a good site for the huge Confederacy munitions industry – and consequently a major target for the Union army. In 1864 Sherman's army burned the city, an act immortalized in Gone with the Wind. Recovery after the war took just a few years: Atlanta was the archetype of the aggressive, urban, industrial "New South," furiously championed by "boosters" – newspaper owners, bankers, politicians and city leaders. Industrial giants who based themselves here included Coca-Cola, source of a string of philanthropic gifts to the city. Heavy black immigration to Atlanta increased its already considerable black population and led to the establishment of a thriving community centered around Auburn Avenue.
Very few of Atlanta's buildings predate 1915, and nothing at all survives from before 1868. Its characters, on the other hand – politicians and newspaper people – have changed little, and the "booster" tradition has continued to the present, peaking spectacularly when Atlanta won the right to host the 1996 Olympics. The bid to convince the world of the city's prosperity and sophistication was led by city leaders such as ex-mayor Andrew Young (the first Southern black congressman since Reconstruction, who became Carter's ambassador to the UN) and flamboyant former CNN magnate Ted Turner.
Today's Atlanta is at first glance a typical large American city. Its population has reached 3.5 million, and urban sprawl is such a problem that each citizen is obliged to travel an average of 34 miles per day by car – the highest figure in the country. Cut off from each other by roaring freeways, bright lights and an enclave mentality, its neighborhoods tend to have distinct racial identities – broadly speaking, "white flight" was to the northern suburbs, while the southern districts are predominantly black. That said, the city is undeniably progressive, with little interest in lamenting a lost Southern past. Since voting in the nation's first black mayor, Maynard Jackson, in 1974, it has remained the most conspicuously black-run city in the US, and an estimated 200,000 black fami lies streamed in from states further north in the 1980s alone. The Olympics may not have been the triumph Atlanta so eagerly anticipated – even before the Centennial Park bombing tarnished the event itself, years of disruption and grandiose construction projects had left many Atlantans wondering whether the city had lost more than it gained – but with its ever-increasing international profile, cosmopolitan blend of cultures and hip local neighborhoods, the spirit and dynamism of modern Atlanta is a far cry indeed from its much-mythologized Deep South roots.
Atlanta Reccommended Tours
From Olympics and sports, to a tour of Atlanta's historical landmarks, your visit will allow you to experience how Atlanta connects residents and visitors alike to the culture and history of the new South. For the business minded traveler, you can tour one of the banking centers of the world, as Atlanta is the headquarters for 13 Fortune 500 companies. In addition, Atlanta is home to some of the most prestigious universities, theaters, and museums in the nation. Your time spent in Atlanta will be a memorable one as you venture from Downtown to attractions outside the city.
Centennial Olympic Park
The Visitors Center at Centennial Olympic Park is a good place to start any visit to Atlanta. The site of the tragic Olympic bombing in 1996, the park now features a memorial, ringed fountains whose displays are choreographed to music, and a column of flags honoring past Olympic hosts. Across the street stands the state-of-the-art Georgia Dome , home of the Falcons and Super Bowl XXXIV, as well as Philips Arena , where basketball's Atlanta Hawks and hockey's Atlanta Thrashers play their home contests. Facing these two imposing structures is yet another: the CNN Center , headquarters to Ted Turner's media empire. Enjoy a 45-minute behind-the-scenes tour, which can be booked from the website. From CNN, walk along Marietta Street east to Peachtree, go south a few blocks to Capitol Avenue, then follow it west to the corner of Capitol and Washington, for a 45-minute guided tour of the State Capitol . Built in 1889, the 75-foot golden dome crowns one of the most beautiful government buildings in the Southeast. Before you leave the area check out the Peachtree Center where you can grab a bite to eat at Azio-Downtown.
World of Coca-Cola Museum
Atlanta-based soft drink giant Coca-Cola is never really out of sight in the city, and nowhere is that more true than at the interactive World of Coca-Cola Museum . Just beyond Centennial Olympic Park is Underground Atlanta , an enclosed 12-acre facility that now boasts over 100 stores and restaurants. While you shop, keep an eye out for the marker that denotes the location of the original last stop of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, from which the city got its original name: Terminus. Between the World of Coca-Cola and Underground Atlanta is Ted's Montana Grill , a great place for American fare. In addition, the Georgia Aquarium and Museum of Design Atlanta are both located close by and definitely worth a visit. One word of caution: Downtown Atlanta is primarily a business district, and the area largely shuts down after dark. While not explicitly dangerous, downtown at night is not the safest place to be.
Historic Virginia Highland
This 1900s vintage district is home to many galleries and specialty shops. Stroll south along Highland Avenue and enjoy a half-mile stretch of one of Atlanta's most charming residential districts, which features a diverse showing of late 19th and early 20th century architecture. As you approach Virginia Avenue and the neighborhood's namesake intersection, browse an array of boutiques featuring everything from folk art to high fashion. Here you will also find George's Restaurant & Bar , a great place to stop in for lunch, dinner, or a drink. Next, the Jimmy Carter Center features 30 acres of gardens and lakes, a commanding view of the downtown skyline, and more than 27 million pages of documents, correspondence and photos from the Carter administration. Backtracking along Highland to Ponce de Leon, turn right and head east into one of Atlanta's loftiest zip codes. Your final stop is the Fernbank Museum of Natural History at 156 Heaton Park, just half a block off Ponce. This unique building is set on 65 acres of wooded grounds and rolling lawns, and also houses a planetarium, science center and IMAX theater. Also nearby in Druid Hills is Emory University , one of the top ten universities in the nation. While in the area you can also relax at one of the many parks around the university.
Stone Mountain
Just 16 miles from downtown, Georgia's Stone Mountain State Park offers a broad range of activities for all ages. Stone Mountain is a great place for groups to get away and stay at the Stone Mountain Family Park Campground . The park centers around a 1,685 foot high granite boulder which can be accessed via a short gondola ride up the steep north face, or by a hearty mile and a half climb up the gently sloping east side. Be sure to get a look at the world's largest bas-relief sculpture, which portrays Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson and President Jefferson Davis. More than 3,000 acres of natural woodland, lakes, fields, and trails provide opportunities for hiking, biking, or just communing with nature. Also, the Stone Mountain Golf Course is located inside the park. The Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad departs regularly on treks around the base of the mountain, making various stops on its breathtaking half hour run. Stone Mountain is easily-accessible by public transportation. Catch an East Line MARTA train to the Indian Trail station, from which point bus service will deliver you directly to the park. In addition, you can visit the Stone Mountain Antique Car and Treasure Museum . This museum is great for the whole family and features unique collections of historic toys and other memorabilia.
As you tour Atlanta you can catch a breath taking sunset via plane, hot air balloon, or as you roam around on your own. Wherever you end up in Atlanta you will be among southern hospitality and historic sites.
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