You’ll get a real taste of Southern Hospitality in the city dubbed ‘Hotlanta’ but there’s much more to do than eating your weight in delicious fried chicken. Atlanta is packed with cultural hotspots that you won’t want to miss. Dive into vibrant flora and fauna or soak up world-renowned architecture, theater and arts.
This vibrant city also pays respect to its past, including the region’s ties to the Civil Rights Movement. Take a trip to Atlanta and discover everything you need to know about Georgia’s famous city.
In this article:
Atlanta-Botanical-Garden
More info: https://atlantabg.org/
Nearest car rental location: Midtown HLE, Atlanta
Occupying a particularly gorgeous corner of Piedmont Park, these gardens cover 30 wonderful acres. Wander past rare orchids, through hardwood forests to the Tropical Rotunda. Gardens range from Edible to Japanese to Children’s, while the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory has a focus on conserving endangered frogs – you’ll see poison dart frogs and incredible blue frogs from South America. There are adult gardening classes and educational opportunities for children to learn about the natural world.
Atlanta-History-Center
More info: https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/
Nearest car rental location: Buckhead Northeast Peachtree Road, Atlanta
Make your way to the Buckhead District for this skillfully presented, varied and very popular visitor attraction. The focus here is Swan House, named for the motif that runs through this sensitively restored 1928 mansion.
History – both proud and shameful – is explored here. Fans of ‘Gone with the Wind’ will want to visit the Margaret Mitchell House, but can also learn about the reality of life in the Antebellum South for many people.
Georgia-Aquarium
More info: https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/
Nearest car rental location: Courtland HLE, Atlanta
One of the largest aquariums in the whole world, here you’ll find more than 700 species and around 100,000 different animals. Perhaps most impressive is the vast whale shark tank – the largest fish in the world – while children will lap up the daily penguin walk. Elsewhere you’ll discover manta rays, alligators and sealions. There are plenty of educational exhibits but thrill-seekers should book ahead to plunge into the depths in a shark cage.
High-Museum-of-Art
Nearest car rental location: Midtown HLE, Atlanta
The Richard-Meier designed building here is as much a draw as the world-class art collection itself. The combination of the play of light, the meandering paths and the white porcelain coating makes it really stand out.
Inside, you’ll find an exemplary collection of Modern American art, covering everything from Rothko to Rockwell. It also travels further back in time, with covetable 19th century furniture and 14th century Italian pieces.
Martin-Luther-King-Jr.-National-Historic-Site
More info: https://high.org/
Nearest car rental location: Courtland HLE, Atlanta
Occupying several urban blocks, this humbling site contains a variety of building and exhibits that impress with their sober look at the inspiring and too-short life of the iconic civil rights leader. Highlights include the pastor’s birthplace, and the church where he first preached. While it’s free to access the site, you’ll need to pay for the informative guided tours. Make your first call the visitor center, the map they give you will help you find everything you need.
Center-for-Civil-and-Human-Rights
More info: https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/
Nearest car rental location: Courtland HLE, Atlanta
Located in the Centennial Olympic Park, this center focuses not just on the battle for civil rights in the past in Atlanta, but in the present in America and globally too. There are some striking artifacts from the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and some of the displays are not only informative but also quite moving. Make sure you don’t miss the mocked-up lunch counter sit-in, which can be very emotional.
Fox-Theatre
More info: https://www.foxtheatre.org/
Nearest car rental location: Courtland HLE, Atlanta
In a city blessed with many fine theaters, the Fox Theatre is perhaps the loveliest of them all. Opened in 1929, it integrates Egyptian and Moorish elements into its lavish design, something you can learn much more about on a short tour that highlights the architectural influences. The tours are the perfect way to see the interior with its glowing colors and impressive ceiling if you can’t get a ticket for a show. However, if you can, even better – you’ll feel like you’re part of a truly historical experience.
World-of-Coca-Cola
More info: https://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/
Nearest car rental location: Courtland HLE, Atlanta
This might be too sweet for some tastes, but this attraction dedicated to the history of the world’s most popular fizzy drink is packed with personality. Highlights include a 4D film and some Andy Warhol pop art, but the main lure for many people seems to be the numerous varieties of Coca Cola around the world, which you can sample to your heart’s content.
Zoo-Atlanta
More info: https://zooatlanta.org/
Nearest car rental location: Capitol HLE, Atlanta
Where to start at Zoo Atlanta? It has to be with the pandas. A rare sight in the US, the giant pandas here steal the show from the other species – at least 200 of them. There are also some great environments to explore including an African Rain Forest, while kids will adore spotting flamingo, giraffes, lions and even naked mole rats. There are rides here too, and you can learn about the zoo’s raft of conservation projects.
Oakland-Cemetery
More info: https://oaklandcemetery.com/
Nearest car rental location: Capitol HLE, Atlanta
It’s easy to miss the highlights of this storied cemetery in south-east Atlanta. We’d recommend hiring a guide, so you can learn not just about the ornate mausoleums, graves, sculptures and more that occupy this 48-acre spot, but also the history of Atlanta.
This cemetery has tales to tell about the civil rights movement and the Civil War, while the final resting places of many famed Atlantans are here too.
