Born in Atlanta

Atlanta every day is an opening day

Must See Atlanta

Atlanta is experienced every day by people who have never even visited the city. Each time you watch CNN on television or buy a Coca-Cola from the grocery store, you experience Atlanta. This three day itinerary highlights only a few attractions, but be prepared for sensory overload as you glimpse the sights seen only in Atlanta.

*Unless otherwise noted, transportation to these venues is accessible by MARTA, Atlanta's rail and bus line. Plan your trip via MARTA.

Day One: Downtown and Around

Morning

Visit the Georgia Aquarium, where you can see more than 120,000 animals of 500 different species in more than 8 million gallons of marine and fresh water. The world's largest aquarium houses whale sharks, beluga whales, touch tanks, and a four D theatre perfect for all ages.

Head to the NEW World of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Place™ in downtown Atlanta is the only place where you can explore the past, present and future of the world's best-known brand. See a 4-D movie experience, a fully operational bottling line and sample more than 70 Coca-Cola products around the world.

Lunch

The SunDial Restaurant Bar & View (atop the Westin Peachtree Plaza, the tallest hotel in the Western Hemisphere) offers breathtaking views of downtown Atlanta.

Afternoon
At the Inside CNN Atlanta Tour, watch behind-the-scenes action of the newsroom, see what it takes to put a news broadcast together and even learn how the weather map works.

Insider's Tip: Make reservations in advance for the 45-minute tour.

Visit Centennial Olympic Park, the world's gathering place during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. The park features the popular Fountain of Rings and many outdoor events during the summer months.

Insider's Tip: Wednesday WindDown is a free concert series every Wednesday from 5:30-8 p.m. at Centennial Park during the summer months.

Did you know Atlanta boasts two Nobel Peace Prize and Medal of Freedom winners?

The Sweet Auburn district is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site includes a visitors' center depicting the story of Dr. King and the civil rights movement; the restored King birth home; Ebenezer Baptist Church, where three generations of the King family preached; and Dr. King's burial site.

Don't miss the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. Stand in the footprints and see the shoes of 17 civil rights leaders displayed as a tribute to the warriors of justice.

Or visit the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum, next to The Carter Center. The library includes a replica of the Oval Office and Jimmy Carter's Nobel Peace Prize, as well as traveling exhibits.

Insider's Tip: Transportation to the MLK National Historic Site or Jimmy Carter Library/Carter Center would be best by car (both locations have free parking) or MARTA bus. You also can enjoy the Carter-King Peace Trail pedestrian and bike path between the two attractions. Commemorative plaques can be found along the 1.5-mile walk.

Evening

Sports Fans

Evening option No. 1: Between April and October, catch an Atlanta Braves baseball game, including pre-game pep rallies and testing your hitting or throwing skills at Scout's Alley.

Insider's Tip: Visitors are allowed to bring food into the ballpark, so grab dinner at The Varsity, an Atlanta landmark on North Avenue, serving chili dogs, hamburgers and the signature Frosted Orange. Picnic tables are right inside the ballpark's entrance.

Evening option No. 2: In the cooler months, you can attend an Atlanta Hawks basketball or Atlanta Thrashers hockey game at Philips Arena.

Delicious Dining

Pittypat's Porch
The story is told that when Scarlett visited Atlanta she always stayed with Aunt Pittypat. During those visits, Aunty Pitty would prepare only her best recipes. At Pittypat's Porch, the tradition continues...Homemade bread, delicious sideboards and delectable desserts.

Cultural Experience

Catch a Broadway show or a great concert at the Fabulous Fox Theatre.

Atlanta's nationally acclaimed Alliance Theatre, recipient of the 2007 Regional Theatre Tony Award®, is the leading professional resident theatre of the Southeast, creating the powerful experience of shared theatre for diverse people on two stages for youth and adult audiences.

One of the most innovative and creative orchestras in North America, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is a perfect way to spend an evening.

Day Two: Cultural Quickies

Morning

Mix and match these cultural must-sees in Atlanta. All are located in the Midtown area except for Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

Tour the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, centered around the Midtown apartment where Margaret Mitchell wrote "Gone with the Wind." Exclusive photographs and exhibits tell the story of Margaret Mitchell beyond the book. The Gone with the Wind Movie Museum illuminates the making of the movie with memorabilia including the actual doorway of Tara from the movie set.

Insider Tip: The Center for Southern Literature series at the Margaret Mitchell House hosts well-known authors with an evening reception, reading and a book signing.

The High Museum of Art hosts European and American paintings, special exhibitions, African, decorative, folk and 20th century art and photography. Past exhibitions have included works by Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Picasso, Degas and Elton John's private photography collection. The High recently opened an expansion that includes two new galleries, an open-air piazza and the restaurant Table 1280.

Lunch

Table 1280 is a Restaurant and a Tapas Lounge located in the Heart of the beautiful open air piazza at the High Museum of Art.

Housing the largest museum dedicated to the art of puppetry, the Center for Puppetry Arts is your ticket to see dazzling sets and the artistry of puppetry from several different areas. Adult shows complement the children's performances, and a museum hosts the Jim Henson Collection, masks from "The Lion King" and Izzy from the Centennial Olympic Games.

Home to the world's largest dinosaurs, Fernbank Museum of Natural History is the largest natural history museum in the Southeast. Fernbank uses innovative exhibit design and programming to bring natural history to life through galleries and hands-on exhibits to stretch your imagination. The 315-seat IMAX theater provides a powerful adventure experience with films showing in the afternoon and evening.

Evening

Evening option #1: An evening at The Fox Theatre
The opulent Fox Theatre was designed in the late 1920s as headquarters for the Shriner's organization. Now, it presents Broadway musicals, the Atlanta Ballet, a summer movie festival, concerts and more. Check out the schedule for the Fox while in town. The lavish decorations inside include an indoor Arabian courtyard with twinkling stars and drifting clouds; a striped canopy; and ornate period furnishings.

Evening Option #2: The neighborhood of Virginia-Highland is one of Atlanta's most popular areas for shopping, dining and nightlife. Noted for its renovations of 1920s homes, the area features tree-lined avenues dotted with unique ethnic and chef-owned restaurants, antique shops, art galleries, spas and salons, boutiques and a selection of bars and pubs.

Evening Option #3: The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre is one of the best places to see a performance in Atlanta. The Centre is located in northwest Atlanta, and is a premiere location for Concerts, Broadways shows, Ballet and Opera.

Day Three: The World's Eighth Wonder

Stone Mountain Park is Georgia's most visited attraction, drawing nearly 4 million visitors each year. With more than 3,300 acres of natural beauty, the park is a unique destination where families and friends can enjoy the outdoors while experiencing an exciting variety of attractions, entertainment and recreation. Travel back in time to the town of Crossroads to see what life may have been like in a 1870s Southern town. Crossroads includes the new Sky Hike, with wooden bridges, rope swings and vertical net bridges. Crossroads features Georgia's only 4-D theater;; and live entertainment. Other attractions include the skylift to the top of Stone Mountain, the new Ride The Ducks Adventure, Scenic Railroad, Antebellum Plantation and more.

Stone Mountain Park dinner option:
Miss Katie's Sideboard is an attraction in itself with down-home, delicious Southern cooking. Tables revolve and get taller all by themselves and watch out for (literally) hand tossed rolls coming your way.

*You will need a car to visit Stone Mountain Park. The entrance fee is $8.

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