One of the largest cemeteries in Atlanta, the Oakland Cemetery is located in the heart of downtown. This bucolic expanse serves as a constant reminder of the city's history. Dating back to the 1850s, the cemetery was the final destination for all Atlantans until 1884, when private burial grounds began appearing throughout the city. The oldest section is near the main entrance, where legendary golfer Bobby Jones and author Margaret Mitchell are interred. This expansive 48-acre (190,000-sq meter) beautiful garden now houses sculptures, an art gallery, a green space and serves as a prominent wedding venue for the city.
The most expansive and popular of Atlanta's city parks was originally laid out for the Cotton States and International Exposition of 1895, and it now attracts more than 2 million visitors annually. Dog owners, sun-seekers, and sports enthusiasts flock to Piedmont Park to enjoy the fair weather, largely unaware that this was the spot of the Battle of Peachtree Creek during the Civil War. Its picturesque locales also offer a romantic ambiance. The 189-acre (76.48-hectare) facility is home to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and scenic Lake Clara Meer and plays host to many of Atlanta's favorite concerts and festivals.
Atlanta History Center is a great spot for history buffs. This comprehensive museum complex was founded in 1926 and chronicles the region's history, including sections on the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, Southern folk crafts, Atlanta's expansion, and much more. Spread across 33 acres (13.5 hectares), the complex consists of the Atlanta History Museum, Swan House, Tullie Smith Farm (Smith Family Farm), Margaret Mitchell House, Lee Playhouse, Victorian Playhouse, McElreath Hall, Kenan Research Center, and beautiful gardens. It has various programs, festivals, and events throughout the year. Considered to be among the biggest history museums in the country, each space is unique and distinct, giving a glimpse of an era bygone and stories to enthrall everyone.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is one of the largest spectacles of plant life in the Southeast. Sprawling over 30 acres (12.14 hectares), this natural oasis was established in 1976 and is located within stumbling distance of the famous Piedmont Park. It is home to the Fuqua Conservatory and Japanese gardens, both rich in globe-spanning flora. Follow a walking trail, which is a favorite of couples, and admire exotic rose plantations and carnivorous specimens. In addition, guided tours and seasonal shows guarantee an entertaining botany lesson.
A rolling oasis nestled in the heart of downtown Atlanta, this lush park is interspersed with sprawling rock gardens. Built to enhance the infrastructure for the 1996 Summer Olympics, this park is fringed by a tapestry of buildings significant to the city, like the CNN Center, Philips Arena and the Georgia World Congress Center. The nearly 500,000 commemorative bricks that make up its main walkway were a part of fundraising efforts for the Games. During scorching Atlanta summers, children frolic in the ground-level Olympic Rings, which periodically shoot streams of water through their five rings. One of the most promising features of the park is the fascinating 'Fountain of Rings', a technology-controlled fountain complete with music, light towers and a splash pad; not only is the fountain a hive of fun and frolic, but it is also a great architectural feat. The park is also home to several other water features and is a massive locus for live music in the city's downtown. Bearing stunning semblances of natural wonders and an iconic Olympic legacy, Centennial Olympic Park is a site that Atlanta holds close to its heart.
The Georgia Aquarium opened in 2005 as one of the largest aquariums in the world. Located in downtown Atlanta, it is undoubtedly a breathtaking experience for all its visitors. A generous endowment from Bernard Marcus, the co-founder of Home Depot, made this dynamic aquarium possible. It showcases exotic sea creatures such as giant groupers, beluga whales and whale sharks. With 500 species, you will see something new and different no matter when you visit. One can opt for sleepovers with friends and enjoy a night-time experience in the aquarium. In addition, it also offers an expansive educational program for students of all ages and several interactive animal experiences.
The Skylight Farm is a vegetable farm in Douglasville, Georgia that practices sustainable development of organic farming. Their farming techniques are highly-valued methods, which ensure the well-being of both the plant as well as the environment it grows in.
Lake Claire Community Land Trust offers a green space to relax, unwind and introspect. It is privately-owned, but open to the public and features long, winding paths under shady trees. It also has a pet emu called Big Lou who is loved and petted by most locals. One can rent a piece of land and grow vegetables of one's choice. Lake Claire Community Land Trust is a community park where people come together and maintain the land.
The Oakhurst Garden organizes field trips, seminars and events to spread environmental awareness among adults and children. It explains the various arenas of environmental science and nature in order to cultivate a better tomorrow. Visitors are also taught practical approaches of composting and agriculture so that they too can do their bit in preserving the environment. There is a playground for children too. Pets are allowed on a leash.
Exodus Ranch is a delightful ranch for equestrian enthusiasts. Come enjoy the open countryside of Georgia, as you ride the majestic horses of the Ranch. At night, warm your feet by the bonfire, as you gaze above into the clear starry sky.
This national park is located on the site of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, the last significant victory for the South during their defense of Atlanta in 1864. The park features over 16 miles (26 kilometers) of mapped trails as well as a museum commemorating the historic battle. Picnic sites, battlefield markers and monuments are peppered throughout the forested mountainside, which features great views of Atlanta in clear weather. Maps detailing the trails and battle history are available at the visitor center.