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.
The Woodruff Arts Center is indeed a center for culture in Atlanta. From a trip to the symphony to a visit to see some Picassos, you can soak up some real culture and art here. The center encompasses many major venues including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, High Museum of Art and the Alliance Theatre. Visit the website to see a calendar of events at the center.
Formerly Sprout, Seed Factory is a specialty store featuring clothes, furniture, books and toys for children of all ages. Their collection is from Catimini, Zutano, Petit Bateau, Caramel Baby & Child, Makie and Tea Collection. Furniture available for the nursery includes cribs, dressers, bunk beds and a mini library. Seed Factory also has kiddie books by Jean-Luc Fromental, Taro Gomi, Antoinette Portis, Miroslav Sasek, Ann & Paul Rand, Louise Fatio and others. In the toy section you will find knit toys, wooden toys, jelly cat and toys by Anne Claire Petit. For everything that your child would need, drop in here.
Although not the most glamorous of Atlanta parks, Freedom Park offers an escape for joggers, runners and cyclists. The wide recreation trail is part of the PATH program that leads from the Carter Center to Stone Mountain, and a recent expansion of the trail has added considerable lawn space and smooth concrete for roller bladers and bikers alike. For history lovers, the Carter Center and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Site both are nearby.
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.
Nestled amidst the residential locale of East Atlanta, the Brownwood Park is a well-maintained city park. The park is spread across 12 acres (4.9 hectares) and easily accessible through Pendleton and Emerson Avenue. It comprises of tennis courts along the Pendleton Street, which serves as a playing field for kids, whereas, the other part of the park is ideal for family picnic and outings. Besides this, the park is host to concerts and festivals like the East Atlanta Beer Festival and Brownwood Park Bike Rally where people from across the city participate in these events. Call ahead to know more.
A Civil War landmark as well as an expansive verdant oasis, Candler Park offers tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields and an outdoor pool. Perhaps the park's most unique feature is its nine-hole golf course that winds its scenic way through one of the east side's most pleasant residential neighborhoods. Often crowded, Candler Park is not the ideal place for a quiet jog, but sports are always being played and everyone is welcome.
The Fernbank Museum of Natural History is one of the largest museums in the country. Surrounded by 140 acres (56 hectares) of forests, it is located a short distance from downtown and is a must on itineraries to Atlanta. Natural history buffs can marvel at intriguing exhibitions in the Great Hall. A landmark in itself, this splendid building features a 123 feet (37 meters) tall skeletal structure of the largest dinosaur ever classified in the world. Interactive programs at the planetarium promise an entertaining astronomy lesson, while a one of its kind Giant Screen Theater showcases brilliant films for visitors. Moreover, the museum organizes outdoor exploration programs and science demonstrations for the youth on every second Friday of the month.
Established in 1967, Atlanta's Fernbank Science Center is a great place to nurture your scientific curiosity. The exhibit area, spread across 9000 square feet (836.12 square meters), features both permanent and traveling exhibits; they encompass various branches of science. Get a glimpse of the starry night sky at the planetarium. Visitors can also peruse the library, Compost Site, Solar Experiment and a couple of laboratories. The different facilities of the Fernbank Science Center, follow varying hours of operation; check the website for further details before visiting.
Located in the heart of the prestigious and fashionable Buckhead district, this distinctive Atlanta hotel combines classic elegance, unsurpassed service and unparalleled cuisine to offer discerning guests Atlanta's legendary hospitality. Ideal for elegant Atlanta events, conventions, conferences, meetings and entertaining, the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead is literally surrounded by the finest dining, shopping and nightlife, with convenient access to the Atlanta business community and downtown.
Six Flags Over Georgia is a thrilling attraction located about 20 minutes to the west of the Atlanta city. In addition to an impressive roster of roller coasters, thrill rides and interactive games, the park features parades, special events, and Broadway-style musicals starring Bugs Bunny and other Loony Tunes characters. Dozens of snack shops and restaurants are strategically placed throughout the park, and strollers and wheelchairs are available for rent. See website for online specials, operating hours, and calendar of events.
Just east of Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park is a 3200-acre (1300-hectare) park centres on the world's largest exposed granite mountain. Skylift gondolas whisk visitors 825 feet (251 meters) to the top, where commanding views of the Georgia countryside await them. The north face's bas-relief memorial to Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson is one of the world's largest. An antebellum plantation, an antique auto museum and a petting zoo are all located within the park. Playing host to myriad activities such as camping, dining, and lodging, this park bears wooden mountain slopes bearing recherche Georgia oak, natural pools as well as delightful, verdant foliage. During the summer, there are evening laser light shows on the mountain, whereas the Great Barn and Geyser Towers are other attractions in the park. Some of the major trails coursing through the park include the Cherokee Trail, Walk-Up Trail, Nature Garden Trail, and Songbird Habitat Trail.