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.
This 26-acre 10.5-hectare) facility is designed with kids in mind. Located just a few miles from downtown, the center provides a hands-on natural learning experience for kids from pre-school age on up. Among the learning facilities are a tree house classroom, a 650-gallon freshwater aquarium, and an interactive ecological playground called Naturescape. Nature tours, educational programs, and a wide range of special events are offered throughout the year. Admission is free.
This stunning Herndon Home was the abode of one of America's most successful African-American entrepreneurs, Alonzo Franklin Herndon, the founder of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Set on a sprawling estate, the house was designed in the Classical Revival style, and the interior boasts an eclectic array of various style permutations from Rococo to Renaissance Revival. Originally completed in 1910, the home has been fully restored, and is now maintained as an archive and museum, The Herndon Home Museum. Regular tours of the various rooms and exhibits housed within are regularly conducted; check the website for further details.
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.
Ebenezer Baptist Church was founded in 1886, and has since stood as a high-profile center for African-American leadership and worship in Atlanta. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began his ministry in this unassuming structure, and gained a national voice through his sermons from its pulpit. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference was also founded here. The church has recently expanded to a new sanctuary, but the original building continues to be a place of worship with services offered every Sunday and Wednesday. See website for visitors guide, weekly announcements, online services, and pastor bio.
The pedestrian-friendly Tech Square or Technology Square is located in the trendy Midtown area of Atlanta which is filled with urban young professionals, students, backpackers and families. This area is lined with shady trees and spacious sidewalks, and is famous for the Taste of Atlanta food festival. The annual festival serves as a place where foodies come together to partake in a delightful culinary feast. Tech Square hosts other community events too.