This Midtown dinner theater provides good food and great Shakespearean entertainment. The Atlanta Shakespeare Company, which manages The New American Shakespeare Tavern, was the first American company to perform at London's Globe Theatre. A traditional English pub meal is offered during the hour before the show. A full bar features Harp, Bass, and Guinness, as well as a few wines. Seating is done on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early. Call for performance schedule.
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.
It is hard to miss this ultra-modern, white structure that houses Atlanta's finest collections of classic and contemporary art. A towering atrium soars to four interior levels, with the galleries moving from 18th and 19th Century collections near the ground floor to cutting-edge art on the upper levels. The High has increased in size to 312,000 square feet (2972.89 square meters) with three buildings designed by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano: the Susan and John Wieland Pavilion, the Anne Cox Chambers Wing for galleries, and an office building. The High is a frequent host to some of the world's most important touring collections and has hosted exhibitions featuring artists like Pablo Picasso and Norman Rockwell. With over 18000 works in the permanent collection, the High also displays old prints of Abe Lincoln, General William Tecumseh Sherman and an array of sculptures and photographs.
The Rialto Center for the Arts is an acoustically splendid, 833-seat, state-of-the-art theater. It is situated in the historic Fairlie-Poplar district of downtown Atlanta. The Rialto's seasonal series runs from early October through May and boasts an eclectic array of dance, music and theater performances and comedy shows. Tickets for all events can be ordered by phone, mail or fax, or by visiting the Rialto box office at the corner of Forsyth and Luckie Streets.
Constructed in 1882 on the campus of Morris Brown College, the Fountain Hall is one of the oldest surviving structures on the original site of Atlanta University. Designed in the Victorian style by architect G. L. Norrman, this structure has served various functions over the years, and now houses the university's administrative offices, chapel and art studios. The building is situated atop Diamond Hill, from which vantage point visitors are offered a nice view of the downtown area.
This stark structure was constructed in 1930 and is noted for being the second high-rise built in Atlanta specifically for the medical profession; surprisingly, it has served exclusively in that capacity ever since. Designed in the Art Deco style by famed architects Robert S. Pringle and Francis P. Smith, the building is housed in the Emory University Hospital Midtown. The simple cream brick exterior belies a lavish attention to detail inside, most notably in the stylish lobby on the first floor.
Built by architect Emil Charles Seiz in 1901 at an estimated cost of USD9000, the Rufus M. Rose home is one of the last remaining examples of late Victorian architecture in Atlanta. The design is typical of affluent 19th Century in-town residences, with an elaborately-adorned front staircase that rises from the sidewalk, a necessity in pre-automobile Atlanta. The historic town home is in a dilapidated condition and is not safe for viewing.
Established in 1925, the Morningside Presbyterian Church was founded as a mission of the Atlanta Presbytery Home Mission Committee and First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. Located in a scenic residential neighborhood in the Virginia-Highlands, the structure was designed by noted church architects Thomas and Waggoner of Philadelphia. Set on a wooded campus, construction of the church building began in 1946 and was not completed until 1949. In addition to Sunday services, the church maintains an active youth center, a counseling center, and numerous seniors' programs. Services on Sunday are at 11a.
If it's in a frame, you can find it at Frameworks. This Cobb County gallery and shop offers an exciting mix of original fine art by local and regional artists. Choose from among their stellar selection of quality pieces in pastel, watercolor, mixed media, and more.
When form meets function, art ascends to a whole new plane. Such is the philosophy behind the abstract offerings at the Artisan Resource Center. The art here consists not of your normal gallery fare, but of pieces that challenge traditional boundaries. Just north of the city in suburban Marietta, this fascinating art complex features works that will brighten your home while enlivening conversation. It features 27 studios that is home to talented artisans from various fields such as sculpture, painting, jewelry and more. The work of many creative local minds is yours for the asking, all within easy reach at the Artisan Resource Center.