Atlanta, Georgia, is a major tourist destination in the U.S. and ranks seventh in Forbes' list of America's most visited cities with over 34 million visitors in 2009. There is enough to do in Atlanta for a week or more, but if you are visiting for just a few days, here are the top five attractions in Atlanta.
The Georgia Aquarium
http://www.georgiaaquarium.org
With over 11 million visitors since its opening in 2005, the Georgia Aquarium is Atlanta's No. 1 tourist attraction. It is the largest aquarium in the world and is fun for all ages. Beluga whales, manta rays, whale sharks, and piranha are among the thousands of animals living in the 8 million gallons of water here.
Open 365 days a year, the exhibits change on an ongoing basis, so there is always something new no matter how often you go. The admission prices vary based on the day you are going, but they start at $23.95 for children and $29.95 for adults. I have been here twice and can't wait to go again.
CNN Studio Tour
http://www.cnn.com/tour
Enjoy a real behind-the-scenes look at the busy studios of CNN in the CNN Studio Tour. Beginning with a ride on the highest freestanding elevator in the world, you will be able to watch the action live as the news is being broadcast from the CNN studios of HLN, CNN, and CNN International. The tour lasts 50 minutes, and the ticket cost of $15 is well worth it.
This is probably not the best tour for kids under the age of 12, as they would likely be bored visiting a news studio. Recently, I took the tour and was fascinated with some of the details of operating a 24-hour newsroom.
World of Coca-Cola
http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com
Located just outside of the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola is one of the most visited places in Atlanta. Besides a tour featuring interactive exhibits, there is a 4D theater as well as a real bottling line, where you can see how the process works.
The highlight for everyone is the tasting room, where you can sample 60 different sodas from all over the world. Admission prices are $12 for kids and $16 for adults.
Zoo Atlanta
http://www.zooatlanta.org
Atlanta's oldest cultural attraction, the Atlanta Zoo began in 1889. Today, the zoo features over 1,300 animals and is home to the largest number of gorillas and orangutans in the country. Zoo Atlanta is one of the four zoos in the nation where you can see the giant pandas.
Zoo Atlanta is open daily year-round except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For the admission price of $15.99 for kids and $20.99 for adults, it is a guaranteed day of fun and learning in Atlanta. The zoo is located about three miles from downtown Atlanta in historic Grant Park.
Centennial Olympic Park
http://centennialpark.com
This 21-acre park in the center of Atlanta is the largest downtown city park in the U.S. developed in the last 25 years. With over 3 million visitors a year, this park definitely has something for everyone, and it is an easy walk from the other downtown attractions.
The park's interactive Fountain of Rings is one of the most photographed landmarks in Georgia. With its computerized lights and water jets synchronized to music at various show times throughout the day, this is an attraction by itself. Children enjoy playing in the splash area, and adults like to cool off there, too, especially on a hot summer Atlanta day.
A recent feature to the park is an audio walking tour that allows you enjoy the park at your leisure and learn about its history.
CityPASS
No comments:
Post a Comment