Long known as the 'Capital of the New South,' Atlanta has benefited in recent years from a booming economy, the 1996 Olympics and a baseball dynasty.
Located in the southeastern region of the US, Atlanta is in the northwestern quadrant of the state of Georgia (of which it is the capital).
Neighborhoods
- The center of the city is Five Points, a star-shaped intersection formed by several major streets.
- East of downtown, Sweet Auburn is the city's main African-American neighborhood.
- North of Sweet Auburn is Little Five Points, a center of Atlanta's college and grunge set.
- North of downtown, Midtown is an upmarket entertainment and nightlife area.
- The West End, west of downtown, is Atlanta's oldest neighborhood.
When to Go
Atlanta's weather is mild for much of the year, though July and August tend to be steamy and hot and the area does get snow in December and January. Spring and fall are the best times to visit weather-wise. Bear in mind that thousands of students arrive in late August and early September to attend the area's many colleges.
What to See
Jimmy Carter Library & Museum: The Jimmy Carter Library & Museum is one of eleven national presidential libraries administrated by the federal government across the country and the only one in the Southeast. It includes the archival materials of the Carter administration.
CNN Center: CNN Center is the global headquarters of the CNN News Group and Turner Broadcasting. Visitors can get a first-hand look at news in the making on the CNN Studio Tour or join CNN's interactive talk show, TalkBack Live.
Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District: The area includes Martin Luther King Jr. Center, The Center for Non-Violent Social Change, Dr. King's birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change is dedicated to carrying forward the legacy and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The National Historic Site includes the Birth Home of Martin Luther King, Jr., Ebenezer Baptist Church (where King preached), his grave site, and numerous historic buildings. Adjacent to the Park is the Preservation District for the Sweet Auburn District.
The Atlanta History Center: Located on the grounds of a former estate, the Center includes an antebellum mansion and farm house, both offering guided tours. The focal point of the center is the recently opened Atlanta History Museum, which has excellent exhibits covering over 150 years of the city's history.
Savannah, GA
Outside of Atlanta, you can travel to the city of Savannah. Founded in 1733 as the first settlement in the new colony of Georgia, Savannah was spared destruction during the Civil War by Union General Sherman (who'd just torched Atlanta). As a result, the city has an extraordinary collection of well-preserved 19th century buildings. Its downtown Historic District has over 1000 restored Federal and Regency buildings, wide tree-lined streets, shady squares and a serene Old South ambiance. Chippewa Square, in the middle of the district, features Forrest Gump's famous park bench.
Southeast of downtown is the traditionally African-American Victorian District, where the King-Tisdell Cottage has exhibits on African-influenced crafts, and African Americans through slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction.
