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During your Atlanta vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
The APEX (African-American Panoramic Experience) Museum
This museum chronicles the history of Sweet Auburn, once Atlanta's foremost black residential and business district, and serves as a national African-American museum and cultural center. The museum's Trolley Car Theater, a replica of a turn-of-the-century tram that ran on Auburn Avenue, presents a 12-minute multimedia presentation, Sweet Auburn: Street of Pride, that acquaints visitors with the area's history. Sweet Auburn history also comes to life in tableaux such as a replica of an Auburn Avenue barbershop and a re-creation of the 1920s-era Yates & Milton's Drugstore (Atlanta's first black pharmacy), featuring some original furnishings. There are interactive displays for children. The APEX recently added a tribute to the late Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr., Atlanta's first black mayor. Inquire about special events and workshops taking place during your visit to Atlanta.Across the street from the APEX Museum, at 100 Auburn Ave., is Herndon Plaza, where you can see a permanent exhibit on the Herndon family (former slave Alonzo F. Herndon founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Company), and changing shows featuring the works of African-American artists.
William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum
This museum, the largest of its kind in the Southeast, offers a unique glimpse into Atlanta's history, exploring Jewish heritage with a special emphasis on the Atlanta Jewish experience. Two main galleries juxtapose the destruction of the Holocaust with the re-emergence of Jewish communities in Atlanta and throughout the world. The stories are told through photographs, documents, and memorabilia uncovered in the attics and basements of local families and individuals. Especially moving are the stories and possessions generously shared by Holocaust survivors living in Atlanta.In addition to the two main galleries, there's a Discovery Center with hands-on activities related to the exhibitions, a community archive, a genealogy center, a library, and a gift shop.
Six Flags Over Georgia
One of the state's major family attractions, Six Flags offers a great day's entertainment. Arrive early (at least 30 min. before opening), note where you've parked in the vast lot, and take 10 minutes or so to plan out your show and ride schedule.The park's 10 areas have themes centered around different regions, from Southern (Cotton States, Confederate, Georgia, Lickskillet, and Promenade), to European (France, Britain, Spain), to American (U.S.A.), to Gotham City (featuring Batman The Ride). Costumed Looney Tune characters (Sylvester, Daffy Duck, and others) roam the park greeting kids (hint: check out the gazebo in the Promenade section to meet that wascally wabbit Bugs Bunny).Thrill rides include several watery options, such as Splashwater Falls (plummet down a soaring 50-ft. waterfall), a log flume, and Thunder River (a simulated whitewater rafting adventure). White-knuckle coasters include the Georgia Scorcher (one of the Southeast's tallest and fastest stand-up roller coasters), the Viper (which goes from 0-60 mph in less than 6 sec. and has a 360-degree loop), Ninja (the "black belt" of roller coasters, turning riders upside down five times and offering thrilling loops, dives, and corkscrew turns), the Georgia Cyclone (a classic wooden roller coaster with 11 dramatic drops, patterned after Coney Island's famous thrill ride), the Great American Scream Machine (another classic wooden coaster), and Mind Bender (a triple-looper). Other highlights are Batman The Ride (a twisting roller coaster with ski-lift-like seats), Great Gasp (a 20-story parachute jump), Riverview Carousel (a merry-go-round from the early 1900s), and Free Fall (ever wonder what it would be like to fall off a 10-story building?). A less dizzying adventure is Monster Plantation, a Disneyesque boat ride through an antebellum mansion haunted by over 100 animated monsters. And there's much, much more.Shows vary from year to year, but they usually include a major musical revue, a country music show, a golden-oldies show, thrill cinema adventures on a 180-degree screen, and an animated character show. In addition, headliners such as SheDaisy and John Michael Montgomery play the 8,072-seat (with lawn seating for 4,000) Southern Star Amphitheatre.There are restaurants and snack bars throughout the park, though you might consider bringing a picnic.
Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Glenridge Perimeter Center
The hotel designed by business travelers, Courtyard surrounds you with all the comforts that make business and pleasure travel easy. Relax and get ready for the day ahead in one of our guest rooms featuring cable television with free HBO premium channel and pay movies, complimentary high speed Internet access, hairdryer, in-room coffee service, iron and board, large well-lit work desk with ergonomic chair, two dataport telephones with voicemail and a comfortable sitting area. Wireless Internet ...
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