Atlanta Vacations

Revisit Atlanta's colorful past from the Civil War to Civil Rights and the 1996 Olympics. Located on 33 acres in Buckhead, this history-lovers' magnet also features folk art collection, and a tribute to American golf legend "Bobby" Jones, Jr. Stop by the Centennial Olympic Games Museum, Swan House and Tulle Smith Farm.

Walk in the footsteps of Olympians who competed here in the 1996 Summer Olympics. Bring your tykes (and bathing suits) to the Fountain of Rings, an interactive fountain with four free daily shows. Stop by Googie Burger for lunch, then head to the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola nearby.

Come face to face with the world's largest dinosaurs at Giants of the Mesozoic, a renowned collection of cast fossil replicas. This family-friendly museum features exhibits that appeal to all ages – including Martinis & IMAX on Fridays night from January to November.

You haven’t really experienced the Fox Theatre until you’ve stood under its vaulted ceiling aglitter in twinkling lights and Arabian-esque architecture. You can take a daytime tour, but the best way is with a show. The line up ranges from Broadway productions and the Atlanta Ballet to rock concerts and film screenings.

Atlanta is a landlocked city, unless you count the 10 million gallons of water at the Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest. Every part of the aquarium is interactive, from the walk-through shark tunnel to the exhibit housing whale sharks, the largest fish species in the world. (The lines are long, especially on weekends, so buy your tickets in advance.)

Atlanta was central to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. its most prominent leader. Learn more about Dr. King's legacy through a self-guided tour of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and a guided tour Dr. King’s birth home. Admission is free, and home tours are first-come, first-serve.

OK, it's the world’s largest piece of exposed granite, but that’s just one highlight in this 3,200-acre park. Even with cable car Summit Skyride, a Sky Hike adventure course, 4-D theater and scenic railroad, you’ve barely scratched the surface. And don’t miss the nighttime Lasershow Spectacular -- it’s an Atlanta tradition.

This 189-acre park, abutting the Midtown and Virginia Highland neighborhoods, is home to beer gardens, bocce courts, an aquatic center and more. But with its abundance of green grass and shady trees, your best experience may be to do nothing at all.

This Midtown crown jewel includes the Alliance Theatre, High Museum of Art, Young Audiences 14th Street Playhouse, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Check out the High Museum’s permanent collection of Southern self-taught and folk art -- including works by Rev. Howard Finster and Mattie Lou O’Kelley.

In Atlanta travel, you’re often asked what kind of Coke you want -- that's the sway Coca-Cola holds in this town. Learn about the brand's history, and take an inside look at the bottling process. Bring your sweet tooth to the Taste It! Room -- you can sample as many of the 60-plus Coke products from around the world as you want.

Atlanta’s Southern charms are alluring for many tourists and locals, but the city’s modern restaurants, shopping, entertainment and luxurious accommodations have also emerged as major draws for this Southeastern hub city. Atlanta may serve up traditional Southern experiences like sinfully delicious fried chicken or sweet potato pie, but the city also offers an eclectic mix of modern conveniences and endless shopping, as well as vibrant LGBT and African American communities. “ATL” -- the Peach State’s largest city – has undergone a population boom in the past decade, making it a cultural, business and travel mecca, attracting a diverse population including many young, college-educated professionals. Whether you want to catch an Atlanta Braves baseball game, dine on decadent soul food or dance the night away at a chic lounge, Atlanta has something for everyone. The bustling Midtown area is crammed with a wide range of restaurants and bars, from casual – such as the New Southern cuisine and funky décor at the popular Flying Biscuit Cafe– to upscale wine bars like The Grape. Midtown is also home to a vibrant gay community, with several LGBT-friendly bars, clubs and restaurants. The city’s strong African American influence offers a rich legacy of attractions, including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, which includes tours of the legendary civil rights leader’s childhood home, and King and his wife’s tombs, as well as a free museum about MLK and Atlanta’s place in civil rights history. For shop-a-holics, Atlanta does not disappoint, with the popular Lenox Mall offering high-end stores such as Coach and Louis Vuitton in the affluent Buckhead neighborhood, as well as several outlet malls featuring designer brands within an hour’s drive of the city. For hip shoppers, Little Five Points offers funky fashion boutiques and thrift stores, as well as live music venues and hole-in-the-wall bars.

AOL Travel’s Atlanta Guide

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