- Underground Atlanta- This megalithic, 12 acre underground structure in the heart of Atlanta's megalopolis was built in the 1800's and was the actual street level until urban planners effectively concreted the low lying area over. The area, like a huge mall, has the feel of bustling streets, complete with street signs. There are over 100 restaurants, nightclubs and retail stores here.
- Atlanta History Center-A good place to start out if you want to get historical information about the city before going further. This center and museum traces Atlanta history from Native Americans to the 1996 Olympics. There are many gardens and a restaurant on the grounds.
- Martin Luther Center for Nonviolent Social Change-Before or after you visit we recommend that you visit King's birthplace ( 500 Auburn Ave.) and the church where King helped get the civil rights movement underway. (407 Auburn Ave.).
- Varsity- Self proclaimed, "world's largest drive-in restaurant" has been an Atlanta staple for almost 75 years. 150 feet of chrome diner stand and formica booths serve up Atlanta's premier fast food. Burgers, hot dogs, barbeque, chicken and egg salad sandwiches and even chili burgers.
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Atlanta Quick Tour
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Atlanta is an intriguing blend of past and present. It is a sprawling metropolis which still retains its Southern flair. There is something to do day and night in this town, you should not be bored for a moment.
The city has three main areas, Buckhead, Midtown and Downtown, which run North to South, respectively. Buckhead is a mecca for shopping and night life. Midtown is a great place to eat and take in the arts at the Woodruff Arts Center. Downtown is home to Underground Atlanta and Sweet Auburn, Martin Luther King Jr.'s neighborhood. It is remarkably easy to get around town via the city's MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) subway, light rail and bus systems (404-848-4711) and either Yellow Cab Co. (404-521- 1200) or Checker Cab Co. (404-351-1111).
A good two hour tour to take is the Gray Line Loop Tour. This tour gives you a good taste of, Midtown, Buckhead and Downtown. It loops through the city and you can exit and enter the bus all day long when ever you want to investigate something. Tickets: $15 adults, $ 10 children 6-10, $13 seniors. 404-767-0594
Points of Interest: expanded information can be found in the Things To See or Things To Do section.
Parking is available all over town. Many places charge but you run a good chance of getting your parking stub validated at the place that you are visiting in the historic districts. The streets are wide with parallel parking in most places. Parking meters are on the streets and lots are not usually free, unless you are visiting a restaurant.
If the city is not your thing or you are just saturated with concrete, head to Stone Mountain Park- It's really a very special park which in which you could spend a good portion of the day. Here you will find a 19th century plantation house with guided tour, an antique museum, river boat and railroad tours, a laser show and the world's largest granite boulder complete with a Civil War carved relief. Admission charged. 6867 Memorial Dr. on Stone Mountain 404-498-5600
Time to move on? Savannah, Georgia, 4 hours east of Atlanta offers beaches and history and is the next stop on the Southern tour.
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