Atlanta History Tour

Atlanta FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

 

Atlanta Heritage Row traces Atlanta’s history from the cotton-producing era of the mid-1800’s through Reconstruction to the present. Visitors can sit inside an airplane cockpit and listen to pilots converse with air traffic controllers at Hartsfield International Airport.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History features dioramas, films and other exhibits pertaining to natural history. “A Walk Through Time in Georgia” portrays the state as a microcosm to illustrate the story of the Earth.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is a 23.5 acre area that includes the birthplace, church and grave of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Six Flags Over Georgia This 331-acre theme park has more than 100 rides, attractions and shows, including a 10-story free-fall ride, a triple-loop roller coaster and a white-water rafting adventure. Highlights include Superman Ultimate Flight, Georgia Scorcher, and Skull Island (with water-drenching rides).

Stone Mountain is a massive granite monolith rising 825 feet above the surrounding plain. Stone Mountain, visible from miles away measures 5 miles in circumference and covers 583 acres. It has been nicknamed, “The Mount Rushmore of the South” because the three leaders of the Confederacy (Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson Davis, and Robert E. Lee) are carved into the face of the mountain to make the largest bas-relief carving in the world! Stone Mountain also features:

The Antebellum Plantation is a complex of early 19th century homes and buildings relocated from throughout the state. The buildings include the main house, overseer’s house, slave cabins and a country store, all furnished in period.

Antique Car and Treasure Museum displays classic cars, brass automotive accessories, a large musical exhibit and toys.

Riverboat Cruise on the Scarlett O’Hara features views of the mountain and shoreline. The riverboat offers 30-minute lake cruises.

Scenic Railroad operates three old-time locomotives on a 5-mile route around Stone Mountain. The locomotives are replicas of those made famous by the Great Locomotive Chase during the Civil War.

Scenic Swiss Skylift offers a cablecar ride to the summit of Stone Mountain. The views of the mountain’s equestrian carvings and the countryside are spectacular.

The World of Coca-Cola houses a museum that pays tribute to Coca-Cola products as well as events that shaped the last century. An innovative neon sign is suspended over the pavilion entrance. Interactive displays and multimedia exhibits combine with some 1,200 artifacts dating from 1886 to the present.

Zoo Atlanta is known for its reptile collection and children’s zoo. The zoo also includes the Ford African Rain Forest, where mountain gorillas live in family groups. Flamingo Plaza is home to 50 Chilean flamingos. Masai Mara, which replicates the East African plains, features browsing giraffes, antelopes and the endangered black rhinoceros. The Ketambe exhibit is home to rare Sumatran Tigers. Changing animal exhibits also are featured.

Atlanta's Cyclorama is the vivid retelling of the battle of Atlanta in an unusual art form whose popularity lasted less than 20 years. Commissioned by General John "Blackjack" Logan to further his political aspirations, the painting is now displayed in Grant Park, just west of the site of the battle. Today, the Atlanta Cyclorama houses one of a few remaining examples in the world of an art form that was popular at the end of the 19th century, before moving pictures. A "cyclorama" was a show in a cylindrical room or building that featured a painting on the outer wall of the room with the patrons seated (or standing) on a revolving platform in the center of the room.

Enjoy Your Atlanta History Tour