Gecko's Georgia

Atlanta Visitors Guide

In September of 1837 civil engineer Stephen Long drove a surveyor's stake in ground east of what is now referred to as Underground Atlanta. Around this stake a town grew and was called simply Terminus. Later it was called Marthasville, and by 1845 it had been changed to Atlanta. A city rich in history, Atlanta is a city where both old and new Georgia is able to co-exist socially. And despite the massive high-rises surrounded by freeways, the warmth of southern charm and friendliness still abounds. Atlanta, the largest city in Georgia, can be a bit daunting, when you visit. To make things more confusing it seems there is an abundance of roads, areas and locations containing the word Peachtree. It is recommended that when you visit Atlanta, you purchase a city map to simplify your stay and make it easier to arrive at the many Atlanta area attractions.

Inman Park & Little Five Points

Inman Park, Atlanta's first suburb, was originally connected to Atlanta by the country's first electrically powered steam car. During the early twentieth century Inman Park was THE place to live. Unfortunately by the 1950's the town and its business district of Little Five Points was on the decline. However by the late 1960's it had been discovered by the hippie movement, who brought new life to Inman Park and Little Five Points.

When visiting Little Five Points you can enjoy the eclectic music on Moreland Avenue, or shop the variety of stores at the Greg Davis Plaza. Three blocks west of Little Five Points is the Carter Presidential Center. Here you can visit the Museum of the Jimmy Carter Library.

Druid Hills - Fernbank, Emory, and Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Northeast of Little Five Points is Druid Hills that is home to several important cultural and educational institutions. Two such places are Fernbank Museum of Natural History and Fernbank Science Center. The History museum features limestone floors, a giant IMAX theater, and an exhibit about Georgia's natural history entitled "A Walk through Time in Georgia." At Fernbank Science Center you can see the stars at the observatory at the 500 seat planetarium. Emory village and Emory University are just north of Fernbank. Emory University is an almost 600 Acre Campus, which attracts many students from all across America as well as several countries. Emory village across from the University has a number of shops and eateries making it attractive to the 10,000 college students.

In Midtown, you can spend a day wandering the paths of the thirty-acre Atlanta Botanical Garden. At the Garden you will find a playscape for your kids, and the Fuqua Conservatory.

Gone with the Wind - Margaret Mitchell

If you are a "Gone with the Wind" fan you will want to visit the Margaret Mitchell House and the Georgian Terrace hotel. Here you can learn the behind the scene stories about Margaret Mitchell and the stars of the 1939 movie.

Fox Theatre

Slightly across from the Georgian Terrace is the Fox Theatre where you can enjoy various performances scheduled throughout the year. To learn what will be playing when you are visiting you can call (404) 881-2100 or check out www.foxtheatre.org

East of the Fox Theater is Georgia Tech, which is one of the leading scientific schools in America. When Atlanta hosted the 1996 Olympic Games, Georgia Tech was headquarters for the Olympic Village that housed 15,000 athletes and personel. No visit to Georgia Tech would be complete without food from the Varsity, the world's largest drive in, located across from Georgia Tech.

High Museum of the Arts & Center for Puppetry Arts

Are you a patron of the Arts? Then be sure to visit High Museum of Art where works by Monet, Picasso, and Pop art are on display. Next to the High Museum is Woodruff Art Center that is the home base for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Alliance Theater Company and the Atlanta College of Art. Especially for the child in us all is the Center for Puppetry Arts. Here you and your family can tour the museum displaying various types of puppets from around the world, experiment in the hands on interactive gallery or take in one of the many programs. For info on current programs call (404) 873-3089 or log on to www.puppet.org This museum is not recommended for those suffering from pupaphobia

Buckhead, Grant Park, & Downtown Atlanta

Do you love to shop till you drop? Then Atlanta will keep you busy. From Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza in Buckhead to the shops in Mid-Town or Underground Atlanta -- No matter your style or your budget, there is something for you.

Grant park, named for Lemuel Pratt Grant, is home to Zoo Atlanta. It is considered to be one of the best zoos in America. Also, in Grant Park is the Atlanta Cyclorama that is a three ton painting of the battle of Atlanta that revolves around you.

Downtown Atlanta has a plethora of business headquarters. It is home to CNN, Georgia Pacific, and Coca Cola, to name a few. Also in downtown is the World of Coke Museum. Here you can view Coke commercials from bygone eras, try sodas from all over the world, and see a replica of a 1930's soda fountain.

Other Atlanta activities for the family include Stone Mountain, The Georgia Aquarium, Six Flags over Georgia, and Turner Stadium, the home of the Atlanta Braves.