Atlanta Georgia Travel Information
Once named Marthasville (after the then governor’s daughter) the
city was renamed Atlanta in honor of the Western and Atlantic Railroad
that served as its lifeline. Prosperity was short-lived however, as
Union General William T. Sherman and his troops visited the city
during the Civil War, leaving behind nothing less than massive
destruction. With most of the city burned to the ground, and railroad
lines removed, the future looked gloomy. In 1867 Atlanta was named
the capitol of Georgia, and the city re-established itself as an
impressive regional center. Visitors are warned to leave the
stereotype of a Southern city at home… make no mistake, Atlanta today
is nothing less than a sophisticated, metropolitan mega city. The
home to four major universities, Zoo Atlanta, the High Museum of Art,
the Atlanta History Center and the King Center, this place truly has
something for everyone. The Five Points MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta
Rapid Transit Authority) station serves as the hub of metro
transportation for this impressive city and offers visitors an easy to
understand, inexpensive way to discover sprawling Atlanta. Those
visiting for the first time should stop at the Visitors Center for an
essential map, and a wealth of information on all there is to see and
do. Visitors will quickly discover that Atlanta is divided into
three major areas; Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead. Five Points
MARTA is located in downtown, making this region one easy to explore.
The region within downtown, known Peachtree Center, serves as the
central hotel district. Highlights of downtown include Centennial
Olympic Park, the Atlanta Children’s Museum, the World of Coca-Cola,
CNN, Georgia State University, and of course, the state capitol.
Visitors are warned not to miss the new Georgia Aquarium, recognized
as the largest aquarium in the world. Buckhead is located
approximately three miles north of Downtown, and is known as Atlanta’s
exceptionally classy region. As such, visitors should expect to find
gorgeous mansions, high-end shopping malls, luxurious hotels,
exclusive galleries, and a plethora of elite dining
options. Midtown is a diverse district, sporting renovated
cottages and bungalows, tasty greasy spoons, trendy cafes, quaint
bookshops, hip nightclubs, and artsy specialty shops. Highlights
include Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, and the super
popular Arts Center which displays a variety of Atlanta’s creative
collections. Restaurant Row is an eclectic mix of delicious eats
located between 12th and 14th streets. This is a great area to relax,
and really get a feel for what Midtown is all about. Atlanta is
located in the northwestern part of Georgia, at the intersections of
Interstates 75, 85, and 20.
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