Atlanta
 

My husband and I will be travelling to Atlanta for the first time at the end of March. Any tips on interesting sights to see? Thank you. <BR>

The Animals usually riot in "buckhood" on Sunday nights. If you are lucky you may see a shooting or stabbing.

The High Museum of Art will be hosting a special exhibition of paintings by Degas. Admission fees are in effect and a good turnout is expected. So call ahead before you show up. <BR>You might also check out the Atlanta Symphony schedule web site to see what is on while you are in town. (This assumes a liking of symphonic music.) <BR>The Fernbank Science center has new dinosaur exhibits. That also is something you might find interesting. <BR>And Emory University has a good museum that is open to the public. <BR>

The most beautiful time of year in Atlanta is anywhere from the end of March to mid-April when the azaleas and dogwoods are blooming. There are so many things to see in Atlanta that it really depends on your interests. If you are intrested in history, you may want to visit the Atlanta History Center with its museum exhibits of Atlanta and Civil War history, its beautiful gardens, an 1840's farm and outbuildings, and beautiful historic 1928 Swan House. You may also be interested in seeing the Cyclorama at Grant Park with Civil War museum, movie and famous painting depicting the battles of Atlanta and measuring 50 feet by 400 feet in circumference. If you are interested in "Gone With the Wind" you may want to visit the Margaret Mitchell home on Peachtree Street as well as the Atlanta History Center. If you are interested in black history you could also visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center and boyhood home on Auburn Avenue, the Apex Museum (an African American Panoramic Experience) and the Alonzo Herndon home (a former slave that became Atlanta's wealthiest black businessman). If you are interested in more recent history, CNN has a wonderful studio tour at the Omni, you could visit the Carter Presidential Center and Library with its museum, or the Coca-Cola Museum at Underground. Atlanta also has some other great museums such as the High Museum of Art, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University with its great archaeological exhibits. Stone Mountain Park just east of the city is also a very popular tourist destination with its stone carving of three Civil War generals, a working plantation, skylift and riverboats. Atlanta also has great shopping at Phipps Plaza (very upscale), Lenox Square (large and also quite upscale), Underground (touristy), several great antique centers, and plenty of boutique shopping. Last, but not least, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and Atlanta Zoo are also excellent. Also, be sure and make some dinner reservations. We have some great restaurants, but Atlantans like to eat out and they can be very busy especially on weekends. Also, if you are driving, pick up a good map because driving in Atlanta can be a real challenge. And unless you are quite young and really into the bar scene, you may want to avoid the heart of Buckhead on a weekend night.

Stay away from that crime ridden pimp filled hood run city. It's a dump.

Late March will be a good time to be in Atlanta. A lot will be in bloom, possibly even azeleas given the mild winter. If you like quaint neighborhoods with cute shops and great restaurants, head to Virginia Highlands. It's near Piedmont Park, which is in Midtown (i e, the "middle" section of Atlanta). Also, I'd drive through Buckhead on the side streets, during the day. Try these roads for starters: W Paces Ferry, W Wesley, and Habersham. Have fun.