I'm relatively new to the Atlanta area, and my parents (early 60s) are coming down to visit Easter weekend. We're planning on doing the CNN studio tour, but not sure what else to show them and am looking for some suggestions (within Atlanta or a couple hours drive). What about some home tours or anything quintessential "southern"?

Visit Stone Mountain Park, wander around Kennesaw Mtn. Battlefield, Cyclorama in Grant Park, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library exhibits, Oakland Cemetery tour...

I don't think there are any home tours scheduled over the Easter weekend, but for "quintessential Southern" drive out about an hour east on I 20 and eat at the Blue Willow restaurant in Social Circle. Then drive on a bit further east to Madison, GA and drive and/or walk around and see the prettiest antebellum town in Georgia.

The a really good Southern restaurant is slightly outside of Atlanta - H&H Restaurant in Macon.

http://www.eatsleepgo.com/GA.html

But, if YOU want to see something special, the spring Madison tour is the first weekend in May -

http://www.tourmadison.com/tours.htm

Never heard of H&H - will have to try that one out!

If they saw "Fried Green Tomatoes" you could visit the tiny town of Juliette, GA and eat at the Whistle Stop Cafe.

In Atlanta, the two southern institutions are the Colonnade on Cheshire Bridge and Mary Mac's Tea Room on Ponce de Leon. Both are FABULOUS!

About 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta, down I85 is Calloway Gardens (13,000+ acres)and at this time of year it is abloom with azaleas. You can drive through the gardens and if you want, get out of the car for short walks on various trails and pathways, visit the butterfly house (highly recommended) or just sit and soak up some sunshine and the views. (see link below)

http://www.callawaygardens.com/info/main.welcome.asp

It is near Warm Springs, home of FDR's Little Whitehouse. The town of Warm Springs has a number of antique and craft (heavy on the country type) shops.

Also of interest is Providence Canyon, though I think this is more like two hours from Atlanta, again to the southwest. It is Georgia's "Little Grand Canyon"

http://gastateparks.org/info/providence/

http://gastateparks.org/net/content/...spx?s=20.0.1.5

Virginnia Highlands is a nice intown neighborhood, brunch at Murphy's, walk around the shops and it is close to the Carter Center. Little Five Points is a funkier neighborhood, great for people watching which also has a bunch of restaurants (the Vortex for great burgers ) and shops.

And if they are going to be around through the next weekend there is the Inman Park Festival and Tour of Homes

http://www.inmanpark.org/festival.php?ref=fest

The tour of homes is great, ranging from gracious victorians, to arts and crafts bungalows, to lofts and some one of a kind properties. On Saturday is the city's quirkiest and most colorful parade. And on Saturday and Sunday the artist market is really nice.(Inman Park is near Little Five Points and close to the Carter Center)

http://www.atlhist.org/
The Atlanta History Center was great...I like in Atlanta over a decade before going and their exhibits were very nice....also second the suggestion of Mary Mac's...I miss it !

I second the Atlanta History Center. http://www.atlhist.org/ The grounds include the Swan House, the Tullie Smith House, and some nice gardens for strolling. The Swan Coach House serves a quintessentially southern ladies lunch: Chicken salad, frozen fruit salad and cheese straws - yum (men are occasionally seen there also - I've been there with my father and my father in law) I don't know what the schedule is for Easter weekend. http://www.swancoachhouse.com/

Oh, and the High Museum of Art has been recently expanded and is quite nice. There is a special exhibit going on now "The Quilts of Gee's Bend" http://www.high.org/

Here's a link to nice walking tours offered by the Atlanta Preservation Center -

http://www.preserveatlanta.com/walkingtours.htm

There's also the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Zoo Atlanta, and the new Aquarium in case any of those interest you.

Dang! There's a lot to do here. Why do I spend so much time planning trips elsewhere?

And how could I have forgotten? There's the new Ikea store! If you've never been to one, it is worth a visit!

And IKEA has cheap eats in their cafeteria!

I always enjoy a tour of the Fox Theatre. Also Fernbank is a good place to go. My mom loves the Dekalb Farmers Market in Decatur.

Hi all...thanks so much for the replies! I will certainly be able to put together an itinerary with all of your suggestions...and have activites left over for my own perusing. Much appreciated...

One more thing... You MUST see the new aquarium in downtown Atlanta - it is the largest in the country now and just recently opened (I think last fall).

If you'd like some fried green tomatoes, buttermilk fried chicken and pumpkin cheesecake in a kitschy little place, head on over to Agnes and Muriel's.

Thanks for this post. I too looked for suggestions for Georgia once we move closer. I agree with Starrsville about Madison. We only drove through but were so enchanted by its old yet well maintain southern charm that promised to return there for a longer stay. Macon has a lot to offer and is very green and full of blooming flowers, trees and bushes. I understand Calloway Gardens are amazing.