Sandi

My husband & I are coming from England, UK to Tennessee late May. We are starting in Atlanta, staying at Ramada Inn Atlanta for 2 days. Any tips on what we must see - also idea of how to get from Hartsfield Airport to Atlanta? Probably cab is best altho' it seems quite a way.

Christie

I've visited Atlanta several times, and it is a nice city. Some things to see downtown (you can take public transit to these): CNN Center, Olympic park, Underground Atlanta and the Coca-Cola Museum.

One site that I feel is a MUST is Stone Mountain. It is a geological rock formation that has Confederate war heroes' images carved into it. In addition to the rockitself, it is surrounded by a beuatiful park with a train, museum, etc. The laser light show is really neat! Unfortunately, you will need a car to get there as it is on the edge of town.

Have a nice trip!

Bob Brown

There are three attractions in Atlanta that I would consider must sees, and one "must hear" if you like classical music.
May 24 - 26 the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus are performing Verdi's Requium at the Woodruff Ars Center, at Peachtree and 15th street.

At the High Museum of Art, next to Symphony Hall in the Woodruff Arts Center, there is an exhbition of works by Degas that ends on May 27.

Then there is the Fernbank Science Center with its new dinosaurs. (They are full sized models.) Gigantosaurus is one of the ones featured. That particular carnivore is said to be larger than T-Rex.
Stone Mountain is a nice park that will be in full operation by late May.
But, it is hard to get too without a car.
Your hotel poses another problem. There are several Ramada Inns in the Atlanta area. Do you know which one you are using? There is a Ramada Plaza fairly near the airport. There is also a Ramada Hotel Atlanta Airport South, and there are several Ramada Limited hotels scattered around the area.
If you know exactly which one, I can pinpoint its location for you.

dana

I hope that you will have a car? I live in Atlanta. MARTA, our rapid transit is pretty good. You can take it straight from the airport uptown. Where is the Ramada Inn? I can suggest which stop to get off at.

Piedmont Park is also great in the summer. A couple of neighborhoods to stroll through would be Virginia Highlands and Buckhead, both with great shops and restaurants.

We have some nice shopping malls too if that is your thing.

The Chattahoochee River has several parks too, if you can head up to the suburbs.

Glenda

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Martin Luther King area. His birth home, grave site, museum, and Ebeneezer Baptist Church. Just sitting in that church was a very emotional time for me. I'm sure some people would have problems with feeling comfortable in the neighborhood, but the Marta station is only 3 blocks from the site and my brother and I felt fine about walking there.

Sal

The Jimmy Carter Museum is well worth a visit. If you like sports, it's fun to tour Turner Field. Margaret Mitchell's house is interesting. IMO, the best shopping is in Buckhead at Phipps Plaza and Lenox Mall. If you visit CNN, book a tour ahead of time. If you can, get tickets to one of their live shows, All of these destinations are easily reached via MARTA.

Christie

Oh- taking MARTA from the airport is very easy. There is a station right there in the main terminal, and the train runs to downtown. Ask the hotel which stop is closest to them.

RB

Please use the MARTA rail system as much as possible; it is very safe and helps you to concentrate on city. Definitely go to Centennial Park and CNN- do the studio tour there. A good overview of the city can be had by having lunch in the downtown Westin Hotels Sundial Restaurant; it gives a 360-degree view of the city. Take MARTA to the High Museum; as above poster notes, the Degas show is very nice. While you've probably just experienced spring, the Botanical Gardens are pretty. A Braves game at Turner Field is a good slice of ATL life; think the Skybox tickets (while very high up) are reasonable. You can tour the Braves museum that's inside the Field. There should be a shuttle bus that runs from Five Points MARTA station to the field.
Check out MARTA site for more info:
http://www.itsmarta.com

talicia

When going to atlanta i suggest that you should go to the world of coca cola, then stroll down to the underground atlanta, then go to the lenox mall to do a little shopping and one last stop before going to the hotel for the night, stop over at sean comb's resturant justin's for some good old southern stile farm raised catfish and grits, and do not forget the appetizer of jerk chicken, nice and spicy but good for the heart if you like your food a little spicy...if you like to go clubbing then go to club esso's and then maybe 112 or some other clubs...just depends on how you like to party.....

e&j

We'll be making a week long trip to Atlanta the 1st week in February. E will be in business meetings all day and I will be looking for some historic sites along with some good shopping. In the evening we will be able to sightsee for 3 or 4 hours. Any suggestions for the best sites is such a short time, also where is the best food in Atlanta?

Erin

E&J: if you like historica houses, there's a beautiful house called "Swan House" that you can tour. The home isn't very old (1920s) but it is gorgeous, with columned front, marble foyer, and big grand rooms. www.atlantahistory.net Good Luck and enjoy.

talicia

for that person who said people who go t atlanta need to see a shrink is crazy...atlanta is cool as a mug...

Randy

I can't beleive nobody list the Cyclorama.It is,in my opinion,the top thing to see in Atlanta,even if you don't really get into the Civil War thing.The painting,and how it rotates 360 degrees is,really impressive.

Randy

I can't beleive nobody list the Cyclorama.It is,in my opinion,the top thing to see in Atlanta,even if you don't really get into the Civil War thing.The painting,and how it rotates 360 degrees is,really impressive.

amanda

Food in Atlanta

Memorable, romantic, live jazz-
Fun, go for the jazz and the live crocs!
Friday night on the ship at Dantes Down the Hatch in Buckhead, Ask for table 112 or 113 overlooking the jazz! Romantic, fondue, look in the moat for live crocs. Spendy.
(buckhead, peachtree road, across from the lenox mall and swissotel)

Experience- an amazing Brazilian Steakhouse called fogo de chaos, http://www.fogodechao.com/
A price fix menu at $35.00 per head, an amazing salad bar with fresh mozzerla, cheeses, asparagus, salmon and more, and then these brazillian men bring around 15 types of meats on a sword right to your table... very interesting! Make a reservation! Hint half price at lunch. spendy.
(buckhead, pidmont road)

Dreamy, elegant, a bit stiff, but only a bit and what is wrong with that may i ask? Spendy
http://www.horseradishgrill.com/

Outdoor concert where we picnic!-
An outdoor concert hall where you bring a picnic lunch and your own wine or beer? Try Chastain Park
http://atlantaentertainment.com/ATLANTA/venues.htm

Cheap Food and neat=
Eats on Ponce De Leon

Extra time-
Just a short drive from Atlanta, try Decatur. Cute city with excellent dining.

The true south, near Atlanta-
Looking for the true south only 20 minutes from Atlanta, visit historic Marietta, GA home to Newt Gingrich, need i say more. antique shops, cute town square, historic houses
http://mariettasquare.com/

Friday night-after dinner or before dinner-
Imax and martinis, impress your date
Basically an imaz movie and a full bar and dressed up people on Friday night at the Fernbank museum. Hint buy tickets via telephone ahead of time, shows sell out!
http://www.fernbank.edu/museum/flash/martinis.html

NOTE: Many restaurants close in Atlanta at 10pm. Plan accordingly.

Late night eats-
The Vortex, Looks scary but amazingly pleasant service and wonderful food! honest!

The Landmark Diner