From historic sites to expansive parks to family-friendly attractions, there's so much to do in Atlanta. Add the following major attractions to the top of your list.
Soak up the fascinating history of Atlanta at the Atlanta History Center, which spans 33 acres. This is the place to learn about everything from Native American history and culture to life in antebellum Atlanta. Here you'll find the Atlanta History Museum, historic homes like the Swan House, and several miles of gardens and walking trails.
To learn about the contemporary history of both Atlanta and the United States, make your way to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. Start your visit with a tour of the civil rights leader's birthplace and grave, then head next door to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Take a guided tour or visit the site on your own to see exhibits, landmarks, and museums that tell the story of the American civil rights movement.
Kids and news buffs alike will have tons of fun at the CNN Center, which offers a look into the network's headquarters. Here you can get a behind-the-scenes look at how the TV studio works with a tour of the production efforts behind various shows and the chance to sit behind an anchor desk. If you time your visit right, you can even watch a live broadcast while the network is on the air.
Go outside and enjoy the city's warm weather with a trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Piedmont Park, which are adjacent to one another. The garden spans 30 acres and includes must-see attractions like the Fuqua Orchid Center, featuring numerous South American orchids, and the Fuqua Conservatory, which highlights fragrant tropical flowers and poison dart frogs. Nearby, Piedmont Park is the ideal place for a picnic, a long walk, or a bike ride.