The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau is over 100 years old and is the city’s official destination marketing organization. Attracting over 50 million visitors per year, Atlanta is consistently one of the most visited US cities. And rightfully so. A city with rich history, diverse culture, and endless events and attractions, Atlanta is a destination worth discovering.
History
For the history buffs out there, make sure Atlanta is on your bucket list. Here are just a few sites dedicated to preserving Atlanta’s history.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
Born in Atlanta, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s hometown has dedicated the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in his honor. Visitors can explore the civil rights leader’s childhood home and learn about his leadership and legacy at The King Center. Also located at the historical park is the International World Peace Rose Garden, a representation of Dr. King’s vision for peace and non-violence.
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Atlanta has deep ties to the American civil rights movement and aims to preserve its important history as well as shed light on current human rights issues. The National Center for Civil and Human Rights educates visitors on various human rights issues and movements and the sacrifices made for progress. Some of the most powerful exhibits include one in remembrance of the Freedom Riders, an interactive lunch counter sit-in simulation, and Out Down South: Voices & Portraits of LGBTQ+ Atlanta.
Atlanta History Center
The Atlanta History Center is 33 acres of gardens, historical houses, a museum, and exhibitions. One of the center’s must-see attractions is the Atlanta Cyclorama. The combination of the painting’s 360-degree perspective and various technological integrations creates an immersive experience that allows visitors to analyze the work critically. The painting was restored in 2019 and has since been housed at the Atlanta History Center.
You can see more historical and heritage attractions on their site.
Culture
Jazz
Every year, Atlanta hosts one of the country’s largest free jazz festivals–The Atlanta Jazz Festival. The event draws roughly 100,000 attendees who join in on the festivities to celebrate the culture and art of the genre. Beyond this enormous annual event, Atlanta has jazzy brunches, dedicated Jazz Fridays at the High Museum of Art, and live music galore. Spirited or chill, lively or reflective, you’ll find your jazzy vibe in Atlanta.
High Museum of Art
Even if you don’t happen to make it to the dedicated Jazz Fridays, Atlanta’s High Museum of Art is still very much worth visiting. The Southeast’s most spectacular art museum has it all—classic, folk, and contemporary art, photography, sculptures, and not to mention architecture that is artistic in itself. The museum prides itself on curating collections that are diverse and engaging to its community and hosts events often.
Salsa Dancing
Over the past couple of decades, Atlanta’s Hispanic/Latino population has increased significantly and you can find pockets of various cultures across the city. If you’re in a dancing mood, check out the best places for lessons, live music, and dancing.
Attractions
Georgia Aquarium
The country’s largest aquarium–the Georgia Aquarium–is found in Atlanta and homes more than 500 aquatic species. Interested in seeing manta rays? Beluga whales? A run-of-the-mill, average-joe fish? You could do that. Or you could interact with dolphins, swim alongside whale sharks, or have a sleepover next to them. Whatever you decide, it’s certain to make for an exciting experience.
World of Coca-Cola
If you’ve done all you can do at the aquarium and are somehow still feeling dehydrated, you can simply hop on over right next door to the World of Coca-Cola. You can learn all sorts of fun facts about the beverage, experiment with different flavors and mixtures, test your sense of smell, and take a picture with Coca-Cola’s famous polar bear. The attraction even features a pop culture gallery dedicated to the brand.
We’re excited that The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau has decided to use our booking engine to help connect their lodging partners to their marketing efforts. They do an excellent job showcasing Atlanta’s local charm, historical depth, and top-tier experiences. Their work is so good, you may even be convinced to book two visits.
