#AsuquoTravelsTheUSA: 13 points of interest to visit while in Atlanta

After a disappointing experience and dramatic time in Baton Rouge, I had high hopes and expectations coming to Atlanta. All I can say is that my 11 days in Atlanta was wonderful, educative and eye-opening. Over all my highlight will be my visit to the World of Coca-Cola.

Atlanta is the capital of the U.S. state of Georgia and home to many exciting points of interests. In fact, many of the city’s most sought after attractions are all within walking distance of each other. The close proximity of these major attractions makes the downtown area the ideal place for many visitors to start their exploration of this cosmopolitan southern city.

The best way to see Atlanta is to get an all access pass to some of the best attractions in the city. Save 40% off admission to the best Atlanta attractions with Atlanta CityPASS®. Marvel at the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca Cola®, the CNN Studio Tours, etc, for just $75 (Adults) and $59 (Children).

INSIDER TIPS:

• If you want to experience a little more than you get to see on the regular tour, take the VIP tour.
• Elevator-assisted tours are available.
• Make reservations ahead of time.

So checkout my points of interests to visit while you are in Atlanta below:

Georgia Aquarium
Directly across the street from Centennial Park is the Georgia Aquarium which is the largest aquarium in the world. Home to more than 500 species from around the globe that live in more than 10 million gallons of fresh and marine water.

Exotic sea animals are beautifully displayed throughout the state of the art aquarium. Children and adults alike will bask in the excellent educational programs and shows which combine entertainment and information for a true appreciation for the oceans and those animals that call the ocean home.

World of Coca‑Cola
Just across a block away from the Georgia Aquarium is the World of Coca-Cola Museum. Atlanta is home to the soft drink empire which employs thousands of Atlantans and is a huge economic factor in the Downtown Atlanta area. The Coca Cola Museum is one of the city’s largest attractions, boasting millions of visitors a year. From the origins of the first cola recipe to the worldwide variations available for sampling, this museum is a must see for visitors and locals alike.

In 1886 a chemist named Dr John Pemberton devised a syrup designed to relieve headaches. A friend of his mixed the glutinous liquid with water and carbonic acid, and the result of the mixture soon became the world’s most popular soft drink. The World of Coca-Cola entertainingly illustrates the history and triumphal progress of the world-famous drink.

Centennial Olympic Park
Centennial Olympic Park not only serves as a legacy of the 1996 Olympic Games, but is the center of a thriving tourist district with neighbors that include the College Football Hall of Fame, the Center for Civil & Human Rights, the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center and Imagine It! The Children’s Museum. This downtown Atlanta park is an urban oasis offering an abundance of activities and things to do for visitors, families, convention attendees and locals.

CNN Center
Still within the bustling Downtown Atlanta area is the CNN Center. Get behind the scenes of Cable News Network (CNN), which is based right here in Atlanta, Ga. A 50-minute guided walking tour lets you peek into the newsroom, control room and much more. Be sure to keep your eyes wide open; there’s no telling who you might see while walking the halls.

The CNN Center is the epicenter of the world of news, media and entertainment. Tours of the main newsroom and the inner workings of this news and media giant are a huge draw. The CNN center also offers up an impressive food court that will assuredly quench any hunger pangs that may arise while enjoying the sights and sounds of Atlanta.

CNN needs to do more with their tour. I feel tourist need to see more live studio actions, have one-on-one with CNN presenters and correspondents plus take more photos.

High Museum of Art
Situated in a stately home on Peachtree Street, the High Museum of Art is one of the leading art museums, housing an acclaimed collection of classic and contemporary art.

The museum boasts more than 14,000 works of art in its permanent collection, including an extensive treasury of 19th- and 20th-century American and decorative art, a handpicked selection of African American art, and growing collections of European paintings, modern and contemporary art, folk art, photography, and African art.

The museum offers special family programs and teen events, as well as guided tours, lectures, and late Friday night openings. The museum has two cafés that serve light meals and beverages, as well as a full service restaurant with a local farm-to-fork menu and an excellent wine list.

Zoo Atlanta
For the animal lovers in the group, the Zoo Atlanta offers visitors a world class view of some of the rarest animals on the planet. From the Panda exhibit to the Gorilla habitat, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this highly educational and entertaining destination.

Martin Luther King Centre (The King Centre)
Encompassing nearly 35 acres, the fun, family-friendly and free Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is composed of landmarks, modern-day monuments and facilities. Take a journey through the underlying historical struggles of the South as well as the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Tour the Martin Luther King, Jr. Birth Home to see where Dr. King was born and lived during the first 12 years of his life. View the historic Fire Station No. 6, one of the South’s first desegregated fire houses, on your way to Dr. King’s birth home.

Jimmy Carter Library & Museum (& The Carter Center)
The Jimmy Carter Presidential Museum is filled with interactive displays and fascinating exhibits that the entire family will enjoy. Experience “A Day in the Life of the President,” step into the Oval Office, take a virtual trip with the Carters to fight disease and promote democracy around the world.

College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience is a complete immersion into all things college football. Located in the heart of the city’s sports and entertainment district in downtown Atlanta, the state-of-the-art facility features engaging and interactive exhibits focused around football.

The College Football Hall of Fame’s “Fan Experience” allows fans and visitors to engage with their favorite Hall of Famer or college football team through a combination of traditional and authentic memorabilia and interactive, multi-media exhibits that capture the passion and energy of college football.

Visitors can explore the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Skill Zone on a 45-yard replica football field, call a legendary play in the ‘Call the Play’ booth, or join famed presenters Desmond Howard and Chris Fowler at the ESPN College Game Day Desk.

FOX Theatre
The Fox Theatre in Atlanta is a restored movie palace turned cultural jewel; this National Historic Landmark holds a special place in Atlanta’s heart. Originally intended to be the Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque, the Fox Theatre Atlanta welcomed movie audiences for the first time on Christmas Day 1929. Although it enjoyed a successful career as a movie theater, the Fabulous Fox Theatre faced possible demolition until it was rescued by a nonprofit organization in the 1970s. Today, the Fox Theatre Atlanta welcomes 750,000 visitors a year to more than 300 performances and events.

See a show. Aruably the best live entertainment venue in Atlanta. The Fox Theatre serves up a full menu of live performances, ranging from dance to opera to Broadway shows to rock concerts. In 2009, Billboard magazine ranked the Fox Theatre in Atlanta as “The #1 non-residency venue worldwide for the decade (5,000 seats or less).”

The Delta Flight Museum
Just like Coca-Cola, Atlanta is home to Delta Airline.

The Delta Flight Museum offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Features include interactive exhibits and rare artifacts, cutting-edge technology, unique event spaces and an innovative focus on the future of aviation. At the Museum guests can get an up-close look at historic aircraft dating back to the 1920s, fly the only Boeing 737 flight simulator open to the public, host events in a distinctive setting that offers historic glamour with modern appeal and shop for unique aviation souvenirs.

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Within walking distance from the Coca Cola Museum lies Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta which is a cornucopia of activities, exhibits, shows and programs for children ages eight and under. This is also a great destination for parties and special events as the museum houses a few banquet rooms specifically made for large groups.

Center for Civil and Human Rights
The Center for Civil and Human Rights in Downtown Atlanta pays homage to the American civil rights movement, as well as brings current global human rights issues to the forefront. The Center is a perfect starting point for exploring Atlanta’s history in civil and human rights movements.

Come for a couple of hours and explore the Center’s three main exhibits: civil rights, human rights and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection from Morehouse College.

Each exhibit features hands-on interactive displays that bring guests into the subject matter. View a video on the panoramic screen or sit at a lunch counter that simulates Freedom Riders protests. Stand tall next to life-size images of the dictators of the world – they’re surprisingly short!

After a visit to all the above listed attractions, you surely will get a unique perspective of the Atlanta.

Next on my #AsuquoTravelsTheUSA tour is the city of Charlotte in the U.S. state of North Carolina.