by Colin Morley

Created on: October 24, 2008   Last Updated: December 08, 2008

Atlanta is a modern city, not incorporated until 1847. The city was burned down by Sherman's army in 1864, as graphically and dramaticaly depicted in Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind and for this reason the earliest buildings are no longer standing. One building worth a visit, however, is the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum in Peachtree Street, where the author wrote her famous novel. The museum is open from 9.30-5.30 Monday to Saturday and Noon-5.30 each Sunday. If you're planning to visit this fall, the museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 27. A guided tour lasts about an hour and a half and costs just $12 for adults, with reduced prices for children and seniors.

On Auburn Avenue in the Sweet Auburn district of Atlanta, is the King Centre comprising the childhood home of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and the Ebenezer Baptist chruch where he ministered along with his father. A former fire house now houses an exhibit on desegregation in the Atlanta fire service. The King Centre is open 9am-5pm seven days a week during fall, but is closed on Thanksgiving Day.

If history is not for you, what about a visit to Atlanta Zoo? Here you will find a host of animals from around the world. The zoo is pioneering in its research and conservation programmes and extends a welcome throughout the year. Entry cost is $18.99 for an adult, with concessions for children, seniors and military personnel.

How about plants? At the Atlanta Botanical Garden you can see in bloom this month (October) the Crocus and beautiful red flowered Mountain Sage among other delights. Next month will see the flowering of the wonderful swan orchid and Sasangua, with a host of others. Tickets for the Garden are on sale at $12 for adults, with reductions for children and seniors. Guided tours are available at an extra cost. The Garden is closed on Mondays.

For those who are not weight watching, there is the World of Coca Cola. Atlanta is the home of this famous brand, introduced to the world by John Pemberton in the late 19th Century. At the World of Coca Cola you can see the history of the product, buy memorabilia and see a production line in action producing limited edition bottles. You even get to taste the stuff.

A ticket to World of Coca Cola will cost you $15, with reductions for seniors and children. The centre is open seven days a week (not Thanksgiving Day, Easter Sunday or Christmas Day). Opening times vary, so check out the website before you plan your visit.

Fancy finding the story behind the news? Take a tour of CNN's global studio in Atlanta. You can see the enormous newsroom in live action and hear presentations from some of the studio anchors and reporters on how it is to bring the news into homes around the world each day. Admission cost is $12 with reductions for children and seniors for a guided tour. The studio is open from 9am until 5pm each day, except Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

If you're planning a longer break in Atlanta, you should consider making use of the Atlanta City Pass. This pass is valid for six days and gives you access to Atlanta Zoo, World of Coca Cola, Atlanta Botanical Garden OR Fernbank Museum of Natural History as well as the High Museum of Art OR Atlanta History Centre. The City Pass costs $69 (adult), representing an overall saving of $40 if all attractions are visited.

Of course there are plenty of things to do in Atlanta that you could do in any city - even some free things like taking in the sights and taking lots of photographs. These have been just a few of the things Atlanta can offer that are unique to the city. Enjoy your time in Atlanta.

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