Atlanta offers a rich variety of cultural attractions, from history museums and art galleries, to historic sites and gardens, many just a short distance from downtown hotels. Look for the special discounts we have arranged for meeting attendees at many of the attractions listed below. (Note: distance in parentheses are approximate from the Hilton Atlanta Hotel).
Intown
APEX Museum
135 Auburn Ave. (6 blocks). Trace Atlanta’s rich African-American heritage through exhibits in this museum located in the heart of Sweet Auburn and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic District. Hours: 10-5, Tues.-Sat., 1-5, Sun. Adults: $4, students/seniors: $3. Information: 404-523-2739; www.apexmuseum.org. MARTA: Peachtree Center Station. Atlanta Streetcar
The Atlanta History Center
130 West Paces Ferry Rd. (6 miles). The Atlanta History Center, the home of permanent and temporary exhibits, as well as a library and archives, is situated on a 33-acre campus in Buckhead. Permanent exhibits include “Shaping Traditions: Folk Arts in a Changing South”; “Turning Point: The American Civil War.”; Down the Fairway With Bobby Jones”; and “Centennial Olympic Games”. In addition, a new exhibition profiling the history of Atlanta; along with the Atlanta Cyclorama circular painting depicting the 1864 Battle of Atlanta (relocated from Grant Park), will open in 2016. The campus also includes the Tullie Smith farm complex (c. 1840s); the elegant Swan House (1928) designed for a prominent Atlanta family by architect Philip Shutze; and several acres of garden trails. The AHC’s archive has a dedicated collection on the Atlanta-based movement for gay rights. The gay community of Atlanta is a powerful political force in the city and a dominant presence in Midtown. Hours: 10-5:00, Mon. – Fri.; Noon-5:30, Sun. Adults: $16.50, Students/seniors: $13, children 4-12: $11. Information: 404-814-4000; www.atlhist.org. MARTA: Buckhead Station and Bus #110
ATL-Cruzers
160 Ted Turner Dr. NW. (5 blocks). ATL-Cruzers provide sightseeing tours of Atlanta’s main streets and off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods. Sign up for a 1.5-hour electric car or 2.5-hour Segway tour. Pick-up and drop-off service can be arranged from the annual meeting hotels. Two tours offered daily. Segway tours: $59, Electric Car Tours: $29 adults, $27 seniors, $15 children (8-17). Information: 404-492-7009; www.altcruzers.com. MARTA: Peachtree Center Station. Meeting attendees use discount code AHA16 at checkout to receive 15% off.
Auburn Avenue Research Library
101 Auburn Ave. (5 blocks). Located at the western end of the historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood and business district, the library is part of the City of Atlanta-Fulton County library system. It houses important archival collections and records related to the region’s African American heritage. Hours: 10-8, Mon.- Thurs.; Noon-6, Fri.- Sat.; 2-6, Sun. Free. Information: 404-730-4001 x199; www.afplweb.com/aarl. MARTA: Peachtree Center Station. Atlanta Streetcar.
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
980 Briarcliff Rd. (3.7 miles). Built in 1920, the Tudor Revival house is the centerpiece of a 12.5-acre estate built for Charles Howard Candler, eldest son of Asa Candler, and president of the Coca-Cola Co.. The house was designed by Henry Hornbostel, the principal architect of the first buildings on the nearby campus of Emory University. Candler would serve as chair of the Emory board of trustees from 1929 to 1957. The property was acquired by DeKalb County in 1971 and is now a highly regarded fine arts center offering gallery exhibitions, musical performances and events. Regularly scheduled tours of the historic home are also offered. Adults: $12; senior/student: $10; children: $8. Tour hours: 11-4, Mon.-Fri. Information: 404-872-5338; www.callanwolde.org. MARTA: Lindbergh Center Station and Bus #6. Attendees receive discounted adult admission of $10 when they show their conference badge.
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Monetary Museum
1000 Peachtree St. (2 miles). Learn about the Federal Reserve System and trace the evolution of currency from ancient times to the present day through fascinating exhibits. Hours: 9-4, Mon. – Fri. Free. Information: 404-498-8764; www.frbatlanta.org. MARTA: Tenth Street Station.
The Fernbank Museum of Natural History
767 Clifton Rd. (4 miles). Come face to face with the world’s largest dinosaur; take a walk through time in Georgia; marvel at fascinating artifacts recovered from St. Catherine’s Island off the Georgia coast; and enjoy thrilling shows in the IMAX Theater. Hours: 10-5, Mon.-Sat.; Noon-5, Sun. Adults: $12, students/seniors (55+): $11, children twelve and under: $10. Information: 404-929-6400; www.fernbankmuseum.org. MARTA: North Avenue Station and Bus #2. Attendees can receive $2 off museum admission when they show their conference badge.
Fernbank Science Center
156 Heaton Park Dr. (4 miles). Operated by DeKalb County Schools, the science center features science exhibits, astronomical observatory with the Southeast’s largest public telescope, and the region’s largest planetarium. Exhibit hall hours: Noon-5, Mon.-Wed.; 12-9, Thurs.-Fri.;10-5, Sat. Free ($7 for planetarium shows). Information: 678-874-7102; https://fsc.fernbank.edu. MARTA: same as Fernbank Museum.
Hammond House Museum
503 Peeples St., West End. (3.8 miles). Located in an Antebellum cottage once owned by Dr. Otis Hammonds, the museum houses an extensive collection of African and African American art. In addition to the gallery exhibitions, the museum offers workshops, lectures, film screenings, and tours. Hours: 10-6, Wed.-Fri.; 1-5, Sat.-Sun. Adults: $4; seniors/students: $2. Information: 404-612-0500; www.hammondshouse.org. MARTA: West End Station and Bus #71.
Herndon Home Museum
587 University Pl. (2.8 miles). Completed in 1910 by Alonzo Herndon, a former slave who operated Atlanta’s most fashionable tonsorial parlors. Herndon was also an entrepreneur who founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Co. and became one of the wealthiest African Americans in the country. The home, designated a National Historic Landmark in 2000, is operated by the Alonzo F. and Norris B. Herndon Foundation, is preserved as it was during Herndon’s lifetime. Adults: $7; seniors/students/military: $5. Hours: 10-4, Tues. & Thurs. Group tours by appointment. Information: 404-581-9813; www.theherndonhome.org. MARTA: Vine City Station.
High Museum of Art
1280 Peachtree St. (3.5 miles). One of the leading art museums in the Southeast, the High is noted for its extensive collections of 19th and 20th century American art; it’s expanding collection of African American art; and rich collections of modern art and photography. The museum anchors the Woodruff Memorial Arts Center that includes the performance hall for the Atlanta Symphony, the stages of the Alliance Theater, and the studios, classrooms, and galleries of the highly regarded Atlanta College of Art. Hours: 10-5, Tues.-Thurs; 10-9, Fri.; 10-5, Sat.; and Noon-5, Sun. Adults: $19.50, student/seniors: $16.50; children: $12. Information: 404-733-4400; www.high.org. MARTA: Arts Center Station. Attendees receive admission for $10 and 20% gift shop purchases when they show their conference badge. You can also receive the discount by using code AHA10 when purchasing tickets online.
Historic Oakland Cemetery
248 Oakland Ave. (2 miles). An Atlanta city park and the city’s oldest public burial ground, Oakland was established in 1850. The cemetery is a classic example of the 19th century “rural garden” cemetery movement and the final resting place for many of the city’s earliest citizens, as well as notable figures like author Margaret Mitchell and golfer Robert T. “Bobby” Jones. Take time to stroll the old Jewish section with the tombstones in Hebrew, the Confederate Memorial Grounds, the African American Grounds, and the ornate mausoleums of several of Atlanta’s most prominent families. Hours: Daylight hours. Guided tours offered on weekends by volunteers from the Historic Oakland Cemetery Foundation (additional fee). Free. Information: 404-688-2407; www.oaklandcemetery.com. MARTA: King Memorial Station.
Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
441 Freedom Pkwy. (3 miles). Exhibits trace the path of the 39th President from his childhood years in Plains, Georgia to the White House. Explore the issues he confronted during his administration through videos and displays, and glimpse the Oval Office as he knew it. The museum and adjacent Carter Center are surrounded by tranquil gardens. Hours: 9-4:45, Mon.- Sat.; Noon-4:45, Sun. Adults: $8, seniors/students: $6. Information: 404-865-7100; www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov. MARTA: Five Points Station and Bus #16.
Margaret Mitchell House
979 Crescent Ave. (1.9 miles) Built as a single family residence in 1914, the house had been subdivided into the Windsor House apartments when John and Margaret Mitchell Marsh moved here in the early 1920s. Perhaps a bit run down, Mitchell called it the “Dump”. While living here, Margaret was house bound with a broken ankle and began work on her “great American novel” that was eventually published as Gone With the Wind. The book won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize and the film won the Academy Award for best motion picture in 1940. The museum is operated by the Atlanta History Center. Adults: $13; seniors/students: $10; children: $8.50. Hours: 10-5:30, Mon.-Sat.; Noon-5:30, Sun. Information: 404-249-7015; www.atlantahistorycenter.com. MARTA: Tenth Street Station.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
450 Auburn Ave. (1 mile). Trace the life of Dr. King and his leadership of the Civil Rights movement through personal artifacts and powerful exhibits in the Visitor Center. Complete the experience with a guided walk through his birth home, historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and a pause at his and his wife Coretta’s tombs in the center of a tranquil reflecting pool at the adjacent King Center for Nonviolent Social Change. If time permits, take a stroll down through historic “Sweet Auburn,” the social and cultural center for Atlanta’s African-American community for more than a century. Hours: 9-5, daily. Free. Information: 404-331-5190; www.nps.gov/malu. MARTA: King Memorial Station or Five Points Station and Bus #3. Atlanta Streetcar.
The Michael C. Carlos Museum of Art at Emory University
571 South Kilgo Cir. (6 miles). With one of the largest assemblages of ancient art in the Southeast, the Carlos is renowned for its Egyptian art and artifacts, as well as extensive collections of Nubian, Near Eastern, Sub-Saharan, Greek, Roman, and Ancient American art. Hours: 10-4, Tues.-Fri.; 10-5, Sat.; Noon-5, Sun. Adults: $8; seniors/students: $6. Information: 404-727-4282; www.carlos.emory.edu. MARTA: Lindbergh Station and Bus #6.
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights
100 Ivan Allen Dr. (6 blocks). Located near Centennial Olympic Park and the World of Coca Cola Museum, the Center’s many interactive exhibits trace the history of the American Civil Rights Movement and its links to the struggle for human rights worldwide. Permanent exhibitions include: “Voice to the Voiceless: the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection”; “Rolls Down Like Water: The American Civil Rights Movement”; and “Spark of Conviction: The Global Human Rights Movement”. Hours: 10-5, Mon.-Thurs.; 10-6, Fri.-Sun. Adults: $15, seniors/students/educators: $13, children: $7. Information: 678-999-8990; www.civilandhumanrights.org. MARTA: Peachtree Center Station. Attendees receive 20% off admission when they show their conference badge.
The William Bremen Jewish Heritage Museum
1440 Spring St. (3 miles). The museum features two permanent exhibits: “Creating Community: Jews in Atlanta,” telling the story of tensions between assimilation versus isolation, the Leo Frank case, the Temple bombing, and the Civil Rights movement; and “Absence of Humanity: The Holocaust Years,” designed by a child-survivor of the Holocaust, Ben Hirsch. Hours: 10-5, Sun.-Thurs.; 10-4, Fri. Adults: $12, seniors/students: $8. Information: 678-222-3700; www.thebreman.org. MARTA: Arts Center Station. Attendees receive adult admission for $7 and student admission for $5 when they show their conference badge.
Suburbs and Beyond
Booth Western Art Museum
501 Museum Dr., Cartersville. (40 miles north). Among the most comprehensive collections of historic and contemporary Western art in the nation, the museum also features extensive exhibits of Civil War art and a collection of Presidential memorabilia from all 44 presidents. Hours: 10-5,Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat.; 10-8, Thurs.; 1-5, Sun. Adults: $10, seniors: $8, children: $7. Information: 770-387-1300; www.boothmuseum.org. No public transportation.
Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site
1 Public Square, Dahlonega (60 miles north). Located in Georgia’s oldest existing courthouse (c. 1836), this area was the site of the nation’s first “gold rush”, in the 1820s, and focal point for the tragic removal of the Cherokee on the infamous “Trail of Tears” a decade later. Dahlonega is a beautifully preserved village in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Hours: 9-5, Mon.-Sat.; 10-5, Sun. Adults: $7, seniors: $7.50; youth: $6.50; children: $2. Information: 706-864-2257; www.gastateparks.org. No public transportation.
Delta Flight Museum
1060 Delta Blvd. (9.5 miles south). Located in a 1940s-era hanger at Delta Airlines headquarters at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the museum offers interactive exhibits tracing the history of Delta from a crop-dusting enterprise in Louisiana to one of the world’s largest airlines. Visitors may view historic aircraft, or get “checked-out” in a fully operational flight simulator. Hours: 10-4:30, Mon., Tues. Thurs., Fri.; 10-2, Wed.; 10-5, Sat.; Noon-5, Sun. Adults: $12.50; seniors, $10; youth, $7. Information: 404-715-7886; www.deltamuseum.org. No public transportation. Attendees receive free admission with their conference badge.
Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site
813 Indian Mounds Rd., Cartersville (42 miles north). For more than 500 years (c. 1000 ACE – 1550 ACE), this site along the Etowah River was a thriving social, religious, and trading center for natives of the Mississippian Culture. Explore exhibits and view artifacts in the museum, then stroll among the preserved earthen mounds and along the river banks. Hours: 9-5, Tues.-Sat. Adults: $6, seniors: $5; youth: $4; children: $2. Information: 770-387-3747; www.gastateparks.org. No public transportation.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and Museum
905 Kennesaw Mountain Dr., Kennesaw (25 miles north). The battles for Atlanta began in earnest with a late June 1864 attack by Gen. W. T. Sherman’s federal armies against Confederate General Joseph Johnston’s forces, entrenched along the slopes and ridges of Kennesaw Mountain north of Marietta. The site is among the last vestiges of wilderness in the metro Atlanta area (3,000 acres). The museum offers exhibits about the battle; while roads and trails lead to significant sites. Hours: 9-5, daily. Free. Information: 770-427-4686; www.nps.gov/kemo. No public transportation.
Little White House State Historic Site
401 Little White Rd., Warm Springs (90 miles southwest). This simple, white frame cottage was built in 1932 by Franklin D. Roosevelt as his residence while in Warm Springs receiving therapy for polio. Throughout his presidency, it became his retreat from the pressures of the White House, the Great Depression, and World War II. He died here on April 12, 1945 and the house has been preserved as it was on that day. In addition to the cottage, the site includes a museum and restored hydrotherapy pools at the nearby Warm Springs Institute. The site is a short distance from Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park and world-famous Callaway Gardens. Hours: 9-4:45, daily. Adults: $12; seniors: $10; youth: $7; children: $2. Information: 706-655-5870; www.gastateparks.org. No public transportation.
Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art
30 Atlanta St., Marietta (19.2 miles northwest). Located in a former post office near the Marietta square, the museum features both permanent and traveling exhibitions of art. The museum is also renowned for its extensive community arts education programs and events. Hours: 11-5, Tues.-Fri.; 11-4, Sat.; 1-4, Sun. Adults: $8, seniors/students: $5. Information: 770-528-1444; www.mariettacobbmuseum.org. MARTA: Arts Center Station and transfer to Cobb Community Transit (www.atltransit.org).
Ocmulgee National Monument
1207 Emery Hwy., Macon (90 miles south). Archeological evidence indicates that this site along central Georgia’s Ocmulgee River was first occupied by natives more than 12,000 years ago. As with Etowah, Mississippian mound-builders of a millennium ago erected the large mounds and excavated the earth lodge that visitors may explore today. The mounds were the site of the largest archeological dig in American history (1934-41). Hours: 9-5, daily. Free. Information: 478-752-8257; www.nps.gov/ocmu. No public transportation.
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art
4484 Peachtree Rd., Brookhaven (11.4 miles north). Located on the campus in Lowry Hall, OUMA is the only small liberal arts university museum in the Southeast that regularly offers internationally recognized exhibitions. The collection include works by Renoir, Dali, Matisse, Delacroix, Chagall, Miro, Tsukioka, and many others. Hours: Noon-5, Tues.-Sun. Adults: $5. Information: 404-364-8555; www.museum.oglethorpe.edu. MARTA: Brookhaven station and Bus #25.
Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. (26.5 miles northwest). Located a short distance from the site where the locomotive General was stolen by Union raiders in 1862, the Smithsonian affiliate museum offers both permanent and traveling exhibitions focused on the region’s rich railroading history and its integral role in the Civil War. A centerpiece of the museum is the restored General, artifacts from the “Great Locomotive Chase”, and several historic pieces of restored railroad equipment, including a World War I French “Merci” boxcar used to transport soldiers to the Western front. Hours: 9:30-5, Mon.-Sat.; 11-6, Sun. Adults: $7.50; senior/military: $6.50; children: $5.50. Information: 770-427-2117; www.southernmuseum.org. No public transportation.
For the Family
Center for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring St. (3.5 miles). Home to the nation’s largest permanent collection of puppets, the center features museum exhibits, workshops, and a full schedule of puppetry performances for all ages. Hours: 9-5, Tues.- Sat.; 11-5, Sun. Tickets for show and museum: $16:50-$25. Information and performance schedule: 404-873-3391; www.puppet.org. MARTA: Arts Center Station.
CNN: Cable News Network
One CNN Center (1 mile). Founded in 1980 by Ted Turner, CNN was the first 24-hour-a-day cable network news channel. CNN pioneered the way news, entertainment, and information was transmitted around the world. The Atlanta-based CNN studio offers tours. Hours: 9-5, daily. Adults: $16; seniors/students: $15; children: $13. Information: 404-827-2300; www.cnn.com/tour/atlanta. MARTA: Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Station. Atlanta Streetcar.
College Football Hall of Fame
250 Marietta St. (9 blocks). Located near the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park, the museum traces the history of college football and recognizes the game’s greatest players and coaches. Permanent exhibits include: “Why We Love the Game”, “Building a Champion”, and “Game Time” featuring videos of some of the greatest games ever played. The centerpiece of the museum is the Hall of Fame gallery where visitors may view displays and learn about the games’ greatest participants. Hours:10-5, Mon.-Fri. and Sun.; 9-6, Sat. Adults: $19.99; seniors/students/military: $17.99; children: $16.99. Information: 404-880-4800; www.cfbhall.com. MARTA: Georgia World Congress Center station. Atlanta Streetcar.
The Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker St. (8 blocks). The world’s largest aquarium has established itself as one of the premier facilities of its kind in the world. Enjoy exhibits of sea life from the Georgia Coast, freshwater rivers, and the planet’s oceans. Hours: 9-8, Mon. – Fri.; 8-8, Sat.; 9-6, Sun. Adults: $38.95, seniors: $34.95, children: $32.95. Information: 404-581-4000; www.georgiaaquarium.org. MARTA: Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN or Peachtree Center Stations. Atlanta Streetcar. Attendees receive discounted admission (Adult $28.95 / Child $23.95 / Senior $24.95) when they order tickets online from https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/aha2016.
Georgia State Capitol and Museum
206 Washington St. (1 mile). Modeled after the U.S. Capitol, the neoclassical building was completed in 1889. In addition to the building’s architectural features, legislative chambers, and Governor’s office, it houses an eclectic array of historical artifacts from Georgia’s colorful history. The dome is sheathed in Dahlonega gold, first applied in 1958 and re-gilded twice since. Hours: 8-5, Mon.-Fri., Free. Guided tours available. Information: 404-656-2846; www.sos.state.ga.us. MARTA: Georgia State Station.
Imagine It! Children’s Museum of Atlanta
275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. (5 blocks). A delightful destination just for kids eight years old and under. The museum features interactive exhibits, galleries, play areas, games and group activities. Hours:10-4, Mon., Tues., Thurs. Fri.; 10-5, Sat.-Sun. One year and older: $12.75. Information: 404-659-5437; www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org. MARTA: Peachtree Center or Civic Center Stations. Atlanta Streetcar.
World of Coca-Cola
12 Baker St. (6 blocks). Across from Olympic Centennial Park, the museum’s exhibits trace the history of the world’s favorite soft drink from its Atlanta beginnings to the present day. Learn about Coke’s secret formula, stroll through exhibits of memorabilia, enjoy popular videos, and sample products that Coke produces for markets around the globe. Hours: 9-6, Mon. – Fri.; 9-7, Sat.; 10-6, Sun. Adults: $16, seniors: $14, children: $12. Information: 404-676-5151; www.worldofcoca-cola.com. MARTA: Peachtree Center Station. Atlanta Streetcar. Attendees receive discounted admission (Adult $15, Seniors $13, Children $10) with their conference badge.
Wren’s Nest
1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. (3.5 miles). This quaint, country cottage, built in 1870, was purchased in 1881 by writer Joel Chandler Harris who dubbed it “the Wren’s Nest.” Harris, a newspaper journalist and author, was best known for his Uncle Remus Tales, considered among the finest collections of folklore in American history. Today, the house museum traces the life of Harris, as well as offering a full schedule of story-telling performances and workshops. Hours: 10-2:30, Tues.- Sat. Adults: $7, seniors and teens: $6, children: $4. Information: 404-753-7735; www.accessatlanta.com. MARTA: West End Station and Bus #71.
Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Ave. (3 miles). From the Ford African Rainforest and the Asian Forest, to the Orkin Children’s Zoo and the perennially popular Panda exhibit, Zoo Atlanta is a popular destination for visitors of all ages. The zoo is in the heart of historic Grant Park, Atlanta’s playground for more than a century. Hours: 9:30-5:30, Mon. – Fri.; 9:30-6:30, Sat.-Sun. Adults: $16.50, seniors: $12.50, children: $11.50. Information: 404-624-5822; www.zooatlanta.org. MARTA: Peachtree Center Station and Bus #32. Attendees receive discounted prices (Adult $19.43, Child $15.03) when they reserve online. Go to https://zooatlanta.doubleknot.com/zoo-atlanta-discounted-weblink/49580 and enter username AHAconference and password Historians.
Greenspaces and Gardens
The Atlanta Botanical Garden and Piedmont Park
1345 Piedmont Ave. (3 miles). The Garden offers more than 30 acres of landscaped gardens, woodlands, and indoor exhibit spaces to explore. Do not miss the Dorothy C. Fuqua Conservatory dedicated to preserving and displaying endangered plants from around the world, and the whimsical Children’s Garden. Hours: 9-5, Tues.-Sun. Adults: $12, seniors: $9, children: $7. Information: 404-876-5859; www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org. MARTA: Peachtree Center Station and Bus #27.The Garden is located within historic 187-acre, Olmsted Brothers-designed, Piedmont Park. The park has been Atlanta’s “common ground” since the 1880s and was the site the first football game in the South (Auburn vs. Georgia, 1892) and the Cotton States Exposition of 1895. In more recent years the park has welcomed visitors to the Atlanta Arts Festival, the Kool Jazz Festival, the 60,000 runners of the annual Peachtree Road Race, and a wide variety of other events. Hours: daylight hours. Free. Information: 404-875-7275; www.piedmontpark.org. MARTA: Same as Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Atlanta Beltline
(2.5 miles to Eastside Trail at Piedmont Park). The most comprehensive transportation and economic development project ever undertaken by the city of Atlanta, the Beltline is an evolving system of parks and linear connecting trails following abandoned railway corridors, that will eventually encircle much of the city. The project, first proposed in a 1999 master’s thesis by a Georgia Tech student, now includes more than 1300 acres of parks along 33 miles of trails that connect 45 intown neighborhoods. Completed sections include the Eastside Trail from Piedmont Park to Inman Park, Northside Trail near Buckhead, and West End Trail near Mozley Park and Westview Cemetery. Bus, bicycle, and walking tours available. Hours: 24 hours daily. Information: 404-477-3003; www.beltline.org. MARTA: Access points near the Inman Park Station, Midtown Station, West End Station, and multiple bus routes.
Centennial Olympic Park
(7 blocks). Created as a focal point for the 1996 Olympic Games, the 21-acre park is now a popular gathering place and a permanent legacy of the Games. The park, convenient to museums, sports venues, and the Georgia World Congress Center, features plays paces, picnic pavilions, and the always popular (in warm weather) Olympic Rings Fountain. The park hosts concerts, community events, and a July 4th fireworks show. MARTA: Peachtree Center or Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Stations. Atlanta Streetcar.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell (22.4 miles north). Located on the northern banks of the Chattahoochee River, the nature center preserves 127 acres of woodlands and wetlands for hands-on learning and enjoyable exploring. Visitors may meander the river boardwalk, hike woodland trails into the surrounding hills, view interactive exhibits in the state-of-the-art Interpretive Center, and participate in educational activities tailored for all age groups. Hours:10-5, Mon.-Sat.; Noon-5, Sun. Adults: $10; seniors/students: $7, children: $6. Information: 770-992-2055; www.chattnaturecenter.org. No public transportation. Attendees receive $2 off admission and 10% off gift shop purchases with their conference badge.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
1978 Island Ford Pkwy., Sandy Springs (25 miles north). Established in 1978, the park preserves the natural beauty of 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River in 18 non-contiguous units from Lake Sidney Lanier to west Atlanta. The park features miles of hiking trails, and opportunities for paddling the river’s class 1-2 rapids. There are multiple access points to the recreation area units. Park headquarters and visitor center are located at the Island Ford unit. $3 parking fee. Information: 678-538-1200; www.nps.gov/chat. No public transportation.
Stone Mountain Park
1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain (27 miles). Stone Mountain, rising nearly 800 feet above the landscape, is the largest outcrop of exposed granite in the world. The mountain and its surrounding park are among the state’s most popular scenic and historic attractions. Hike or ride the gondola to the summit, discover the mountain’s cultural and geological history through exhibits at Memorial Hall, take a ride aboard the Scenic Railroad, explore the past at the Antebellum Plantation, ride the Ducks on Stone Mountain Lake, admire the remarkable bas-relief Confederate Memorial carving on the face of the mountain, enjoy a round of golf on the challenging links, and relax at an evening laser show. Hours: Park is open 24 hours; attraction hours vary by day and season. Adults: $29.95; children: $24.95; annual passes available. Information: 800-401-2407; www.stonemountainpark.com. MARTA: Five Points Station and Bus #121.
More Information
Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau: 404-521-6600/1-800-ATLANTA; https://attend.atlanta.net
Georgia Department of Economic Development: www.georgia.org
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA): 404-848-5000; www.itsmarta.com
Information compiled by Ren Davis for the Local Arrangements Committee.
Civil Bikes
480 John Wesley Dobbs Avenue, NE, Suite 170 (1 mile). Provides guided, historic bike tours in the city of Atlanta. We aim to make our tours accessible, educational, and most importantly, fun! The tours are two hours, about 8 miles, travelling through Atlanta’s in-town neighborhoods. We will see homes, businesses, green spaces, empty lots, murals, and community life to further convey the rich history social history that makes Atlanta unique. You will experience Atlanta in a way that gives you fresh eyes for the city! www.civilbikes.com. Attendees get 10% off bike tours with code “HISTORY” and $5 off bike rental with code “5offbike.”