Atlanta Activites
(Maybe I should title this page “Atlanta Non-Shopping Activities!”)
Let’s face it, SHOPPING may well be the #1 Atlanta Fun Favorite Activity for most of us! To find my Atlanta shopping info, click here.
However, if you want to squeeze in a little sightseeing or culture, Atlanta’s got that too!
ATLANTA FUN FAVORITES
Lipstick Getaways’ Top Picks for Sightseeing, Museums, and Culture
1. High Museum of Art. A must-see for just about everyone.
The museum itself — designed by contemporary architect Richard Meier — is stunning, and the collections, focusing primarily on 18th, 19th and 20th century American art and design, are interesting and well-curated. In most museums, I tend to get glassy-eyed and cranky after an hour, but I happily lasted about 3 hours here.
While you’re there, go to Table 1280 Restaurant and Tapas Lounge. Just across the Piazza at the High Museum, this “American Brasserie” is terrific for lunch, dinner, tapas, drinks, or Sunday brunch, before or after the museum or other events at the Woodruff Arts Center. Very sophisticated, cool, contemporary space and menu.
2. Center For Puppetry Arts Not just for kids, many shows are geared toward adults.
Yes, really … puppets! Check their performance schedule and see what is playing. We were blown away by their deliciously creepy production of “Tales of Edgar Allen Poe.” One of the coolest pieces of theater I had ever seen! You can tour the museum before the show (you only need about 20 minutes).
3. Atlanta History Center Sounds dull, but isn’t — highly recommended!
Confession: my friend Beth and I almost blew this off in favor of more shopping, it turned out we enjoyed our visit here immensely. This 33-acre facility in Buckhead includes interesting and informative docent-led tours of the 1840’s Tullie Smith Farm and the restored 1928 Swan House Mansion, the lovely (and very feminine) Swan Coach House Restaurant, and an excellent museum with permanent and changing exhibitions on the Civil War, African-American heritage, Southern Folk Art, quilts, etc. (Fyi, admission is free the first Saturday of every month, January - May.)
See a show, or take a tour of this truly jaw-dropping, over-the-top opulent, restored 1929 landmark theatre. The tour is interesting if you like that sort of thing (as I do), but I wouldn’t necessarily put that at the top of your list. However, if you have a chance to see a show there, by all means do so, and leave time to gawk. You won’t believe your eyes when you enter!
Not exactly a “must-see,” but interesting enough and a good way to spend an hour if you are downtown. After the tour, we walked about 10 blocks to the Westin Peachtree Plaza and enjoyed lunch-and-an amazing-view at the 71st-floor SunDial Restaurant.
6. Visit Decatur
Ok, so this is pretty much a shopping activity, but I enjoyed my visit to Decatur so much, decided to include it here. You’ll find the details under Shopping: Decatur.
“On the list” for my future Atlanta trips:
I haven’t checked them out yet, but these sound promising:
7. Atlanta Botanical Garden and Piedmont Park (especially in spring)
8. A Theater, Dance, Opera, or Comedy Performance: Atlanta boasts more than 65 performing arts groups. Visit AtlantaPlanIt.com for comprehensive arts and culture listings.
9. Atlanta Walking Tours by the Atlanta Preservation Center. I always love this sort of thing.
10. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and Sweet Auburn District.
11. Atlanta Cyclorama Restored 1880’s massive circular painting and narration tells the story of the Battle of Atlanta. It sounds hokey, but I’ve heard it’s actually pretty cool. However, you’ll need to drive or take a taxi. It’s right by the Atlanta zoo.
“Not on my list, but might be on yours”
I probably won’t check these out — but they are popular and some of “y’all” might really enjoy them (and let me know if they should be on the Fave list!):
Georgia Aquarium Highly popular! Our friend Larry back home couldn’t believe we were going to Atlanta without visiting the Aquarium. Folks in Atlanta raved about it too. It’s by the Centennial Olympic Park and the New World of Coca Cola (see below).
Margaret Mitchell House & Museum For fans of Gone With The Wind.
World of Coca-Cola Former location (near the Georgia State Capitol) closed on April 7, 2007; new 20 acre “corporate attraction” opened May 2007, near Centennial Olympic Park and the Georgia Aquarium.
FOR MORE INFO on Atlanta Activities:
www.Atlanta.net Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau. Or call 1-800-Atlanta.
www.atlantaplanit.com Metro Atlanta Arts & Culture Coalition. Events calendar.
www.accessatlanta.com Atlanta Journal-Constitution site; lots of entertainment culture info.
