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Atlanta: An Easy Escape From Here
By Cara Trump
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Stone Mountain, Georgia during the holiday season.
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With almost year-round tourism, Florida’s attractions can quickly become overrun with fanny packs and flashing cameras. Escape the tourist invasion with a vacation away from the vacationers. Everything needed for a fun family trip is an hour-and-a-half flight to Atlanta.
The perfect place to start when vacationing with children is the aquarium. The Georgia Aquarium at Pemberton Place boasts the world’s largest aquarium, with 100,000 animals of 500 different species and eight million gallons of fresh and marine water. Kids can enjoy five galleries depicting different habitats and a behind-the-scenes tour.
While at Pemberton Place, stop by The New World of Coca-Cola. This attraction is full of activities for kids and parents, such as a 4-D movie experience, a fully operational bottling line, and the opportunity to sample over 70 Coca-Cola products from around the world.
Centennial Olympic Park provides many ways for the family to interact. April through September, Centennial Olympic Park offers free concerts Tuesday through Thursday, and even a family fun day on the fourth Saturday of each month. November through January, the park hosts its annual Holiday in Lights celebration and opens Atlanta’s only outdoor ice skating rink.
The High Museum of Art is the leading art museum in the Southeast. It holds a diverse collection of 19th and 20th century American works, European paintings, African/African-American art, modern and contemporary art and photography. Activities include guided tours, lectures, gallery talks, music, wine tastings and book signings.
Opening Nov. 15 is the U.S. premiere of “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” presented by National Geographic and Arts & Exhibitions International. The all-new King Tut exhibition will be displayed at the Atlanta Civic Center through May 22, 2009.
Then, plan to spend an entire day at Georgia’s most popular attraction, Stone Mountain Park. Just a half-hour drive outside the city is the home of 3,200 acres of family recreational activities, special events, lodging, camping, entertainment, themed attractions, a laser show, live shows and parades.
For lodging consider the Marriot Atlanta Marquis located in downtown Atlanta. With its 1,663 newly renovated guest rooms, including 94 suites, floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the city, a full spa, and restaurants, relaxing at the hotel could be just as much of an attraction as the activities.
A visit to Atlanta will get you away for a family vacation that is close to home, but far from the visiting masses.
Plan your visit to Atlanta:
The Georgia Aquarium:
(404) 581-4444; www.georgiaaquarium.org
The New World of Coca-Cola:
(404) 676-5151; www.worldofcoca-cola.com
Centennial Olympic Park:
(404) 222-PARK; www.centennialpark.com
Stone Mountain Park:
(770) 498-5690; www.stonemountainpark.com
High Museum of Art:
(404) 733-4444; www.high.org
Marriot Atlanta Marquis:
(404) 521-0000; www.rediscovermarquis.com
Atlanta Civic Center:
(404) 523-6275; www.atlantaciviccenter.com
Tutankhamun Exhibit:
www.kingtut.org
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