Atlanta Education Directory
Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, has grown tremendously in recent years and is now the ninth most populated city in the United States. Home to The Coca-Cola Co., Home Depot, The Weather Channel, and much more, Atlanta is an important point in the global economy. There is so much to see and do in Atlanta that we can only give you the highlights.
Things to See & Do:
- Take a walking tour of historic neighborhoods or prominent buildings. The Atlanta Preservation Center offers tours of Grant Park with its restored Victorian houses, the Sweet Auburn/Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic District, Historic Downtown, and many others.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in the Sweet Auburn District includes Dr. King's birth home, the Ebenezer Baptist Church, and his Nobel Peace Prize is displayed and the Kings' graves are located.
- The Margaret Mitchell House & Mansion offers a museum and shop in the Tudor Revival mansion where Mitchell wrote Gone with the Wind.
- The NEW World of Coca-Cola® features the largest collection of Coke memorabilia in the world, a functioning bottling line, Coke tastings, and a Pop Culture Gallery.
- Jimmy Carter Library and Museum holding include presidential papers and photographs from the Carter Administration, as well as President Carter's Nobel Peach Prize.
- Two Six Flags theme parks: Six Flags Over Georgia (with Goliath, the tallest roller coaster in the Southeast) and Six Flags White Water with amazing water rides.
- Zoo Atlanta has more than 40 acres of animal habitats and 200+ animal species.
- Underground Atlanta: Six city blocks have been made over into a marketplace with over 100 specialty stores and entertainments, as well as restaurants, and the Aero Balloon-a ride that takes you 350 feet above downtown Atlanta.
- The William Bremen Jewish Heritage Museum explores Jewish heritage through exhibitions, publications, and other resources.
- Atlantic Station is another great place to shop: boutiques, sidewalk cafés, and funky restaurants alongside movie theaters and festival and concert venues. Pick up a free shuttle at the Arts Center MARTA Station.
- Get discount tickets to local attractions, museums, and performances through AtlanTIX or Atlanta CityPass.
Nightlife:
Students looking for some tasty food on a budget should check out:
- The Real Chow Baby on Howell Mill Rd. has a do-it-yourself stir-fry bar with your choice of more than 70 ingredients. It's the best all-you-can-eat Asian food around.
- Taqueria Del Sol on Howell Mill Rd NW has satisfying Latin-inspired food at more than reasonable prices.
- Eats (Ponce DeLeon Ave NE)-your high school cafeteria was never this good!
- Olive Bistro Midtown (Midtown Market, Ponce deLeon Ave NE) may not look fancy but the Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean food should not be missed.
Nightclubs in Atlanta are for those over 21. If that's you, be sure to check out the:
- Lava Lounge on 13th St-the latest industrial and house beats, and great martinis.
- MJQ Concourse on Ponce DeLeon Ave NE is underground (literally) and plays R&B, punk, industrial rock, and more. The crowd includes all kinds from tech students, young professionals, and club kids.
- Blind Willie's on N. Highland Ave. has some of the best blues acts ever, whether local and better known musicians.
Accommodation:
Students looking for clean, comfortable accommodations on a budget should contact these hotels for rates and availability:
- Highland Inn on N. Highland Ave. NE in Midtown
- Hammond Inn Atlanta Perimeter Center on Hammond Dr.
- La Quinta Inn & Suites on Paces Ferry Rd. SE
- Hotel Indigo on Peachtree St. NE in Midtown
- Residence Inn by Marriott on Peachtree St. in Midtown
Sports:
The Braves play baseball at Turner Field, while the Falcons play football in the Georgia Dome. Both the Hawks (NBA) and Thrashers (NHL) can be seen at Philips Arena. In such a big city, you can find just about any kind of activity you want to be part of. And the weather is usually on your side!
Transportation:
MARTA is the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. Between their trains, busses, shuttles, and the Blue Flyer, MARTA can get you just about everywhere. Before you go to Atlanta, check out their Web site at www.itsmarta.com. Atlanta's traffic is legendary (and not in a good way) so avoid driving if possible.
