I. Our basic city tour is ideal for the short of time, visitor to our city.

Tour-IA. Basic city tour-includes Down Town, Midtown, and Buckhead. Four to five hours are needed to see and hear all of the major places unless you want to stop, and take a walking tour.

· Tour of Atlanta Homes-See period homes within the city of Atlanta.

· The Georgia Aquarium- The world’s largest aquarium and one of the feature Atlanta attractions! With eight million gallons of fresh and marine water and more aquatic life than found in any other aquarium, you are sure to see things you have never seen before! The Georgia Aquarium is open 365 days a year. Please note that hours of operation do vary. Please reserve your tickets in advance or call ahead at 404-581-4000. (Mon-Thur 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fri-Sun 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.) ( $24(Adults),$20(Seniors 55 and up),$18(3 to 12) ).

Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta

· Centennial Olympic Park - This unique 21-acre park performs a dual mission: it serves as Georgia's lasting legacy of the Centennial Olympic Games and it anchors efforts to revitalize residential and commercial development in Georgia's capital city of Atlanta. The Park sponsors community-wide free events, including the Fourth of July Celebration, Wednesday Wind Down concert series and Fourth Saturday Family Fun Days. The Park also hosts festivals, fundraisers and private events. These events, in addition to the normal day-to-day traffic, bring an estimated three million visitors to this urban oasis each year.

· Georgia Dome - The Georgia Dome, the largest cable-supported domed stadium in the world, opened in 1992. Located in downtown Atlanta, the Dome is the home venue for the Atlanta Falcons, host to Super Bowl XXVII and XXXIV, host of the gymnastics and basketball events for the 1996 Olympic Games and host to both a Men's and Women's NCAA Final Four. Annually, the Dome hosts the Bank of America Atlanta Football classic, the SEC Football Championship and the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The Dome is equipped to handle large non-sporting events which include everything from major trade shows to concerts by such entertainers as the Rolling Stones and Backstreet Boys to religious events by such ministers as Billy Graham and T.D. Jakes.

· The Georgia Governors Mansion- Stately Greek revival home, 30 rooms and over 34000 square feet of living space. Past home of Jimmy Carter and Zell Miller during their Governor term. First floor tours available. (Tue-Th 10 am to 11:30 am) (Free)

The foyer of the Governor's Mansion

· The Atlanta History Center- Largest in the Southeast. A thirty-three acre campus contains the Tullie Smith Farm, The Swan House, a library with archives used by ten thousand people annually. Atlanta, 1835–2000, celebrates the rise and evolution of the area. (M-Sat 10am –5:30Pm: Sun12pm- 5:30pm)($15)

· The Swan House- Built in 1928.Stately manor home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Inman, heirs to a post Civil War cotton brokerage fortune. The large home takes it’s name from the variety of swans placed in the design detail throughout the home.($7)

· The Tullie Smith Farm- A spectacular collection of antebellum outbuildings that came from working farms throughout Georgia. Clustered around the Smiths Farm house, are a barn, smokehouse, a diary, yeoman's cabin, a black- smiths shop and a corn crib.($7)

· Chastain Gallery- Housed in a series of buildings that include the Chastain Art center. One of Atlanta’s oldest community Art centers known for its innovated exhibitions, addresses the social and political issues of our time. Located by Chastain Park.(1pm-5pm)(Free)

· Oglethorpe Museum of Art- Located at Oglethorpe University founded in 1835, Gothic revival Architecture style built as a institution for Presbyterian ministers. The permanent collection consist of a variety of works including sculptures, paintings, photography ,and prints. Artist include Richard Murray, Jeffery Mims, Richard Serin, and Fransisco Roa. (Thur-Sun, 12pm-5pm)($5)

· Rhodes Hall: The Castle on Peachtree Street- The castle was built between 1902 –1904.The exterior structure is constructed of solid granite from Atlanta’s Famed Stone Mountain. It was built by Amos Giles Rhodes, Founder of Rhodes Furniture. He built a thriving business, which sold moderately priced furniture on credit, at a time when most homes had been destroyed by Sherman’s March to the Sea.(M-F,11am to 4pm Sundays 12pm-3pm Behind the scene tours on Sunday only, includes second and third floor where the Georgia Historic Trust offices are located)($5)

· Center for Puppetry Arts- Housing over one thousand puppets and scores of books and video tapes. This museum is wonderfully interactive, educational, and fun for children, as well as adults. The museums permanent collection, Puppets: The Power Of Wonder, showcase over 350 puppets from all over the world and different time periods. Check listings to enjoy one of the puppet shows while visiting the museum.(Tue-Sat,9am-5pm Sun 11am-5pm)($8)

· The Breman:The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum- The museum maintains two core galleries “Creating Community: The Jews of Atlanta from 1845 to Present” For those unfamiliar with Jewish customs, this is an excellent introduction to Jewish family life and the rituals that bind the Jewish people. The “Absence of Humanity” Exhibit features insight into the rise of Nazi Germany, the deliberate deterioration of Jewish liberties, and the holocaust. A special exhibits gallery host three or four exhibits annually. (M-Thurs 10am-5pm Fri.10am-3pm Sun 1pm-5pm)($10)

· Museum Of Contemporary Arts- It’s mission is to serve as an exhibition home and education facilities for Georgia artists. It was established in 1994 and has a collection of pieces as early as the 1940’s. Over two hundred and seventy-five works have been collected from over 125 artist from the state of Georgia. (Tue-Sat; 10am-5pm)(Free)

· National Museum Of Patriotism- Opened in 2004, works with schools in the area to educate military, American symbols and immigration defined as American culture, and a Memorial of the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Tue-Thurs; Sat-Sun 10am-4pm)($12)

· The High Museum of Art- Much more than a traditional museum, the High is Atlanta’s center point for exposure and education of the community to the domestic and international world of art. The High collection maintains over 11,000 pieces in American, African, European, Decorative, Folk, Modern, and Contemporary arts and Photography. The High also host many renown international exhibits. (Tues&Wed 10am-5pm; Thurs&Fri 10am-8pm; Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm)($15)

· Atlanta College of Art: ACA Gallery&Gallery100 - Located in the High museum. It focuses on exploring contemporary art. Not only the art of the ACA students and faculty but from nationally and internationally known artists. (Tu-Th 11am-5pm:Fr 11am-8pm:S-S 12pm-5pm(Free)

· Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta- Visitors Center & Monetary Museum- Atlanta is home to one of the twelve reserve banks in the United States. The museum is a surprisingly fun and playful exploration of banking in America. The reason for the Federal Reserve Banks, history of money and counterfeiting is explored. Glass windows allow a view of the Fed’s processing of cash. Fully automated robot cars shuttling boxes of money back and forth from the printers, the vaults, and the shredders (approximately $13 million are shredded daily in Atlanta). (M-F 9am-4pm)(Free)

· Margaret Mitchell House and Museum- Home of Margaret Mitchell during her writing of “Gone With The Wind”. Explore her life, family history and early career as a journalist. There is also a small theater and visual arts exhibit. For “Gone With The Wind” enthusiast don't miss the Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum, Road to Tara museum, Stately Oaks Plantation and Historical tours in Jonesboro, Ga. (Mon-Sun 9:30am 5pm)($12)

· Atlanta’s Fox Theater- Built originally as a Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque. It was the Shriners national headquarters in the late 1920s. As well as showing films, the theater has become Atlanta’s destination for Broadway plays and has had featured performers ranging from the metropolitan opera to the Rolling Stones. It is an Egyptian décor extravagance. A picturesque and almost disturbing grandeur beyond imagination .Visitors encounter an indoor Arabian courtyard, with a sky full of flickering stars and magically drifting clouds. A spectacular stripped canopy overhanging the balcony, stage curtains depicting mosques and Moorish rulers in hand sewn sequins and rhinestones. Don’t miss Mighty Moe, the Foxes massive pipe organ with 3,622 different pipes. (M-W-F 10am; Sun10am & 11am)($10)

· The Telephone Museum- Well organized exhibits explaining the first one hundred years of telecommunication history in the United States. Starts with wooden phones, historic moment when the first words where uttered over the phone, how the early effect of the telephone had on society then and its growth to what it is today. (Call ahead) (Free)

· Atlanta Contemporary Art Center (The Contemporary)- Now a multi disciplinary contemporary art museum that exposes Atlanta to local, national, and international artist. Founded in 1973 as the Nexus Contemporary Art Center. (Tu-Sat: 11am5pm)($5)

· Robert C. Williams American Museum of Papermaking- Located on the Georgia Tech campus, the museum offers a wide-range look at the origins and global spread of paper and the need for recording written information. (M-F: 9am-5pm)(Free)

· City Gallery East- One of Atlanta’s largest exhibition spaces. This gallery, a mainstay of the Atlanta Bureau of Cultural Affairs to promote local artist since 1993, also functions as a massive walkway through the lower part of the City Hall East Building. This building was formerly the Sears and Roebuck building and was the backdrop of many game day photos for both the Atlanta Crackers and the Atlanta Black Crackers. The two professional baseball teams that played before the Atlanta Braves.

· Museum of the Jimmy Carter Library- Museum focuses on the key issues of Carters presidency. See a replica of the Oval office as it was during the Cater administration. Commentary by Jimmy Carter guides visitors as it explains the meanings of the furniture as well as the unique experiences that Carter had during presidency. Other exhibits tell the story of the major issues during his term, like the Iran hostage situation, the Camp David Accords, the Panama Canal Treaty and the Formal Recognition of the Peoples Republic of China. See Jimmy Carter’s Nobel Peace Prize. (M-Sat 9am-4:45pm:Sun 12pm-4:45pm)($8)

· Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site- Beginning with a tour of the birth home, visitors can see the bedroom where Martin Luther King, Jr. was born. See period homes as well as shotgun shacks dating from Dr. King’s childhood. Tours begin in the oldest standing firehouse in Atlanta, located on the same block. Two streets down is the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr. King honored his skills as an orator. Visitors can listen to audio of Dr. King’s greatest speeches there. See the King visitor center and reflecting pool surrounding Dr. and Mrs. Kings tomb. (M-Sun 9am-5pm) (9am-6pmJun.15-Aug.15)(Free)

· The King Center- Dr. King, a civil rights leader from 1955 to 1968. A three room gallery with exhibits on Rosa Parks; the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King; and Kings visit to India in 1959.Visitors can also see the robes he wore during church services, the denim jacket he wore while leading marches, the suit he was wearing while he was stabbed on Sep.20 1958 and the key to room 307 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis Tennessee, where King was assassinated. There is memorabilia from Coretta Scott King’s travels to different nations and a time line of her life. Highlights and quotes from Gandhi that inspired King’s belief in the power of non-violent resistance, a Grammy award for the best spoken word recording given posthumously in 1970 for Kings speech “Why I Oppose the War In Vietnam” and most recently added are the King papers, (His original hand written sermons and letters). (M-Sun 9am-5pm)(Free)

· Oakland Cemetery- Located a mile from Atlanta City Hall. Originally built on 6 acres in 1850 was later expanded to 88 acres. Remarkably over 70,000 people are buried in Oakland including 6000 Confederate soldiers, 17,000 African-Americans, and a large percentage of Atlanta’s early Jewish Population. Famous Atlantans: Margaret Mitchell, Golfer Bobby Jones, Mayor Maynard Jackson and the founder of Rich’s department stores, Emanuel Rich. The cemetery’s Victorian tombstones and mausoleums make it a Mecca for both professional and amateur photographers. Cities third largest green space (Sat10am-2pmSun 2pm)($10)

· The Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum- A gigantic circular oil painting 4 stories tall, 458 feet in circumference, and weighing 9000 lbs. The Atlanta Cyclorama depicts the battle of Atlanta. In 1886 the American Panorama company recruited 11 German artists for this project. It took over 2 years to complete and cost 42,000 dollars (today valued at 14 billion dollars). Visitors can also see the Locomotive Texas. Used by Confederate forces to run down and recapture the Locomotive General, stolen by union forces. Civil War artifacts are on display. (M-Sun 8:50am-4:30pm)($7)

· The Braves Museum and Hall of Fame- The building was originally built to serve as the venue for the opening and closing ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics. It was then modified to its present configuration as a baseball stadium. Hank Aaron made history next to Turner Field in the old Fulton County Stadium, where he hit his 715th homerun, pushing him past Babe Ruth. The Braves team has also called Boston and Milwaukee home. The Braves began in Boston In 1871; making the Braves the oldest continually run franchise in the major leagues. See other Braves player’s achievements. Afterwards take an hour long guided tour of Turner Field. Stops include Coca-Cola Ski Field, a luxury suite, the press box, the broadcast booth, the locker room, and the Braves dugout. (M-F 9am-3pm Sat-Sun 1pm-3pm)($10)

· The Georgia Capitol Museum- Founded in 1889. Housed on the fourth floor of the Georgia Capital building. A wonderful collection of over 40 large oak display cases capturing many different aspects of Georgia’s amazing past. Georgia’s National History, recounting political milestones in the state assembly. The museum covers a wide range of interest. Oil paintings and statuary of famous Georgians are found throughout the building. A display of gemstones and minerals unique to Georgia, and 2 cases of Native American artifacts (M-F 8am 5:30pm)(Free)

· The Apex Museum- A replica of an exhibit at the 1900 French Worlds Fair entitled “The Georgia Negro”. Which showed that African Americans were an economic force to be appreciated and respected. Also see a replica of the Moses Amos drug store. The first African American-owned drug store in Atlanta. (Tue-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 1pm-5pm)($4)

· Museum of Design Atlanta- Located in the lobby and garden levels of the Marquis II Office Tower. Incorporated in 1989, it has officially been named an affiliate to the prestigious Smithsonian Institution; M.OD.A.’S mission is to explore the impact of design on our daily lives. “Should the design of everyday objects-dishes, furniture, light fixtures-be considered art?” (Tue-Sat 11am-5pm)(Free)

· Imagine It! Children’s Museum- Created for children under the age of eight. Children are encouraged to play, explore, learn and interact. Five main exhibits including a giant interactive ball machine, fishing pound, an area for wall painting, a dance and music area and a miniature grocery store. Children can see musicians, storytellers, actors and artist perform. (M-F 10am-4pm; Sat & Sun 10am-5pm)($11)

· The Africa World Museum and Center- Drawn from over 500 leading African artists from 54 African Countries. Designed to educate visitors about Africa’s past, present and future. The museum itself is a combination gallery, workshop, education center, and gift shop. Two floor gallery showcase both traditional and contemporary African art, such as wood carvings, cow horns, wood burnings, metal plates, collages, and batiks. In addition to celebrating each Independence Day of Africa’s 54 nations, the museum organizes events and educational programs on African music, food, clothing, language and jewelry. (M-Sat 10am-7pm) (Free)

· World Of Coca-Cola- The museum tells the story as the worlds most recognized brand through its marketing and media campaigns. Created in an Atlanta pharmacy in 1886. Features key Atlanta business man who played crucial roles in the development and marketing. See early Coca-Cola advertising memorabilia, international faces of Coca-Cola, vintage Coca-Cola commercials, celebrities that pitch the brand and more. (Tue-Sat 10am-2:30pm)($5)

· CNN Studio Tour- Established in 1980. The world’s first 24 hour cable television news channel. A tour guide explains exactly how the production of the news is managed. This explanation occurs while live footage of actual CNN producers overseeing the creation of the news is fed into the room. The tour guide shares teleprompter secrets and demystifies the special effect used during different parts of the news broadcast. The tour continues past studios of the different CNN channels which are broadcast to domestic as well as international audiences in a variety of languages. See a filmed testimonial of CNN broadcasters sharing very personal thoughts on what it means to share the news with the world. (Mon-Sun 9am-5pm, Tour every ten minutes)($12)

· The Herndon Home- Built and completed in 1910. The fifteen room Herndon home had the finest furniture and decorations money could buy at the turn of the 19th century. It was built by local black craftsmen in the Beaux Arts for Alonzo Franklin Herndon, Atlanta’s first black millionaire. Born a slave, after the Civil War he had a truly rag to riches story. After gaining his freedom, he grew tired of farming and perfected his skills as a barber. He opened and operated barber shops around Atlanta. He then went into real-estate, eventually becoming the most successful black property owner in Atlanta He acquired the company that became the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Today is the largest black-owned insurance company in America. (Call ahead for tour)($5)

· Clark Atlanta University Collection of African Art- From 1942-1970, Trevor Arnett Hall on the Morehouse College campus hosted the Atlanta Annuals', the nations premier venue for African Americans to display their art work. Black artist from across the nation competed in the Atlanta Annuals'. Today, Clark Atlanta University’s collection of African American art boasts more than 950 objects. The collection has 4 distinct sections: African American Art, African Art, contemporary Art and Art of the Negro Murals. (M-F 10am-4pm)($3 Donation)

· Spelman College Museum of Fine Art- The Museum was founded at Spelman College in 1899. The only museum in the United States to specialize in works by and about women of the African dispora. Today its rich permanent collection includes works by prominent artist from Central Africa as well as accomplished African American artist. (Tue-F 10am-4pm; Sat 12pm-4pm)($3 Donation)

· The Hammonds House- This 19th-century Victorian is one of the three oldest homes in the West End and was the site of the Atlanta’s first Kindergarten around 1911. It was eventually purchase by Dr. Otis T. Hammonds, a prominent black anesthesiologist and art patron. Dr. Hammonds lived here until his death in 1985. He was an avid supporter and collector of African American and Haitian art work and antiques. After his death, the house and over 250 pieces of art work was purchased by Fulton County and in 1988 it opened as an African American art museum. (Tue-F 10am –6pm; Sat-Sun 1pm-5pm)($4)

· The Wrens Nest- The Wrens Nest contains much of the original furnishing and memorabilia belonging to Joel Chandler Harris, the author of the Uncle Remus Tails. Harris lived in the house from 1881 until his death in 1908. The Wrens nest is the oldest house museum in Atlanta. It was built originally in 1870, and Harris commissioned an architect to build an addition onto the house, which survives as a beautiful one-and-a-half story cottage in the Queen Ann style. Harris grew up in Eatonton, Georgia. He somehow befriended two elderly slaves named George Terrell and Old Harbert. They told Harris stories of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox and other memorable characters living in their briar patch. Harris recorded the story in the unique dialects and rhythms used during that period. The Wrens nest takes its name from a discovery by Harries children: a Wren had built its nest in the family mailbox in 1900. A second mailbox was immediately installed so as not to disturb the bird. The Walt Disney Company filmed some of its controversial “Song Of The South”, and adaptation of the Uncle Remus tales, at the Wren’s nest in 1948. (Tue-Sat 10am-2:30pm Tours Tue, Thur and Sat. 10:30am-1:30 pm on the half hour)($5)

· Salvation Army Southern Historical And Museum- The museum is located on the Atlanta campus of the Salvation Army college for officer training. The museum, which encompasses 3700 square feet, guides visitors through the founding of the Salvation Army in England in 1865 to its arrival in the United States in the late 1880’s. One of the first exhibits explains the Army’s commitment to United States service men during World War I and won wide spread gratitude. Then see a collection of memorabilia, which displays the various posters, postcard, and publications that helped publicized the Salvation Army in the United States. The final exhibits of the museum focuses on the history and achievements of the Salvation Army’s Southern territory and educates visitors on the out reach programs. Original musical compositions, work therapy at its thrift store, disaster services, and the creation of the United Service Organization, which supports the United States Armed forces-that have made the Salvation Army a household name. (M-F 9am-12pm and 1pm –4pm)(Free admissions donations welcomed)

· Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University- Maintains the largest collection of ancient art in the Southeast. It is filled with objects from Egypt, Greece, Rome, The Near East, Pre-Columbian America, sub-Saharan African art as well as European and American woodcuttings and sketches. Collections for the museum began in 1920. See 4 richly decorated coffins and coffin boards as well as mummies from ancient Egypt. (Tue-Sat 10am-5pm: Sun 12pm-5pm)($7)

· Fernbank Museum of Natural History- The first museum in the world to display the world’s largest dinosaur. Argentinosaurus, stands 86 feet tall. Permanent exhibits include Giants of the Meszoic, a walk through time in Georgia, Sensing Nature, Cultures of the World, World of Shells, and First Georgians. An IMAX Theater, a Rose Garden, the Children's Discovery Rooms, the Fernbank 65 acre forest, the Star Gallery, Fossil Floors, and the Naturalist Center is also on location. (Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm: Thur &Fri till 10pm: Sat 10am-5pm: Sun 1pm-5pm)(Free except planetarium $4)

· Fernbank Science Center- The center includes the Exhibit Hall, Planetarium, Observatory, Aerospace Education Laboratory, Library, Meteorology Lab, and entrance to the Fernbank Forest. See the actual Apollo 6 Command Console (part of the last unmanned Apollo mission), meteor debris, pictures taken by the famous Hubble and Galileo Space Probe. (Hours and admission same as above)

· Dekalb History Museum- Located in the old court house on the Decatur square, the six rooms of the Dekalb History Museum are full of artifacts, memorabilia, and photographs from 1823 to the present. See two of the museums rooms dedicated to the role of the county and its citizens in the Civil War. Biographical information about Mary H. Gay and her memoirs of “Life in Dixie During The War” which helped inspire Margaret Mitchell to write “Gone With The Wind”. Period dresses and a quilt from 1885, minie balls with teeth marks (used by Civil War surgeons before beginning an amputation). (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)(Free)

· The Teaching Museum South- The former North Avenue Elementary school (Opened in 1992) boasts 14 different exhibit rooms that challenge children to consider the impact of different events in history. Employing a hands-on approach to learning, the museum encourages cultural tolerances through a native American exhibit, a “Secret Annex” that recreates the tiny living space inhabited by Anne Frank during the holocaust, and the African cultures exhibit. The museum also celebrates Georgia’s rich sports heritage and its role in hosting the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. See the state-of-the-art auditorium used for educational performances. (M-F 8am-4:30pm)(Free; call for tour)

· Delta Air Transport Heritage Museum- Tucked into a hanger at Delta Airlines Worldwide Headquarters, visitors can see a replica of the Monroe, Louisiana Airport from which Delta transported its first passengers. Inside the hanger are three beautifully restored vintage aircraft: a Stinson SR8E Reliant, a Curtis Wright Travel Air 6B Sedan, and a DC3. Exhibits show Delta’s technical operations and historical highlights. See exhibits dedicated to the former airlines-Northeast, Pan-Am, and Western-that were absorbed into modern day Delta Airlines. (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)(Free; call a day ahead for tour)

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