Atlanta: a new destination
From popular family attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola to cultural sites such as the High Museum of Art, the innovative Fox Theatre, and the compelling National Center for Civil and Human Rights. That is what Atlanta offers.
By: Winnie T. Sittón
Photos: David Mesa Jaén, Shutterstock
Copa Airlines has added a new destination to its growing route map: Georgia’s largest city, Atlanta, sometimes known as the capital of the U.S. South. Since large, prestigious U.S. corporations are headquartered here, the city is a nerve center for business and transportation. It is also a vibrant, dynamic, and very modern city hat offers a wide range of entertainment options, including major sports and cultural events, first-class museums, excellent local cuisine, and high-end stores for dedicated shoppers.
The Georgia Aquarium
Some of Atlanta’s most popular family fun attractions are located in the city center, near the lovely Centennial Olympic Park. The Georgia Aquarium is stunning. Until 2012, it was the world’s largest aquarium, with more than 8 million gallons of fresh and salt water. It features a total of 120,000 animals with nearly 500 species from various latitudes, including favorites such as whale sharks, belugas, dolphins, penguins, piranhas, and otters. here are seven exhibit spaces, the most impressive of which is Ocean Voyager. It is one of the world’s largest individual aquatic exhibits: thousands of fascinating fish can be observed through a gigantic 60′ x 26′ window.
The World of Coca-Cola
The famous carbonated beverage was invented in Atlanta 135 years ago. This permanent exhibit presents the history of the company, with images showing the evolution of the brand and its iconic ads. There are many fun spaces and attractions, as well as an exciting 4-D cinema adventure.
The College Football Hall of Fame
You don’t need to be a fan of the sport or know anything about it to have a good time reviewing the history of the college league of one of the most popular sports in the United States. There are three floors of exhibits that make up this modern, interactive museum immerse visitors in a dynamic, entertaining experience where you can test your ability to run, clear, and block. The theater shows a 14-minute video that highlights great moments of college football.
Are You a Sports Fan? Atlanta is the Place for You
Atlanta is home to major professional teams in several leagues, such as the Atlanta Braves (baseball), the Atlanta Hawks (basketball), the Falcons (football), and the Atlanta United F. C. (soccer), to name the most popular. Any of their games will be great sports entertainment.
Don’t miss a chance to root for one of the city’s teams in the State Farm Arena, home arena of the Atlanta Hawks or the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the imposing home of the Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and the Atlanta United F. C. (MLS).
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
This fairly new and very well-curated museum is dedicated to civil rights movements in the United States and the general struggle for human rights worldwide. As you might expect, much of the exhibit centers on the legacy of Black American activist and Nobel Peace Laureate Martin Luther King Jr.
The Old Fourth Ward
This neighborhood is home to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park where you can learn even more about his life and work by visiting the house where he was born and the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was the pastor. You can also visit The King Center, the final resting place of Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, and take part in the history exhibits and art shows.
Touring Midtown
A little over a mile from downtown lies the vibrant, modern Midtown neighborhood. Known as Heart of the Arts, this area houses well-recognized art institutions, including the High Museum of Art (informally known as the High), the principal art museum in the southeastern United States. Its permanent collection includes more than 18,000 works in seven exhibit areas: African Art, American Art, Decorative Arts and Design, European Art, Folk and Self-Taught Art, Modern and Contemporary Art, and Photography. Representing the most famous artists are pieces by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Claude Monet, Martin Johnson Heade, and Dorothea Lange.
Midtown also has a selection of bars and restaurants if you’d like to relax for a moment and savor the best of local cuisine. One good choice is Politan Row in the Colony Square shopping center. This is an exclusive food court headed by chefs and designed just for Midtown. It offers a carefully curated mix of local food and beverages in a variety of outdoor spaces where people can meet and eat, making it a required stop for foodies.
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