I have to admit that I thought that the Cyclorama had to do something with bicycles. Actually, a Cyclorama, is a huge cylindrical painting in which the viewer gets a 360-degree view of the painting. The Cyclorama, located in Grant Park has been entertaining folks in Atlanta since 1893. The Cyclorama also has Civil War museum located mainly on the top floor of the building. The main attraction of the Cyclorama, however, has to be the gigantic three-dimensional painting depicting the Atlanta Campaign in the Civil War in July 22, 1864. It is the largest oil painting in the world, weighing over 9,000 pounds. It’s 42 feet high and 358 feet long. The Cyclorama was painted by 11 German artists who were chosen for their various specialities. For example, artists who specialize in painting skies, painted the sky for the Cyclorama.

The tour of the Cyclorama begins after a short film narrated by James Earl Jones introducing the Battle in Atlanta. Next, you go into an auditorium, the actual Cyclorama (higher seats get the better view) and the auditorium revolves around the painting while a different narrator explains significant points in the paining. As he tells the story of this massive painting, the areas that he refers to light up. Here are some interesting parts in the painting that our guide mentioned.

• Old Abe, an eagle war mascot from Wisconsin, flew over more than three dozen battles, but not over the Atlanta Campaign as he is shown in the painting.
• There’s a tiny figure in red at the bottom of Stone Mountain; that’s a woman, the only woman depicted in the painting. She’s a nurse, taking care of a federal soldier.
• The only African America man in the painting is a slave observing the battle when from 1861 to 1865 over 200,000 African Americans fought in the Civil War. There were 23 African American soldiers who earned medals of honor.
• There is a gentleman, a dying soldier, who is a copy of Clark Gable as Rhett Butler from Gone with the Wind. Apparently Gable felt that his character should play a part of the Cyclorama. Someone actually muttered, “Oh God!” when our tour guide pointed that out. It was too funny! Anyway, during the premiere of Gone With the Wind in 1939, the cast and crew came to the Cyclorama and Gable felt that no painting of the Civil War was complete without a depiction Rhett Butler. I don’t think that Rhett depicted as a dead and  bloody Union soldier was what he had in mind.

The Cyclorama was entertaining; the story of the battle in Atlanta of the Civil War is told in surround sound with sound effects from the battle. On the bottom of the painting are 128 replicas of soldiers in the battle, among realistic looking fallen trees and debris. The tallest soldier is three feet and the smallest is about 11 inches. Visitors, feel as though they are looking into a life-sized 3D replica of the battle. Children will love the Cyclorama, and it’s a great place for them to learn about Atlanta’s part in the Civil War.

How Much:

Adults $7

Seniors $6

Kids $5

Where:

The Atlanta Cyclorama is adjacent to Zoo Atlanta.

800C

Cherokee Ave. SW

Atlanta

404-624-1071

Hours:

8:50 to 4:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays

Photo Credit: Claudine Williams

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

Oh my goodness! I love this bear. He’s so extremely cute and cuddly. I wonder if he’s good with poodles.

This was one of the displays in the museum. It’s a replica of an old-fashioned soda counter.

Have you seen any of these Coca Cola signs in person?

If I haven’t mentioned it already, my favorite part of the tour was guzzling down the free coke products. They had me when I saw the grape (and oh so many different flavors of Fanta). I think that I had enough to fill all of the bottles above, and I’m not a soda drinker. I’m Miss Pure and Natural, a proponent of drinking water, and maybe some sweet tea.

Wouldn’t you want this sofa in your living room?

Want to Go?

121 Baker Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30313-1807
(404) 676-5151

Tickets are:

$15 for adults

$13 for Seniors 55+

$9 for children 3-12

Children under 2 are free

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

I was recently invited to a luau at Lake Lanier in Flowery Branch. Lake Lanier is 26 miles long. Members of the Black Boaters Club shuttled myself and members of the 30+ meetup group to a private cove. Little did I realize that there are at least two marinas in the small town of Flowery Branch. Unfortunately, I ended up at the wrong marina! I was supposed to meet them at Aqualand Marina., said to be the largest inland marina in the United States. I ended up at Starboard Cove Marina, which was down the street, well down the street and around a few corners.  Check out my YouTube video to view the rest of my story!

About Lake Lanier

Lake Lanier in Flowery Branch, is located about 45 miles north of Atlanta. The lake is a popular summer destination for boating, skiing, and bass fishing. I am told that people also go swimming in the lake. According to the Great Lakes of Georgia about 8 million people visit the lake a year. Lake Lanier has been severely affected by a drought in the area, see photos in The Diatribune.  According to the Diatribune, the lake receded to 19 feet below normal and has impacted many people who live there (property depreciation) and depend on the lake for their livelihoods. When I went the water  off of the Aqualand Marina was fine for a luau or other water activities. So that you have better luck getting to the marinas, here is a list of some Lake Lanier marinas. I’m in a generous mood today, so here are some driving directions to Flowery Branch from Atlanta.

Accommodations

The Lake Lanier Islands Resort, 7000 Holiday Road, Lake Lanier Islands, is a 216-room resort and spa with 30 villas and additional houseboats. Call 770.945.8787 for reservations. 

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

The New World of Coca Cola is located right next door to the Georgia Aquarium in midtown Atlanta. I got more than I bargained for during my trip there. I especially enjoyed the 4D theater. A 4D Theater incorporates the 3D visuals with other senses. At the New World of Coca Cola, the chairs bucked and jerked during the movie; water splashed on the audience, and at one point, it felt like was poking me in the back of my seat. The short movie (about 15 minutes long) was about a quest to find the secret ingredient to Coca Cola.

The New World of Coca Cola is located in a two-story building, packed with Coca Cola artifacts and memorabilia. There are also a few interactive games that you can play. It’s like a Coke museum! There were no lines when I visited and it was easy to get good pictures with the Coca Cola artifacts, many of which are behind glass cases. The best part of the trip, though was tasting dozens of Coca Cola products. Basically, I took a plastic cup and was able to drink to my heart’s content. The fountain drinks were from different countries and the United States. There was one South African drink that I liked, although it was on the sweet side. I enjoyed the carbonated apple drinks and of course, the U.S. version of Fanta, grape and strawberry were some of my favorites.

Stay tuned for photos of the New World of Coca Cola

Want to Go?

121 Baker Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30313-1807
(404) 676-5151 or
1-800-676-COKE (2653)

Adult tickets are $15

Tickets for Youth  3-12 are $9

Toddlers 0-2 are free to enter

Seniors, 55+, $13 to enter

Hours of operation vary. Check here for information for the hours.

Photo Credit: Versatile Aure, Flickr Creative Commons license

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

The royal court was around various times during the day for photo opportunities. They were a very interactive court. I actually became a part of their act.

These three young ladies were selling flower garlands from a wagon.

This was a glass blowing demonstration. He was heating the chemicals to make glass.

I ate a giant roasted turkey leg. I had to try one.

This man, chosen from the audience at one of the shows, got the chance to drench a washer woman with water. He looks as though he is having too much fun.

I was tempted to buy a dress to wear as a costume for Halloween. There were many more shops at the festival. There were a couple of small rides for children, and a maze. I think that the costumed performers and shows were the main attraction.

Photo Credit: Claudine Williams

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

Watch a Shakespeare inspired play and have dinner at the Shakespeare Tavern, a quaint playhouse on Peachtree Street in Atlanta. The Shakespeare Tavern is the perfect place to go if you enjoy plays, love Shakespeare, and want to do something a little different. I like the fact that you can eat as the play is performed. Just make sure that you get to the Shakespeare Tavern early (far before the play starts) so that you can be seated and order your meal. The menu is available an hour and 15 minutes before the performance, but food services ends five minutes before the show. Here is a menu. Dessert is available during intermission. Prepare for long lines, though. You have to wait in line to get the treats and it seems like everyone in the entire theater gets up to get into line.

Ease up and wait in line just before intermission. In fact, when you first get to the Tavern, be sure to check the time for intermission. If you are late for the beginning of the play, you may have to wait for a hostess to seat you. There are some moments when entry is prohibited. I visited the Shakespeare Tavern to view Tom Stoppard’s, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. I enjoyed the puns in the play and laughed a lot. I thought that the acting was superb. The actors come out into the audience, which is a treat if you are on the floor. It was a good adult play. Go see this play and enjoy a little intellectual humor. Yes. There are some silly parts in the play, that you don’t have to think too much about. If you are into Shakespearean plays, you can expect to laugh out loud. The play runs until June 1.

Parking

Please don’t follow my example and park in the hospital lot near the corner of Peachtree and North Avenue, which is about four blocks away from the theater. The parking there is $13 for two hours. Park in the Crawford Long Hospital Deck which is directly across the street from the theater. The parking is regularly $7 but you can pay $4 with your ticket stub. Just in case you miss the dinner, the theater is near Gladys Knight and Ron Winans’ Chicken and Waffles. Here are some directions to get to the Shakespeare Tavern.

l-r: Nick Faircloth, Paul McClain (Hamlet), Paul Hester

Photo by Jeff Watkins, Used with permission

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History is a great educational family attraction in Atlanta. Permanent collections at the museum include: A Walk in Time in Georgia, Giants of the Mesozoic, Sensing Nature, Reflections of Culture, The Children’s Discovery Rooms, World of Shells and First Georgians. There are also special treats just for the adults. Every Friday, from January through November, and  from 5:30 to 10 p.m. the Museum has Martinis and Imax, an evening of music, relaxation, and food. Tickets are $15 for adults.

Photo Credit: Ms Info, Flickr Creative Commons License

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

The Underground is still a popular spot for tourists and Atlanta natives. There has been some talk about Underground Atlanta being unsafe. What do you think?

Photo Credit: DB King, Flickr Creative Commons License

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

The World of Coca Cola is a popular attraction in Atlanta. You are sure to learn just about everything that you ever wanted to know about Coca Cola. The new World of Coca Cola has expanded and now has a 4D Theater, and of course the largest collection of Coca Cola memorabilia in the world. The World of Coca Cola is closed only on Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. Visit the World of Coca Cola in Atlanta with you children. It is a great family attraction.

121 Baker Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30313-1807
(404) 676-5151 or
1-800-676-COKE (2653)

Photo Credit: Versatile Aure, Flickr Creative Commons License

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

Summer is the time for family vacations, and amusement parks. Which of course, brings to mind, Six Flags Over Georgia, probably our most popular amusement park.  Are you ready to ride? To avoid the crowds go on a weekday during the summer months. Bring a jacket though. Although it’s warm in the daytime, it gets a little chilly at night. Did you know that there are lockers that you can rent to hold your stuff? Oh, yeah, and strollers electric vehicles are available on a first-come, first served basis. Get there early! Plan your rides before you go. Here’s a map of Six Flags Over Georgia. I like the family rides. I’m a big scary cat. Some you may be into thrilling rides like  Batman the Ride, with a spin that makes you feel weightless. The ride is close to 11 stories tall, which is beyond my limit (three porch steps high is the highest I’d like to go). The ride is only two minutes long, long enough for me to have a heart attack. You get the picture. Hey, have you ever been to a Six Flags amusement park in any state? What’s your favorite ride?

Photo Credit: R. Jones, Flickr Creative Commons License

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler