Wishing all of the dads out there a Happy Father’s Day!

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

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

Photo: Maggie has her photo opportunity at Hotel Indigo. The sign on the chair says,

Don’t Forget the Little People. Courtesy of Hotel Indigo.

Pampered pets in Atlanta know to urge their owners to take them to Hotel Indigo, a boutique hotel where they dine and enjoy cocktail hour with their two-legged friends. The pets have their own bar, called Ruff Age Bar. For the health conscious pet, this bar serves vegan doggie treats.  Yes. The pets are living it up at Hotel Indigo, where pets are not tolerated, they are catered to. Every Tuesday, the pets can enjoy cocktail hour on the patio. Pooches dine on gourmet steak and chicken, and drink bottled water.  Pet owners can order from the casual Golden Bean restaurant and choose from weekly signature drinks including, aptly named, the Salty dog, Greyhound, and the Yellow Lab. The humans can make selections for the fury friends from Hotel Indigo’s doggie menu.

For everyone’s listening pleasure, the Hotel Indigo’s new band debuted this week. The band, The House Band with a Little Sax, features Brian Myler the Food and Beverage Director of the hotel on drums, and Eddie Barton, the front desk office manager on saxophone. Tunes that humans can sing to and pets can howl to are featured. So, don’t be surprised if you hear the band play, Ain’t Nothing But a Hound Dog.

Hey, if you are looking for a pet, come out to the festivities. The Atlanta Humane Society also brings pets looking to be adopted to the cocktail party. You may just make and new friend.

Now you’ve got to see this in person.

When: Every Tuesday (All summer long)

            6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Where: Hotel Indigo- Midtown Atlanta

              (Across from The Fox Theatre)

               683 Peachtree St. NE

               404.874.9200

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

Get an insider’s view of the Georgia Aquarium. Hey, the parking is easy at the aquarium, there is a parking garage on-site. Parking is $10 if you buy the ticket at the garage. You can save $1 and pay $9 by buying your parking ticket in advance here.  However, I found $3 all day parking on Luckie Street.

That’s an awesome deal, and it’s an easy walk to the Aquarium, Centennial Park of the New World of Coca Cola.

Remember, you can buy a City Pass for one free entrance to the Georgia Aquarium and six other attractions in Atlanta. The City Pass for Atlanta is $69 for adults and $49 for children.

If you plan to go to the Aquarium, expect to spend at least two hours there, because there’s plenty to see and do. Children will love the slide and the touch pools (you can touch the animals with two fingers) like Bonnethead sharks in the children section.

The Georgia Aquarium will have a new exhibit, dolphins in 2010! They will be a welcomed addition.

Regular Hours are:

Sunday – Friday: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Summer Hours (May 24 – Aug 9):

Sunday – Thursday: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. for Jazz Journeys

Saturday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

There are some special hours in which the Georgia Aquarium will be open as late as 10 p.m. Check the website for further information on that!

The Georgia Aquarium is located at:

225 Baker St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
(404) 581-4000

Photo Credit: Claudine Williams

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

I was just minding my own business on the last day of the Georgia Renaissance Festival on Sunday. The festival features costumed actors and actresses, food (I ate a giant turkey leg) demonstrations, and shopping. The festival lasts about a month, and I was surprised to see festival-goers wearing costumes. Anyway, I went to the festival alone, just to see what was going on and get some pictures for you all. I happened into one of the pavilions, and saw the royal court. I thought it would be neat to get pictures of them, so I started snapping away with my digital camera/video camera.

Anyway, I had just come from church, with no time to change. The queen noticed me and asked me why I was there all alone. I didn’t want to get into a long drawn out discussion about trifling men in Atlanta and often going dateless, so I just smiled nicely and shrugged or something.

She suggested that two men in her court woo me (which means that they try to date me). She suggested that we have a contest. A nice man in the pavilion took my fairy box (camera) and captured the moment.

The Georgia Renaissance was located in Fairburn, off I-85.  Tickets were $19.95 for adults and $8.50 for children. The festival had demonstrations, like glass blowing, wool spinning, juggling and jousting. There were also tons of shops, selling medieval clothing, shoes, contemporary food, and gifts. The festival lasted from April to June 1.

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 CNN Center, located at 190 Marietta Street, should not be missed if you are visiting Atlanta. The CNN Center, the headquarters for CNN is next to Centennial Olympic Park. There is a huge dinning area and shopping inside the CNN Center complex. You can plan to stay all day at the CNN Center, spending the night at the Omni Hotel.

CNN Center studio tours are available from daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. The CNN Center tour costs $8. Visitors get a behind-the-scenes look at how the studio works and news is broadcast at CNN.  Get a bird’s eye view of the CNN Newsroom and watch all of the action.  Buy tickets on the CNN site. Photography is not allowed on the tour.

Photo Credit: Jason Meredith, Flickr Creative Commons License

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler