The Atlanta Traveler » Must See Sights

Lake Lanier’s Magical Nights of Lights

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:56:30 +0000

About an hour north of Atlanta, Lake Lanier Islands offers six and a half miles of lights and a carload price. It bills itself as the “world’s largest animated light extravaganza” and includes a live nativity scene, carnival rides, pony rides and the Santa Shop. The Holiday Village includes a bonfire for roasting marshmallows. The price is $40 per car Friday through Sunday and holidays, $30 Monday through Thursday. Discount tickets are available at Publix and McDonalds (good for $5 off) or make your reservations on-line at www.lakelanierislands.com for the same discount. Lake Lanier Islands Resort has partnered with Toys for Tots, so bring an unwrapped toy for a $5 discount. (Only one discount per car.) You might also check out Breakfast with Santa or the Magical Nights of Lights dinner buffet at the Legacy Lodge’s Windows Restaurant. To get there, take I-85N to I-985N to exit 8 (Friendship Road). Follow the signs to Lake Lanier Islands Resort. Or take GA 400N to exit 14. Go East on GA 20, turn left on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and left on Friendship Road. The website is www.lakelanierislands.com, or call 770-945-8787 for more information.

(Photos courtesy Lake Lanier Islands Resort)

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

Fantasy in Lights a Christmas Tradition

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:45:24 +0000

With gas prices so low at the moment, you might consider driving south of town to the Fantasy of Lights at Callaway Gardens, just over an hour away. Famous for its azalea trails in the spring, the gardens light up for the holidays with 8 million lights. If you’re concerned about your carbon footprint, you can take the tram. It is open and this is a cold drive, so bundle up and bring a thermos of something warm. (You can purchase hot chocolate in the Christmas Village and under the Pavilion on the way to the trolley.) By the way, Callaway Gardens offsets 100 percent of its electricity use with wind power credits, so the Fantasy is compensated with “green” power. But back to the lights – cars line up by their allotted time and then are released for this drive. It’s a tradition among many families, now stretching back 17 years. It has been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event, the American Bus Association as one of the Top 100 Events and by America’s Best and Top Ten as the Top Three Light Shows in America, so while it may be expensive, it is a good value. (Weekdays are cheaper than weekends. Check out the website at www.callawaygardens.com for pricing and reservations.) If you can do an overnight, Callaway offers a range of very nice accommodations, good food and plenty of other things to do. To get there, take Interstate 85 south to Interstate 185 (exit 21). From Interstate 185, exit at U. S. Hwy. 27 (exit 42). Follow Hwy. 27 South to Pine Mountain. In Pine Mountain, turn right onto Hwy. 354 West. Proceed to Ga. Hwy. 18 and turn left into Callaway Gardens.

(Photos courtesy of Callaway Gardens.)

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

Guess the Destination

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:30:07 +0000

I went to this place last night. I arrived late, caught up in horrible traffic on 285 East and I-85 North. A snail moved faster than I in that rush hour traffic. I had to be at this place at 7:30 p.m., and I showed up there at about 8 a.m. Thankfully, when arrived, I was greeted by a couple of wenches and escorted to my seat by a fine lass. I was happy to be in the presence of a king and queen in this guest, and there were rowdy, blood-thirsty, cheering guests. While there, I tore into a feast of roasted chicken, potato, and pastry. As you can tell, there was a great battle in this place. Sparks flew as swords clashed and brave, beautiful stallions danced with intricate footwork, definitely better than I.

I shouted out loud to support a man dressed in red in this place. I booed a traitor and watched a princess get swept off her feat with love for another man. This is a place that is fun to see once with friends and family. Even couples can have a good time watching the pageantry. Children will love this place, and want to return again and again. This is the sort of place that I would enjoy once, but the second or third viewing may be less thrilling for me. Can you guess where this picture is from in Atlanta?

The answer will be revealed by this Sunday, June 15th, so stay tuned.

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

The New World of Coca Cola Pics

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:56:00 +0000

Atlanta is the home of Coca Cola, and I promised you all pictures of the New World of Coca Cola. When I make a promise, I try to deliver. The New World of Coca Cola is right next door to the Georgia Aquarium and walking distance from the CNN Center in Atlanta.

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

Cool off, Music and Movies in Centennial Park

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:18:13 +0000

This is how we cool off in Atlanta and with temperatures in the 90s. you now know one reason why Atlanta is called Hotlanta. These children are participating in the traditional cool-off in the Olympic Rings fountain at Centennial Olympic Park. The water is synchronized and is programmed to spurt up or down. Centennial Olympic Park is a 21-acre, founded during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Synchronized water and music shows occur daily 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Music in Centennial Olympic Park

There’s also music, R&B, jazz, and/or reggae from noon to 1 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday until October.

Wednesday WindDown is another opportunity to catch a free live concert in the park. That takes place every Wednesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. until September.

Movies in the Park

Movies on the Lawn are every Thursday at sunset in the park. It’s like a drive-In movie without having a car. Bring a picnic, but bottles and grills are not allowed. Here is the movie schedule.

The landscaping is lovely in Centennial Park. It’s a good place to meet up with friends if you decide to split up and explore midtown. During the summer, concerts are often held in Centennial Park.

Getting to Centennial Olympic Park

Andrew Young International Blvd., Baker Street, Luckie Street, and Centennial Olympic Park Drive are adjacent to the park. Here is a map of downtown Atlanta and driving directions to the park.

Hours of Operation

The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Have you visited Centennial Olympic Park lately?

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

The CNN Center

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:58 +0000

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

Atlantic Station

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:00:59 +0000

Atlantic Station started the Live-Work-Play craze in Atlanta. Picture a community where living, working, and playing are within walking distance of each other. Opened in 2005 in midtown Atlanta, this city within a city was even given its own zip code: 30363. It features residential areas, office spaces, shops, restaurants, entertainment, and much more. Today, Atlantic Station continues to attract hordes of people to its neighborhood on a daily basis. I remember back in 2003, when the Art Foundry condominiums (the first residential area to be built in the area) announced initial plans of construction. Before even breaking ground, all units were almost all sold out. Buyers had to qualify (financially) in order to join a lottery that may give them a chance to purchase a most-coveted unit. Once the lottery was won, they had to put down a non-refundable exorbitant amount as earnest money. I thought these people were crazy until my parents announced they won the Art Foundry lottery and bought a unit for my younger sister who was living in a dorm nearby. They are now selling it for $100,000 more than what they paid originally. Not bad return on investment after less than 3 years. These days, there are more residential development in Atlantic Station. The Trump Towers are slated to be built pretty soon with anticipated completion by 2010. Twelve Atlantic Station has just been completed and features a hotel and residential condominiums. Work-wise, Atlantic Station features office buildings nearby. There’s 201, a 17-story Class A office tower offering 350,000 rentable square feet. 171, another Class A complex is home to leading bank Wachovia’s headquarters.

Aside from Ikea whose 366,000 square foot store is the first in the Southeast and in Atlanta, what makes Atlantic Station popular are the shops, restaurants, and entertainment portal. The outdoor mall is home to many retail and specialty stores. There are also several restaurants ranging from casual dining to hip and 5-star. If those are not enough to lure you in, there’s Regal Cinemas and a bowling alley. There’s also the Atlanta Police Precinct on the property.Atlantic Station promises something for everyone. Check out their website for the latest happenings.

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler

Wild Animal Safari @ Pine Mountain

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 19:57:06 +0000

A mere two-hour drive south of Atlanta in the city of Pine Mountain, the Wild Animal Safari is an exceptional weekend must-see. The 500-acre park is divided into two parts — there’s the Walk-About side where you can walk around and see caged and/or fenced animals such as baboons, leopards, raccoons, black bears, servals, alligators, birds, pot-bellied pigs, kangaroos, wolves, hyenas, rabbits, leopards, goats, camels, and many more. You can feed most animals and some may even be pet like the camel, goats, and rabbits.

On the other side is the actual safari where a bus will take you around on a 45-minute trip to feed, pet, and interact with the animals such as ligers, servales, zedongs, water buffaloes, bisons, camels, rhinos, deers, giraffe, coatimundi, ostriches, emus, and many more. Notable animals include the Ligers (a cross between a lion and a tiger), the Servals (spotted cats with big ears), and the Zedonk (a cross between a zebra and a donkey).

Ligers: half lion, half tiger; size up to 10 ft and 700 lbs

Servals: African wild cat; playful as pets; usually cost upwards of $5,000

Water Buffalo: this one was very friendly and loved to be fed and pet

Camel: this one-hump camel loved to be fed and pet

This 500-acre, privately-owned wildlife preserve is open year round. Tour buses take you around the Serengeti every hour although you can rent a Safari Van for $11 (per hour) if you would rather spend more time interacting with the animals. Admission for adults is $15.95 and Seniors/Children (3-12) are $13.95. Animal feed can be bought starting at $1.25. I highly recommend this place for those who enjoy seeing rare wildlife or just want to get away from Atlanta. You won’t be disappointed

Post from: The Atlanta Traveler