"Big city of the South" a Atlanta Travel Page by goingsolo

Atlanta may not be one of the largest US cities, but with a population of over 400,000 in the metro area, it holds that title in the south. Yet, despite its tall buildings, chain establishments and traffic problems, Atlanta still retains a bit of southern charm.

On my first visit to the city, I found Atlanta to be quite bland. I thought of it as a vanilla kind of city. After returning a few times, I found myself enjoying the laid back attitude and friendliness. Atlanta is a young city (the average age being approximately 32) and one where there is no shortage of things to do. On almost any given weekend, there is a festival, a parade or a sporting event going on.

In a series of weekend trips, including one unfortunate visit during the ice storm of 2005 which virtually shut the city down, I discovered Atlanta's quirkiness and began to like it more and more. Atlanta is still behind the largest of the big cities when it comes to arts, culture and ethnic cuisine, but its southern hospitality, usually mild weather and beautiful parks more than make up for what it is lacking.

Atlanta continues to grow at a faster rate than almost any other city in the United States. This growth is changing the way of life for this formerly slow-paced southern city, in ways both good and bad. Nationally recognized sports teams, an opportunity to host the Olympics and a plethora of ethnic neighborhoods have made Atlanta more recognized and more diverse. Atlanta is also home to many corporations, including CNN and Coca Cola. Traffic problems and increasing crime have made many people wary of the population increase. But, in many suburban areas, people still feel safe leaving their doors unlocked and nearly everyone you pass on the streets will say hello.

Atlanta is also the cultural and cuisine capital of the south. Visiting northerners may scoff at this, feeling that both are lacking in comparison to the cultural capitals and food meccas found in larger cities, but Atlanta is trying to hold its own in both categories. The performing arts center is a popular evening destination and there's more to eat here than biscuits and gravy. Even Emeril Lagasse has decided to set up shop here.

But change doesn't sit well with many people, especially in the South, where customs and traditions become rather deep rooted. Atlanta struggles with the tensions of a growing population and the racial tension whose unspoken presence does not go unnoticed. But Atlanta remains a southern city at its roots. And, being southerners, Atlanta's residents retain their friendly and welcoming attitude along with their affection for southern cooking and NASCAR.

While visiting Atlanta, you will find the amenities of a big city while being reminded in subtle ways that this is the South. And that's a good thing in a lot of ways.