"Atlanta & Stone Mountain Park" Atlanta by noidiotsplease

Rising from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Northern Georgia stand the skyscrapers and superhighways of Atlanta, the crossroads of the South. One of the country's foremost business addresses, Atlanta is home to Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, CNN, The Weather Channel and a variety of other major companies and cable networks. In addition, its Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport claims to be the world's busiest airport every year. But Atlanta isn't just for the coat and tie set. After all, a city with the rare distinction of having hosted both the Olympic Games and the Super Bowl certainly knows how to entertain.

Modern Atlanta offers a diversity of attractions including a zoo, Six Flags amusement park, a water park, the Georgia Aquarium, upscale shopping malls, the trendy restaurants and shops of Buckhead, museums, historic Civil War and Civil Rights sites and the natural marvel of Stone Mountain Park. Of these attractions, I have only had the pleasure to visit Stone Mountain Park, but I would love to return to get a better grasp of all that Atlanta has to offer. For now though, here are my experiences with both Downtown Atlanta and Stone Mountain.

Centennial Olympic Park from the Westin

In July of 2005 we stayed on the 40th floor of the 72-story Westin Peachtree Plaza, one of the tallest hotels in the western hemisphere. Our room had a spectacular view of the skyscrapers of Uptown, the more distant skyline of Buckhead, and the even more distant foothills that surround the city. We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe, which is located right across Peachtree Street from our hotel. We were only there for one night of a family trip across country, we were toting along toddlers, and it was rainy, so our opportunities to explore the city were quite limited. Nevertheless, we took our hotel's glass-enclosed express elevator to the 72nd floor and very much enjoyed the spectacular panoramic views in every direction from high above Atlanta. The observation level is also situated loft-style above a very popular revolving restaurant.

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT STONE MOUNTAIN!

Over two decades ago I also stayed with my parents and brother at the Stone Mountain Inn and explored Stone Mountain Park, located in the eastern suburbs of the city. Stone Mountain is actually a monolith -- solid granite that has pushed up through the earth's crust to form a mountain of solid rock. A skylift takes visitors from the base to the top of Stone Mountain. Along the way you can behold the gigantic carvings of three Confederate generals on horseback that have been carved into the facade of the mountain, similar in fashion to the more famous Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. At night, this face of the mountain comes alive with spectacular laser and fireworks shows.

If you have a couple days to spend in the area I would highly recommend staying at the Westin Peachtree Plaza and exploring downtown, but at some point also try to make your way to Stone Mountain.

Downtown Atlanta from the Westin Peachtree Plaza

WHAT I HAVE DONE:
- Stayed in a high-floor room at the The Westin Peachtree Plaza with a view looking north toward Uptown.
- Took the glass express elevator to the observation level at the top of the Westin Peachtree Plaza.
- Explored Stone Mountain Park, including the incline, and enjoyed the laser show after dark.
- Ate at the Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta.
- Drove through the heart of Downtown/Uptown Atlanta on Interstate 75.
- Stayed at the Stone Mountain Inn.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO:
- Attend a Braves game at Turner Field
- Visit the Georgia Aquarium
- Explore Buckhead
- Tour CNN

WHY I LIKE ATLANTA:
- an impressive myriad of tall, interesting skyscrapers
- big freeways
- proximity to beautiful mountain scenery
- beautiful neighborhoods
- home of the Atlanta Braves

INTERESTING FACTS:
- has the busiest airport in the world
- the South's largest metropolitan area (though not largest city)
- home of Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, CNN, Turner Broadcasting, and The Weather Channel
- host of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games

Visit my GEORGIA page.