Things to Do in Georgia

The historic Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site commemorates the life, work, and legacy of the Civil Rights leader. The center takes up several blocks, which include King’s boyhood home and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where both King’s father and grandfather served as ministers.

Before you begin your stroll around the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, stop by the visitors center for a map and brochure of area sites and exhibits. Inside the visitor center is a museum that chronicles the American Civil Rights movement, and Dr King’s role in it. You can also visit the two-story house where Dr. King was born.

Across from the visitors center, the King Center for Non-Violent Social Change has more information on Dr. King's life and work, and a few of his personal effects, including his Nobel Peace Prize. His gravesite, between the church and center, is surrounded by a long reflecting pool and can be viewed anytime.

The Historic District of Savannah is considered the heart of the city and corresponds to the area that defined Savannah prior to the American Civil War. It’s the largest National Historic Landmark District in the United States, attracting millions of visitors on an annual basis. Savannah’s Historic District encompasses more than 20 city squares laid out in a distinctive grid pattern. General James E. Oglethorpe, founder of the British Colony of Georgia, laid out the original plan back in 1733. Today, much of the original plan remains visible through its divisions, also called wards, squares and trustee lots. The Historic District showcases 18th and 19th century architecture styles like Georgian, Gothic and Greek Revival, and is home to a number of important buildings and complexes. Here, visitors will find museums, churches, mansions, famous forts and monuments dating back to the Revolutionary and Civil War periods. It’s also the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low.

Celebrating the world’s most popular soft drink, the World of Coca-Cola showcases all things Coke. The museum is an absolute must-see for every visitor to Atlanta. The highlight of the visit is sampling Coke products from around the world. But there are also Andy Warhol pieces to view, a 4-D film to catch, company history to learn, and what seems like 20 billion promotional materials to behold.

The World of Coca-Cola is divided up into two levels, called “The Hub.” On the lower level, a short film introduces visitors to the magic behind a bottle of Coke. After watching the film, visitors can browse a number of attractions, including the Milestones of Refreshment exhibit, which traces the history of Coke.

The second level is where visitors will be completely immersed in the world of Coca-Cola. At the Secret Formula 4-D Theater, you can watch a film about an eccentric scientist on a quest to uncover the mysterious secret formula for Coke.

River Street Savannah is not only a picturesque place to walk or jog along the river, but is also a hub of activity in downtown Savannah. Known for dreamy views of the river, its tree-lined promenade, and its strip of shops and restaurants, visitors to Savannah come here to get a sense of what Savannah has to offer. Whether it be a ferry boat ride along the winding Savannah River, a concert in the park, or just to sample some of the many local Savannah restaurants boasting delicious southern fare, the River Street is where you head if you want the authentic Savannah experience.

The Center for Civil and Human Rights is a cultural center in downtown Atlanta that seeks to connect the American Civil Rights Movement to today’s Global Human Rights Movements. Their purpose is to create a safe space for visitors to explore the fundamental rights of all human beings. The Center's goal is to inspire and empower visitors to join the ongoing dialogue about human rights in their own communities.

The Center has both permanent and temporary exhibitions on different topics relating to civil and human rights. Exhibitions explore the history of the civil rights movement in the US during the 1950s and 1960s. Others focus on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and work in the fight for equal rights. Some exhibitions focus more on present-day issues of human rights and how certain groups are depicted in the media. These exhibits aim to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of human rights and how they affect the lives of every person.

Since the early 1700's, Savannah City Market has been the commercial and social center of historic downtown Savannah. Known locally as the “art and soul” of Savannah, the moniker is a nod toward the numerous artist’s galleries, boutiques, and restaurants that make the City Market the social and commercial center of Savannah that it is today. A destination for dining, entertainment, art, and shopping in downtown Savannah, the vibrant City Market is still on the original site of used by farmers and traders since the city’s founding in the 18th century. Adjacent to Ellis Square, come here to sight-see, to window shop, dine, or simply watch life’s passing parade - the Savannah City Market is a highlight to any trip to Savannah.

The Cathedral of St John the Baptist, a Roman Catholic establishment, is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah. The colonial charter of the city originally prohibited Roman Catholics from settling here for fear they would be more loyal to the Spanish authorities, but after the American Revolution, the prohibition on Roman Catholics began to fade.

French Catholic immigrants escaping slave rebellions in Haiti established Savannah’s first parish just before the end of the 18th century. As the number of Catholics continued to increase in Savannah, a second church was dedicated in 1839 and construction on the new Cathedral of St John the Baptist began in 1873. It was completed in 1896 as the spires were added.

Although the cathedral was almost entirely destroyed by a fire in 1898, it was painstakingly rebuilt and rededicated in 1900, when it also received new murals and decorations.

The Atlanta CNN Center is the headquarters of the cable-TV news service. A visit here will give you a behind-the-scenes glance at the 24-hour news organization in high-tech action, including a visit to production areas not accessible to the general public.

Your first stop at the Atlanta CNN Center is in the lobby, where you can have a videotape made of yourself while reading news stories from a CNN anchor desk. Next, you’ll learn about the history of CNN through interactive kiosks and CNN memorabilia. In the special-effects studio, see how global news is produced via modern technology. The highlight of the a visit to the Atlanta CNN Center is watching the action of the main CNN newsroom from a glass-walled observation tower. You’ll see writers composing new scripts, camera operators positioning cameras, and maybe even a live broadcast.

Founded based on a need for space for former circus animals, Zoo Atlanta has been a mainstay attraction in Atlanta since 1889. Today, it houses more than 1,500 animals and has the largest number of gorillas and orangutans of any zoo in the United States. Additionally, Zoo Atlanta is one of only four in the U.S. that houses giant pandas.

The 40-acre zoo features seven exhibits, including the popular Ford African Rain Forest and the giant pandas exhibit with its two inhabitants, a male and a female, both on loan from China. Children love the petting zoo, where they can interact with sheep, goats and pigs.