Capital of the state of Georgia and the New South', Atlanta is the birth place of the Civil Rights movement. This history forms an integral part of its culture captured accurately in the Atlanta History Centre and the Martin Luther King Jr's house. However, there is plenty to see and do in this modern metropolis and despite its large size, southern hospitality abounds everywhere.
The Atlanta History Centre is where you will find the Tullie Smith House, relocated from outside the city limits to the beautiful gardens on the museum. This house was one of the few homes that survived the March to the Sea' where General William Sherman destroyed most of Atlanta back in 1864. You can also see several other historic buildings which give you an insight into slave culture as well as the cotton industry which once dominated the region.
The Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site encompasses his birth home, his church and memorial tomb where he is buried and the exhibits in these buildings give you an insight into the life of this Nobel-prize winning campaigner.
For lighter entertainment, the Georgia Aquarium has over 100,000 animals in its huge tanks and is the largest in the US. It has several different environments from tropical to arctic and you can even spend the night here to see what the animals do when humans go to sleep.
Atlanta's music scene is pumping. It has its own brand of hip hop music, crunkas well as a prominent jazz scene. Every summer it hosts America's largest free jazz festival at various locations throughout the city.
Atlanta is a shopaholic's paradise. Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza are where you will find two of the city's biggest malls. Here you will be spoilt for choice with department stores like Bloomingdale's, Nieman Marcus and Macy's, as well as Jimmy Choo and Armani all fighting for your buck.
For smaller, trendier boutiques head to Buckhead, Virginia-Highland and Little Five Points. You can find vintage and second-hand gear here as well as clothes from local Atlanta designers.
Important to all Southern Americans is their food. It largely consists of meat and chicken in the fried variety. Barbecued ribs and battered and fried chicken are usually on the menu in some form even in the more up-market restaurants. For good-tasting, honestly-priced southern fare head to Mary Mac's on Ponce de Leon Avenue and for simply outstanding and mighty large steak you must visit Bone's - now an Atlanta institution.
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