Although these attractions might not be as well known as their bigger Atlanta neighbors located on the outskirts of the city (Stone Mountain Park & Six Flags Over Georgia), Downtown Atlanta has a number of tourist attractions that provide for all the necessary ingredients for a successful family vacation without the long lines.
To begin your downtown Atlanta visit, you need a convenient location or base of operation for the family vacation and I can think of none better than the impressive and nearly new eight-story Embassy Suites, Centennial Olympic Park. (267 Marietta St., 1-800-EMBASSY.) With views out your room of the inviting Centennial Olympic Park, the CNN Center and the Phillips Arena, it can’t get any more convenient. The Phillips Arena is the home of Atlanta’s NBA franchise, the Hawks and its NHL franchise, the Thrashers.
Embassy Suites is a member of the Hilton family and features spacious two room suites, perfect for the family on vacation. On one side of the room there is a pull out couch with a television and on the other side is a queen sized bed, separated by an ample sized bathroom. In each room you’ll find a safe, a microwave, refrigerator, purified water and two telephones. Cribs and high chairs are available – just ask.
I had never stayed at an Embassy Suites so I wasn’t aware of the nightly lobby ritual. Drinks are free in the lobby from 5:30-7:30 – beer, wine, margaritas, and sodas. Breakfast was also a pleasant surprise; complimentary as well. I was thinking it was going to be along the lines of free coffee and Danishes but was shocked to find it was fresh fruit, scrambled eggs and even omelets made to order! It was great! Finally, if you’ve driven to the city or rented a car, valet car parking is available inside the hotel’s garage.
Downtown Family Attractions
CNN Studio Tour: Within two blocks of the Embassy Suites is the CNN Center and the CNN Tour. CNN is the Mecca for news junkies. The 45-minute tour gives a behind the scenes view of how the first 24-hour news network operates as well as allowing you to actually see live on air news anchors. Admission prices are: Adults, $10; Children, 4 to 12, $7; Seniors, 65 & over, $8. Children under 4 years of age are not permitted on tour. Reservations, a day ahead of time, are strongly advised. Although not a very long tour, I thoroughly enjoyed it, as did my young daughter who enjoyed seeing the newsroom, the graphics of how the weather reports are projected on the “blue screen” as well as riding the nation’s largest indoor escalator which is part of the CNN Center tour.
World of Coca Cola: A short, brisk walk from the Embassy Suites, and adjacent to Underground Atlanta, you’ll find World of Coca Cola. Featuring the largest collection of Coke memorabilia ever assembled, World of Coca Cola traces the history of the famous soft drink.
The World of Coca Cola consists of self guided tour of the three story building that includes a recreation 1930s soda fountain, Coca Cola advertising and promotional items, Coke drink dispensers and the highlight at the end of the tour, unlimited samples of Coca Cola products and exotic soft drink brands made by the Coca Cola company from around that world that are not available in the United States. Hours of operation are 9-5, Monday through Saturday, Noon – 6 pm on Sunday. (Hours are subject to change depending on seasons.) Admission is $7; $5 for seniors and $4 for children ages 6-11. For more information: 404.676.5151.
SciTrek: UPDATE: SciTrek ceased operations August 21, 2004, and will redesign itself, to open at a future date, in another location in Georgia. For adventures similar to the one described here, Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta is highly recommended.
Featuring more the 45,000 square feet of educational and exhibit space, Sci-Trek is Georgia’s premier math, science and technology hands-on learning center. Its mission is to “Inspire and educate young people to become the innovators of the future.”
There are exhibits that cater to every age individual from Pre-K to high school. Permanent exhibits include electricity and magnetism; simple machines which spotlight early inventions such as levers, planes and pulleys; brainteasers; puzzles and a special area designed specifically for children under seven years old. There are also temporary exhibits such as Candy Unwrapped. This 6,000 square foot exhibit allows visitors to explore how taste and their other senses, such as sight and smell, are used by the human body.
Don’t think that it is all “work” and no fun, I had to nearly pull my seven year old out of SciTrek when it was time to go, she didn’t want to leave because she was having such a great time.