GEORGIA: THE PEACH TREE STATE
BY CLAY
LARROY
A
vacation can soothe the soul and leave you renewed, refreshed, and invigorated.
Whether you are just now starting to plan your next vacation, or are merely
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ideas and suggestions, read all the articles about travel. So take away some of
the stress of making travel plans, and get started thinking about the fun and
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atlanta: Hollywood of the South
Atlanta
History
What is now the booming
metropolis of Atlanta began as a modest railroad town in southern USA. Georgia
chose to build a railway to the Midwest in the early 1830s, and where the Zero
Mile Post was driven into the ground, Atlanta was established and it became the
rail hub for the southern United States.
By 1861, Atlanta was also a manufacturing center and supply depot, making it a major target in the American Civil War. Union General William Sherman's troops burned much of the city to the ground, before embarking on his infamous March to the Sea.
The city quickly recovered and rose from the ashes giving the city its symbol, the phoenix. Only four years after the fire, Atlanta was established as Georgia's new state capital and it continued to remain a key rail hub.
Atlanta went "dry" in 1886, and later that year, local Jacobs' Pharmacy began selling a new soft drink instead. The beverage, called Coca-Cola, developed into an American icon and The Coco-Cola Company, incorporated in 1892, has been headquartered in Atlanta ever since.
In the late 19th century, elite black colleges were founded and a wealthy middle and upper class emerged among the city's black population. By the early 20th century, "Sweet" Auburn Avenue was called the most prosperous African-American street in the nation.
But disenfranchisement and racial tensions triggered the Atlanta Race Riot in 1906, which led to the deaths of an estimated 27 people; all but two were black. The Jim Crow laws were passed soon after, segregating blacks from whites in public facilities.
Discrimination was rife for decades but in the mid 1950s sit-ins and boycotts ushered in a new era of the Civil Rights Movement headed by Atlanta-born Martin Luther King Jr. The city was desegregated throughout the 1960s and 70s.
Recovered from its troubled past, Atlanta's leaders pulled together in a successful bid to host the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The city updated its parks, transportation, and sporting facilities in preparation. The US brought home the most medals during the Olympics, beating second place Russia by nearly 40.
Did you know?
- The city got its current name from railroad engineer J. Edgar Thompson. It's thought to be a shortened version of "Atlantica-Pacifica."
- The city's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest airport with a terminal spanning 45 football fields.
- It's purported that Atlanta-born Margaret Mitchell wrote Gone with the Wind to stave off boredom following an ankle injury which kept her from walking.
By 1861, Atlanta was also a manufacturing center and supply depot, making it a major target in the American Civil War. Union General William Sherman's troops burned much of the city to the ground, before embarking on his infamous March to the Sea.
The city quickly recovered and rose from the ashes giving the city its symbol, the phoenix. Only four years after the fire, Atlanta was established as Georgia's new state capital and it continued to remain a key rail hub.
Atlanta went "dry" in 1886, and later that year, local Jacobs' Pharmacy began selling a new soft drink instead. The beverage, called Coca-Cola, developed into an American icon and The Coco-Cola Company, incorporated in 1892, has been headquartered in Atlanta ever since.
In the late 19th century, elite black colleges were founded and a wealthy middle and upper class emerged among the city's black population. By the early 20th century, "Sweet" Auburn Avenue was called the most prosperous African-American street in the nation.
But disenfranchisement and racial tensions triggered the Atlanta Race Riot in 1906, which led to the deaths of an estimated 27 people; all but two were black. The Jim Crow laws were passed soon after, segregating blacks from whites in public facilities.
Discrimination was rife for decades but in the mid 1950s sit-ins and boycotts ushered in a new era of the Civil Rights Movement headed by Atlanta-born Martin Luther King Jr. The city was desegregated throughout the 1960s and 70s.
Recovered from its troubled past, Atlanta's leaders pulled together in a successful bid to host the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The city updated its parks, transportation, and sporting facilities in preparation. The US brought home the most medals during the Olympics, beating second place Russia by nearly 40.
Did you know?
- The city got its current name from railroad engineer J. Edgar Thompson. It's thought to be a shortened version of "Atlantica-Pacifica."
- The city's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest airport with a terminal spanning 45 football fields.
- It's purported that Atlanta-born Margaret Mitchell wrote Gone with the Wind to stave off boredom following an ankle injury which kept her from walking.
Things
to do in Atlanta
Activities
Canoeing
The Chattahoochee River
National Recreation Area is a short drive north of Atlanta. Visit the park to
hike, walk, or kayak. For the more adventurous, Chattahoochee Outfitters
(www.shootthehooch.com) offers kayak, tube, paddleboard and canoe rentals for a
range of different distances, from 2.5 km (1.5 miles) to a day-long, 10km (6
miles) adventure.
Hiking
Hiking is abundant
throughout Atlanta because of its proximity to the Appalachian Mountains (www.atlantatrails.com/category/hiking-trails). Around
24km (15 miles) east of the city, an easy 2km (1.3 miles) hike up Stone
Mountain is rewarded with a view of Atlanta's skyline in the distance. About
32km (20 miles) west of Atlanta, Sweetwater Creek State Park has several scenic
trails. Northwest of the city is 551m-high (1,808ft) Kennesaw Mountain. The
peak's most popular trail, the paved trail, is open to hikers daily and to
vehicles on weekdays. The short but steep Kennesaw Mountain Trail with its
rocky ascent is recommended for experienced hikers.
Motor sports
Adrenaline junkies should
head to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Richard Petty Driving Experience (www.drivepetty.com/race-tracks/atlanta-motor-speedway).
Either drive yourself or ride along with a pro driver at speeds of up to 160mph
on one of the fastest tracks in NASCAR. For those less adventurous, Andretti
Indoor Karting & Games (www.andrettikarting.com)
gives the feeling of driving a race car without the high speeds. Hit the
Superkart track to test your driving skills against friends and family. Road
Atlanta (www.roadatlanta.com), one of America's best courses,
hosts the Petit Le Mans race, amongst others and has a driving school.
Wine tasting
Wolf Mountain Vineyards (www.wolfmountainvineyards.com)
is the best of several vineyards in the foothills of the Appalachians in North
Georgia. Known for its award-winning wines, it is set in beautiful grounds just
over an hour north of Atlanta. The patio overlooks stunning scenery - a great
spot to enjoy their Sunday brunch with accompanying live music or to sample
wines and take a vineyard tour.
Golfing
Cuscowilla (www.cuscowilla.com),
one of several golf courses on scenic Lake Oconee, is a resort course open to
the public between Tuesdays and Thursdays. Located halfway between Atlanta and
Augusta, it's a popular spot for golf lovers visiting The Masters tournament in
Georgia. The resort also offers jet ski, boat and cycle rentals and has a
swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, a fine dining restaurant and
spacious villa and cottage-style accommodation.
Cycling
Cycling is increasingly
popular in and around Atlanta. In town, the Eastside Trail (www.beltline.org/trails/eastside-trail/) is just over a
3km (2 miles) stretch of the BeltLine, Atlanta's ambitious redevelopment of
historic former railway lines that will eventually encircle the city. The 30km (19
miles) Stone Mountain Trail (www.pathfoundation.org/trails/atlanta-dekalb-system/stone-mountain/
connects Downtown Atlanta with Stone Mountain Park. For the more ambitious, the
Silver Comet Trail (www.silvercometga.com) is over 96km (60 miles) long and
ends at the Georgia/Alabama border. Check for rentals at
www.atlantabike.org/rentals.
Zip-lining
Speed through the air on
the longest and largest zip-line canopy tour in the world, over a hidden gorge
and the ruins of Banning Mills (www.historicbanningmills.com),
an hour's drive west of Atlanta. The site has over 16km (10 miles) of zip-lining
and includes The Screaming Eagle tour and the Amazing Flight of the Falcon, a
1,036m (3,400ft) headfirst Superman-style flight above the trees.
REFERENCE SITES:
Atlanta's my musical home. It
really was the place where I really came alive.
John Mayer
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