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Atlanta | |
Excursions |
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Atlanta,
Excursions Six Flags Over Georgia: This old‐fashioned funfair (tel: (770) 948 9290; ) has eight rollercoasters, including an ageing wooden monster; plus a wooden carousel, a diving spectacular and a nightly fireworks display and laser show. From central Atlanta the I‐20/GA402 runs west across the river, turning left at Six Flags Parkway, where visitors should follow the signs to the entrance. The admission fee is US$39.99, although a few special attractions require an extra fee. Chattahoochee River Recreation Area: Eight kilometres (five miles) of marked hiking trails, through gardens and forests, link nine waterside recreation areas in the north of the city. Canoes and rafts are available for hire and picnicking facilities are based at Johnson Ferry, Powers Island and Paces Mill. Fishing is permitted with a Georgia licence and a trout stamp. The National Parks Service Visitor Contact Center, 1978 Island Ford Parkway (tel: (770) 399 8070; fax: (770) 392 7045), can provide information. The district is open during daylight and is free; maps are available at the Visitor Center. It is not possible to reach the area by public transport; instead, visitors should take the GA400 north to Exit 6 (Northbridge). For a Whole Day Stone Mountain: Although outside the city boundaries, this is Atlanta’s chief natural wonder and tourist attraction, located just 26km (16 miles) east of Downtown. The park itself is 1280 hectares (3200 acres) and it contains the world’s largest granite monolith, which rises 251m (825ft) above a 145‐hectare (363‐acre) lake. The park features a scenic railroad, an antebellum plantation, a natural habitat zoo and petting farm and an antique auto and music museum. On the mountain’s north face is the world’s largest bas‐relief carving, featuring the likenesses of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E Lee and General ‘Stonewall’ Jackson. On Easter Sunday, an interdenominational service is held at sunrise. The view from the top is a spectacular panorama of the Appalachians. A dramatic laser show lights up the mountain each night to a musical accompaniment and culminates in the firing of a flame cannon and a fireworks fantasy. The park (tel: (770) 498 5600 or (800) 317 2006; ) is located off Hwy‐78, near the village of Stone Mountain. Admission costs US$19 (plus sales tax; concessions available) and the park is open all year round 0600‐2400, although individual attraction opening times may vary. Public transport to the park is on MARTA bus 120 from Avondale Station, then a transfer to bus 19. Dahlonega: In summer, the dark, wooded Appalachians offer a refuge from the scorching heat reflected in the concrete and glass of Downtown. Dahlonega is a charming old mining town with traditional buildings, water wheels and a Gold Museum, where visitors can pan for gold in streams on the slopes of the Appalachians. The Appalachian long‐distance walking trail starts above the town. The driving time from Atlanta along GA400 (a toll road) is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Dahlonega is a well‐signposted turning west off this main road. More information can be obtained from the Dahlonega Chamber of Commerce (tel: (706) 864 3771; ). Pine Mountains: The gardens of Atlanta are marvels of design, planning and continual watering. However, keen gardeners who would like to see plants in a more natural setting should visit the 5600 hectares (14,000 acres) of Callaway Gardens (tel: (706) 663 5068 or (800) 225 5292; ) in the Pine Mountains. The hilly woodlands and gardens include a mountain‐bike trail, a butterfly centre and azalea gardens. President Franklin D Roosevelt’s Little White House at Warm Springs is also open. Callaway is about 1 hour 15 minutes’ drive south of the city. From Atlanta the I‐85 runs south until it splits. The road to Callaway continues south on I‐185 to a left‐hand exit for US Hwy‐27, where it is approximately 16km (ten miles) to Callaway Gardens. |