The cultural and historical sightseeing
opportunities in Atlanta are numerous, including those originating
in the past as well as the present. Fortunately, for those who are
so inclined a variety of tours are offered in a wide variety of
locations. Some of these tours are listed below.
The Gray Line Bus Company offers 5
separate tours including the All Around Atlanta, Georgia's Great,
the Atlanta Grand, a Combination Tour A, and a Combination Tour
B.
All Around Atlanta
Departing from the Visitor's Center of Underground Atlanta
at 65 Upper Alabama Street, the narrated tour lasts four and a half
hours. The stops along this tour includes the Georgia Aquarium,
a unique display of otters, penguins, beluga whales, and whale sharks,
the Margaret Mithchell House and Museum, which includes a portrait
of Scarlet O'Hara from Mitchell's book "Gone with the Wind,"
and the Atlanta Cyclorama, which features a reenactment of the Battle
of Atlanta.
Georgia's Great
Departing from the Visitor's Center of Underground Atlanta at
65 Upper Alabama Street, the narrated tour lasts three hours and
traverses through the downtown area, City Hall, and the State Capitol
Building. Stops are made at the World of Coca-Cola Museum, the Martin
Luther King Jr. Center, and the Jimmy Carter Museum and Library.
Atlanta Grand
Departing from the Visitor's
Center of Underground Atlanta at 65 Upper Alabama Street, the narrated
tour traverses past the historical homes of the area and the Governor's
Mansion. Four important stops are included on this tour. They include
the Atlanta Cyclorama, which features a reenactment of the Battle
of Atlanta, the Atlanta History Center, the Swan House Mansion,
and Tully Smith's farmhouse.
Combination Tour A
Departing from the Visitor's
Center of Underground Atlanta at 65 Upper Alabama Street, the narrated
tour lasts several hours. This tour combines the highlights of the
Georgia's Great and the All Around Atlanta at a reduced price.
Combination Tour B
Departing from the Visitor's
Center of Underground Atlanta at 65 Upper Alabama Street, the narrated
tour lasts seven and a half hours. This tour combines the highlights
of the Atlanta Grand with Georgia's Great at a reduced price.
A free tour of the Governor's Mansion,
a Greek Revival style building, is offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays
and Thursdays. The tours are conducted between the hours of 10:00
am and 11:30 am. The location is 391 West Paces Ferry Road and reservations
are required for groups larger than 10 people.
A walking tour of the city is offered
by the Atlanta Preservation Center. Trained guides take guests
on a tour of many of Atlanta's preserved areas. The tour, lasting
an hour and a half, includes stops at each of the following locations:
the Fox Theater, Historic Downtown, Inman Park, Grant Park, Martin
Luther King Jr. District, Ansley Park, and the Frederick Law Olmstead's
Druid Hills.
The Underground Atlanta Guided
History Tour starts at 50 Upper Alabama Street and is offered
on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only. It guides visitors along
a tour of the city's five-block section of this historic area that
includes restaurants, shops, bars, and street vendors.- Susan M.
Keenan
