Planning to visit Atlanta for a weekend getaway? The city of Atlanta has long been dubbed as everything from the "capital of the new South" to "the next international city"and to "the best place to deal business matters". It is fueled by the prosperity of large local companies like Coca Cola and Holiday Inn, and having hosted the 1996 Summer Olympic Games make it on fire - a great place to visit.

On your Atlanta vacation, note that from world class restaurants and wide selection of cultural attractions to a hip nightlife and sporting events galore, the city of Atlanta is indeed a cosmopolitan in every sense of the word. Perhaps what is best about the city is that it has also managed to maintain its historic character. To enjoy your Atlanta vacation, try to stop by the Atlanta History Center or visit Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Site, which is a moving tribute to an American icon. Several great museums are also out there and whether you prefer modern urban endeavors or old southern pleasures, the city will not disappoint you.

Must-See Attractions

In terms of great attractions, Atlanta has a lot to offer to every Atlanta vacationer. Here are some of the popular spots in the city that are worth a visit.

For History Lovers

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site - On your Atlanta vacation, don't ever miss to visit this very great spot. Start at the visitor center and then forward around three main sites in this historic park: the home in which Martin Luther King Jr. was born, the church where he preached, and the memorial site where he is buried. As one of the must-see attractions for an ultimate Atlanta vacation, this spot draws some 500,000 visitors every year.

Atlanta History Center - This is but another historic site worth a visit in the city of Atlanta. Here, you can get a glimpse into the lives of Georgian farmers at the Tullie Smith Farm and of wealthy Atlantans at the Swan House Mansion. Also, for an ultimate Atlanta vacation, you can visit the museum which traces the city and state of Georgia's history through Civil War artifacts, photographs, and decorative arts. What is more interesting about this site is that it contains forests and gardens, including the mile-long Swan Woods Trail, perfect for an enjoyable Atlanta vacation.

For Family Fun

Zoo Atlanta - If you are taking your family with you on your Atlanta vacation, the Zoo Atlanta is one of the ideal places to go. This is actually an extraordinary zoo, one of the oldest in the United States that underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in the 1980s and is still expanding. It has landscaping that replicates the natural habitats of the myriad of animals, some of which are endangered species. Your kids, your parents, and even you yourself will surely be delighted with the two panda bears from China as well as group of Gorillas that are separated by moats which do their own share of entertaining.

World of Coca Cola - This is a popular Atlanta attraction perfect for an ultimate Atlanta vacation. It was actually designed as a tribute to the world famous soft drink, born a century ago in a local Atlanta pharmacy. Here, you can find spectacular collection of memorabilia, entertaining, hands-on exhibits and video presentations, including unlimited samples in a number of flavors. All of these await the Atlanta vacationers.