Atlanta Bucketlist, GA

Atlanta has become my second home after California. Initially it was hard to adjust here telling myself again n again that we are light years apart from scenic drives, chowder clam and Bay area. A lot many times i used to scroll down my insta account checking pics of Union street and Big Sur followed with a speck of tear flowing down my cheeks.
But as months passed we made a lot of memories. My hubby is always good when it comes to making friends and before i went insane he pushed me to attend social events and became a part of cultural program. Oh yes! i was hesitant at first finding it stupid but it sure did work out. We made a bunch of friends, celebrated every festivals together, crazy potluck parties and became a parent in the third year. Home to the Hollywood because of tax initiatives we even got the opportunity to see movie shooting right below our apartment.

Founded at the crossroads of rail lines in 1836, Atlanta, Georgia was once called Marthasville and Terminus before the Western & Atlantic Railroad led to the name.
Atlanta is also home of Civil Rights heroes John Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr. as well as authors like Margaret Mitchell and Joel Chandler Harris, musicians OutKast and Gladys Knight, and countless athletes.

Honestly, today I have ton to write about what to see, do, eat and learn about this place. Let's jump to the bucketlist.

THINGS TO DO

Tour the CNN studio

I will begin from downtown since here are lot of activities to be covered. Look out for for CNN sign and take out 15 mins to stroll inside out the the studio. It is connected to Omni hotel which is more of a media hub. We didn't do the tour but walked in and out grabbing coffee from the food court on the ground level. The tour which gives you access to what goes on behind the scenes. Wear a green shirt to increase your chances of getting selected for the weather green screen demonstration.

Stroll the Centennial Park

We keep coming to this park since it is close to our residence and people watching is fun here throughout the season. Roughly 4,86,000 engraved bricks,10,275,000 letters and granite from each of the five continents represented in the Olympic Games is been used in this Park. Watch the Ferris wheel lit and glow in the evening with musical fountain show after every 15 mins. I didn't miss getting all soak in the Fountain of Rings featuring the Olympic ring symbol at Centennial park.

Enjoy the World of Coca Cola

Crossing the other side comes the World of Coca Cola, which is a must visit if you die hard fan of Coke. to sample the coke from all around the world. There are museums briefing about the coke's history, marketing and some very old ads which is worth learning. My favorite place inside the 'museum' was the tasting room where you can try loads of different flavors of coke based on a global theme, and have as much coke as you want! We probably spent about half a day here and it is great for all age ranges.

Play with dolphins in Atlanta Aquarium

Watching the beluga whale, seal, and penguin here is simply magical. See the penguins up close and personal in Penguin Pop-Up, where you go through a tunnel then stand up in the designative places separating the penguins and you with a sheet of glass. Make sure you go see the dolphin show before lunch and arrive 25-30 minutes before hand to get a seat.I suggest visiting the aquarium after 4pm everyday of the week to save over 30% off full priced admission with full access to the entire Aquarium, including the opportunity to view AT&T Dolphin.

Walk the Atlanta Beltine

once a railroad corridor is now a a trail for walkers, cyclists and more, that links parks and neighborhoods together. A variety of public art can be found along the way. Weekday morning and early afternoons are ideal... fewer pedestrians, bikes and congestion on the path. Evenings are beautiful too because your view of the skyline. Lots of new development, restaurants, parks, Ponce City Market, Krog Market, and access to plenty more (Trader Joe’s, movie theater). I highly recommend spending some time walking the whole section. It’s about 3.5-4 miles from one end and back.

Spend weekend at Ponce City Market

You will b surprised to know that the place PCM stands today was once an amusement park, shut down in 1923 rebuilt in 1926 as a distribution center. Quite an interesting fact this food hall is surly big enough with plenty of selection of food to spend the night away with an open rooftop welcoming adventurous kids and foodies with amazing rids, skill games and mini golfs .

Krog Street Market.

Take your kids to Atlanta Zoo

Visit BAPS SHRI SWAMI NARAYAN MANDIR

GEORGIA STATE CAPITOL

SHOP AT BUCKHEAD ATLANTA

View the Atlanta skyline from Jackson Street Bridge

Drive through the Oakland Cemetery.

Downtown

Walking down the downtown are plethora of shops and restaurants one of the main is Underground Atlanta, a shopping and entertainment district.

Even the downtown architectures are must walk through.

We drove a little to visit the Georgia Capitol Museum which is free of course. To all the Anne Frank's fan you can visit the Anne Frank Museum which is free again.

PARKS AND NATURE

Explore the Botanical garden

Photoshoot in Piedmont park

Visit the Stone Mountain Park

Celebrate the Hot Balloons festival festival Callaway Garden.

Plan a day to Tallulah falls and Taccoa falls.

Reach the highest point of Georgia Brasstown bald mountain

FOOD AND RESTAURANTS

cottage winery

breakfast at corner bakery