Atlanta in Georgia is a city in America’s Deep South that has had its share of heartache and history, but today you’d never know it. It’s a town that holds all the big-city amenities you’d ever want, like dining, shopping and nightlife, but has somehow managed to maintain the small-town feel of its past. The people are genuinely friendly and helpful, and you’ll hear “Yes, ma’am” and “Yes, sir” whenever you ask a question. Rent a villa or holiday apartment as a way to save more money for the sightseeing and fun you’ll have while here.
The city is steeped in history, primarily from America’s Civil War. Union General William T. Sherman ordered all possible Confederate assets and all public buildings burned during his famous “march to the sea”, and little of Atlanta remained afterward. Churches and hospital buildings were spared, though, so a historical tour is a wonderful way to see modern buildings juxtaposed with pre-Civil War ones. Don’t forget the Atlanta History Centre and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site for a more complete picture of what makes this city unique.
Modern Atlanta is home to several large corporations, and the CNN Centre and Philips Arena, which sit beside Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 Summer Olympics, which were held in Atlanta. For Gaels visiting the city, try to catch a game by Clan nan Gael Men’s and Ladies’ Football Clubs.
If it’s culture you want, try the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Piedmont Park, or the Fernbank Science Centre, both in Atlanta. The Lasershow at nearby Stone Mountain Park is a wonderful attraction for both old and young.
If all this sightseeing leaves you hungry, stop at Fogo de Chao for steak, or Bacchanalia or Canoe for American fare with a more informal flair. Once you’ve visited Atlanta, you’ll want to return again and again.
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