Each year, metropolitan Atlanta hosts more than 17 million visitors from destinations worldwide. Of those, more than 27 percent visit Atlanta for the sole purpose of sightseeing. A large percentage of Atlanta�s 3.5 million annual convention delegates also tour the city�s major attractions before or after their meetings. Filled with a wealth of attractions and activities, metropolitan Atlanta offers something for every visitor. Some of Atlanta�s well-known favorites include the Atlanta Cyclorama, CNN Studio Tours, Stone Mountain Park, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, Six Flags Over Georgia and Zoo Atlanta.

Metropolitan Atlanta museums highlight the arts, the Civil War period, Atlanta and Georgia history, science and technology and African-American history. Recreational activities include train excursions, water and amusement parks, golfing, tennis, auto racing and more. Sports fans can cheer on the 1999 National League East Division Champion Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Falcons NFL football team, the Atlanta Hawks NBA basketball team, the Atlanta Thrashers NHL hockey team, the Atlanta Silverbacks professional men�s soccer team, or the Georgia Force Arena football team. Art lovers may study an impressionist painting or a contemporary sculpture at the High Museum of Art; enjoy the graceful Atlanta Ballet, the oldest continuously operating ballet company in the nation; tap their toes to the music of an Andrew Lloyd Weber production and other Broadway musicals; or enjoy the Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

�With a variety of attractions and activities to choose from and a warm climate year-round, Atlanta is becoming increasingly popular among business and pleasure travelers,� said Spurgeon Richardson, president of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau. �No matter how many times you�ve been here, or your age, there are new surprises awaiting in the capital of the South.�

Established in 1913, the ACVB is a private, nonprofit organization created exclusively to market metro Atlanta and Georgia as premier conventions, meetings and leisure destinations in the regional, national and international marketplace and to favorably impact the Atlanta economy through conventions and tourism.

###

Media Contact: Brandy Humphries +1 404-521-6645 bhumphries@atlanta.net

Metro Atlanta Attractions American Adventures Amusement Park, 250 Cobb Parkway, North I-75 & Exit 113, (770) 424-9283 Georgia's only amusement park designed especially for families with kids features rides for all ages. The Foam Factory Funhouse is for kids up to age 15, mini-golf and go-cart racing.

Artists� Atelier of Atlanta, 200 Miami Circle, Suite 200, (404) 231-5999 A unique artists� co-operative and minutes from Buckhead. This creative atmosphere has a gallery and 40 on-site working artists.

Atlanta Beach at Clayton County International Park, 2300 Hwy. 138, Jonesboro, Ga., (770) 477-3766 Site of the 1996 Olympic Beach Volleyball competition. Offers swimming, beach volleyball, golf, paddleboats and fishing.

Atlanta State Farmers Market, 16 Forest Parkway, Exit 78 off I-75 South, (404) 366-6910 One of the largest markets of its kind in the world, features fresh produce, eggs, meats and other foods of the region.

Centennial Olympic Park, International Blvd. and Techwood Drive, (404) 222-7275 The park is a 21-acre legacy from the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. Visit the Fountain of Rings, the world�s largest fountain utilizing the Olympic Symbol of five interconnecting rings with 25 water jets.

Ch�teau �lan Resort and Winery, 100 Tour de France, exit 48 on I-85, Braselton, Ga., (770) 932-0900 A 16th-century-style French Chateau is the focal point of this 3,100-acre complex, which contains vineyards, a winery, three championship golf courses, a European-style health spa and tennis center.

CNN Center, (404) 827-2491 CNN Center is the global headquarters of Turner Broadcasting System, plus the studios and newsrooms for CNN�s international networks. CNN Center also houses eateries and specialty stores, including the Turner Store. Visitors can take a first-hand look at global news in the making on the CNN Studio Tour or participate in Talk Back Live, an interactive television town meeting providing a forum for citizens to speak on issues affecting their lives.

Georgia Dome, One Georgia Dome Dr., (404) 223-TOUR The world�s largest cable-supported dome offers hosted tours open to the public. Come see the sight of the 1994 Super Bowl and visit the venue that hosted gymnastics and basketball for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.

Georgia State Capitol, Capitol Avenue at Washington Street, (404) 656-2844 Native gold tops the dome of Georgia�s capitol, an 1889 building that houses natural science displays, a Hall of Flags and a Hall of Fame honoring outstanding Georgians.

Georgia�s Stone Mountain Park, Highway 78, Stone Mountain, Ga., (770) 498-5600 The world�s largest exposed mass of granite. The surrounding park of 3,200 acres features swimming, fishing, tennis, golf, sky lift and other activities. There are two new additions to Stone Mountain Park. Crossroads is a small Georgia town from 1870�s and brings to life, the story, people and crafts-makers of the south. Inside the new Great Barn, kids will find a gigantic climbing structure with rope nets, mazes, interactive games and a 40-foot ultimate super slide.

Lake Lanier Islands Resort, 6950 Holiday Rd., Lake Lanier Islands, Ga., (770) 932-7200 A full-service resort on one of the most popular lakes in the country. 1,200 acres of recreational facilities surrounded by 38,000 acres of water offer outdoor activities including the Lake Lanier Islands Beach and Water Park, stables and rental.

SpeedZone, 3005 George Buzbee Parkway, (770) 514-8081 Racing-themed entertainment park with four unique types of custom-sized racing, over 100 electronic video games and pool tables.

Six Flags Over Georgia, 7561 Six Flags Rd. at I-20 West, Mableton, Ga., (770) 948-9290 With heart-pounding rides, live Broadway-style shows and thrilling attractions, Six Flags Over Georgia offers family fun for all ages.

Sun Dial View, Westin Peachtree Plaza, 210 Peachtree St., (404) 659-1400 �Atlanta�s Best View of Atlanta� features a scenic glass elevator ride, panoramic view of the city, self-guided walking tour, telescopes and history displays of six of Atlanta�s major corporations and educational institutions.

Virtual Reality at Underground Atlanta, P.O. 898, (404) 522-5770 Upon entering the themed center of the Lost City of Atlantis, guests are energized by the neon colors and high tech lighting, which is bright with a mystery of the Virtual Experience.

White Water Theme Park, 250 North Marietta Parkway, Marietta, Ga., (770) 424-9283 Water theme park on nearly 40 acres with 40 relaxing or thrilling attractions ranging from Tree House Island, lazy rivers, Atlanta Ocean wavepool, waterfall, Bahama Bob-Slide family raft ride and large water playgrounds for younger children and toddlers. One of the three largest water theme parks (in size and attendance) in the country.

The World of Coca-Cola Atlanta, 55 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, (404) 676-5151 The story of the world�s most famous soft drink � past, present and future � is told through fascinating exhibits, an eye-popping collection of memorabilia, classic radio and television advertisements, a fanciful representation of the bottling process, a futuristic soda fountain and a shop featuring a large selection of Coca-Cola merchandise.

Cultural Attractions

The Atlanta Ballet, 1400 West Peachtree St., (404) 873-5811 The Atlanta Ballet is the oldest ballet company in the U.S. presenting classical and contemporary works at the Fox Theatre and Robert Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech.

Beacon Dance Company, Beacon Hill Arts Center, 410 W. Trinity Place, Decatur, Ga., (404) 377-2929 One of Atlanta�s most innovative, contemporary dance ensembles.

Full Radius Dance, P.O. Box 54453, (404) 724-9663 A modern dance organization that self-produces works exploring new movement possibilities and acts as a presenter for local artists and companies.

Dancers Collective of Atlanta, 4279 Roswell Road, Suite 102-335, (404) 233-7600 A nonprofit dance organization featuring an annual concert series of contemporary dance performances created by the world�s most innovative companies, choreographers and performers.

National Black Arts Festival, 236 Forsyth St., Suite 400, (404) 730-7315 The National Black Arts Festival is the world�s largest and most prestigious cultural celebration of the creative and artistic genius of people of African descent.

Several Dancers Core, P.O. Box 2045, Decatur, Ga., (404) 373-4154 A contemporary dance organization that creates and presents experimental contemporary dance and performance.

Historical Sites and Museums

Atlanta Cyclorama, Grant Park at Georgia and Cherokee Avenues, (404) 658-7625 The 1864 Civil War Battle of Atlanta revolves around visitors in this immense painting in the round, completed in 1885.

Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Rd., (404) 814-4000 Visitors explore �Gone With The Wind� and the Civil War, civil rights and more at the museum, then tour two historic homes, the 1928 Swan House and the Tullie Smith House, an 1840s plantation farmhouse with outbuildings, beautiful gardens and nature trails.

Atlanta Preservation Center, 156 Seventh St., #3, (404) 876-2041 APC is a nonprofit organization that promotes the preservation of Atlanta�s historically, architecturally and culturally significant buildings, neighborhoods and districts, offering a wide array of walking tours throughout the city.

Bulloch Hall, 180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell, Ga., (770) 992-1731 Built in 1840, this was the childhood home of Mittie Bulloch, the bride of Theodore Roosevelt Sr. and the mother of President Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States.

Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Rd., (404) 872-5338 A fine arts center located in the Gothic-Tudor mansion built in 1920 for Charles Howard Candler, son of Asa Candler, founder of the Coca-Cola Company and located on 12 acres of sculptured lawns and formal gardens.

Governor�s Mansion, 391 West Paces Ferry Rd., (404) 261-1776 A Greek Revival-style house with a very fine collection of Federal Period furnishings.

The Herndon Home, 587 University Place, (404) 581-9813 Built in 1910, this African-American house museum was the residence of Alonzo F. Herndon, founder of Atlanta Life Insurance Co.

Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, 1 Copenhill Ave., (404) 331-0296 President Jimmy Carter�s life and administration and the office of the presidency are portrayed through films, videos and displays.

The Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, 999 Peachtree St., (404) 249-7012 The apartment where Margaret Mitchell wrote Gone With The Wind has been renovated, while the rest of the building exhibits the book, movie, Atlanta and her life.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, 449 Auburn Ave., (404) 524-1956 Visit The King Center site and Dr. King�s grave, the King birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached. The surrounding historic �Sweet Auburn� District, centered around Auburn Avenue, was the thriving center of black enterprise in Atlanta from the 1890s through the 1940s. The street runs east from downtown�s Five Points intersection.

Oakland Cemetery, 248 Oakland Ave., (404) 688-2107 Celebrating its 150th anniversary, historic Oakland Cemetery serves as the final resting place to 70,000 people, including Gone With the Wind author, Margaret Mitchell, golfing legend Bobby Jones, six Georgia governors, 25 Atlanta mayors, 3,900 Confederate soldiers, historic landscapes and more.

Rhodes Hall, 1516 Peachtree St., (404) 881-9980 One of the last great mansions on Peachtree Street, this Romanesque Revival house was completed in 1904 and features exquisite stained-glass windows, a winding hand-carved mahogany staircase, beautiful fireplaces surrounded by colorful mosaics and elaborate woodwork and plasterwork on its main floor.

Smith Plantation Home, 935 Alpharetta St., (770) 641-3978 An Antebellum home built in 1845 with still-working outbuildings including a cookhouse, carriage house, springhouse, barn and slave cabin.

Underground Atlanta, Peachtree at Alabama Streets, (404) 523-2311 Six city blocks in the heart of Atlanta have been transformed into a spirited urban marketplace featuring 12 restaurants, more than 100 specialty shops and entertainment emporiums and dozens of street-cart merchants.

The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum of the Atlanta Jewish Federation, 1440 Spring St., (404) 873-1661 The largest museum of its kind in the Southeast, located in the heart of Atlanta�s business and convention district. Two core galleries, �Atlanta�s Jewish Heritage� and �The Holocaust;� special exhibitions; hands-on Discovery Center; library, archives and museum shop.

The Wren�s Nest, 1050 R.D. Abernathy Blvd., (404) 753-7735 The Victorian-era home of Georgia author Joel Chandler Harris, famous for his Uncle Remus tales, features guided tours, special storytelling programs and a museum shop with books and Br�er Rabbit memorabilia.

Music

The Atlanta Opera, 1800 Peachtree St., Suite 620, (404) 355-3311 Considered one of Atlanta�s cultural treasures, The Atlanta Opera presents full-staged grand opera in the fabulous Fox Theatre.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St., (404) 733-5000 One of the nation�s finest orchestras, the Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs more than 230 times annually for over a half million music lovers. The ASO presents Classical Master Season Concerts, Champagne and Coffee Concerts and Family Concerts in Atlanta Symphony Hall from May to September and Classic Chastain Concerts at Chastain Park Amphitheatre from June to August.

Georgia State University � Concert Hall, Gilmer St. & Peachtree Center Ave., (404) 651-INFO Presenting over 250 concerts and events in the acoustically perfect and intimate 404-seat concert hall.

Science/Nature/ Educational Centers

Atlanta Botanical Garden, Piedmont Avenue at The Prado, (404) 876-5859 This 15-acre oasis bordering Piedmont Park features rare and endangered tropical and desert plants from around the world in the Fuqua Conservatory.

Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell, Ga., (770) 992-2055 127 acres of land, indoor educational exhibits including live native wildlife, trails in the forest and a boardwalk onto the Chattahoochee River.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Rd., (404) 370-0960 Fernbank�s permanent exhibits include �A Walk Though Time in Georgia,� which takes the visitor through the chronological development of life on earth; �Spectrum of the Senses,� a gallery filled with hands-on interactive exhibits dealing with light and sound; and an IMAX theater.

Fernbank Science Center, 156 Heaton Park Drive, (404) 378-4311 A science center that is home to one of the nation�s largest planetariums, an observatory, exhibit hall and the 65-acre Fernbank Forest with 1 1/2 miles of trails.

Goethe-Institut Atlanta, Colony Square, Plaza Level, 1197 Peachtree St., (404) 892-2388 This Goethe-Institut was founded in Germany in 1951 to promote a wider knowledge of the German language and to foster cultural cooperation abroad.

Imagine It! Children�s Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, (404) 659-5437 An eclectic mix of action-oriented experiences covering a variety of topics that include history, science and world cultures.

SciTrek � The Science and Technology Museum of Atlanta, 395 Piedmont Ave., (404) 522-5500 Ranked as one of the top ten science centers in the nation, SciTrek houses more than 100 interactive exhibit stations, live demonstrations, workshops, lectures, films, overnights and a museum shop.

Southeastern Railway Museum, 3966 Buford Highway, Duluth, Ga., (770) 476-2013 Over 70 pieces of rolling stock including vintage steam locomotives, historic wooden cars, and Pullmans (including the 1911 car �Superb� used by President Harding), can be seen up-close at this 12-acre site.

Yellow River Wildlife Game Ranch, 4525 Highway 78, Lilburn, Ga., (770) 972-6643 More than 600 native Georgia animals, some rarely seen, roam these 24 wooded acres on this wildlife reserve to be petted and photographed.

Zoo Atlanta, Grant Park, 800 Cherokee Ave., (404) 624-5600 Visitors enjoy seeing gorillas, orangutans, tigers, lions, giraffes, elephants, birds and more in natural habitats.

Theater

Academy Theatre, 501 Means St., (404) 525-4111 Georgia�s oldest professional theatre company, the Academy Theatre is a pioneer of education and outreach work in the Southeast.

Actor�s Express, 887 W. Marietta St., Suite 7-107, (404) 875-1606 An award-winning theater company that presents an eclectic mix of classic and contemporary plays year-round.

Agatha�s � A Taste of Mystery, 693 Peachtree St., (404) 875-1610 An original murder mystery dinner theater six nights a week.

The Alliance Theatre Company, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St., (404) 733-5000 The Southeast�s leading professional theater offers group discounts, private theater performances, backstage tours and facilities for post-performance receptions.

Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Ave., (404) 523-6275 The Atlanta Civic Center has the largest theater in the Southeast, accommodating nearly 5,000 guests for Broadway and other productions.

Atlanta Coalition of Theaters, P.O. Box 7220, Forest Park, Ga., (404) 873-1185 The ACT is a collective voice for the theater community with a wide variety of activities that unite, represent and promote the community.

Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St., (404) 873-3089 This center houses a museum, performances and create-a-puppet workshops for all age groups.

Dad�s Garage Theatre Company, 280 Elizabeth St., Suite C-101, (404) 523-3141 Atlanta�s hottest new Comedy Improvisational show is open for conventions and the public.

Ferst Center for the Performing Arts at Georgia Tech, 349 Ferst Dr., (404) 894-ARTS Presenting a wide spectrum of artists, the center hosts not only performing arts, but visual arts as well

Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., (404) 881-2100 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 1929 Moorish/Egyptian/Art Deco fantasy hosts a wide range of live performances (Broadway shows, concerts, operas and ballets), plus a summer movie series and year-round tours.

Georgia Ensemble Theatre, 950 Forrest St., Roswell, Ga., (770) 641-1260 Located in the Roswell Cultural Arts Center in Historic Roswell, a state-of-the-art 450-seat theatre.

Georgia Shakespeare Festival, 4484 Peachtree Rd., (404) 264-0020 A professional theater company performing Shakespeare and other classic authors in a fun and casual atmosphere.

Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, Ga., (770) 623-4966 Be a part of this intimate theater setting with Broadway plays, concert and ballets, to consumer shows or sporting events to our own Gwinnett Philharmonic Symphony.

Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave., P.O. Box 5376, Station E, (404) 523-1477 Atlanta�s leading producer of contemporary plays, Horizon Theatre Company delights audiences in eclectic and dynamic productions.

Jomandi Productions, 1444 Mayson St., (404) 6346 Georgia�s largest and oldest black-owned professional theater company.

Broadway in Atlanta, 620 Peachtree St., Suite 208, (404) 873-4300 Bringing the best of Broadway to downtown, group rates and individual tickets are available.

Neighborhood Playhouse Discovery Arena, 430 W. Trinity Place, Decatur, Ga., (404) 377-3714 Operating year-round and offering a variety of family shows including comedies and dramas.

Onstage Atlanta/Abracadabra! Children�s Theatre, 14th St. Playhouse, 173 14th St., (404) 897-1802 Comedies, dramas and Broadway musicals are part of the eclectic range of professional shows.

Rialto Center for the Performing Arts, 80 Forsyth St. at Luckie, (404) 651-1234 Newly opened and newly renovated fully-equipped performance venue located within walking distance from several downtown hotels.

Stage Door Players, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody, Ga., (770) 396-9802 Nonprofit, community-based theater offering quality productions of classic and contemporary comedies, dramas and musicals.

7 Course Theatre, 550 Pharr Rd., Suite 600, (404) 237-8400 Past shows include, Cirque 2000, Broadway-style musicals, and the Improv Comedy Troupe, Vocalease.

7Stages, 1105 Euclid Ave., (404) 522-0911 Atlanta�s most diverse and adventuresome theater brings new plays and international artists to the city.

The New American Shakespeare Tavern, 499 Peachtree St., (404) 874-5299 The Shakespeare Tavern is a fun place to eat, drink, and nourish the soul, and where audiences can experience the works of Shakespeare and other great playwrights.

Theater Emory, Emory University, Annex C, (404) 727-0524 Resident and guest artists present both professional and student productions from new works and classics.

Theater Gael, 173 14th St., (404) 876-1138 An inter-Celtic arts organization dedicated to preserving traditions of Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

Theatre in the Square, 11 Whitlock Ave., Marietta, Ga., (770) 422-7532 Dynamic live performances of comedies and off-Broadway hits in an intimate playhouse.

Theatrical Outfit, 70 Fairlie St., Suite 360, (404) 577-5255

Visual Arts

High Museum of Art, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St., (404) 733-4400 This beautiful modern building houses fine collections of European and American paintings and sculptures, African, decorative, and twentieth-century art, photography and graphics.

High Museum of Art Folk Art & Photography Galleries, 30 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., (404) 577-6940 Located in the heart of Atlanta�s business and convention district, this is one of the largest branch museums in the country. The downtown satellite facility of the High Museum of Art offers a continuous program of changing exhibitions featuring folk art and photography.

Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, 30 Atlanta St., Marietta, Ga., (770) 528-1444 The only museum in the Atlanta area to focus on American Art, this museum provides visitors with exposure to visual arts through exhibitions and services.

Michael C. Carlos Museum, 571 S. Kilgo St., (404) 727-4282 The museum features the art of the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean and the Americas, including an Egyptian mummy, pre-Columbian pottery, Greek statues, artifacts from the Middle and Far East and European and American works on paper.

Museum of Design, Peachtree Center, Marquis Two, 285 Peachtree Center Ave., (404) 688-2467 Atlanta�s only exclusively international museum focusing on international cultural understanding through exhibits and educational programs.

Oglethorpe University Museum, 4484 Peachtree Rd., (404) 364-8555 Committed to the exhibition of figurative/realist art, often international, spiritual and/or mystical in nature.

Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St., (404) 733-4200 The Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center includes four fine arts companies offering Atlanta and the Southeast the finest in visual and performing arts with the Alliance Theatre Company, The Atlanta College of Art, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the High Museum of Art.

Youth Art Connection, 63 Auburn Ave., (404) 614-6233 A program of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, YAC is a gallery and workshop providing creative programs for and about young people.