Planning your vacation to Atlanta, Georgia

The archetypical Atlanta, made famous by Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With the Wind," burned to the ground in 1864. The new Atlanta rose from its ashes, with an eye set firmly towards future horizons. Growth and change became its top priorities, eventually shaping the city into the Capital of the New South. Atlanta's progressive mind-set allowed for history-altering figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. to change the ideas of a nation, and products like Coca-Cola to imbed firmly in American culture. Today, the city is filled with world-class businesses, attractions, culture, and entertainment – part of the reason it hosted the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. However, Atlanta displays enough Southern hospitality and character to remind tourists that its heritage is not erased entirely. Blooming dogwood and azaleas line neighborhood streets, and polite words like "please" and "ma'am" drip like honey off accent-tinged tongues. Complete strangers hold doors for one another, and the word "ya'll" is part of the colloquial vocabulary. Restaurants that offer grits, biscuits, and fried chicken exist in harmony with those selling innovative ethnic and fusion cuisines. A stay in Atlanta's hotels will leave Georgia on your mind.

Metropolitan Atlanta seems like one big urban sprawl. However, the city's limits encompass just 131 square miles. The majority of the city's attractions are located in this area. Navigating Atlanta is a little more difficult than one might expect – there are over a hundred streets with the name Peachtree. Tourists should obtain a map of the area, or ask "Which Peachtree?" when verbally inquiring for directions.