Too busy to hate!
Being that Atlanta is home to the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic and the principal hub for Delta airlines, and being that I am a loyal frequent flier on Delta, I’ve spent a fair amount of time “in transition” Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport. I’ll be honest, those “transitions” have not always been pleasant. With the volume of passengers moving through one location you can count on challenges. I’ve experienced it all at ATL, delays, mis-routed luggage and over-bookings where I had to give up my seat. As a frequent traveler, it had reached a point where I would pick routes that avoided Atlanta…and thereby avoiding the city all together. That is, until one of my BFFs moved there!
When she told me she was moving to Atlanta all I could think of was my logistical nightmares and I projected those experiences on the city more broadly and thought, “What are you thinking”? But she knew something that I didn’t. She knew that it was in the top 20 cities in the world for its GDP growth, which equates to opportunities, which she followed. She knew about its history at the heart of civil rights and its “new south” vs “deep south” paradigm would make it a city steeped in diversity. And she also knew the 1996 Olympics brought a revitalization that is still transforming the city today. In fact, in the decades following the civil right movement the city would go through several waves of transformation that would position the leaders to evoke a slogan that said “to busy to hate”. Hmmm….that’s something to ponder in today’s culture.
So, what to do in the heart of this great southern city in a day? The activities I’ve suggested are all an easy walking distance from one another and can be done in a day. I’ve highlighted a couple of others that might require an extended time. A city pass also helps to reduce entrance costs to some of these sites.
One: Centennial Olympic Park ~ This lovely park was previously a collection of old run-down buildings and messy lots. Once awarded the 1996 Olympics the committee decided to hold a competition to create a space where guests of the games could gather. EDAW was selected the winner and created a space where water, greenery and open fields make it a place that is now central to downtown and hosts all manner of summer activities. I can’t write about this park and not mention its sad history with July 27th bombing that has forever elevated security at Olympic events, whether indoor or outdoor.
Two: CNN Center ~ Visit the home to the CNN Studios and Turner Broadcasting. Ride the world’s longest freestanding escalator at 196 feet long and 8 stories high. Sit behind the actual news desk and take a photo with your favorite cardboard cutout anchor. (Anderson Cooper crush!)
Three: Georgia Aquarium ~ This was a seriously pleasant surprise! The second largest aquarium in the world with 10 million gallons of marine and salt water and several thousand species. It is amazing!!
Four: World of Coca-Cola ~ Being that I’m a marketer by profession, I thoroughly enjoyed this journey in the establishment of one of the most recognizable brands in the world. But I must confess, the global tasting “studio” at the end was my favorite part. It’s fascinating the variation in taste buds around the world!
Five, Six, Seven, Eight & Nine: In this same area you can ride the SkyView Ferris wheel, visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the MLK Memorial and if you are a college football fan, take in the Atlanta College Football Hall of Fame. If you care for a little drive, zip out to the Buckhead area and stroll the shops and outdoor café.
Ten: Hang out with my BFF any place she chooses in this fair city! Well, this one’s just for my gals and I, but it makes Kimberly’s Top Ten!