Exhibits like the River Scout and the Tropical Diver are also present, along with Ocean Voyager and Georgia Explorer.  More than eight million gallons of water is divided among these six exhibits, meaning there’s always something new to discover even in old favorites.  Make sure you start with the limited time Planet Shark exhibit, featuring full-scale models, a stunning collection of teeth, and items from the set of Jaws. Later, don’t be afraid to get your feet (or more) wet in the Georgia Explorer’s interactive touch pools, featuring horseshoe crabs, sea stars, and shrimp.

If your hotel has wireless internet, make sure you stop by the website georgiaaquarium.org before your trip to plan your visit.  There, you can schedule behind the scenes tours for your family, including trips to the animals’ Veterinary Clinic and to the top of Ocean Voyager, with a great view of the gigantic whale shark.  Get even closer by scheduling a swim or sleepover for families, groups, or adults.

The advantages of living in a city with abundant internet access are endless.  This is usually an indicator of a strong and growing job market as growing companies typically utilize high-speed wireless internet.  There are most likely a number of internet providers to choose from so you can find the best product for you and your family.  Being a leader in wireless Internet, Atlanta is probably doing a great job of staying up to date on the latest Internet advancements, one of which is 4G wireless.  This is the new and improved version of 3G and comes with higher data rates and faster downloading times.  If you’re looking for better Internet, 4G is the latest innovation.

Vampire Diaries is a teenaged version of the hit HBO show True Blood.  Like its predecessor, Vampire Diaries is also based on a book series by L. J. Smith.  It’s a familiar premise—human girl Elena Gilbert falls for vamp Stefan Salvatore—but under developer Kevin Williamson’s wing, it became a story about the dark secrets of a small town.  Fans in Atlanta can visit many of the series’s locales, including Covington and other communities.

Past Life is a drama about detectives investigating how who you were affects who you become.  Based off of the book “The Reincarnationist,” the show follows Dr. Kate McGinn, who experienced flashes of her own past life and now dedicates her life to helping others.  She is paired with grizzled homicide detective Price Whatley.  Though the series is set in New York City, it is filmed in the streets of Atlanta.

Tourists will get a kick out of seeing the sights of their favorite shows, but locals can also get in on the fun by auditioning for walk-on roles.  Visitors can also visit other sites from popular films such as Driving Miss Daisy and Sweet Home Alabama.

If you’re looking for the same excitement provided by an Atlanta Braves game but want to stay indoors away from the heat, Philips Arena is the right place for you. Home to the NBA team, the Atlanta Hawks, Philips comfortably seats close to 19,000 people.  It’s easy to lose yourself in the game and cheer along with the crowds, especially during halftime shows when the A-Town dancers perform.  After the game, check out the CNN Center where you can buy souvenirs, sometimes meet the players, and grab a bite to eat from a wide selection of restaurants in the food court.

Philips Arena is also home to the Atlanta Thrashers, Atlanta’s spirited hockey team. Watch as ‘Mad Max’ Afinogenov heats up the ice and learn why he’s a fan favorite. Be sure to check out the great father’s day specials—and watch out for stray pucks.

Last, but certainly not least, is Atlanta’s football team—The Atlanta Falcons. With a 1999 Super Bowl appearance under their belt, this team has seen its share of ups and downs.  Get riled up with the Falcons fans at the Georgia Dome and be ready to experience a game full of team spirit and devotion—win or lose.

Lenox Square Mall

One of the largest shopping destinations of the Southeast, Lenox Square has a shop for everyone. Lenox is home to department stores such as Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, and Macy’s and offers over 250 specialty stores.  Fill up your wardrobe with all the latest styles from stores such as Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, BCBG, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, and Ralph Lauren. Find the perfect jewelry at David Yurman then head to the food court and grab a quick lunch—the more time to shop, the better.

Phipps Plaza

In most cities, a mall as inclusive as Lenox would be enough. In Atlanta, however, the mall is simply a stepping stone for the expansive Phipps Plaza. A short five minutes away from Lenox, Phipps features the classic department stores Nordstrom, Belk, and Saks Fifth Avenue.   Declared a “Southern Best” by Southern Living, Phipps is by far one of the classiest shopping destinations of the south.

Boutiques

Atlanta offers a variety of boutiques ranging from small art galleries to locally designed clothes and jewelry. Stroll through the shops in Decatur to find eccentric pieces, find your vintage chic side in the Virginia Highlands, or find a new painting for the hallway on Bennett Street. Guys—be sure to check out Miller Brothers Ltd. to find the perfect suit, shirt, tie, boots, or belt.

1. Bone’s Steakhouse, Located in the historic Buckhead district, Bones offers all the usual steak options prepared perfectly to your liking as well as Maine imported lobster if it’s sea food you’re craving.  Be sure to try one of the unique side dishes like the grit fritters or corn pudding.  Atlanta Magazine has ranked Bones Best Steak House over 14 times!
2. Flip Burger Boutique is a whole new take on the classic burger joint concept.  Flip dresses up your burger with house made condiments and both traditional as well as inventive sides.  The best part of this restaurant may actually be its milkshake bar with unusual flavors such as Krispy Kreme and Burnt Marshmallow.
3. South City Kitchen is the place to go if it’s southern style cooking you’re after.  Open for brunch. Lunch and dinner 7 days a week, South City Kitchen puts a sophisticated twist on the classic southern food you grew up on.
4. Pozolé is your stop if you want to spice it up with a little Latin cuisine.  On top of their extensive menu options, Pozolé is known for its late night bar with unbeatable margaritas and a tequila bar with over 50 brands to choose from.
5. Fogo de Chao is an authentic Brazilian steakhouse with a unique dining experience.  Upon arriving you can have a drink and enjoy the extensive salad and sides bar.  When you’re ready to order you turn the card on your table green side up and a waiter will bring you a selection of meats to choose from.
6. Murphy’s, located in Virginia Highlands, offers a range of steaks and seafood all with a unique twist making the classic steakhouse items even more delicious.  Once you’ve enjoyed your meal, browse through Murphy’s retail wine shop which includes wine tastings and seminars.
7. Ecco is a European style restaurant with a renowned wine list.  The open-air patio, oversized bar, and exquisite dining room provide an unparalleled dining atmosphere.  In 2006, Esquire named Ecco Best New Restaurant.
8. Gourmandises has an extensive menu with a French twist, offering everything from sandwiches to crepes to escargot.  If you’re in the mood for something a little lighter but still want to try something new, there’s bound to be something on this menu for you.
9. The Oceanaire is an upscale seafood restaurant with unbeatably fresh seafood flown in daily.  The private dining rooms offered by the Oceanaire are perfect for a special occasion or a company function.
10. The Varsity.  No Atlanta top 10 dining list would be complete without this classic American favorite.  This historic drive-in is a great place to take the whole family with their famous hamburgers and hotdogs.

One of the city’s main cultural attractions is the High Museum of Art. Often, this museum is home to popular and impressive traveling exhibits. In addition to traveling exhibits, many of the museum’s own exhibits are fascinating and enjoyable for the entire family.

Atlanta, Georgia is also home to the World of Coca-Cola. This museum explores the history of Coca-Cola, which spans over 100 years. Visitors also get an opportunity to taste over 60 different flavors of Coke products from all over the globe. This is sure to be a highlight for both parents and families.

The Georgia Aquarium is also located in Atlanta. It is a phenomenal place to visit. It is considered the world’s largest aquarium and boasts over 8.1 million gallons of water, which house both fresh water and salt water creatures. These creatures include whale sharks, beluga whales, and two manta rays named Nandi and Tallulah.

For a history and civil rights lesson, a great place to visit is the Martin Luther King, Jr Historic Site. Dr. King’s birth home is available for tour. The park is mostly self-guided so advance reservations are not required. However, to tour the birth home, it is recommended that one makes advance reservations to secure a spot.

Another great place to visit is the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The CNN Center is the home to the Cable News Network and offers tours of the studio. Views of the news room are available and the tours are quite informative.

Atlanta, Georgia is a rich and interesting city. It offers a wide variety of things to do for the entire family.

Plenty of dining and shopping venues make enticing additions to the many Atlanta attractions. Underground Atlanta is a famous underground structure in downtown Atlanta. Imagine the mixture of a carnival, shopping mall, dining and a bazaar. Underground Atlanta offers a bit of each one of these things, making it a completely unique and fun experience for everyone. For a spectacular dining experience, travelers will surely want to visit Anthony’s Fine Dining. Nestled on a peaceful acreage in Atlanta, this old Southern mansion is now an a la Carte restaurant with true Southern charm and hospitality, serving delicious cuisine.

When visiting Atlanta, be sure to devote a day to touring the Georgia Aquarium. Built on 20 acres north of Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium is home to between 100,000 and 120,000 fish and sea creatures. This is a must see for families and young people alike. The coca-cola factory is only a 1/2 block away; if time allows, do both tours in one day.

For the trendsetters and younger generation, Little Five Points, located east of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, is home to unique shopping such as vintage clothing stores, local designers, independent book stores, novelty shops, and new age stores. There are three theaters located in Little Five Points that host comedy events and improv in addition to musicals and plays. Little Five points is also home to an independent radio station and record label. Food in Little Five Points is hard to beat: cuisines from all over the world can be found, such as Indian, Sushi, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern. Be sure to try Vortex Bar & Grill for traditional American food, Healthful Essence for Caribbean vegetarian and vegan options, and Ali Baba for Middle Eastern cuisine and hookah.

The historic Fox Theater, located on Peachtree Street in Atlanta, Georgia, hosts many cultural events from the Atlanta Ballet, to national touring companies of Broadway shows to musical. The Fox Theater is an architectural beauty having elements of Islamic and Egyptian architecture. The famous Egyptian Ballroom was modeled after a temple for Ramses II and the outside of the Fox Theater has a moorish appearance. The Atlanta Preservation Center sponsor regular tours of the Fox Theater.