Travel to Downtown Atlanta and one of the first things to discover among the backdrop of lofty skyscrapers is an oasis called Centennial Olympic Park. The 21 Acre Olympic Park, famous for its festivals, events and Olympic Rings, is drawing tourists from all over the south and beyond.
Recently the Olympic Park has been transformed into a winter wonderland with its Holiday in Lights festival that displays thousands of glittery lights. Also featured is “Atlanta’s Only Outdoor Skating Rink” which is reminiscent of the eloquent Bryant Park in New York City.
Downtown Atlanta Attractions
Take a look around Centennial Olympic Park and observe the exceptional venues its surrounded by including the world’s largest aquarium – The Georgia Aquarium. Other notable downtown Atlanta tourist attractions feature The World of Coca-Cola and Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. The CNN Center stands proud as it towers over Centennial Olympic park. The National Museum of Patriotism is the newest exhibition to open its doors to the public.
The list of major urban tourist destinations in the United States include San Antonio’s River Walk, New York’s Times Square and the Mall of America in Minneapolis. With the addition of three new venues over the next few years Atlanta hopes to be joining the list of vacation destinations that tourists flock to.
The new downtown Atlanta themed entertainment exhibits expected to open its doors over the next few years include the National College Football Hall of Fame, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the National Health Museum.
The National Health Museum, combined with other Georgia-based institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CARE, the Arthritis Foundation and the American Cancer Society, marks Georgia as a major player of the global health industry in the 21st century. In fact The Coca-Cola Company was a key contributor in attracting the National Health Museum to the Olympic Park montage of venues.
Legoland is currently scouting the Centennial Olympic Park area for its Discovery Centre. Meanwhile, construction on the $100 million dolphin exhibit at The Georgia Aquarium has begun and is expected to the open to the public late 2010 or early 2011.
