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What to do in Downtown Atlanta

Editor’s note: This post is a part of a series of guest posts from the PRSA Georgia Chapter publicity committee for the PRSA 2015 International Conference, November 8 – 10. Follow the Conference conversation by searching the hashtag #PRSAICON and following our PRSA National Events Twitter handle, @PRSAevents.

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Over the past year, Downtown Atlanta’s walkable tourism district has become more exciting than ever before with more than $1.5 billion in new development, including the new Atlanta Streetcar. The Atlanta Streetcar carries passengers along a 2.7 mile loop with stops at popular tourist spots, restaurants, and hotels. Whether you’re interested in visiting major attractions, delving into Atlanta’s history and culture or trying the city’s best restaurants, the Streetcar has a stop for you. Hop on the Streetcar and begin your journey!

Central Station for Family Fun

The Centennial Olympic Park stop offers endless options for family-friendly fun. Catch a ride on the SkyView ferris wheel for a glimpse of Atlanta from 200 feet above. Visit Pemberton Place, home to the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium and the newly opened Center for Civil and Human Rights. Across the park, head to the College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience. This state-of-the-art shrine for college football fans, offers high-tech exhibits that wow even non-fan visitors.

Walk down Marietta Street and grab a bite to eat with the family in the Luckie Marietta District. Try STATS, an upscale sports bar with an award-winning patio, Der Biergarten, a taste of Germany with favorites like bratwursts and wiener schnitzels, or Legal Seafoods, specializing in freshly-caught coastal seafood.

Round-trip Ticket to Culture and Dining

At the Carnegie at Spring stop, travel 73 stories above the city to the Sun Dial Restaurant & Bar atop the Westin Peachtree Plaza. The Westin’s revolving restaurant provides fresh cuisine and sweeping 360 degree views of Atlanta’s skyline.

After dinner, catch a show at Balzer Theatre at Herren’s, located at the Luckie at Cone stop. Balzer’s Theatre is home of the Theatrical Outfit, Atlanta’s second-oldest professional theatre company.

Just one stop away at Park Place, the Rialto Center for the Arts showcases some of the world’s top national and international jazz talent and globally-inspired music and dance acts. On Auburn Avenue the Youth Art Connection serves as a gallery for up-and-coming artists.

Venture down Edgewood Avenue to the next stop, Sweet Auburn Curb Market. This lively culinary complex is Atlanta’s oldest public market. Local vendors, chefs and restaurateurs own the popular stalls throughout the Curb Market, including Grindhouse Killer Burger, Bell Street Burritos and Sweet Auburn Bakery, among many others.

Continue on to the Edgewood at Hillard stop to downtown Atlanta’s new hotspot for nightlife. Edgewood Avenue is the perfect place to dine with friends or dance the night away after a successful day of business at the Mart. Feast on Napoletana-Style wood-fired pizza at Ammazza and finish with house-made limoncello. After dinner, walk one block east to the Sound Table for a hip music scene and house-made cocktails.

 All-Aboard to Experience Atlanta’s Civil Rights History

Atlanta is known as the breeding ground for the American civil rights movement. Visit the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the King Historic District. Learn about Dr. King’s nonviolent principles at the King Center and sit in the pews of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King and his father preached every Sunday. On your way out, walk in the footsteps of iconic civil right leaders at The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame and pay tribute to Dr. King and Coretta Scott King at the reflecting pool that houses their tombs.

At Auburn at Piedmont, learn about the history and legacy of the Sweet Auburn District at the APEX Museum. The APEX museum is devoted to promoting cultural awareness and the social contributions of African-Americans in Georgia. Visitors can sit in a replica of Atlanta’s original streetcar that used to run on the historic street during the early 1900’s.

Keep the dialogue going at the Center for Civil and Human Rights back at Centennial Olympic Park. Through interactive exhibits, historical artifacts and strong imagery, The Center serves as a connector between the past and the present.

Getting around Downtown Atlanta has never been easier. Grab a seat on the Streetcar and get ready to experience Atlanta in a whole new way.

Victoria Lightfoot


Victoria Lightfoot, public relations specialist, ACVB is the public relations specialist at the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau where she works with media to secure coverage for Atlanta. She is an active volunteer with the PRSA Georgia chapter, where she serves on the College Relations Committee, co-chairs the Travel & Tourism Special Interest Group and occasionally contributes to the PRSA New Pros Blog. Follow her on Twitter @Victoria_Lenese

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Victoria Lightfoot

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