Now that the world is gradually stabilizing from Covid-19’s blow, people have been starting to ease back into traveling. Since sightseeing in different countries might be difficult, touring areas nearby may be a convenient option. If one thinks of the United States, certain cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago may come to mind, but there are hidden attractions worth visiting. For example, Atlanta, Georgia has numerous tourist attractions that can make great travel experiences.
Places to visit free of charge are Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, and the Centennial Olympic Park. These attractions are a wondrous combination of nature and history. The Centennial Olympic Park was built for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, and has now become one of the top visited areas in Georgia. It has 21 acres of lush green grass and holds artwork, pools, and fountains. The most notable element of this park is its Fountain of Rings, made of 251 water jets, which presents water shows choreographed to different songs. The Piedmont Park offers 200 acres of land for people to enjoy strolls with their family, swim, play tennis, and go on picnics. The MLK Historical Park holds the remnants of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. People can take a free guided tour of his gravesite, church, and birth home.
If one is interested in cafes, shopping, and entertainment, Ponce City Market is the perfect place to go. This mixed-use facility holds education centers, offices, restaurants, boutique shops, and dessert cafes.There are also a variety of stores to purchase clothes, crystal souvenirs, and stationery. The roof is its most well-known feature, known for having Skyline Park, where visitors can mini-golf, Skee-Ball, or ride down a slide.
Another place worth visiting in Atlanta is the Georgia Aquarium, which is home to more than 100,000 animals of 700 different species. This aquarium boasts as being the largest aquarium in the Westhern Hemisphere, with more than 18 million guests having visited since it opened in 2005. It marvelously replicates marine life not just in regards to ocean habitats, but also for freshwater environments. Visitors can also watch a free dolphin show and purchase tickets to swim with the aquarium’s whale sharks.
Many people are occupied by busy lives, whether it be from school assignments or work, but it is healing for them to reward themselves with a break once in a while. Spending time with family and reaching out to a new place can recharge energy and help to pull people forward. If searching for a suitable place to visit, Atlanta can be a city teeming with pleasant surprises in every corner.
Sae-Eun Lee, Grade 12,
Northview High School
