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Atlanta's FREE Attractions! Part 1!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Positive Real Estate Professionals

With a city the size of metro-Atlanta there are numerous diversions that don't cost a dime! In addition to Atlanta's Beautiful and user friendly Piedmont Park, that I highlighted in the post below, here are a few other FREE Atlanta highlights!

Back To Nature : An Urban Tale, Atlanta's Piedmont Park

architecture, industrial design, product, design, furniture, graphics, fashion, free, atlanta This should be of great interest to all you HGTV fans and budding or accomplished designers. This one of a kind (in the Southeast) museum features free, multifaceted exhibits on everything from architecture to fashion. They have some wonderful exhibits scheduled for 2008 including the two which are running right now entitled The Furniture of Eero Saarinen: Designs for Everyday Living and On You. For both local and international innovation in design, check out this free gem located in the heart of Atlanta (from MARTA, exit at the Peachtree Center Station and follow the signs to the Marquis II office tower. The Museum of Design is located within the Lobby and Garden Levels of the Marquis II Office Tower)! *DONATIONS ARE ACCEPTED*

underground atlanta, entertainment, shopping, restaurants, history, civil war, civil rights, zero milepost Underground Atlanta is is definitely an Atlanta original! As Atlanta emerged as a trade and cultural hub in the 1830's, the State of Georgia recognized a need to bring the agricultural products of the rural south to the markets of the world. To this end, in 1836, the State of Georgia constructed a railroad connecting Atlanta to Chattanooga. The Zero Milepost, which stands where the old freight depot had been, marks modern Underground Atlanta. Underground Atlanta is literally underground and is a site to behold for families during the day and adults in the evening. It is an extremely diverse area that offers everything from homemade candy for the kids to nightclubs for the adults! With over six blocks of shopping, restaurants, candy stores, night clubs, and various street performers, Underground Atlanta is a must see for an afternoon of real Atlanta flavor! Underground Atlanta has a full calendar of events (including the GREEN Day Fest, the Peachtree Latino Festival, and the Montreux Jazz Festival) and is centrally located in downtown Atlanta (from MARTA, get off at the Five Points Station)! *If you are a history buff, be sure to check out the 45 minute guided history tour entitled From Civil War to Civil Rights (the tour does cost $6 per person)*

martin luther king jr, mlk, atlanta, nps, national park service, center for non violent change, Coretta Scott King, Mahatma Gandhi No trip to Atlanta would be complete without seeing the final resting place of one of the greatest voices for equality the world has ever known, Martin Luther King, Jr. The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site is administered by the National Park Service and is free to the public! There is so much to see and experience that the National Park Service has a quick and easy to use Plan Your Visit Link. I would highly recommend taking a few minutes to use this great feature! Because of its central location this historic site is easily accessible from both public transportation (MARTA) and by car or bus. There are other sites of interest that are maintained in conjunction with this site, The King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Ebenezer Baptist Church, International World Peace Rose Garden, and Firestation No. 6.

I leave you with this inspirational quote from Dr. King (what quotes and memories will you take with you after your visit?):

An individual has not started living until

he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns

to the broader concerns of all humanity.


If you like these FREE Atlanta attractions, check back, as there will be more on the way!


  About the Author

If you are in the market to purchase a home or even refinance an existing loan and you want a loan officer that will walk with you every step of the way, then contact Danny or Rich of the Thornton Team at Home America Mortgage today. We can have you pre-approved in as little as 4 hours. You can visit our website or send an email to or call us @ 770-998-1964.


Chris Fisher
Your Virtual Assistant - Concord, CA

I definitely need a vacation.  Great stuff, Rich, thanks.  I bet I could talk the kid into Atlanta if I tell her about Dr. King's Historic Site.  I'll work on her.

Mar 24, 2008 07:20 AM
Danny Thornton
R & D Art - Knoxville, TN
WordPress Guru
Rich, this is a great localism post. You are correct, Atlanta has a lot to offer on the free side.
Mar 24, 2008 08:16 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

Chris - We also have the Center for Puppetry Arts, Zoo Atlanta, major league sports, and numerous other attractions! Keep watching for more posts on this great city that I love!

Danny - As a fellow resident, you have highlighted some great things in the metro area as well!

Thanks for reading and commenting!

Mar 24, 2008 09:05 AM
Lindsay Pendleton
Relocating To Baton Rouge & Surrounding Areas - Baton Rouge, LA
Marketing Agent - Property Management in Baton Rou
This makes me want to go to Atlanta like now. I haven't been in years. I think my favorite part (as a child) was Dave & Busters!
Mar 24, 2008 09:14 AM
Rod Rich
Atlanta Communities Real Estate - Atlanta, GA
Atlanta- Associate Broker
Rich, I got excited when I saw the title but, Underground and The MLK center? Come-on.
Mar 24, 2008 09:27 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

Lindsay - Glad you enjoyed the post and give me a call if you decide to make the trip!

Rod - Very sorry you were disappointed by my choices to highlight these local attractions. Perhaps you have missed all the other localism posts I have done on the wonderful things Atlanta has to offer. I would suspect that the MLK center is an enormous draw for visitors from around the world. I look forward to reading and commenting, in a positive way, on your upcoming localism posts.

Mar 24, 2008 09:34 AM
Debbie Malone
Londeree's Real Estate & Property Management - Lynchburg, VA
From Lynchburg To The Lake (434) 546-0369
Rich, I think I know where Kate's going to end up when she graduates! This is great information; I'm going to send her by this post, she would love the MODA and the Green Day Fest. Thanks.
Mar 24, 2008 09:35 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
Debbie - If she needs any help settling in or finding a place in a particular area of town just let me know. I have lived here at various stages in my life, as a teen in the 80's, a young single professional in the late 90's, and now as a settled adult! The city has so much to offer and so many different things to consider when looking for somewhere to live. I would be happy to help in any way I can if she needs it. Glad you liked the post and thanks for commenting!
Mar 24, 2008 09:42 AM
Rod Rich
Atlanta Communities Real Estate - Atlanta, GA
Atlanta- Associate Broker
Rich, I believe a Honest response is a positive one. Lol
Mar 24, 2008 10:05 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Rich, I have never been to Atlanta I'm sorry to say but look forward very much to going and spending some time there, I know I would love it.
Mar 24, 2008 10:15 AM
Debbie Malone
Londeree's Real Estate & Property Management - Lynchburg, VA
From Lynchburg To The Lake (434) 546-0369
Thanks Rich, you are a true friend. I can't see Kat staying in a small city like Lynchburg, she would soak up Atlanta. I would love to go to the MLK Center and all of the corresponding links you added. What a beautiful pool, I've never seen this photo angle before.
Mar 24, 2008 10:45 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

Carole - Atlanta is a wonderful and vibrant city with so much to see and do (these are just a few of the FREE things)! BTW, I hope you are (or soon will be) feeling better. I appreciate your reading and commenting!

Debbie - Atlanta is rich in history and culture; Kat would love it! I know you will worry when she finally spreads her wings and jumps out of the nest. Armed with the sense of self and self-respect that I am sure you and your husband instilled in her, she is well prepared. Plus you have quite a few friends in the metro area if she (or you) should ever need us! And you are only an hour away by plane! 

BTW, I am working on a Part 2 of free things to see and do in the city! There are tons of things you can pay to do that are a blast. In a city this size, there are also lots of things, that cater to differing interests, for free too! 

Mar 24, 2008 12:19 PM
Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant
Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI
Rich,  Great localism post.  Free and Attractions, can't get two better words than that.  Martin Luther King is my hero.  My favorite writing of his is his letter from Birmingham Jail.  To have that kind of inspiration in a jail cell.  Incredible.
Mar 25, 2008 03:24 PM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
Rebecca - Martin Luther King, Jr. is (or should be) a hero to everyone who is familiar with his great work. Atlanta is honored to be able to call Dr. King a resident. MLK Day in Atlanta is honored by what is called a day of service. Rather than a day off, on that Monday thousands take that day to do volunteer work. This is just a small piece of the legacy that Dr. King has left. I read his Letter from a Birmingham Jail for the first time in junior high school (and probably didn't understand the importance of it then) and have of course read them many times since then (with an adult's eye and mind for understanding). Growing up in Memphis, I was keenly aware of the role and legacy of Dr. King. Did you know that the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where Dr. King was assassinated, is now a museum?
Mar 26, 2008 01:01 AM
Elaine Hanson
Coldwell Banker Realty - Malibu | Topanga - Malibu, CA
REALTOR - Topanga, CA Real Estate Agent

I wouldn't even think of being in Atlanta and not stopping by to pay tribute to the great MLK.  I have never gotten through his "I Have a Dream" speech without tears at the sheer beauty of his vision.  Thanks for telling us what we should include.  My daughter just told me that her AP World History paper will be on Dr. King.  I like that his day is a day of service.

The underground sounds like a great place to unwind.  Thanks for telling us about that, too!

Apr 01, 2008 07:25 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

Andrew - I do really love Atlanta and all the wonderful thing it has to offer.

Elaine -  There are also a lot of references to Mahatma Ghandi at the King Center as he too was a huge proponent on non-violent social change. I could not think of a more worthwhile subject for you daughter's paper. The Underground is a very fun place for adults to have a night out!

Thank you both for reading and commenting! 

Apr 01, 2008 01:12 PM
Mirela Monte
Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Real Estate
Thank you for your great work! 
Apr 07, 2008 04:48 PM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
Mirela - Glad you enjoyed the post!
Apr 08, 2008 05:02 AM