Walking Tours of Atlanta

11/30/04

Walk Atlanta inside-out. We'll tell you how.

by Contributor at Citysearch

Take It to the Streets
The best way to get a taste of the real Atlanta isn't by sampling the mango-flavored soft drinks at the World of Coca-Cola or zipping through the fountains at Centennial Olympic Park. For a true picture of the city, take to the historic and sometimes quirky streets of Atlanta's diverse neighborhoods. The Atlanta Preservation Center offers a series of guided walking tours--from Martin Luther King Jr.'s Sweet Auburn to Miss Daisy's Druid Hills--that will let you in on some of city's best-kept secrets. Call the tour hotline at 404-688-3350 for meeting times.

Ansley Park
One of Atlanta's most sought-after addresses, Ansley Park offers visitors an up-close look at upscale, intown living. The historic neighborhood is between Midtown and Virginia-Highland. Meets at the First Church of Christ Scientist, 1235 Peachtree Street.

Inman Park
Many of the city's dignitaries built their homes in this area, Atlanta's first garden suburb. Today, Inman Park offers a quaint collection of Victorian bungalows on narrow streets, a stone's throw--but a world away--from the always colorful Little Five Points. Meets at King-Keith House, 889 Edgewood Avenue.

Druid Hills
Amble through the dense foliage and historic architecture of the neighborhood Miss Daisy called home. Meets at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce de Leon Avenue.

Sweet Auburn/MLK District
Years before Harlem had its Renaissance, Atlanta's Sweet Auburn flourished as a hotbed for African-American culture. Although some of the radiance has faded, the history hasn't. Anyone with an interest in American black experience should take this tour. Meets at the APEX Museum, 135 Auburn Avenue.
(10am Sat)

Historic Downtown
The Atlanta skyline showcases a panoply of architectural styles: Victorian, art deco and, unfortunately, the experimentation of the 1970s. Sample the earlier, more timeless creations built