Atlanta is the Southern Hotspot for Winter Activities

Founded in 1837, Atlanta is brimming with history. Rapid growth over the centuries has also turned the city into a cultural metropolis and an industrial giant. This mix of old and new south blend to create the city's ambience of unforgettable charm.

Atlanta is best known as the hot spot of Georgia, but the city also offers a wealth of winter fun. The warmer southern climate keeps the action lively, making it an ideal place for tourists to visit and locals to enjoy outdoor and indoor activities year round.

Begin your winter journey through Atlanta with a visit to the AtlantaBotanical Garden, where you won't have to wait for spring to see beautiful blooms. Open all year, the glass-encased Fuqua Conservatory houses a spectacular display of desert, tropical, Mediterranean, and endangered plants native and non-native to Georgia.

Located in Piedmont Park, the conservatory is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $7, with discounts available for seniors and students. Call (404) 876-5859 for more information.

After a quiet, refreshing stroll through the botanical garden, jazz things up a bit with a tour through a modern media giant. Atlanta is home to CNN Studios where guided walking tours are offered daily; featuring the network operations and technical aspects of CNN, Headline News, CNN International, and the TBS Collection. Visitors will also be privy to hands-on demonstrations of weather broadcasts.

CNN tours are run every fifteen minutes, daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Admission is $8 per adult, seniors $6, and ages 6-12 will be admitted for $5 each. Children under the age of 6 are not permitted on the tour. One day advance reservations are recommended. More information on reservations may be obtained by calling (404) 827-2300

After experiencing the marvels of technology, answer the call of the wild with a visit to Zoo Atlanta. The amazing collection of animals, complete with a petting zoo, sprawls out over thirty-seven acres. Zoo exhibits house more than 1,000 animals including novelties such as Chilean flamingos and the endangered black rhinoceros. In inclement weather, a sightseeing train allows visitors to circle the perimeter to view the outdoor exhibits.

Zoo hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for ages 3 to 11. Children under the age of 3 are admitted for free.

The winter sun sets early in Georgia, but that won't put a damper on your winter fun. As the city lights up, there's a new selection of activities to choose from. Shoppers will love the dazzling display of shops at the Galleria, Gwinnet Place, and North Point Mall. Trend-setters will find Little Five Points, the intersection of Moreland and Euclid Avenues, to be the place to be. Filled with shops, boutiques, bars, and restaurants, it's a local favorite that visitors also adore.

If you wish to take in a cultural event, Atlanta offers treats like the Atlanta Ballet, The Atlanta Symphony and the Alliance Theatre in the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center.

One of the oldest civic ballet companies, the Atlanta Ballet performs from September through April in the Civic Center Auditorium. The box office may be reached Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at (404) 892-3303.

The incredible, electrifying sounds of The Atlanta Symphony may be heard September through May at the Atlanta Symphony Hall. More information on tickets and performance times may be obtained by calling (404) 733-5000

Now in its 38^th season, productions including classic plays and musicals can be enjoyed at the Alliance Theatre. Special productions, an exceptional treat, also include interactive mystery dinner theatre. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call (404) 733-5000 for more information.

Whatever you decide, the choice is clear-Atlanta turns up the heat on winter activities!