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Destination: Atlanta
With a cosmopolitan feel, vibrant nightlife and plenty of daytime activities, the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jnr is well worth a visit
Atlanta is a strange place. It's a relatively new city, dating from 1837 when it was nothing more than a small dot on a railroad map. It proved to be an important transport centre during the Civil War, and was immortalised by Margaret Mitchell in Gone With The Wind. Today, its image is less romantic and more industrialised. Coca-Cola and CNN are based here, and visitors can tour CNN's headquarters.
It does have a cosmopolitan feel and enjoys a vibrant arts and nightlife scene. It is also the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr and no visitor should miss the chance to explore his childhood home at 501 Auburn Avenue, and tour around the significant places that helped shape the man.
There are now downloadable audio tours that will help you find your way, as well as satellite-guided walking tours that pinpoint your position and talk about the relevant sights as you pass them.
Center for Civil and Human Rights
Take time to explore Auburn Avenue. In the 1920s this was a prosperous and progressive area with many small jazz clubs and black-owned businesses. Start your tour at the visitor center where you'll find a detailed and informative exhibition of King's life and campaigns.
Across the road you'll find the King Center which houses such artefacts as King's bible and personal belongings. You can also visit his grave, which is guarded by an eternal flame and stands in a reflecting pool outside.
Stop and have a coffee at the Sweet Auburn Bread Company and tuck into the delicious sweet potato cheesecake (reportedly a favourite of Bill Clinton's). Sonya Jones, the chef who runs the place, is extremely knowledgeable about the area and will tell you lots about its history.
Whales and soft drinks
Atlanta boasts an amazing aquarium. The Georgia Aquarium right in the middle of town is next to the Centennial Olympic Park. Divided into five themed areas, you can happily spend a few hours wandering around the exhibits and talking to the knowledgeable staff.
The beluga whales and whale sharks are an undoubted highlight, but the aquarium is also home to spider crabs, sea otters and octopus, not to mention the various beautiful fish.
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