Atlanta’s native son, Martin Luther King Jr., left an indelible legacy that stands to this day. The care Coretta Scott King put into preserving the civil rights icon’s history at The King Center, continues at Ebenezer Baptist Church, his birth home and the historic site. The work done here imprints powerful emotional connections and cements Atlanta as the heartbeat of the Civil Rights movement.

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is a museum and cultural experience that connects the harrowing efforts of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis and many others to the human rights challenges of today. Equal parts modern education and historical record, feel the emotional journey as immersive exhibitions like the “Lunch Counter Sit-In” put you in the position of non-violent protestors in the 1960s.

If you want to know Atlanta’s story, you go to the source. The museum stands as a testament to all things ATL chronicling our moment in the spotlight as home to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, a 132-year-old Cyclorama painting capturing the Civil War, and a unique collection of 50 items capturing the essence of what makes us the Capital of the South.

Georgia Aquarium’s state-of-the-art facility containing more than 10 million gallons of water is an excellent place to start for underwater exploration. So, what will you find at the nation’s largest aquarium? Endless wonder. And thousands of deep-sea wildlife species, including whale sharks, beluga whales, manta rays, penguins, sea lions and more. One visit and you’ll quickly see what makes the Georgia Aquarium one of the best places to visit in Atlanta.

The world’s favorite soft drink started right here in Atlanta. And, while you’ll find the South’s most pivotal elixir across the globe, there’s only one place that you can visit to understand what makes the brand tick. That’s World of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Place. Part museum dedicated to its history and part Willy Wonka-style tasting facility where you can sip your way through worldwide flavor, you’ll soon understand why this beverage brand commands a cult following.

ATL's moniker as “The City in the Forest” speaks to our modern metropolitan areas set within the lush canopy of forests and sprawling parks. Atlanta Botanical Garden takes it one step further boasting notable exhibitions spanning 30 acres of gardens with unique and awe-inspiring flora and fauna. Add larger-than-life topiaries like the Earth Goddess, Dale Chihuly’s masterful glass sculptures, and attendance-breaking seasonal exhibits and you’ll want to take the time to stop and smell the roses.

It’s a jungle out there, and Zoo Atlanta is front and center, offering an intimate view into the world of the animal kingdom. Most cities have zoos, but ours is something special. From its storied past as a traveling circus that broke down in the Atlanta suburb in 1889 and never left to the modern acclaim of “panda fever,” Zoo Atlanta will continue bringing awe-inspiring animals to those wild at heart.

Welcome to the rock! As the world's largest exposed mass of granite, Stone Mountain Park is consistently the most popular tourist attraction in Georgia. Across its 3,200 acres of pristine lakes, forests and trails, nature buffs consider it an essential addition to their Atlanta trek offering prime city views and a plethora of seasonal events like their annual Pumpkin Festival and Snow Mountain holiday festivities.

This final resting place is also home to Atlanta's oldest public park. Historic Oakland Cemetery is a revered graveyard housing such famous residents to ATL's story as Gone with the Wind author Margaret Mitchell; former mayor Maynard Jackson; legendary golfer Bobby Jones; and more. But all cemeteries aren't as spooky as you think. You can easily see a family on a leisurely walk through the lush gardens or a couple sitting on a bench enjoying coffee on their first date.

No other place in the city encapsulates Atlanta's international cultures and flavors more than Buford Highway. The northeast Atlanta community is a melting pot of ethnic diversity, with its unique corridor serving as a pathway to explore global cuisine. There are even tours where you can experience a vibrant world of flavors from Korean and Chinese to Indian and Ethiopian. Start exploring the world at Buford Highway Farmers Market.