Set in nine hectares (23 acres) of beautiful gardens, the Atlanta History Center is the ideal place to soak up the rich history of the state. The main attractions are two historic homes, open to the public offering informative guided tours. The Tullie Smith House originally stood outside the city limits but has been relocated to the History Center, along with its outbuildings. The house was built in the 1840s and survived the near-total destruction of Atlanta in 1864 when General William Sherman burned almost every business and more than two thirds of the city's homes during his infamous 'March to the Sea'. It was once the home of yeoman farmer Robert Smith and his family, who owned 11 slaves and farmed on about 324 hectares (800 acres). The farmhouse is typical of most in Georgia at the time, despite popular belief that not all Georgians owned large plantations and mansions. The Swan House, built in 1928, is a grand Italianate mansion that is an Atlanta landmark, once the home of Edward and Emily Inman, heirs to a cotton brokerage fortune. The History Center also features several other historic buildings and exhibitions.

In January 1929 a baby boy was born in an upstairs bedroom of a house in Atlanta. Today the Victorian house is the centre of a protected site dedicated to the memory of that baby, Martin Luther King, who grew up to become America's Nobel prize-winning Civil Rights leader. A half-mile stretch of Auburn Avenue, including King's birth home, the Ebenezer Baptist Church where he preached, and the memorial tomb at the King Center where he is buried, has been designated a historic site, drawing hundreds of visitors every day. The exhibits contained within provide insight into the life and times of this much-revered man.

In 1886 Jacob's Pharmacy, a small drugstore in Atlanta, began selling a new headache and hangover tonic called 'Coca-Cola'. In 1891, entrepreneur Asa Candler paid $2,300 to acquire the rights of what is now the world's most valuable brand. The following year he founded the Coca-Cola Company. The new, environmentally-friendly construction houses more than just a museum dedicated to Coca-Cola; it is an entire soft-drink experience. Thousands of Coke objects, trivia and memorabilia are contained among the interactive exhibits in this building, backed up by commercials, radio jingles, a 4-D theatre, tasting and a Pop Culture Gallery.

In 1864 Kennesaw Mountain was the scene of a bloody Civil War battle when General Sherman led his Union forces against the entrenched Confederate forces at the site, resulting in the death of more than 67,000 soldiers. The park consists of several thousand acres of protected land, covered with more than 17 miles (27km) of interpretive walking trails. The trails encompass historic earthworks and cannon placements, and notable markers and memorials have been provided to commemorate the event. A small museum at the site displays Civil War artefacts, and a visitor's centre provides information about the battle on the site. This popular park is visited by more than a million people each year, many of whom come to picnic and enjoy the views afforded across Atlanta.

A highlight of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is the Fuqua Conservatory, a giant greenhouse enclosing different climate-controlled eco-systems that was financed by an Atlanta businessman in memory of his wife. A walk through the conservatory takes visitors from a desert into a steamy tropical jungle. Outdoors the gardens are criss-crossed with dedicated nature walks, bypassing many quiet spots designed for peaceful contemplation, as well as tasteful garden sculptures.

As one of the South's pre-eminent museums, Fernbank Museum of Natural History is a gateway for discovery and exploration, unfolding the story of the earth's history, the physical universe, the environment and human culture through exhibitions, programs and films in the IMAX Theatre. Opened in 1992, Fernbank is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is 'Atlanta's Home to Dinosaurs,' a reputation highlighted by Giants of the Mesozoic, a distinctive permanent exhibition which features the world's largest dinosaurs.

Stone Mountain is situated about 20 minutes from Atlanta and features numerous man-made and natural attractions. Most awesome of these is the huge relief carving of the three Southern heroes of the Civil War, which has been etched into the mountainside. The images of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson cover an area larger than a football field and are part of the largest relief sculpture in the world. Three sculptors worked in succession on the carving, beginning with Gutzon Borglum in 1915. He later became famed for his carvings at Mount Rushmore. Subsequently two other artists pursued the work that was completed finally in 1972. Visitors can either walk up the mountain or take the Skylift to the top from where the views of Atlanta and the Appalachian Mountains are incredible. Stone Mountain also features a restored Antebellum Plantation featuring a colonial mansion, slave cabins, coach houses and barns. The park also contains several lakes and hiking trails, a wildlife reserve and petting zoo.

About 15 miles (24km) south of Atlanta in Clayton County is the town of Jonesboro, a not-to-be-missed destination for movie fans and those hankering for a taste of the real 'Deep South'. Jonesboro was the setting for Margaret Mitchell's acclaimed novel, and later film, Gone with the Windand devotees come to see the local historic plantation houses and learn about the real people whose lives inspired the fictional characters of the novel. In Main Street, the Road to Tara Museum is housed in the Jonesboro Depot Welcome Centre, containing original props, costume reproductions, doll collections and an extensive photo gallery associated with the making of the movie, Gone with the Wind. The Welcome Depot is also the departure point for daily tours, starting at 1pm (except on Sundays), that take in the local scenes where the film was shot and offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the true life stories on which the book was based. In Carriage Drive, a beautiful Greek Revival plantation home dating from 1839 is open to the public along with its authentic outbuildings.

Northern Georgia is hilly and mountainous, dotted with numerous small towns, fascinating historic sites, national parks and forests. Most of the towns and attractions are within an hour's drive of Atlanta. Among the highlights of an exploration of this region are the New Echota State Historic Site (the last capital of the Cherokee nation); Chickamauga at Fort Oglethorpe, which is the oldest and largest Civil War military park; Jasper, where the marble quarries produced the marble used in the Capitol in Washington, DC; the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, at the end of the Appalachian Highway; and the spectacular Tallulah Gorge near the town of Clayton. The northwestern Georgia region is a paradise for nature lovers, offering hundreds of wooded hiking trails, sparkling trout streams, scenic lakes and camp sites.

This beautiful characteristic pink homestead at the heart of Savannah's historic district was the first of the city's architectural treasures to be saved for posterity. It was the threatened demolition of this house that goaded the city's residents to form a fund to preserve Savannah's historic heritage. The house was built between 1815 and 1820 by Isaiah Davenport, a master builder. It features a semi-circular staircase with wrought-iron trim leading up to the recessed front door. Inside the polished hardwood floors gleam and the mansion is furnished befitting the period with Hepplewhite, Chippendale and Sheraton pieces.

The majestic Regency town house that stands in Savannah's historic district was the birthplace of Juliette 'Daisy' Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Visitors learn about the Girl Scouts movement and experience a taste of Victorian family life. The house, which was built in 1821, is a National Historic Landmark and is furnished with many original pieces and also features the artwork of Juliette Gordon Low.

The Savannah History Museum gives an excellent introduction to the city, its exhibits reflecting the city's history from her founding to the present day. The museum is housed in a restored railway station that dates from before the Civil War and is one of Georgia's 43 National Historic Landmarks. Beneath the building are the graves of Polish Count Pulaski and his fellow colonists, killed on this spot in 1779 while trying to drive off the British soldiers.

The Telfair Museum of Art is the oldest public art museum in the South, fittingly housed in an important historic building, the Owens-Thomas House. The house, overlooking Oglethorpe Square, was designed by William Jay, a young English architect, who introduced the British Regency style to America. It was built in 1818 for Alexander Telfair, son of the Governor of Georgia. The art museum's permanent collection includes paintings, works on paper, sculpture and decorative arts by both American and European artists. The museum encompasses the art gallery, restored rooms in the historic house, and the Jepson Center for the Arts. Guided tours are offered daily, included in the admission price.

A short distance to the east of central Savannah stands Georgia's oldest standing fort, surrounded by a deep tidal moat. The fort was preceded by a mud battery, the brick fort having been built in 1808. It was the headquarters for the Confederate river defences during the Civil War, when it was enlarged and strengthened. The fort today contains numerous exhibits pertaining to the war. Living history demonstrations are staged in spring and summer.

The mysterious Okefenokee Swamp comprises 700 square miles (1,813 sq km) of wet, green wilderness stretching across the southern part of coastal Georgia. The largest peat-producing bog in North America, Okefenokee is a national treasure because it provides a refuge for a vast number of animals and plants that thrive in its lakes, islands and wetlands. The park consists of different environments, from towering cypress stands in still waters to vast prairie grasslands in other areas. Visitors have four parks to choose from when pursuing an Okefenokee experience: three of the parks are on the east side of the swamp and one on the southwestern side. All three offer sightseeing, boating and fishing opportunities. The southwestern park is Stephen C. Foster State Park, featuring cypress swamps, at the headwaters of the Suwannee River, near Fargo. Laura S. Walker State Park is near Waycross, on the swamp's margin. South of Waycross Okefenokee Swamp Park has some alligators, snakes and other swamp wildlife in easy-to-see captivity for a quick swamp experience, while Suwannee Canal Recreation Area near Folkston provides access to the prairie environment of the swamp, offering nature boardwalks and historic sites.

A short drive south of Savannah lies the charming old town of Darien, established in 1736 on the banks of the Darien River as a military outpost. Today it is a favoured tourist town; its historic shopping enclave specialises in unique gifts and antiques, and the picturesque waterfront is lined with shrimp boats. A series of walking and bike paths, lined with Spanish moss-draped oak trees, connect the downtown waterfront with Fort King George, which houses a museum and plays host to living history pageants. Other diversions include paddling the river and tidal creeks in kayaks or canoes and dining on delicious shrimp. The area around Darien in McIntosh county is extremely scenic, dotted with quaint fishing villages like Valona and Shellman Bluff. Just offshore, accessible by ferry across Doboy Sound, is the pristine barrier island of Sapelo, which boasts one of Georgia's most beautiful beaches and a restored lighthouse.

The small barrier island of Tybee, 18 miles (29km) east of Savannah, is a popular seaside resort for locals and visitors alike. The three-mile (5km) long beach has rolling sand-dunes, and at the south end of the island a pier and pavilion offer a pleasant stroll, usually accompanied by live band music. Apart from swimming and sun worshipping, the island also has sightseeing opportunities including Fort Screven, a historic Tybee lighthouse dating to 1773, an intriguing museum and Fort Pulaski. There is a selection of restaurants, hotels, motels, inns and cottages available.

The impressive Georgia Aquarium is the largest of its kind and boasts over 100,000 animals from 500 species. A range of different environments play host to fascinating animals from around the world, from belugas and African black-footed penguins, to sea lions and sea otters, stingrays, sharks and a riot of colourful fish. The Aquarium also has a 4-D theatre that features an animated 3-D film, interactive seats and live actors; a café and the Ocean Ballroom for special events.

Atlantas's High Museum of Art is home to 11,000 pieces in its permanent collection and includes 19th and 20th century American and decorative art, important and visiting European collections, as well as contemporary art and photography, and African folk art.

Located in downtown Atlanta, and home to the law firm in the Matlock TV series, the Flatiron Building is officially known as the English-American Building. It was completed in 1897, five years before New York's Flatiron Building, and shares the same unique and prominent flatiron shape. Designed by Bradford Gilbert, the building has 11 storeys and is the city's second and oldest standing skyscraper, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. While the building is occupied by tenants ranging from architectural firms to law offices, its exterior is an impressive site.

The Woodruff Arts Center, originally known as the Memorial Arts Center, opened in 1968 and is one of the largest arts centres in the United States. The Woodruff uniquely combines four visual and performing arts divisions on one campus and is home to the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the High Museum of Art, Young Audiences and the 14th Street Playhouse.

Atlanta's Fox Theatre, which is often promoted as the Fabulous Fox, is one of the magnificent movie palaces built in the United States during the 1920s. The theatre's unique beginnings and Moorish design set it apart from other theatres of that period. Today it hosts an array of artistic and cultural events, including a summer film series, the Atlanta Ballet and performances by national touring companies of Broadway shows.

The Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta is one of the most fascinating places parents on holiday in the city can take their younger kids for a day of exploring, learning and discovering. With exciting galleries such as the Curious George Gallery or exploring trees, children also get the opportunity to paint the walls, crawl through a playground or even don a raincoat and play in a forest stream.

Home of the author Joel Chandler Harris, who wrote of the sly fictional characters Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Fox, Wren's Nest has been open to the public since 1913 after Harris's widow sold it to the Uncle Remus Memorial Association. A great place to visit for any child who knows the Uncle Remus tales, there is even storytelling on Saturday afternoons.

Zoo Atlanta features around 1,000 animals representing 250 species from around the world and sees over 1 million tourists every year. Children will absolutely love discovering all the animals and even some slightly more exotic ones such as the giant pandas, the 24 western lowland gorillas, Sumatran tigers and Sumatran orangutans. For smaller children there is a petting zoo which allows kids to interact with goats, pigs and sheep.

A great day out for kids of all ages, Six Flags Over Georgia is a fantastic amusement park filled with rides and thrills for just about every child to enjoy. Try the Acrophobia, the Superman, the Batman or the Goliath for the really adventurous, while younger tots will enjoy the Thomas the Tank Engine ride, Up UP and Away and the River Carousel.

The Fernbank Science Center houses a museum, observatory, planetarium and a forest. There are also wonderful exhibits to explore and marvel at such as the solar experiment and even the original Apollo 6space shuttle, which Is housed in the indoor facility centre. The 1.5 mile (2.4km) forest trail features plants, trees, mosses and flowers all marked for identification.