Known by its nickname “Hotlanta,” the city of Atlanta is a favorite destination for student group travel. Within this metropolitan area, student groups will find endless energy, big city educational activities and warm southern hospitality. Atlanta is brimming with exciting attractions, world-class museums, unique historical sites, signature shopping, major league sports, outstanding fine arts and delicious food. Atlanta’s rich history, coupled with being a modern metropolis, makes this one of the top student-friendly destinations in the U.S.
Oftentimes overshadowed by larger cities such as New York City, Washington DC or Chicago, Atlanta offers student groups an exciting and educational destination for any size group with many student-friendly options including:
Georgia Aquarium: The world’s largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium provides students with the ultimate experience in aquatic life. The Georgia Aquarium captures the life of marine mammals, shellfish and fish off the Atlantic coast of Georgia as well as freshwater fish, mammals, reptiles, etc. that are indicative to the state of Georgia, Africa, South America and Asia. The Georgia Aquarium has many exhibits, a 4D theatre and excellent educational programs for student travel groups. Lesson Plans and Aquatic Fact Sheets are available for grades K-12 as well.
Six Flags Over Georgia: Being Atlanta’s official one and only theme park, Six Flags Over Georgia has some of the most exciting amusement rides in the country! With 11 pulse-pounding roller coasters including Batman, The Ride, and over 30 other amusement rides, Six Flags Over Georgia will provide your student group with some of the fastest, wildest, tallest, gut-wrenching rides and thrills they crave.
Stone Mountain: Being “the largest exposed piece of granite in the world,” Stone Mountain extends nine miles underground and 1,686 ft. above ground. Student groups can hike the mountain or take an aerial sky ride to the top. The view from the top is amazing, especially on a clear day. One cannot only see the entire city of Atlanta, but also the mountains of north Georgia, which happens to be a two hour drive away from Stone Mountain. The park sports a fantastic laser show each evening (mid-April through the summer) as well as a train ride around the mountain, a kid’s park, many gift shops and more.
CNN Studios Tour: Many students are not aware that CNN originated and is still headquartered in Atlanta. Students can tour a 50-foot globe where they can search 25 years of CNN footage via informational kiosks. Still housing CNN’s 24 hour Headline News, students will experience an overlook of the live newsroom, control room, black box studio and more. Student groups will also see a demonstration about weather broadcasts.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History: While visiting the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, student groups can learn about the geological history of Georgia, beginning with the piedmont and ending on the coastal barrier islands. Students can also see an exhibit of the oldest pottery found in North America as well as an IMAX theatre showing educational films on a daily basis. Of special interest, the exhibit “Giants of the Mesozoic” features a close up view of pre-historic life in Patagonia, Argentina, where some of the largest dinosaur skeletons in the world have been found. On a frequent basis, Fernbank also unveils special exhibitions that are educational and cater to student groups.
Zoo Atlanta: Zoo Atlanta has plenty of exciting exhibits including the Ford African Rain Forest, Flamingo Plaza, Masai Mara (a replica of East African Plains) and the Ketambe Exhibit, where rare Sumatran Tigers are housed. Moreover, Zoo Atlanta is best known for housing the Giant Pandas Lun Lun and Yang Yang from China.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial: Being a National Historic Site, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial gives student groups a comprehensive look at MLK’s origins. Tours include a visit to the birth home of Martin Luther King, Jr., a tour of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King, his father and grandfather preached, a trip to the visitor center and a tour of The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.
Centennial Olympic Park: Being the hub of educational and historical information for student travel groups, the park was originally built for the 1996 Centennial Olympics. While visiting, student groups will want to take a walking tour around the commemorative quilts from the Olympic bombings, the Quilt of Nations, and The Fountain of Rings.
Overall, Atlanta is an educational big-city destination that prides itself on southern hospitality. Imagine, for one all-inclusive price, visiting all of the above-mentioned attractions within a four day period and adding a comfortable hotel stay, dining at restaurants such as Hard Rock Café, Buca di Beppo and Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, transportation and visiting a sporting event, orchestra concert and more!
rnFor more information, contact:
Steve Brinkmanrn7131 Grand National Drive, rnSuite 101 Orlando, FL 33316 rnPhone: 800-774-7337 rnFax: 407-345-2890
rnstevebrinkman.ka@gmail.comrnhttp://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com