You all understand the challenge. You travel to a new city / country / place and arrive back home with a zillion photos to work through. It takes time, but it also offers the opportunity to remember the experience and relive the fun.
I was in Atlanta for just 48 hours, but oh my gosh, I had a blast! My son Andrew, who has only lived in Atlanta for 2 years, knows the city like someone who has lived there much longer, and he was an excellent tour guide around this diverse, exciting city. He took me to the Jackson Street Bridge, a local landmark known as THE place to get a shot of the cityscape.
With this post, and the two that follow, I’ll introduce you to the Atlanta that I experienced. The posts are longer than typical for me, but years from now I’ll look back and be able to remember everything.
While quite the tourist attraction, and evidently a bit controversial, the Atlanta Skyview allowed me to see Downtown from on high.
All images were taken through the glass of the gondola.
What fun it was to ride high above much of the city!
The Skyview towers over the 21 acre Centennial Olympic Park, created for the 1996 Olympic Games. Today the park performs a dual mission: it serves as Georgia’s lasting legacy of the Centennial Olympic Games and it anchors efforts to revitalize residential and commercial development in Georgia’s capital city of Atlanta.
We spent much of my visit in various parts of Midtown, which is the “second largest business district in the city, situated between the commercial and financial districts of Downtown to the south and Buckhead to the north. Midtown is known for it’s cultural attractions, architecture, and urban layout”.
We visited walkable, intown neighborhoods, each one unique with shops, restaurants, and public art.
Visit my post on Monochromia to learn more about Celebration by Gary Lee Price.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, the current Dekalb County Courhouse was completed in 1918. The four previous structures were destroyed by fire, war, and demolition.
I’m sorry to say that I did not document the name or purpose of this next building, but I loved the architecture.
Whether commisioned or not, public art is everywhere. On the sidewalk, seen during my morning walk,
and along the Beltline, the city’s bikeway / walkway system.
“The Beltline is transforming the city with a combination of rail, trail, greenspace, housing, and art. It will ultimately connect 45 intown neighborhoods”.
Public Art can be found in Piedmont Park,
in neighborhoods,
and sadly, along the streets.
If you’ve visited my blog in the past, you’ve learned about Ghost Bikes.
When taking shots from the Jackson Street Bridge, Andrew pointed out a sticker for Tiny Doors Atlanta, an Atlanta-based art project bringing “big wonder to tiny spaces. With the installation of a door, what was once a wall or the column of a bridge becomes an entrance to collective creativity and an invitation to whimsy”.
As we walked along the Beltline, Andrew pointed out this tiny door. How cool is that?
I was also enamored by the messages posted on various streetlamps. The words of Harry Crews, an American novelist, playwright, short story writer and essayist, are posted here.
“So far as I can see, nothing good in the world has ever been done by well-rounded people. The good work is done by people with jagged, broken edges, because those edges cut things and leave an imprint, a design”.
Next Post: Atlanta Cuisine and Cocktails
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
Cool, I like the thought behind the bit at the end there.
I liked that quote, too. I saw at least 3 others, but this was the best or at least my favorite
Wonderful images Laurie 🙂 I’m curious, did Andrew get bitten by the same photography bug as you ?
It’s interesting that you asked. He does love to shoot, right now with the phone only. He’s taken some nice shots with it. I’ll tag you in one on FB>
You have a keen eye, LB. You know I love urban art, and thanks for including ghost bikes.
I always enjoy your urban art posts, Jim. This weekend I’m in Greensboro, NC, and have already found some cool pieces and murals.
Fantastic shots, love all the varied perspectives!
Thanks, Susan. I tried to show different aspects of one ride on a ferris wheel. It was fun, too!
An Atlanta tourist in June. Hot Atlanta. Drink lots of water.
You just had to slip in the “Call your Mom” photo, didn’t you, Laurie? Well, of course you did. And of course you should have. 🙂 🙂
Bruce, I got so lucky in terms of the weather. There was a wonderful breeze the whole time. And yes, I definitely had to include the reminder to call Mom 🙂
Your usual excellent photography and engaging information
Thank you, Derrick. I appreciate your kind words
Fab photos Laurie – and such an engaging tour guide too! The city fathers [shouldn’t it be ‘parents’ now?] must be a forward looking lot – I love the quote attached to the lamp-post and the tiny doors – how cool is that!
Pauline, there were so many fun things to see. As much as I love living in a more rural area, I love exploring a city
A visit with Andrew AND interesting sights…..bazinga! Lucky you. I’ll have to swing by Monochromatic for the story on the statue…I’m guessing it’s Peter Pan maybe? I think the goats made of recycled metal are awesome, maybe because I have a thing for that colour or an unknown thing for goats. Who’ll ever know? HA! That tiny door is inspiring. I’m hoping to get some fairy garden accoutrement tomorrow at this big outdoor market I’m dragging Jim too…talley ho! xo ❤
I’m enjoying reading about your travels in London. How was the outdoor market? Wait, I’ll check FB! XO
found a couple treasures, just home from dinner so I’ll take a pick!
All wonderful shots Laurie, feeling your fun here!
It truly was fun! Can’t wait to explore a bit of NYC with you
Wow, you had a great tour, Laurie. I love the public art. It’s nice to know there are walkable neighborhoods, too. Can’t wait to hear about the food and drink!
Oh my, the food and drinks. So good! And yes, I was thrilled with how walkable Atlanta is
I haven’t been to Atlanta in a long time and this makes me want to go back and just walk around! You’ve really captured a neat aspect of the city, and the commitment to public art and whimsey!
Thanks, Kerry. It was all such an unexpected pleasure.
I love getting to see Atlanta through your eyes (lens). Never been there myself. What beautiful art and architecture. I’m adding it to Pittsburgh as places to visit. 🙂
Both fun cities, Mary.
I just love to explore!
What a great mini tour of a city I wouldn’t otherwise get to know. I love the sound of the Beltline – anything that encourages people to get out and experience their city in the fresh air!
Love the creativity of the street art (omg that tiny door is priceless!!!) and your wonderful photos 🙂
The 4th photo taken from the Skyview of the Skyview is amazing!
Now that I know you are typing with difficulty, I appreciate the comment even more, Joanne.
Isn’t that door wonderful? So glad my son pointed it out.
The commenting just takes me longer to do, but then EVERYTHING is taking me longer to do 🙂
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