Page 26 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – January/February 2022

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
In my recent travels, I journeyed to Atlanta, Georgia, for the first time. I only had a couple of days to explore, but luckily I was with my cousin who has become a local
in recent years. She took me to a few of their stompin’ grounds, as well as some of the more touristy attractions. It’s always fun to discover through the eyes of someone who lives in the city you’re visiting. Atlanta is big and
very rich in culture. Something that stood out right away was the abundance of elaborate murals all over tunnels, alleyways and exterior walls of buildings.
We ventured to Ponce City Market which is a food hall, shopping mall and rooftop amusement park. Located along the Atlanta BeltLine, the market is on the iconic stretch of buildings on Ponce De Leon Boulevard.
The walk there was filled with street performers and remarkable art. Dubbed the Coney Island of Atlanta, the Ponce de Leon amusement park opened in 1903. While there have been many incarnations over the years, the current Ponce City Market opened in 2015 and continues to grow and expand. Just a heads up, while you can enjoy food and shopping without paying an entrance fee, to access the roof you must get tickets. After a certain time of day, rooftop access is permitted for adults only.
We were fortunate enough to start with a visit to the National Center of Civil and Human Rights. Exhibitions
in the center feature artifacts and papers of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as well as the history of the civil rights movement in the United States and stories from decades of human rights struggles around the world. The museum is beautifully designed with immersive exhibitions which highly encourages engagement and conversation. Our time spent here was meaningful and rather moving.
Quite the change in scenery, our next stop was just
a few steps away at the World of Coca-Cola. Did you know that Coca-Cola was invented and sold at a soda fountain in Atlanta in 1886? The history of the company’s 125+ years is on display for all guests to see, including famous ad campaigns like “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” from 1971 and Santa. The tour completes in a tasting room where you get to sample products from all over the world. That was definitely my favorite part!
Traveling to Atlanta soon? Two of the exhibits I highlighted are part of the Atlanta CityPASS, which also includes access to the Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta and more. Tip: AAA Members get exclusive savings on the CityPASS which is valid for multiple days. This is perfect if you have more time than I did and are looking to experience multiple attractions.
New Year, New City
26 I WINTER 2022
Visit AAA.com/Tickets for more information. Emily Gnacik is the Editor of AAA Every Day Magazine.