Taxis
There are plenty of taxis available at the airport (around 1,600 vehicles). A so-called “dispatcher” assigns you a vehicle. Hailing a taxi on the street will usually not succeed. Taxis have to be ordered by phone or are in front of hotels, restaurants, etc.
Airport shuttle
According to campingship, the Atlanta Airport Shuttle leaves the main hotels every 20 to 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight.
MARTA
The public transport system Atlantas (MARTA) consists of 150 bus lines and 3 rapid transit trains, with which you can reach almost all important places quickly and inexpensively. You can also take the MARTA subway for transport from the airport to the city; the station is next to the baggage claim at the north end of the airport. Therefore, if you are in Atlanta, you generally do not need a rental car. Also because of the parking problems, a rental car is only useful for trips in the area.
The fare per route and with transfer authorization is $ 1.50 (as of spring 2000) and must be paid in the exact amount, there is no change. The price applies uniformly in the bus and subway. There are discounted offers for multi-day tickets and when purchasing multiple tokens (driving coins).
MARTA’s underground trains run Monday to Friday between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m. and on weekends and public holidays between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. The trains run every 8 minutes on weekdays, every 10 minutes on Saturdays and every 15 minutes on Sundays and public holidays. The signs with the inscription »To Trains« show the way to the subway platforms. Think of your desired direction of travel (north, south, etc.).
Bus passengers can find the names and numbers of the routes above the windshield. Signal the driver when you want to get in.
STONE MOUNTAIN PARK – THE 250 METER HIGH ROCK
Stone Mountain Park (Ponce de Leon Avenue, Highway 78 East, Exit Stone Mountain Park) is open all year round, at least from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is the most popular destination in Atlanta. The 1280 hectare forest and lake landscape is about 24 km east of the city and offers an extensive recreation and entertainment center.
For the main attractions Granite Monolith and Antebellum Plantation, at least half a day should be planned including arrival and departure. At the park entrances you get an information sheet with a map and you can easily find your way. The signage in the area is good. The huge granite monolith is said to be 300 million years old and the world’s largest. Originally exploited as a quarry, parts were used for the Panama Canal, the Capitol in Washington and Fort Knox. The remainder is still impressive and shows the world’s largest relief (32 m high and 67 m wide). Gutzon Borglum began this work in 1923, but was dismissed after two years due to artistic differences – he then created the presidential heads on Mount Rushmore. The relief was not finally completed until 1970. It shows Confederate President Jefferson and the two southern generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. The Sphinx could be hidden behind General Lee’s head.
With a cable car you can reach the 290 m high peaks of the monolith and enjoy a beautiful view. This is also possible on foot and takes about 40 minutes. The Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad runs around the monolith every 40 minutes in 25 minutes. The Antebellum Plantation is an open-air museum made up of 19 restored buildings from before the Civil War (1795-1845). There are no special tours. The riverboat tour with replica paddle steamers on Stone Mountain Lake takes about 25 minutes. The carillon carillon with 732 bells was commissioned by Coca Cola for the World’s Fair in New York in 1964.
SWEET AUBURN HISTORIC DISTRICT
On Auburn Ave. Not only was Martin Luther King Jr. born, she is also part of the so-called Walk of Freedom. This part of downtown was a thriving center of black merchants and entrepreneurs between 1890 and 1940. The name Sweet Auburn was coined by James Wesley Dobbs in 1930 because this is where money flows like honey through the city. In the last few decades the district has deteriorated more and more. At least during the day, the area is still – relatively – safe. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is a magnet for visitors. A visit begins at the National Park Information Center at 450 Auburn Ave. The park rangers provide information, give tips and maps are available. Entry is free.
On the corner of Auburn Ave. and Jackson St. is the Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King Jr., his father and grandfather were pastors. Paid tours. Right next to the church is the King Center / Freedom Hall Complex. The tomb of Martin Luther King Jr. is impressive, a sarcophagus with the inscription “Free at last” in the middle of a pool (meditation pool). At the end of the pool an exhibition with documents from King and Gandhi’s life. The Martin Luther King jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, which has set itself the task of continuing the nonviolent struggle.
501 Auburn Ave. is the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. in which he lived until 1941.
