In 1965, a group of Atlanta arts patrons transformed Buckhead's historic Swan House estate into an art gallery, restaurant and gift shop. Swan House's restaurant is known as as go-to place for ladies' luncheons and its menu features signature chicken salad dishes, spinach quiche, homemade soup and tea. Daily entrees include salmon and crab cakes, grilled salmon fillets, chicken curry and chicken crisps.
The large Swan House gift shop includes a boutique, jewelry, home wares and items for babies and children. Swan House Art Gallery, an integral part of the Swan Coach House experience, features works by the South's most established talent, as well as the area's new and emerging artists.
Swan Coach House hosts events such as weddings, receptions, parties and afternoon teas. See the website for an exhibition schedule, restaurant menu and more information.
Built in 1883, Ivy Hall is a historic building that now houses the writing program for the Savannah College of Art and Design's Atlanta campus. The facility also serves as a retreat for distinguished scholars and visiting scholars. Ivy Hall is a resource for community and civic groups and hosts cultural events that include literary salons as well as chamber music and small ensemble performances.
Motorcycle enthusiasts who are looking for a high quality bike that isn't like every other motorcycle in the metro Atlanta area should check out Blue Moon Motorcycles. Blue Moon sells new and used BMWs, as well as the latest line of the Russian sidecar motorcycle, the Ural. Riders from all over the country contact this Norcross business because of their vintage European motorcycles. They also sell helmets, jackets and other BMW apparel.
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, next door to the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, the architecturally-striking Center for Civil and Human Rights is a cultural attraction that connects the American Civil Rights Movement to today's Global Human Rights Movements through a variety of visual and interactive exhibits. Its stated purpose is "to create a safe space for visitors to explore the fundamental rights of all human beings, so that they leave inspired and empowered to join the ongoing dialogue about human rights in their communities."
Parking and public transportation to the Center for Civil and Human Rights
Parking for visitors to the Center for Civil and Human Rights is available at the nearby World of Coca-Cola or Georgia Aquarium garages. The Center is also an approximately 10-minute walk from the Georgia Dome/Georgia World Congress Center/Phillips Arena/CNN Center and Civic Center MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) light passenger-rail stations.
Best and worst time to go to the Center for Civil and Human Rights
Given the large number of nearby attractions (see below), traffic in the streets surrounding the Center for Civil and Human Rights can be very congested. Check ahead to determine if there are any events taking place in the area that are likely to cause additional congestion during times you wish to visit.
Admission to the Center for Civil and Human Rights
Individual admission to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights currently falls in the $5 to $15 range, with various discounts available based on age and military status. Discounts are available for groups of ten and larger; these tours must be scheduled through the Center's Group Sales Department. The Center is open Monday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and on Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Must see/do at the Center for Civil and Human Rights
The Center for Civil and Human Rights features a continually rotating gallery of items from the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection, where visitors can view the personal papers and items related to Dr. King. The Civil Rights Movement gallery, meanwhile, presents the fight for equality in the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s through an immersive experience of sight, sounds and interactive displays.
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Other places to visit near the Center for Civil and Human Rights
Nearby attractions include the Georgia Aquarium; The World of Coca-Cola; the College Football Hall of Fame; CNN Center; and Centennial Olympic Park, whose features include the SkyView Ferris wheel.
Insider tip for visitors to the Center for Civil and Human Rights
Check out Atlanta CityPASS, a booklet of discounted admission tickets to 5 must-see tourist attractions (including the Center for Civil and Human Rights) in Atlanta. The booklet is available online and at all Atlanta CityPASS attractions.
Author's bio: Martin Sinderman is a freelance writer as well as owner/operator of Savannah Sidewalk Tours, a walking-tour company.
The Marietta Fire Museum, located in the Fire and Rescue headquarters at Fire Station No. 1, showcases uniforms, equipment and vehicles city firefighters used as far back as the 1800s.
The free museum includes an 1879 Silsby Steamer, a 1921 American LaFrance pumper, a 1929 Seagrave pumper, a 1949 Pirsch ladder truck and a 1952 Chevrolet panel truck as well as antique helmets and firefighting apparatus. The museum also features the department's "Wall of Flame" with photos dating back to the 1800s.