Georgia's capital of Atlanta provides state residents with the metropolitan amenities found in other larger cities, like New York and Los Angeles. Just head downtown to find Underground Atlanta, the subterranean shopping center filled with restaurants, pubs, entertainment, and boutiques. From afternoon to evening, an entire day can be spent at Underground Atlanta shopping, eating, and enjoying indoor activities.

If you'd rather spend an unusually cool Atlanta summer afternoon outdoors, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens is the perfect place to start. A photographer's dream, the botanical gardens stretch across 30 acres of prime Atlanta real estate. A few unique features of the gardens include the world's largest permanent orchid display, rare and endangered plants, and magnificent water features.

Drive 16 miles east of downtown Atlanta and you'll find Georgia's most popular tourist destination. Unlike other attractions which qualify as "tourist traps," Stone Mountain National Park is revered by Atlanta residents and visitors alike. Activities you can enjoy at Stone Mountain Park include a riverboat cruise, a scenic train ride, or a laser light show. The park's campgrounds are also a popular option, where you can spend a relaxing night in the 3,200 acre park underneath the stars.

Visiting these many Atlanta destinations is made easy with MARTA, or the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. It's the ninth largest transportation system in North America, ensuring you'll be able to affordably and quickly get to most all of Atlanta's attractions. If you don't mind riding the bus, MARTA also connects to suburbs of Atlanta, including Roswell, where you will find Southern barbecue cooking, historic trails and ruins to explore, and additional museums devoted to Georgia history.