Atlanta, Georgia—the capital of its gorgeous state, a center for commerce and traffic, and a cultural gem of the American south—stands as a proverbial spot to visit and explore. Atlanta maintains a deep southern past, with its roots long established before the US Civil War, and the trends of modernization and growth have not diminished Atlanta’s legacy, beauty, and charm. The city serves a “cultural port” to the southeast, and it hosts the region’s best zoo, intriguing and delicious historic districts, and more recently it hosted the 1996 Olympic Games.

Confederate Displays and Visual Heritage

Atlanta hosts numerous visitors every year, and the spring and summer provide the best times for individuals to truly grasp the atmosphere, climate, and meaning of the city. Folks can walk through the numerous historic districts—some of these being Historic Downtown, Midtown, and the Historic Oakland Cemetery—enjoy whimsical shopping in Underground Atlanta, or tour Stone Mountain. Stone Mountain derives its name from the hard stone that creates the mountain’s surface, and the Confederate carvings have become elements of local, national, and international curiosities. The Confederate Memorial Carving stands as the world’s largest relief carving, ranking three-acres. The three characters of the carving are President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee, and General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. These three characters are substantial heroes for the American Civil War, and accordingly their legacy is still preserved and celebrated throughout the region. Traversing through Atlanta you will find streets, bars, shops, and even foods named after these men, and as any southerner will tell you the Civil War became a memorial from the moment the first shot was fired. During the late spring and summer nightly light shows are performed at the mountain. These shows illuminate the carvings in laser lights, and the musical score and historical narration gives the viewer and interesting take on the area’s cultural heritage.

Hence, Stone Mountain’s rock carving is only one aspect of the cultural spectacles that give Atlanta its charm. Other gems of the area are the battlefields and reenactments that regularly show up during the summer months. Like earlier referenced, the south loves to memorialize its dead, and reenacting the battles clearly immortalizes fallen Confederates. Kennesaw National Battlefield Park rests just outside Atlanta, and its lush scenery, mountain backdrop, and nearby lake provides the makings for an excellent afternoon outing and adventure. The park has many trails, tourists’ guidelines, and information on self guided tours for the area. The natural scenery is divine, and for the historical visitor the history lessons at the park are priceless. Standing on one of the spots of history, knowing that men died right where your feet are planted, and being there on one of the many occasions that individuals come out to replay these events is truly priceless.