The Centennial Olympic Park was opened in 1996, for the Summer Olympic Games. It consists of amazing green spaces, rock gardens and works of art. Nowadays, the park serves as a reminder of Georgia's Centennial Olympic Games. The area has also witnessed commercial development. Its main features are the dancing water fountain, a memorial quilt in remembrance of the victims of the 1996 Olympic bombing and the weekly free concerts.
1) CNN Center
The CNN Center is probably one of the most visited tourist attractions in Atlanta. You can see different CNN shows and the various departments that comprise the company. The favorite part for many visitors is the control room where they can observe a live news broadcast. The center also has a gigantic escalator that will take you to the top of the CNN building. After the tour you can relax at the food court which has just about every fast food vendor available in the US.
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2) Visitor Center
The Visitor Center has all the information needed about the park and the surrounding skyscrapers. They offer information about the history of the park, its highlights and about the events that it hosts. The Visitor Center displays several photography exhibitions depicting the history of the park.
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3) Fountain of Rings
Fountain of Rings is the main highlight of the Centennial Olympic Park. It is a a synchronized dancing fountain that was designed in 1996 for the Centennial Summer Olympics celebration. The fountain features an amazing water-play area that consists of 251 jets, shooting 12 to 35 feet in the air.
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4) Centennial Plaza
Centennial Plaza was created to celebrate the centenary of the modern Olympics. It features 23 national flags representing previous host cities of the Olympic Games. In the center of the plaza is located the official flag of the Olympic Games. The main highlight of the plaza are the eight 25 foot high, spectacular towers named the "Hermes Towers".
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5) Water Gardens
The Atlanta Water Gardens was established in 1996. It is a full-service water gardening center. This spectacular man-made landscaped water features an amazing place for people looking to have a rest from the busy streets of the city. The garden consists of unique rock arrangements and beautiful geometric tessellations of tiles.
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6) Quilt of Remembrance
Quilt of Remembrance is dedicated to 1996 Olympic bombing that killed 2 people and injured 111. This amazing memorial consists of the five rings of the Olympic logo that moves to the rhythm of music blasting from the loud speakers.
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7) Children's Garden and Playground
Children's Garden and Playground is one of the most amazing places for the young visitors of the Centennial Olympic Park. It features several attractions for children where they can burn their energy, while their parents take some rest on the benches located around the playground.
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8) Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium opened in 2005. Today it is the world's largest aquarium. The aquarium houses tens of thousands of freshwater and marine creatures. It has more than 60 habitats, 21000 square feet of viewing windows and more than 8 million gallons of fresh and marine water. The aquarium also features a 4-D theater and The Learning Loop.
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9) Coca-Cola World
The Coca-Cola World is an attraction dedicated to the heritage of the world's best-known brand. It opened in 1990. You can explore the complete story of the Coca-Cola Company. It features interactive touch screen displays, a multi-sensory 4-D movie, a fully-functioning bottling line and the opportunity to sample over 60 different products from around the world.
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