DESTINATIONS ATLANTA | THE US
FROM FAR LEFT: The King Center (top); National Center for Civil and Human Rights; Ponce City Market; Great Smoky Mountains; Grand Ole Opry, Nashville PICTURES: James Duckworth, Gene Phillips/
AtlantaPhotos.com; Atlanta CVB; Shutterstock
MOVING ON
But Atlanta isn’t the only jewel in the region’s crown. Heading north, the Dahlonega Wine Country makes for an indulgent stopover on the way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s a popular park for a reason, with a marvellous mix of mountain views, hiking trails, picturesque streams and wildlife-spotting opportunities. Just north of the park is Dollywood – Dolly Parton’s theme park, and a masterclass in kitsch. From there, country music capital Nashville is not too far away. The Grand Ole Opry is the classic spot for live music, while the Country Music Hall of Fame should pull in cowboy boots and banjo lovers. Further east is Tennessee’s other musical hotspot, Memphis. This is where you can visit Elvis’s Graceland mansion and have a lively night out in the renowned bars
of Beale Street. There’s also the legendary Sun Studio where Elvis, Johnny Cash and more recorded, plus the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. It’s not just about the music, of
course. The National Civil Rights Museum links into a theme that can provide the backbone of a road trip through the Deep South. And at Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, visitors can learn more about the bus boycott that sparked the civil rights movement as a whole.
Other key civil rights sites can be found in Sumner, Mississippi, where the Emmett Till murder trial was held, and Selma, Alabama, the focal point of marches for the right to vote. More in-depth information and itinerary suggestions linked to the theme can be found at the Civil Rights Trail website (
civilrightstrail.com).
GO EAST
Just east of Atlanta, college town Athens – home of REM – has a fabulous State Botanical Garden and a fantastic array of craft beer bars. A little farther along, Augusta is a golfer’s pilgrimage site: the Augusta National Golf Club is where the US Masters is held. Over on the coast are two grand old dames, including charming Charleston – all 18th-century houses and intriguing museums – and the equally historic Savannah. It brims with heritage mansions and is home to the Bonaventure Cemetery, plus museums covering everything from the prohibition era to African art. Boat rides out to the coastal islands, which are hotspots for birdwatching, are available too. If driving between the two (it takes just over two hours), a beachy stop for a night or two at Hilton Head Island is a good bet.
WHERE TO STAY Many of Atlanta’s hotels are in the richer northern suburbs. The Whitley, in shop and restaurant- packed Buckhead, is a fine example. There’s a sizeable pool, a house car service that’ll take you anywhere within a couple of miles, and stately, spacious rooms with light flora and fauna-themed decor. Rooms cost from around £100 (
thewhitleyhotel.com). For somewhere close to the Beltline action, the Hotel Clermont has had a hip makeover, with mirrors essentially pieces of glass art and big animal images on the cushions. Expect to pay from around £100 (
hotelclermont.com). Midtown offers a halfway house,
with plenty of arts venues around. The new AC by Marriott is a safe choice – all calming light woods, plus a rooftop bar and pool. Doubles from around £187 (
marriott.co.uk).
TW
travelweekly.co.uk
4 JULY 2019
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