BCA Atlanta

Check Out Some Chattahoochee Fun

admin — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The mouth of the 430 mile long Chattahoochee River is found in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northeastern Georgia. Approximately 48 of these miles flow through Atlanta and its neighboring suburbs, bringing exciting year round recreational activities to the bustling metropolis. There is so much to see and do on the Chattahoochee, vacationers and locals alike will be attracted to its lazy, winding shores.

Fishing conditions on the Chattahoochee River are good year round. Fishermen can tests their skill and luck spending the day fly-fishing, or gain an advantage by signing up with a river fishing guide to learn the best locations and lures to catch that illusive giant trout. Rich plant life on the shores of the Chattahoochee attracts a variety of waterfowl and mammals; a treat to bird and animal observers.

Tubing, kayaking and rafting are also fun and popular activities on the river. The greater stretch of the Chattahoochee running through the Atlanta area is clam and flat, but there are mild class 1 and 2 rapids in various locations, adding excitement to a leisurely paddle. Land-lovers are not forgotten; bike trails and hiking are also found near the banks of the Chattahoochee.

Centennial Olympic Park:A Fun Day for All

admin — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Centennial Olympic Park was created by Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games as a way to improve run down or vacant areas of Atlanta for the 1996 Summer Olympics. The 21-acre park is located in downtown Atlanta and hosts several events year round that the whole family will enjoy.

In the summer, children of all ages will enjoy cooling off under the Fountain of Rings. Jets of water reach heights of up to 35 feet. Computer-controlled lights are synchronize with the spraying water and music that is pumped through speakers.I found some more information here. A splash pad was designed for children to play in, or joggers to cool off on a hot day.

Concerts are held throughout the year with Wednesday WindDown, Music @ Noon and Party in the Park bringing some of the best bands around to the park for free entertainment for the whole family. An annual Fourth of July celebration has become an Atlanta tradition for locals and tourist alike. The finale of the event is the spectacular fireworks display – the biggest in Atlanta!

If you’re planning a trip in the winter months, don’t despair. The park offers Atlanta’s only outdoor ice skating rink opening every November featuring holiday music and theatrical lighting. Holiday in Lights is a winter wonderland that you’ll not want to miss. The park is transformed with thousands of twinkling light displays that change every year.

A Shopping and Dining Delight: Atlantic Station

admin — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Atlantic Station is Atlanta’s remedy to long commutes and explosive urban growth. During its inception it was billed at a live-work-play community, because it offers Atlantans, retail establishments, residences, office towers, and eateries all within walking distance from each other. However, you do not have to be a resident to enjoy all that Atlantic Station has to offer, as a 24-hour community, there is plenty to offer visitors who want to be able to park and take advantage of all the new entertainment and shopping experiences.

It is a bustling community, that provides homes, at a range of different income levels for about 10,000 Atlanta residents. The available housing includes, condos, apartments, duplexes, townhomes, and even single-family dwellings. and 30,000 employment opportunities. You can meet many people among the crowds that enjoy the many sidewalk cafes and if you love nature trails, and are an animal lover, take time to enjoy the expansive parks. Atlantic Station is also a green community. Cyclists can enjoy bicycle lines or you can take advantage of the free shuttle that can take you to MARTA so that, if you so choose, you can enjoy sites beyond the ground of Atlantic Station.

Atlantic Station affords Atlantans and visitors an unparalleled quality of life that is centrally located.

Be Brave: Explore the Atlanta Opera

admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When traveling to the big city of Atlanta there are plenty of things to do, which includes going to the Atlanta Opera. The tickets are nicely priced, starting at around 25.00 a piece. You can actually go to learn about the opera and those educational classes are usually free. You can get season tickets or pay to see whatever show is at the opera at the time of your visit. There are events that are by invitation only, like the Opera Ball. When you are planning your visit there is a restaurant that serves pre-opera dinner, called Mangia! and you must make reservations. Mangia! serves three-course meals with wine for around 45.00. Other restaurants around the area hook up with the opera to give theater patrons other options as well. There is also concessions that offer candy, sandwiches, and salads. There are many different shows for all ages at the Atlanta Opera, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Don Giovanni, and La bohme. Parking is pretty reasonable with self parking being 6.00 and valet being 10.00, when valet is available. There is also a private parking deck for 25 VIP Mercedes-Benz owners. So while you are exploring Atlanta make sure you have a night at the opera.The hits keep comin’: Baltimore Concert Opera Announces Beaumarchais Book-ends, Bohme and the Bard

Have Fun at the Botanical Garden

admin — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A lovely way to spend a leisurely afternoon is to visit one of the local Botanical Gardens. Botanical Gardens are not only relaxing and soothing to our senses, they also offer many great educational and inspirational experiences, as well.
The variety of plants and flowers in bloom vary from month to month, allowing new discoveries to explore with each visit. Enjoy various plant collections that show off their particular beauty, including: fragrant roses, rare orchids, exquisite water plants, seasonal and edible gardens, to name only a few.
You will enjoy participating in a variety of wonderful classes and events found at the Botanical Garden; this is an excellent way to enrich your knowledge on various species of plants and flowers. Another great feature of Botanical Gardens are the guided tours, concerts, art workshops, cooking and photo classes offered throughout the year.
Visiting the Botanical Garden is a wonderful family activity and children will be encouraged to particiapte in educational programs, as well, promoting a wonderful learning experience for them to enjoy.
Always remember to take time for a leisurely stroll through the garden; enjoy fragrant flowers, incredible colors, and the joy of experiencing the wonders of nature with all of your senses.

Out and About in Atlanta This Summer

admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Atlanta is a great city any time of year, but summer’s especially hot in Hotlanta. If you’re planning a visit or even live here, take a look at a few of our suggestions for the best things to do outdoors in the city this summer. Get the kids, set the home security atlanta alarm and head into town!
Stroll the Park: Piedmont Park is home to tons of great cultural events including numerous arts festivals throughout the year. There’s tons of room for the kids to run and play and you might even get some exercise while you’re at it!
Get in the Fountains: Centennial Olympic Park has one of Atlanta’s best known landmarks, and that’s the Olympic Rings Fountain! Alternating water features allow kids to get wet all over and it’s a great place to sit and people watch for the adults.
Go to a Game: Not exactly the kind of “culture” you’re used to on our site, but a Braves game is a great way to feel like a local! Get a hot dog, check out the numerous Coke exhibits and take a stroll all the way around Turner Stadium while you watch a game.

She’s On Your Mind

mgeedey — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 21:56:10 +0000

Thanks to Ray Charles the great state of Georgia frequently lilts through the minds of those that have been fortunate enough to sample her abundance. While Charles made his song famous on the airwaves, it is believed that Hoagy Carmichael wrote the lyrics, including two verses (which we’ve included in bold) that Charles left out of his rendition.

Georgia on My MindGeorgia, Georgia,The whole day throughJust an old sweet songKeeps Georgia on my mindI’m say GeorgiaGeorgiaA song of youComes as sweet and clearAs moonlight through the pinesOther arms reach out to meOther eyes smile tenderlyStill in peaceful dreams I seeThe road leads back to youI said Georgia,Ooh Georgia, no peace I findJust an old sweet songKeeps Georgia on my mindOther arms reach out to meOther eyes smile tenderlyStill in peaceful dreams I seeThe road leads back to youGeorgia,Georgia,No peace, no peace I findJust this old, sweet songKeeps Georgia on my mindMelodies bring memoriesThat linger in my heartMake me think of GeorgiaWhy did we ever part?Some sweet day when blossoms fallAnd all the world’s a songI’ll go back to Georgia’Cause that’s where I belong.

The Atlanta Jazz Festival

www.bcaatlanta.com — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:36:24 +0000

Often labeled as one of America’s largest Jazz Festivals, this annual celebration is hosted at Piedmont Park, and features the music of talented legends as well as up-and-coming artists.The whole purpose of the festival is to provide beautiful music to Jazz lovers (both young and old) and introduce music enthusiasts to the rich heritage that Jazz music has to offer. However, the best part about the festival is you can enjoy the phenomenal music for free!Last year’s performers showcased a variety of talent across several age groups. Just some of the past musicians have included Kathleen Bertrand, Spyro Gyra, Joe Gransden, the Steven Charles Band, and the Rialto Jazz for Kids All Star Jazz Band.Alongside listening to great jazz music, kids can enjoy a number of entertaining activities; last year’s attractions included jump rope contests, a rock wall, and the Atlanta Braves batting cage.The 2011 festival will be held May 28^th- 30^th(Memorial Day Weekend). However, next year’s performers have yet to be released.

The sports culture of Atlanta

www.bcaatlanta.com — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:39:17 +0000

When talking about Atlanta’s rich history and culture, it would be impossible to ignore the Atlanta Braves. One of America’s favorite pastimes is baseball, and to Atlanta residents, there’s no better team than the Atlanta Braves.Located at Aisle 134 (northwest side of Turner Field), the Atlanta Braves Museum and Hall of Fame hosts a collection of over 600 Braves memorabilia, and offers the perfect way to learn about the team’s history. In-fact, the museum leaves no moment of the team’s existence untouched; artifacts and photographs of the Braves’ journey from Boston through to Milwaukee are also a part of the venue.Alongside the museum, sports fanatics can take a one hour tour of the historic Turner Field. Tours begin every hour, and depending on availability, include visits to the clubhouse, the Sky Field, the press box, a Braves luxury suite, the broadcast booth, and the dugout.To enjoy an Atlanta Braves tour, adults must pay 12 (or 10 for groups larger than 20), while children’s tickets are 7. To visit the museum, it’s 2 during a game and 5 when there’s no game.Naturally, the hours of the tours and museum vary depending on whether or not there is a game. During baseball season, the venue is open from 9am to 3pm every Monday through Saturday, and from 1pm to 3pm on Sundays. If there is an afternoon home game, tours are not offered. Meanwhile, From October to March, you can visit the site from 10am to 2pm everyday but Sunday.As for the museum, you can visit during the game; the venue opens two and a half hours before the event and stays open until the middle of the seventh inning.Visit the website for more information on holiday and in/off season hours.

2010 Halloween events

www.bcaatlanta.com — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:33:00 +0000

Halloween is almost here and Atlanta is celebrating in style. To help you make the most of the city’s festivals and events, we’ve compiled a list of the top holiday inspired celebrations.Boo at the ZooStarting on the weekend of October 23 and lasting until Halloween weekend, Zoo Atlanta hosts their Boo at the Zoo event. Running from 11am and ending at 3pm, families can expect to enjoy delicious treats, traverse magical paths, interact with numerous characters, and see over 1,000 animals. Zoo members can attend the event for free, otherwise general admission allows for free access to Boo at the Zoo.Capturing the Spirit of Oakland ToursThe most historically rich Halloween event occurs after dark. Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Tours provides first-hand accounts of Atlanta’s history from a collection of Oakland’s permanent inhabitants. Don’t forget your flashlight and book your tickets now, for the tours are only offered on the weekend of October 22^nd.Halloween HikesA spooky-less event, the Halloween Hikes are perfect for families. Journey through the forest to meet a variety of costumed creatures and enjoy a number of attractions, too; such as face painting and warming yourself by the bonfire. Tickets are 8, but if your child is under two, you can take them for free. Don’t miss this Friday and Saturday event, running from October 22^nd through to October 30^th.Scarecrows in the GardenThroughout the month of October, visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden for Scarecrows in the Garden. Currently in its ninth year, the event showcases close to 100 scarecrows to fit all artistic styles. In-fact, the event is also a competition, and the designers compete in the professional and nonprofessional classes to earn great prizes. Admission is 15; however, seniors and children pay 12.