Saturday Tropical Tours

Great news for those who are not so fond of cold weather...with the opening of the annual "Orchid Daze" exhibition in early February, the Atlanta Botanical Garden will begin offering complimentary (with paid admission) drop-in tours at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays!

Tropical Palm at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Even in the dead of winter, the Garden offers a tropical escape that no where else in the City can. The Fuqua Conservatory, featuring tropical and dessert environments, as well as the Fuqua Orchid Center, are fun and beautiful respites from the cold. 

Being a native Floridian, and working Monday-Friday, I welcome these Saturday tours with open arms. If Saturdays aren't good for you, the same drop-in tour is available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. And of course you can call the Garden to arrange for guided group tours.

Swan House Tour

I've been to the Atlanta History Center on numerous occasions, but had not seen the Swan House in holiday decor...and wanted to. So, this past weekend I went.

Swan House, Atlanta History Center

I got there a few hours before they closed, hopeful that there were still some tour slots remaining (they don't let you reserve Swan House tours online, they give out tickets in-person upon arrival). Fortunate for me, the young lady who checked me in made an exception (membership has its privileges!) and got me on the very next tour.

On the downside, you can't make photographs 'inside' the Swan House, but definitely on the upside the interior is stunningly beautiful and you won't forget it!

Our tour guide, Migel (yes, that's Migel with an 'M'), was incredible! He's one of the best tour guides I've experienced in Atlanta. I didn't tell him, but I may very well be borrowing some of his material when I give my next tour. He's not only incredibly knowledgeable about the Swan House, he has a great sense of humor!

Migel also told us that the Swan House will be seen in the upcoming release of "Hunger Games: Catching Fire", the second film in the Hunger Games trilogy.

Here's a brief Atlanta History Center video on the Swan House...



And here are a few more photos...

Swan House, Atlanta History Center

Swan House, Atlanta History Center

Swan House, Atlanta History Center

The house was designed by Phillip Trammell Shutze, which was a big deal, and completed in 1928. A big deal, Shutze-designed buildings, that I'd know nothing about were it not for the education my friend Terry Kearns, author of Architecture Tourist, has provided on many of Atlanta's buildings.

There's lots to learn about the magnificent Swan House (ironically, the Swan House is half the size of the family's former home)...I always enjoy my visits there.

Head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for more photos and please share this post with your friends! Thanks!

Cover: Turner Field

Time for another Facebook Cover Photo! This one is of gigantic baseballs that line the plaza immediately in front of Turner Field...the field that was converted from our 1996 Centennial Olympic Stadium to Turner Field—Home of the Atlanta Braves.

Baseballs Aligning Plaza in Front of Turner Field

The conversion was brilliant! Unlike so many other cities that host the Olympic Games, we didn't end up with a multi-million dollar stadium sitting unused because no one could fill it. Instead, the converted stadium is regularly packed out for home games and often used for charity walks and other activities.

And they give a fantastic behind-the-scenes tour, which includes visits to the Atlanta Braves Museum & Hall of Fame, press box, locker room, dugout, and even onto the field!

Often on Friday night home games, they'll have a post-game fireworks display. But I'll save that for another Cover Photo.

ATLANTApix: Levy Parterre at Sunset

Levy Parterre at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

As the sun sets on 2010 a lot of exhibits around the city are also coming to a close. But, there's still so much to see and do in Atlanta!

The Levy Parterre at sunset (pictured here) is a sight to behold during any season. And you can get reacquainted with the Atlanta Botanical Garden any time of year with a free, docent-led tour (free with admission, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.).

You can stay warm during a visit to the Garden by visiting the tropical or desert houses in the Dorthy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory, which is as exciting today as it was the day it opened in 1989. While you're admiring the exquisite beauty of hundreds of orchids you also can learn about conservation efforts taking place at the Garden!

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!