Discover Atlanta

As you begin preparations for the 2014 Annual Meeting in Atlanta, take some time to plan some off-site excursions. Below you will find quick links from the Atlanta CVB plus a curated list by our meeting organizers of activities and restaurants to explore while you're at the meeting. Check back for updates.

Quick Links

50 Fun Things to Do in Atlanta

Plan for options like The Georgia Aquarium, walking tours of Atlanta's neighborhoods, or a studio tour.

Have Fun in Atlanta

Atlanta Dining

Explore food options by cuisine, location, deals, and recommendations.

Explore Atlanta Gastronomy

Savings in the City

AIChE Annual Meeting attendees can enjoy exclusive deals during your time in Atlanta. 

Download Atlanta Savings Card

Special discount to the Georgia Aquarium

Special discount to the Churchill Exhibit at the Millennium Gate Museum

Peachtree Center is a three-tiered retail mall connected via skybridge to The Marriott Marquis and the Hyatt Regency that suits every budget. With over 60 specialty shops, six full-scale restaurants, a food court, and more than 20 personal and business services to handle your personal needs and errands during your stay in Atlanta.  Be sure to visit the AIChE registration area to learn more and to obtain coupons for extra savings during your stay!

Peachtree Center

Discover Atlanta from Downtown to Further Afield

Click on the pictures below for recommendations of activities and restaurants near the conference venue downtown, in midtown, eastide, and further afield.

Downtown	Midtown
Eastside	Further Afield

Downtown

What to do:

• Georgia Aquarium* visit the world's most inspiring aquarium with over 8 million gallons of water, right in the heart of downtown. Click the link to receive a special offer for AIChE Annual Meeting and ASC attendees.
• World of Coca-Cola* permanent exhibition featuring the history of The Coca-Cola Company.
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights* museum dedicated to the achievements of both the civil rights movement in the United States and the broader worldwide human rights movement.
• Inside CNN Studio Tour* your journey into the heart of CNN Worldwide to get an up-close look at global news in the making!
• Centennial Olympic Park* 21 acre public park located in downtown Atlanta.
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History presents exhibitions and programming about natural history.
• Jimmy Carter Presidential Museum and Library located in Atlanta, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum is part of the Presidential Library system administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.
• Georgia State Capital named a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• SkyView* gives you a one-of-a-kind, thrilling look at Atlanta from atop a 200-foot tall Ferris wheel. 
• College Football Hall of Fame* offers exhibits on famous college football players & an indoor field for events.

What to eat:

• Sundial Restaurant and Bar* rotating 723 feet above Peachtree Street, The Sun Dial is Atlanta's only tri-level dining complex that offers 360-degree panoramic views of the city's skyline. 
• Capital City Club* a private social club located in Atlanta, Georgia. Chartered on May 21, 1883, it is one of the oldest private clubs in the South.
• Hard Rock Café Atlanta* located in the heart of downtown Atlanta within walking distance of numerous hotels, music venues and attractions.
• Legal Sea Foods - Restaurant & Oyster Bar* specializing in upmarket seafood, this contemporary chain also serves steaks & cocktails.
• Morton’s Steakhouse* widely regarded as the best place for prime steak anywhere.
• Ray's in the City* upscale setting for seafood, prime cuts & an extensive wine list, plus live jazz Thursday-Saturday.
• White Oak* airy, modern-rustic hangout serving Southern-tinged New American fare & specialty cocktails.
• Peachtree Center* three-tiered retail mall that suits every budget. With over 60 specialty shops, six full-scale restaurants, a food court, and more than 20 personal and business services to handle your personal needs and errands during your stay in Atlanta.  Be sure to visit the AIChE registration area to obtain coupons for meeting attendees for extra savings during your stay!

*Walking distance from hotel

Midtown

What to do:

• Atlanta Botanical Garden 30 acres botanical garden located adjacent to Piedmont Park.
• Atlantic Station  eclectic assortment of more than 50 shops reside in Atlantic Station, featuring a walkable streetscape-style setting with brick paved streets and a Central Park.
• The Millennium Gate Museum this museum is dedicated to Atlanta history, art & culture and are currently offering a special discounted rate of to their Churchill Exhibit (promo code "AIChE") to AIChE Annual Meeting and ASC attendees.
• Center for Puppetry Arts one of the few puppet museums in the world.
• High Museum of Art  renowned collection of classic and contemporary art and award-winning architecture by Richard Meier and Renzo Piano.
• Margaret Mitchell House home where Margaret Mitchell wrote most of Gone With the Wind now offers tours & a gift shop
• The Fox Theatre restored opulent theater built in 1920s with 3,600-pipe organ hosts ballet, movies & other events.
• Westside Provisions District this west midtown district has something for everyone, from art galleries to shopping and dining.
• Brickworks Atlanta at Midtown West home to renowned Atlanta restaurants, specialty shops, and professional firms and just minutes from the heart of downtown Atlanta.
• Piedmont Park 189-acre urban park located about 1 mile northeast of Downtown, between the Midtown and Virginia Highland neighborhoods.

What to eat:

• The Varsity huge storied drive-in dishing out fast-food staples & frosted orange drink to Georgia Tech fans.
• Ecco named "Best New Restaurant in America" by Esquire magazine in 2006.
• Papi's Cuban & Caribbean Grill  Papi's brings all the essence of the South Seas to Atalnta.
• Gladys Knight & Ron Winans' Chicken & Waffles singer Gladys Knight's Southern eatery serves comfort-food classics in a casual, wood-paneled space.
• Mary Mac's Tea Room this 1945-era institution draws locals & tourists for Southern comfort food in a homey space.
• Yeah! Burger Beef, bison & veggie burgers with choice of toppings, plus shakes & spirits, in modern cafe digs.
• The Vortex Bar & Grill rated "Best Burger in Atlanta"

Eastside

What to do:

• Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum most noted attraction being the Atlanta Cyclorama, a cylindrical panoramic painting of the Civil War Battle of Atlanta.
• Grant Park Atlanta's oldest city park
• Atlanta Zoo huge, modern zoo housing more than 1,500 animals from 220 species, including gorillas & pandas.
• Oakland Cemetery Atlanta's oldest cemetery and oldest landmark.
• The King Center a global destination, resource center and community institution for over a quarter century. 
• Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site hear his story, visit the home of his birth, and where he played as a child. 
• Inman Park Inman Park is a major culinary destination. Restaurant-rich, the area has more than 14 restaurants and pubs, offering American, Southern, European and ethnic cuisine.

What to eat:

• Home Grown laid-back eatery serving locally sourced breakfast & Southern fare in a retro country-diner setting.
• The Shed at Glenwood an airy industrial space shines a light on creative New American small plates, entrees & cocktails.
• Morelli's Gourmet Ice Cream & Desserts popular counter-service ice cream shop with rotating roster of innovative flavors & outdoor seating.

Further Afield

What to do:

• Atlanta History Center a history museum located in the Buckhead district of Atlanta.
• Fernbank Science Center natural history museum features hands-on exhibits, live animals & planetarium shows.
• Stone Mountain Park world's largest exposed granite monolith with relief carving of Confederate notables, surrounded by attractions and recreation in a natural environment.