Atlanta–Discover the Possibilities Of the `Athens of the South'

In Atlanta the possibilities are endless. The city, which will host this year's Institute on Psychiatric Services from October 6 to 10, is known as a prime site for meetings, conventions, and trade shows and is consistently ranked as one of the top five convention cities in the country.,

Atlanta earned this reputation with its first-class hotels and transportation and meeting facilities, but the city is much more than a meeting destination. The city has developed into the entertainment and cultural center of the South, with more than 18 million visitors arriving each year to experience Atlanta's abundant attractions.

World-class restaurants, festive nightlife, exciting sports teams, and a wealth of cultural attractions and events help make Atlanta the center for entertainment in the South.

Diverse restaurants feature cuisine prepared by world-renowned chefs and served amid any ambiance and décor you can imagine. From Thai food to French delicacies, the culinary riches of almost any culture can be found in Atlanta.

Culture and history are front and center in Atlanta. Visitors to the city's many theaters, museums, galleries, concert halls, and family attractions can enjoy a wide array of art, drama, dance, and music. Visitors in town for APA's institute may want to see “The Color Purple” at the Alliance Theater or take in the exquisite glass exhibit by Dale Chihuly at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History offers culture with a twist at“ Martinis at Imax,” and on the first Thursday of each month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., in an event called Turner First Thursday, visitors can take a self-guided tour of downtown art galleries, tour the historic districts of downtown, and enjoy various discounts at restaurants.

Like most leading cities, Atlanta has many interesting neighborhoods worth exploring. Buckhead, the “Beverly Hills of the South,” features luxurious homes, upscale shopping, and the finest dining and entertainment. Virginia Highlands, a young professionals' hot spot, is a quaint neighborhood of renovated 60- to 80-year-old homes, unique shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Other neighborhoods noted for eclectic shops and vintage boutiques, unique dining, and beautiful homes include Midtown and Little Five Points.

Discover the neighborhood that Fortune magazine called the richest black street in America at “Sweet Auburn: Where the Dream Began,” an exhibit at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, which details the vital role this historic Atlanta corridor played throughout the civil rights movement.

Atlanta has been called the “Sports Capital of the World,” a fitting term for a city with successful professional sports teams and state-of-the-art sports facilities. The city has hosted some of the world's most prestigious sporting events, including Super Bowl XXVIII, the World Series, and the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. While at the institute, meeting goers can catch local NFL action as Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons take on the Detroit Lions at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, October 10.

With more than 700 hotels offering 90,000 hotel rooms that can accommodate any budget, Atlanta's hotels offer the finest in service and amenities. Atlanta is nearer than you think: 80 percent of the U.S. population is within a two-hour flight of the city. From the heart of downtown, visitors can quickly reach Atlanta's many attractions, entertainment venues, restaurants, and neighborhoods by cab, bus, or rail. Atlanta's rapid rail and bus system, MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority), has 38 stations and 154 bus routes covering the metropolitan area at a cost of $1.75 a ride.▪