After a charmed debut year when it welcomed (and collected admission charges from) more than 3 million visitors, the GEORGIA AQUARIUM has experienced a bit of a sophomore slump. This year, two of its largest animals, whale sharks Ralph and Norton, went belly-up. The deaths drew scrutiny to the aquarium’s animal-care practices, as well as prompted questions about the wisdom of bringing enormous ocean creatures to Atlanta just for our viewing pleasure. Despite those setbacks, the Home Depot Memorial Fish Tank is and will likely remain the city’s finest tourist attraction. Its size, breathtaking visual presentation and novelty make it a no-brainer for entertaining out-of-town guests. It’s our Disneyland.

225 Baker St. 404-581-4000. www.georgiaaquarium.org

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Although it doesn’t open until Nov. 23, we’re pretty sure the GEORGIA AQUARIUM deserves this honor — not least of all because the facility will move roughly 8 million gallons of water into downtown Atlanta. Bernie Marcus’ intown improvement project has the Home Depot’s name written all over it. No surprise there: The facility wouldn’t have been possible without Marcus’ ridiculously generous $200 million donation. In its first year, the giant fish tank is expected to attract more than 2 million visitors to see more than 100,000 animals representing 500 species.
www.georgiaaquarium.org.

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Even if you've lived in Atlanta for years, or - gasp! - were actually born here, STONE MOUNTAIN remains one of the metro area's most intriguing destinations. On the face of this massive monolith is, of course, the carved figures of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Not so apparent are reminders that this is where the Ku Klux Klan was reborn in 1915. As such, it was also the place famously invoked by Martin Luther King Jr. 40 years ago in his "I Have a Dream" speech. But even if you're not into history, the park is beautiful: The 3,200-acre park features many other attractions, and the vigorous hike to the top of Stone Mountain affords magnificent views of North Georgia. The Park is located just 16 miles east of downtown Atlanta off Highway 78. Entrance is $7 per vehicle at the park, or you can purchase an annual pass for $30. "1126 Stonewall Jackson Drive, 770-428-5600. www.stonemountainpark.com" less...

In 1996, CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK was ground zero for Olympic hubbub (which may have been why a bomb went off there). At any rate, six years later, the dancing fountains remain (not the Bellagio, but it'll do), the cool lights, the water garden and, of course, the 230,000 commemorative bricks. But best of all, the park is the site of a free concert series featuring big-name rock acts every Friday during the summer. "Corner of Techwood Drive and International Boulevard. 404-222-7275. "www.centennialpark.com. less...

55 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive 404-676-5151 www.woccatlanta.com Considering Coca-Cola's vast philan-thropic endowments, billion-dollar empire and local support (try to find a Pepsi at the opera), why is the World of Coke such a disaster? The museum is a cheesy commercialized walk through time, complete with an old-fashioned soda shoppe and futuristic Coke dispenser (flashing lights included). Intended to be an educational and fun history of the popular soft drink, the museum is filled with tacky memorabilia fit for a roadside antique shop, and a gift shop larger than the exhibit itself. The best part of the museum is the taste room, where you can sample Coke from other countries (American Coke contains the most sugar) and, like the rest of the experience, leave with nothing but a bad taste in your mouth. Take our advice: Buy a six-pack and sleep in an extra hour. less...

When looking to revitalize downtown, many cities rebuild run-down shopping districts, retro-fitting them with new-style malls boasting outdoor cafes, the finest shops and a romantic view of the skyline. Atlanta, however, thought it better to erect an old-style mall underground, out of view from the everyday life of the city, and stock it with a few chain stores, middle-of-the-road restaurants and lots of places that sell a whole lot of nothing. As a tourist attraction, think of it as our hometown version of Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum: Believe it or not, someone thought this place was a good idea. less...

Visitors who've shelled out $8 for the tour ($6 for seniors, $5 for kids) report the most memorable part of the 45-minute walk is a trip to a viewing area, where you can watch the anchors from behind a glass wall. In other words, pretty much what you see if you're sitting in front of your TV. If you know someone who works there — and, given the number of employees, chances are you do — your best bet of actually seeing the insides of the news organization is to ask him or her for an informal, personalized walk-through, because Lord knows you're not going to see much on this official tour. less...