Families looking for fun things to see and do this summer need not look no further than downtown Atlanta.

That’s right; downtown Atlanta.

While you might think that the city’s core is the province of office workers, conventioneers and autos stuck in traffic, staying in the heart of the city makes good sense and savings cents for summer visitors.

This past weekend I found myself a conventioneer, tourist and a participant in a family celebration. All of those events took place in the heart of Georgia’s capital city.

For all those reasons I also found myself a guest at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel on Courtland Street N.E. in downtown.

The hotel’s location and amenities turned out to be perfect in every respect. Locations I couldn’t reach by foot, I could easily access by an easy shuttle ride or by car. The hotel’s garage provided in and out privileges for parking.

The concierge staff, including Andre Greer and Kiki McCoy, went the extra mile to make sure one not only received the information needed, but also was equipped with maps and print-outs for requested destinations.

While not a new hotel, the Sheraton has undergone extensive renovation and updating. Making the large property perfectly situated for all kinds of events.

The beautiful indoor pool in the garden courtyard is surrounded by lush greenery and sports a retractable glass roof. After a day of sightseeing or extensive indoor meetings, the pool provides a quick and welcomed respite.

Need more exercise? Head to the hotel’s fitness center. Or if you are like my husband, walk two blocks (uphill) and reach one of his favorite destinations, Gold’s Gym.

The hotel also offers an open Internet area with Wi-Fi Internet access. This area is adjacent to the hotel’s Collage, Fandangles Restaurant and The Deli.

We sampled the food in both the restaurants and during private banquet events. Under the tutelage of Executive Chef Steve Jamison the meals were delicious and attractively presented.

For more info: www.sheratonatlantahotel.com or 800 833-8624.

Once you leave the hotel and are in need of directions or guidance, don’t hesitate to stop a member of Downtown Atlanta’s Ambassador Force. This organization of 67 men and women are easy to spot- they are patrolling the sidewalks dressed in red, white and blue, either on foot, on bicycles or zipping around on Segways.

Some can be found manning the Ambassador Booth at the intersection of Andrew Young International Boulevard and Peachtree Street, two blocks up from the hotel.

The family-oriented attractions within walking distance are numerous. There is Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium at 225 Baker Street. Some fellow conventioneers took advantage of The “Journey with Gentle Giants" program which permits visitors to swim or Scuba with whale sharks. Others, myself included, availed ourselves of a great “Behind the Scenes” tour of the aquarium operations.

Who knew that the aquarium has its own animal surgery suites, food preparation kitchens, chemistry labs and harvests its own sea coral?

Even if you don’t avail yourself of these extra special tours, just viewing tens of thousands of unique marine life such as beluga whales, penguins and sea otters is worth the visit.

For more info: www.georgiaaquarium.org or 404 581-4000.

We tried two times to get into the Diana: A Celebration exhibition at the Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Avenue N.E. (also within walking distance of the hotel) without luck. On that Sunday, tickets sold out quickly. The exhibition chronicles the life and humanitarian work of Diana, Princess of Wales. But I think most visitors, myself included, wanted to see the more than 150 objects, including her wedding gown, designer dresses and family heirlooms.

The exhibition is scheduled to close on Sunday, June 13, but check for any additional extensions of the exhibit.

For more info: www.dianaexhibition.com or 404 523-6275.

We did get to see another spring block-buster show, The Allure of the Automobile which is at the High Museum of Art through June 20. The High Museum is located at the Woodruff Arts Center at 1280 Peachtree Street, N.E. which is in midtown. (Not in walking distance of downtown). This show has already been held over because of its great attractions: cars which are not only “feats of design and engineering but also rolling works of art.”

This show is truly amazing, whether or not you are a car buff. Autos such as a 1934 Packard LeBaron Runabout Speedster or a 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray represent the best of rare and limited-edition cars from legendary car makers.

The historical information which is on display near the car is as interesting as the auto itself. Some of these autos were owned and driven by royalty. Others belonged to actors or scoundrels. All are beautifully restored, luxurious and maintained in pristine condition. Some are one-of-a-kind designs.

For more info: www.high.org or 404 733-HIGH. The museum is closed on Monday.

The World of Coca-Cola presents an amazing story of the Atlanta-based soft drink manufacturer. Within the well-designed museum is a replica of a bottling plant, a pop culture gallery, various films, and a 4-D theater and last but definitely not least, a tasting room where you can sample every drink the company has ever produced and you can enjoy them to your heart’s content. There is also a large gift shop. The museum is located at Pemberton Place, 121 Baker Street, across the park from the Georgia Aquarium.

For more info: www.worldofcocacola.com or 800 676-COKE.

Nearby to the World of Coca Cola is Atlanta’s lasting legacy to the 1996 Olympic Games, Centennial Olympic Park. The 21 acres, which encompasses the park, offer the Fountain of Rings (great for cooling off in HotAtlanta). Free concerts, family fun days and playgrounds are also park staples. Admission is free and the park is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, including holidays.

For more info: www.centennialpark.com or the activity hotline, 404 222-PARK (7275).

CNN is located at 190 Marietta Street, N.W., across from Centennial Park . This building houses the original home of CNN, the Cable News Network, and a broadcasting news company. The facility’s “Inside CNN Studio Tour" offers a peak into how one of the world’s largest news gathering organizations operates on a daily basis. Family members of all ages find something of interest here on the 55-minute guided walking tour of the global headquarters of CNN.

The best chance to see a live broadcast is Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Phone reservations are accepted 404 827-2300 weekdays during business hours.

For more info: www.cnn.com/tour or 877 4CNN-Tour.

Several of the talked-about attractions are available at a discount with the purchase of an Atlanta CityPass. The price for adults is $74 (a $152 value) and $54 for children ages 3-12. The pass will get you into the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, Inside CNN Studio tour and your choice of the High Museum of Art or the Atlanta History Center (in Buckhead). Also included on the pass are Zoo Atlanta (close to downtown) and your choice of the Fernbank Museum of Natural History or the Atlanta Botanical Garden (both also close to downtown. You have nine consecutive days to use each ticket once. After the first day’s use, you have eight more consecutive days to use the pass before it expires.

You can purchase the pass at the first attraction you visit or check www.citypass.com or call 888 330-5008.