There is so much to see and do in Atlanta but not always a lot of time. However, if you are planning a trip there plan wisely to get in the most in the shortest amount of time.

With CityPASS you can save on admission, up to 44 percent, and still take in six or seven venues. I have personally traveled using CityPASS for many years and at many different destinations throughout the US and have never been disappointed.

With different grandchildren in hand I have used the program in New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and Atlanta.

I used it once again in Atlanta last month to tour several museums with a granddaughter who first enjoyed the pass as a seven-year old. She is now almost 14 and while her interests have changed her enthusiasm for visits to Atlanta venues haven’t; we just visit those museums and attractions with different eyes and mind-set. 

Even on a late Saturday afternoon, with many of the Atlanta venues filled with families, out of town visitors and some church/school groups, we were able to get in and tour two museums/attractions (both located next to each other) before their 6 p.m. closing.

The first venue, the new Center for Civil and Human Rights, is inspirational and informative.

My granddaughter had actually visited with her school prior to our joint visit. She was inspired and excited to “show” me this venue. Molly outlined the “not to be missed displays and interactive areas which we absolutely had to see.

One of those places was right at the luncheon counter in a restaurant where blacks couldn’t sit before the Civil Rights bill. It was an amazingly realistic participation on both our parts.

Molly had been educated to talk about more issues and stories which she didn’t know about prior to her first visit to the Center. This museum is the perfect setting for people of all ages to discuss how the legacies of the past connect to their lives today.

She found it even more interesting than she did when as a younger child I took her to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the Georgia Aquarium and other Atlanta attractions covered by CityPASS.

She, like I, had made previous visits to the World of Coca-Cola. This venue is all about Coca-Cola and as such it is one expansive promotion about Coke and its products. That said, the advertisement is accomplished in a fun way with lots of happiness.

We both found that a relatively new video in the Coca-Cola Theater, which celebrates life’s Moments of Happiness, both touching and beautiful.

Molly agreed that viewing just this video was reason enough to pay another visit to the site. An added bonus was treating you to tasting of more than 100 different beverages.

At this time of year, many families like to have their kids/or entire family photographed with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear in a holiday setting.

We are planning a future visit to the College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan experience which offers multiple interactive exhibits and an ultra-high-definition 4K film.  

The Center for Civil and Human Rights is located in downtown Atlanta next to The World of Coca-Cola at 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. Civilandhumanrights.org.

The area around these museums is undergoing lots of construction. Many of streets, when we visited, had detours or barriers. Parking in a garage adjacent to the museum complex offers easy access but has a minimum cost of $10.

There are five attractions within walking distance included on the CityPASS. At most you can skip the ticket lines and you can visit the attractions in any order within a nine day period.

Only the Fernbank Museum and Zoo Atlanta require you to get into a car and travel a distance to visit. You can access the interactive map at citypass.com/atl-map.

Atlanta CityPASS offers one booklet with 5 admission tickets and several other discount tickets/coupons. You can purchase at any CityPASS attraction or go online:citypass.com/atl-plan. If you purchased the full admission price at all these venues you would pay $130.30 plus tax for adults and $108.50 plus tax for a child ages 3-12. The pass prices are $73.25 plus tax for an adult and $59.35 plus tax. (These rates are valid until February 29, 2016).

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