Georgia | See Atlanta, the Peach State’s capital

Atlanta (www.atlanta.net) is a wonderful getaway. Music venues attract big-name stars as well as local artists. Theaters bring the finest dramatic performances within reach.

For getaways with the kids, the amazing Children’s Museum of Atlanta (www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org) stands ready to absorb a lot of energy. And the 2015 season for Braves baseball (www.braves.com) is in full swing.

Follow history and become inspired at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site (ww.nps.gov/malu) & Sweet Auburn District (http://1.usa.gov/1cQStxr). The Sweet Auburn area was the thriving center of Atlanta’s black enterprise from the 1890s to the 1940s. At the site, explore King’s birth home, historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and The King Center, where King’s Nobel Peace Prize is displayed. The crypt and gravesite of King and his wife, Coretta, are also located there.

Take in the Centennial Olympic Park area, near the popular World of Coca-Cola (www.worldofcoca-cola.com), Atlanta Aquarium (www.georgiaaquarium.org) and tour-able CNN (www.cnn.com/tour).

Get some fresh air and spend an afternoon on the Atlanta BeltLine (www.beltline.org), considered the largest urban redevelopment project currently under way in the nation. The Eastside Trail offers scenic walking and biking paths adorned with inventive art installations throughout. When completed in 2030, the BeltLine will create a 22-mile walking, jogging and biking trail in the heart of town.

Visitors come to Atlanta to shop. Just west of Midtown Atlanta, the Westside is now a focal point for boutique shopping. Westside Provisions District is an outdoor shopping destination that offers an industrial-chic streetscape, plentiful outdoor seating and portable treats like Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Not-to-be-missed shops include Atlanta MADE (www.atlantamade.us), which specializes in high-quality housewares, jewelry, furniture and artisan goods made in Atlanta. Native Sid Mashburn established his namesake boutique (www.sidmashburn.com) in 2007. Wife Ann Mashburn created her women’s clothing boutique (www.annmashburn.com), known for tailored shirts with vintage-inspired patterns.

The Atlanta Food and Wine Festival (May 28-31, www.atlfoodandwinefestival.com) welcomes foodies to experience the best in Southern cuisine, at the Loews Atlanta Hotel in Midtown and other places around town.

The Atlanta Jazz Festival (www.atlantafestivals.com), held Memorial Day weekend, brings more than 100 jazz performers for performances throughout the city.

The Shaky Knees Music Fest, set for May 13-15 next year, (www.shakykneesfestival.com) features bands across four outdoor stages as well as food trucks, artisans and vendors at Atlantic Station.

You won’t have to give up the outdoors while dining at these fresh-on-the-scene eateries that offer vibrant patios: King + Duke (www.kinganddukeatl.com), one of the latest from celebrated chef-owner Ford Fry, in upscale Buckhead. Also in Buckhead: The Salt Yard (wwww.saltyardatlanta.com) specializes small plates; enjoy them on the sun-soaked patio overlooking Peachtree Road. Villains Wicked Heroes (www.villains-atl.com), a fast-casual, comic-inspired sandwich shop in the heart of Midtown. Or find out why these local favorites are the local favorites: Park Tavern (www.parktavern.com), Tap (http://bit.ly/1biMCNZ) and Tin Lizzy’s (www.tinlizzyscantina.com).

This story was originally published August 5, 2015 at 12:47 PM with the headline "Georgia | See Atlanta, the Peach State’s capital."