Atlanta Georgia Cyclorama

For  a quick study of the Battle of Atlanta, and to take a gander at an artistic  oddity of the 19th century, visit the Atlanta  Cyclorama and  Civil War Museum in Grant Park.This  rare panoramic painting and diorama measures 42 feet tall and 358 feet long and  is presented in a continuous 360-degree loop; theater seats slowly rotate  clockwise inside the painting’s circumference while the scenes are narrated. The  July 1864 battle is depicted with actual people, landmarks and even horses. (Look  for the diorama figure whose face was modeled after actor Clark Gable’s.) Beforehand,  view a 14-minute film about the battle campaign and take in the exhibits of the  Civil War museum, including an impressive steam locomotive, and authentic Union  and Confederate uniforms. Commissioned  in the 1880s by a political candidate, the Atlanta Cyclorama painting changed  owners several times before it moved to its permanent home in Grant Park in  1921. It was restored about 30 years ago. While visiting Grant Park, schedule enough  time to see Zoo Atlanta, home to four  giant pandas and other animals. You might also want to consider a walking tour of  Grant Park, a  leisurely stroll from which you can see the remains of old Fort Walker near the  Atlanta Avenue/Boulevard entrance. Look for the cedar rail fence and historical  marker next to this Civil War landmark. A  taste of the Old South is on the menu at Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Midtown, where,  lunch or dinner, you’ll want to sample the fried chicken and sweet iced tea. For  accommodations on your Atlanta trip, consider the brand-new 151-room St. Regis Atlanta in  Buckhead, where a Southern-themed art collection and a magnificent bar give  guests a heartfelt Georgia welcome.