Getting to Know Atlanta

The Atlanta metropolitan area is quite large and sprawling, but the city itself is compact, only 131 square miles. Most of the areas that are popular with visitors are inside the city limits.

For information about hotels, restaurants, and attractions, contact the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), 233 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 2000, Atlanta, GA 30303 (tel. 404/222-6688; www.atlanta.net). Call or write in advance to obtain a copy of Atlanta Now (the official visitors' guide), a Metro Atlanta Attractions Guide, a map, a book of discounts, and a 2-month calendar of events.

In town, you can visit ACVB information centers at many locations. The best of the information centers is at Underground Atlanta, 65 Upper Alabama St. (tel. 404/523-2311). Open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm, Sunday from noon to 6pm, this is the most comprehensive of all the ACVB centers. In addition to information on attractions, dining, shopping, and city tours, highlights at the Underground location include:

An interactive exhibit on the city's cultural organizations. Visitors can access information on museums, plays, events, and concerts. The exhibit displays a photo, written description, and map for each subject or organization.

AtlanTIX!, a ticket booth that sells day-of-show half-price tickets to theater, dance, and other live performances throughout the metro area.

A display about Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport that includes a real Delta Air Lines cockpit connected by a live feed to the airport control tower.

An exhibit demonstrating how to travel around the city.

A film about Atlanta, shown in a new theater.

Exhibits on Atlanta's history, neighborhoods, and sports teams.

City tour departures: Gray Line runs sightseeing tours Tuesday through Saturday from the Underground center. No reservations are necessary. Call tel. 800/965-6665 or 404/767-0594 for information.

Other information centers are located at Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Rd., open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 5pm, Sunday from noon to 6pm (no phone); Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, near the car-rental booths between the north and south baggage-claim areas and open Monday through Friday from 9am to 9pm, Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 12:30 to 6pm (no phone); and Georgia World Congress Center, 285 International Blvd., which operates only during GWCC conventions (no phone).

The Travelers Aid Society of Metropolitan Atlanta is a private nonprofit agency providing help to travelers in distress -- assisting stranded travelers, providing crisis counseling, straightening out ticket mix-ups, and helping with special needs. Travelers Aid has an office at the airport near baggage claim that's open Monday through Friday (tel. 404/766-4511). Because the office is staffed by volunteers, hours are irregular. Travelers who need assistance and find that location closed should call the office at 828 W. Peachtree St., Suite 320 (tel. 404/817-7070), which is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5pm.