While MLA’18 was a great opportunity for professional development, it also provided the chance to explore the city of Atlanta. I went to college in nearby Decatur, but coming back to Atlanta as a professional librarian allowed me to experience the city as a tourist. Here are three of the top attractions that I enjoyed while at MLA’18 that you might explore on your next visit to the ATL:
- Centennial Olympic Park - Surrounded by attractions like the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 Summer Olympics, is a serene oasis in the center of downtown, perfect for taking a quick conference break.
- High Museum of Art - One of the leading art museums in the Southeast, the High has an incredibly diverse collection and is located centrally in the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown. The permanent and temporary exhibits are a treat for any art lover.
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park - Part of the National Park Service, the MLK Jr. National Historic Park is actually composed of several different places of significance in the life of Martin Luther King Jr. While I visited the exhibitions at The King Center, any of of the MLK Jr. sites are a worthy addition to any visit to Atlanta.
Though on early conference mornings I most appreciated the city’s coffee offerings (shoutout to Dancing Goats, Ebrik, and Octane), MLA’18 provided the perfect opportunity to explore the sites that make Atlanta unique.