Recreation and Sports Events in Atlanta

Whether it’s hiking, biking, canoeing, playing golf or watching professional sports, Atlanta has something for all sports enthusiasts.

Splishing and Splashing

Lake Lanier, northeast of downtown Atlanta, has houseboats and pontoons for rent year round; call Lake Lanier Islands (770-932-7200) for details and boat rental information, or Blue Ridge Houseboats (770-739-1010) for house boating on Lake Altoona.

Play Ball!

Third baseman Chipper Jones supplies his All-Star offensive power to the Atlanta Braves (Turner Field, 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta, 404-522-7630), while the past and present pitching staff includes Cy Young Award winners Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine, along with some of the best young talent in the baseball business. The Ivan Allen, Jr. Braves Museum and Hall of Fame (Turner Field, 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta, 404-614-2311) displays some of the team’s most treasured artifacts, including Hank Aaron’s 715th home run bat and ball, as well as the hard-won 1995 World Series trophy and championship rings.

Trail Mix

A favorite bicycle trail for Atlantans and visitors is the six-mile asphalt path in Piedmont Park (Piedmont Ave. and 14th St., Atlanta, 404-817-6744). Hourly bike rentals are available at the park’s south end. You can rent a single-speed bike at Stone Mountain Park (770-498-5600) and cycle the five-mile loop around the mountain or 20 miles of paved roads. If hiking is more your speed, head for Stone Mountain Park’s 6.25-mile or 2.25-mile trails. Hikers can also try Red Top Mountain (770-975-0055) and Panola Mountain (770-389-7801). In the Chattahoochee National Forest (770-297-3000), about 65 miles from Atlanta, hikers can amble through lush forests of pine, hickory and oak. The United States Forest Service office (770-297-3000) can provide trail listings and maps.

Team Efforts

Professional football, basketball, baseball, hockey and women’s soccer — what more could a sports fan possibly ask for? Atlanta’s newest professional team is the Atlanta Beat (Georgia Tech, Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta; 877-762-2371), one of eight new Women’s United Soccer Association teams. The Atlanta Thrashers (Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, 404-584-7825) launch their attack this October. The NBA’s Atlanta Hawks (Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, 800-462-2849) celebrate their 37th season in Atlanta in 2005–2006. In true Atlanta fashion, the locals have flocked to see the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons (Georgia Dome, 1 Georgia Dome Drive, Atlanta, 404-249-6400), setting all-time attendance records.

Golf Tournaments Galore

Aside from numerous golf courses, Georgia has its fair share of high-profile golf tournaments. In 2005, Tiger Woods won his fourth Masters Tournament (Augusta National Golf Course, 2604 Washington Road, Augusta, 706-667-6000). The 2006 tournament will be held April 3–9. The BellSouth Classic (TPC at Sugarloaf, 2595 Sugarloaf Club Drive, Duluth, 770-951-8777), which takes place April 1–7, 2002, brings the finest players in the world to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. April 29 through May 5, 2002, the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship, Hosted by Nancy Lopez (Eagles Landing Country Club, 100 Eagles Landing Way, Stockbridge, 770-474-4653) features the nation’s top women professionals and a purse of $1.2 million.