Atlanta Excursions

Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain is situated about 20 minutes from Atlanta and features numerous man-made and natural attractions. Most awesome of these is the huge relief carving of the three Southern heroes of the Civil War, which has been etched into the mountainside. The images of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson cover an area larger than a football field and are part of the largest relief sculpture in the world. Three sculptors worked in succession on the carving, beginning with Gutzon Borglum in 1915. He later became famed for his carvings at Mount Rushmore. Subsequently two other artists pursued the work that was completed finally in 1972. Visitors can either walk up the mountain or take the Skylift to the top from where the views of Atlanta and the Appalachian Mountains are incredible. Stone Mountain also features a restored Antebellum Plantation featuring a colonial mansion, slave cabins, coach houses and barns. The park also contains several lakes and hiking trails, a wildlife reserve and petting zoo.

Website: www.stonemountainpark.com; Telephone: For 24-hour Park information call (770) 498 5690 within the metro Atlanta area or 1-800-401-2407 outside metro Atlanta; Opening time: Daily from 10am; closing hours vary according to the season and attraction. Summit Skyride open daily 10am to 5pm with extended hours in summer and on holidays; Admission: Various packages available. A one day all-attraction pass costs $25 (adults), $19 (children 3-11), or just vehicle entry to the park is $8. Skyride: $9 (adults), $7 (children), return