A Nod to Georgia’s Sites Beyond Our Dealership

Here at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, we cherish the long history and rich culture of our beloved home state, Georgia. Our diverse blend of people from all different backgrounds has come together to create an eclectic mix of interesting communities. Georgia’s warm weather, southern comfort food, and kind-hearted people are the soul of our state.

When you come down to shop for a great deal on your next Buick, you’ll always be greeted with the hospitality that Georgians are famous for. Just a hop, skip and jump away from our beautiful capital city Atlanta, Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth appreciates our neighboring unique and impactful historical sites. Even if you’ve lived here your whole life, it’s worth taking some time to check out these important landmarks to learn about the development of not only Atlanta but also the greater United States.

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park

The first destination on our list is the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park. The birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. is located on 501 Auburn Avenue in a neighborhood known as Sweet Auburn. It’s open to the public for ranger-led tours from 10 AM to 4 PM daily, except on Thanksgiving Day, New Years Day, and Christmas Day.

Although there are numerous streets and buildings named after the greatest civil rights leader of the modern era, it’s only in Atlanta where you can see the full story of his life and legacy on display. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in 1929, and as a minister, he took his divinely-inspired message of equality and brotherly love to be his mission in life. He believed in nonviolent protest as a vehicle for elevating all people.

From Birmingham to Selma, to DC, King and his actions were an inspiration for all Americans. At this national historic park, you can visit the D.R.E.A.M. gallery to see various featured exhibitions. You can also visit the Memorial World Peace Rose Garden, the King Center, and the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. There’s certainly lots to see and, more importantly, a wealth of inspiration to be gained from an afternoon spent at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park.

The Atlanta History Center

Moving on to another historical site, the Atlanta History Center showcases everything you’d want to know about our great city. Founded in 1926, the mission of the Atlanta History Center is to examine and maintain Atlanta’s history. Exhibitions are always changing, so there are endless reasons to visit even if you’ve already been in the past. Located on 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW in Atlanta, the center is typically open from 9 AM to 4 PM on Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Mondays).

After starting out in the main building of the museum, there are tons of different areas to explore. The Swan House, finished in 1928, was purchased by the Atlanta Historical Society in 1966. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Smith Family Farm, built in 1840, is a curated look back at how farms operated in 1800s Atlanta. There’s even a live goat and sheep farm to fully provide a true feel of farm life during this period in our history. The Wood Cabin in Swan Wood was most likely built prior to 1847. It offers a first-hand glimpse into early frontier life. All told, there are 33 acres of living history that’s ready for exploration.

The World of Coca-Cola Museum

If you are looking for some bubbly and upbeat fun, you are sure to find it at The World of Coca-Cola Museum. A True Georgia native, the Coca-Cola company was originally founded back in 1892. Creator, John Pemberton, envisioned Coca Cola originally as a French Wine Coca nerve tonic. It was designed as a substitute for morphine, which was a health crisis even back then.

Over the years, Coca-Cola evolved from an alcoholic and African Kola Nut based beverage to the modern, delicious, and sweet beverage we all know and love today. The World of Coca-Cola Museum takes you through the exciting backstory of this iconic American company. The loft holds nearly 200 historical objects obtained across almost 125 years of the company’s history.

The Coca-Cola theater shows related films, while the 3D theater takes you through a multi-sensory story titled, “in Search of the Secret Formula.” While you’re there, you can even visit the closely-guarded vault containing the secret formula. This area holds various interactive experiences designed to immerse the visitor in Coca-Cola’s history. Ultimately it’s easy to see how the beverage has managed to remain so enduring throughout many decades of cultural changes.

The Fox Theatre

For a view into Atlanta’s art history, check out the Fox Theatre. Originally founded in 1928 as a headquarters for the Shriners (a masonic group), you’ll notice influences from various time periods, including ancient times. The group, also known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, took inspiration from ancient and historical structures of the Middle East.

If you look closely, you’ll see elements of buildings like the Alhambra in Spain and the Temple of Karnak in the Fox Theatre’s construction. Due to its high price-tag, the Shriners were eventually forced to lease the auditorium to movie mogul, William Fox. He continued to develop the property into what it is today.

The Fox Theatre has played host to a wide array of musical performances. The Theatre honors its history while continuing to stay relevant by hosting top entertainers today. If you are looking to see a great show in Atlanta after browsing the dealership, this is a site worth visiting. In addition to concerts, lots of kid-friendly shows have been shown at the Fox Theatre, including family favorites like Frozen and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Don’t Miss Out On Atlanta’s Historic Gems

Sometimes, when you’ve been living near an area for a while, it’s easy to take for granted all of the majestic beauty and intrinsic value to be discovered right at home. Although this shortlist is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of all that Atlanta has to offer, we encourage you to take a look around and see our capital city for the precious place that it is. Imagine the world around you through a tourist’s eyes and revisit places you might have been in the past with a fresh perspective. There’s certainly a lot to love about Atlanta.

Remember to take a ride over to our dealership in Duluth to find your next vehicle. Not only do we value the sites in our surrounding communities, but we also care for the people who live in them. We want to help you find the right car at the right price. It’s no secret that the car-buying process can be stressful and overwhelming. Our friendly finance team will work with you to find a lease or loan that you can feel good about. Skip the hassles of a pushy or deceptive dealership, and contact us or visit Rick Hendrick Buick GMC instead where you’ll feel right at home. We can’t wait to change your mind about the process of car-buying.