A monolithic gray granite outcropping, carved with a massive monument to the
cofederacy, Stone Mountain is a distinctive landmark on Atlanta's horizon
and the focal point of its major recreation are 3,200 acres of lakes and
beautiful wooded parkland. It's Georgia's number one tourist Mecca and one
of the 10 most visited paid attractions in the United States. Stone Mountain
itself was formed about 300 million years ago, when intense heat and
pressure caused molten material cooled slowly and formed compact, uniform
crustals. Intiasly, a 2 mile thick overlay of the earth's surface covered
the hardened granite, but over the next two hundred million years, that
eroded, exposing the mountain we see today. The dome shapped rock rises 1683
feet above sea level and covers 583 acres. Half of Georgia and part of North
Carolina rest on the mountains base. Although the best view of the mountain
is from below, the vistas from the top are spectacular. Vistitors who are
part mountain goat can take a walking trail up and down its moss - covered
slops, especially lovely in spring when they' re blaketed in wildflowers or
you can ride the Skulift to the top, where you have an incredible view of
Atlanta and the Appalachian Mountains. The best plan is to take the cable
car up, then walk back down. A highlight at stone mountain is the Lasershow
spectacular, an astonishing display of laser lights and fireworks with
animation and maste. The brilliant laser beams are projected on the
mountain's north face, a natural one milion square - foot screen. The show
begins in March, when it can be seen on Saturdays at 8.30pm. From Memorial
Day Weekend through Labor Day, the show takes place each night at 9.30pm
after Labor Day, it can be seen at 8.30pm Saturdays only through Octomber.
Bringe a picnic supper and arrive early to get a good spot on the lawn at
the base of the mountain.
Hours: Year - round gates open 6am to midnight.
Major attraction open fall and winter 10am to 5pm.
spring and summmer 10am to 8pm
Address: 6867 Memorial Dr
Location: Stone Mountain, GA, 16 miles east of downtown on U.S.78
Phone: 800/317 - 2006 outside
metropolitan Atlanta,
770/498 - 5690 |
|
