Go rafting, fishing, and birdwatching in and around the city

Word to the wise: The river doesn't run directly through the center of the city; visiting the sites can require a little time in the car.

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is actually a series of small parks in and around the city, but anyone new to the area should start at the visitor's center just north of Atlanta for maps and information about how to get to certain sections and what you can do there. The information provided is for this headquarters.

With trails, rafting, fishing, and wildlife, the river is one of Atlanta's best outlets for the outdoor enthusiast. You'll also find historic sites along the way, such as significant Civil War mill ruins on the Vickery Creek unit. Locals love to rent tubes and float from Powers Island to Paces Mill in the scorching hot and humid summers.