Atlanta extends Southern welcome to the American Urological Association 2012 annual meeting

Atlanta, the state capital and most populous city in Georgia, is home to everything from The Coca-Cola Co. to UPS to Home Depot, and it serves as a cultural destination point for artists in hip-hop, soul, and gospel. As the stopping point for the upcoming AUA 2012 annual meeting, May 19-23, Atlanta is sure to impress with its range of simple to sophisticated offerings in the arts, entertainment, culinary, and historical scenes.

A glimpse of the city's skyline reveals a blend of high- and mid-rise buildings of modern and postmodern design. The tallest building, the 55-story Bank of America Plaza, which is a modern take on the Empire State Building's Art Deco theme, is the ninth tallest building in the country (1,023 feet). The city's fifth-tallest Westin Peachtree Plaza at 723 feet stands as one of the tallest hotel buildings in the world.

The southern city, in departing from the Old South architectural charm of cities such as Charleston, SC, or New Orleans, represents an enlightened New South with its modern buildings dotting the downtown. Known architects for some of its buildings include Michael Graves, Pickard Chilton, and Santiago Caltrava. The city's most recognizable hometown architect might be John Portman, who helped construct the atrium hotel, starting with Hyatt Regency Atlanta in 1967 and, later, Peachtree Center, Atlanta Merchandise Mart, and American Cancer Society Center.

Centennial Olympic Park marks the beginning of countless stops to include on a business-trip itinerary. Getting to most of your stops without a cab is easy with Atlanta's subway system, which is operated by Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). A bus system spanning three counties also is available.

In this hot Southern city, you won't be disappointed if you visit any of the following destinations:

The city hosts a range of museums, covering everything from history and the arts to beverages. Examples include the Atlanta History Center, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum, Rhodes Hall, Margaret Mitchell House, and, for children, the Fernbank Science Center and Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta. Although it's not exactly a museum, consider a stop at The Varsity in Atlanta, a long-lasting fast-food chain known as the world's largest drive-in restaurant.

While in town, you could make a day out of the " 'Gone with the Wind' Experience." Begin by touring the three-story Tudor Revival mansion in Midtown, where author Margaret Mitchell penned the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The Margaret Mitchell House provides tours and a museum shop. Continue north to Marietta's "Gone with the Wind" Movie Museum, which houses the largest private collection of movie mementos.