GAK points out that Atlanta has ranked among National Geographic’s global list of 50 “Places of a Lifetime”.  In other words, it’s their 50 cities to visit before you die.

How can Atlanta compete with the likes of Vienna, Chicago and Paris?

NatGeo actually does a pretty good job of hitting the high points: trees, architecture, neighborhoods, food, shopping, arts.  (Emory prof does an even better job in a related Atlanta essay.) The big tourist spots like World of Coke, the aquarium and Turner Field are also mentioned in passing, but isn’t it interesting how most these “must visit” attributes really aren’t things you can buy tickets to, but must experience collectively?

Interesting.