10 Days from USAV Girls' Jr. Nationals

Candice Kasischke
Intern, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: Candice.kasischke@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 16, 2011) – The 32nd annual USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships (GJNC) will take place from June 25-July 4 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

The GJNC hosts nearly 9,500 athletes annually, whom all earned their tickets to the tournament through USAV qualification tournaments, at-large berths, bids from their own USA Volleyball Regions or re-allocation bids. To view qualified teams, click here.

The 2011 GJNC is drawing 808 teams from all over the United States that will compete over 10 days. The tournament will crown 19 champions within age divisions that range from 12 to 18. In the stands there will be not only thousands of families and friends, but hundreds of college recruiters looking for the next top players for their programs. To view the competition schedule, click here.

Atlanta, the Gate City of the South, has amazing attractions, delectable dining and exciting entertainment to offer that will not allow for a single dull moment. On the downtime from the USAV Girls’ Youth National Championships, families can choose from a wide variety of day-time activities that are all within a few miles of the Georgia World Congress Center.

Outdoor Attractions:

Centennial Olympic Park

Check out Centennial Olympic Park, which was built for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The public park offers weekly free concerts. There is a music/water show at noon and 3 p.m. along with other fountains and water features throughout the park.

Address: 265 Park Ave W NW Atlanta, Ga. 30313-1591
Phone: 404-223-4412
From World Congress Center: 2 min., 0.74 miles.
Admission to the park is free.

Piedmont Park

Piedmont park is a great location in Midtown Atlanta. It houses a track, dog park, sports fields, playground and a pool. Concerts and festivals are often in Piedmont Park. It is ranked among the best parks in Atlanta.

Address: 400 Park Drive Atlanta, Ga. 30306
Phone: 404-875-7275
From World Congress Center: 11 min., 3.89 miles.

Starlight Six Drive-In

The starlight is an old drive-in movie theater on the east side of Atlanta. The lot has stadium levels for vehicles and has the sound pumping through the car window. It is a must-do in Atlanta if you’re a native to the area.

Address: 200 Moreland Ave. SE Atlanta, Ga. 30316
Phone: 404-627-3641
From World Congress Center: 18 min., 7.33 miles.
Cost: $7 for adults and 1$ for 9-year-olds and under.

For more information and for show times and movie listings, click here.

Zoo Atlanta

This extraordinary zoo, one of the oldest in the U.S., underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in the 1980s and is still expanding. Its landscaping replicates the natural habitats of the numerous animals, some of which are endangered species. Two panda bears from China delight the crowds, and groups of gorillas separated by moats do their own share of entertaining.

Address: 404 Cherokee Ave Atlanta, Ga. 30315
Phone: 404-624-5600
From World Congress Center: 8 min., 2.51 miles.

Tickets:
Adult (12+) $20.99
Child (3-11) $15.99
Senior Citizen (65+) $16.99
Military Rate $16.99

Monday - Friday
9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., ticket booths close at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday and holidays (May 30, July 4, Sept 5)
9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., ticket booths close at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, click here.

The Lasershow Spectacular at Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain Park in itself is Georgia’s #1 attraction. The laser show would be a great place to spend the evening of July 4th.

Address: Stone Mountain Park, Hwy 78 E (Exit 8), Stone Mountain, Ga. 30087
Phone: 770-498-5690
From World Congress Center: 32 minutes.

Admission: FREE

Indoor Activities for Families/Friends:

CNN Center/Studio Tour

Home to the world's first and largest 24-hour news network, the CNN Center features a Studio Tour that treats visitors to a behind-the scenes look at the live newsrooms in action. The tour features history and trivia as well as interactive exhibits that put visitors in the control room and at the anchor desk of their own television newscast.

Address: 1 CNN Center Atlanta, Ga. 30348
Phone: 404-827-2300

Admission: Free

Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum

If you are looking for an educational activity, this museum displays painting and other art that depicts even vivid details from the Civil War and also has an old steam locomotive on display.

Address: 800 Cherokee Dr SE Atlanta, Ga. 30315
Phone: 404-658-7625
From World Congress Center: 10 min., 3.01 miles.

Open Tuesday-Saturday from 9:15 am-4:30 pm

The New World of Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola Factory is great for all ages. In your visit there, you will see old commercials and will learn coke artifacts. At the end, you receive a bottle of Coke and are given opportunity to taste beverages from all over the world.

Address: 121 Baker St Atlanta, Ga. 30313
Phone: (404) 676-5151 or 1-800-676-COKE (2653)
From World Congress Center: 3 min., 0.92 miles.

Admission: $16/person

The Georgia Aquarium

Address: 225 Baker St Atlanta, Ga. 30313
Phone: 404-581-4000
From World Congress Center: 2 min., 0.71 miles.

The Georgia Aquarium is the largest in the world with over 8 million gallons of water and more animals than any other Aquarium. This attraction is located in downtown Atlanta and always has new and exciting events, animals and activities. There are petting pools with sharks and rays and there is a central exhibit featuring the whale sharks.

Shopping:

Lenox Square Mall

Address: 3393 Peachtree Rd.
From World Congress Center: 15 min., 9.27 miles.

Phipps Plaza

Address: 3500 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, Ga. 30326
From World Congress Center: 15 min., 9.19 miles.

Underground Atlanta

Address: 45upper Alabama St. SW, Atlanta, Ga. 30303
Phone: 404-523-5311
From World Congress Center: 4 min., 1.10 miles

Dining Close to the World Congress Center:

For Midtown Atlanta Restaurants, click here.

Main Events in Atlanta from June 25-July 5

June 25 - R. Kelly and Keyshia Cole concert at Phillips Arena at 8 p.m.
June 25 - The Urban Street Jam is an event uniting all forms of talents and trends of hip-hop culture, hosted by Atlanta's very own Jungle Boogie Crew from MTV's America's Best Dance Crew Season 5. America’s top dancers unite here at Urban Street Jam to compete for championship titles. USJ's inviting everyone to watch these talented dancers compete live on stage to be the ultimate Urban Street dance crew. This event is open to all ages. From 2 p.m.-10 p.m. at the Rialto Center for the Arts.
June 26 - Atlanta Dream vs. San Antonio Silver Stars (WNBA) at Phillips Arena at 3 p.m.
June 28 - David Bazan concert at The Earl at 7 p.m.
June 28 - Talent Tuesday’s at 6 p.m. in Underground Atlanta: Visit Underground Atlanta every Tuesday as they host the Hot Seat creators King Tuck and Bam LIVE from Underground Atlanta's Lower Alabama/Lower Pryor stage. Their urban media variety show has spilled over the air waves and will feature R&B, Jazz, Neo-Soul, Dancers, Art Entertainers and much more. Prepare to witness Atlanta's up and coming talent at its best with the Hot Seat Urban All-Star's.
June 28 - David Gray concert at Fabulous Fox Theatre at 8 p.m.
June 29 - Wednesday WindDown from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at Centennial Olympic Park: Click here for more info: click here
June 29 - Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour 8 p.m. at Phillips Arena. Click here for more information.
June 30 - Foster the People at Masquerade at 7 p.m.
June 30 - Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty at Philips Arena at 7:30 p.m.
July 1 - Atlanta Braves vs. Baltimore Orioles at Turner Field at 7:35 p.m.
July 1 - Abbey Road Live at Variety Playhouse at 8 p.m.
July 2- Atlanta Braves vs. Baltimore Orioles at Turner Field at 1:35 p.m.
July 4 - Atlanta Braves vs. Colorado Rockies at Turner Field at 7:10 p.m.
July 5 - Rock of Ages at Fabulous Fox Theatre at 8 p.m.

For purchasing tickets to any of these events, please click here.

Tags: Atlanta, junior, Junior Nationals, Juniors, USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships