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Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
800 Cherokee Ave SEAtlanta, GA 30315
Neighborhood: Grant Park
(404) 658-7625
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 9:30 pm - 4:30 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
17 reviews for Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum
17 reviews in English
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Review from Don F.
O'Fallon, IL
7/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I learned a lot about the war. There were several thousand blacks who fought for the south...
We had a great presenter, and that makes all of the difference.
You have to see this. It is a piece of Art. It involves science, and math. It is part of history. It even has music. I took 3 boys there. We all left loving the place for different reasons. -
Review from Eliza K.
Washington, DC
1/17/2012
Having seen this when I was a kid, it was neat to go back. The actual museum part could use some work-- it was rather small, and not worth the 10$ admission on its own. It is clear the program hasn't been updated since the 80s (both the introductory video and the voice over narration of the painting itself) and as a result has a huge cheese factor. However, the experience was saved by the presenter, who despite a few verbal missteps clearly had a great interest in the history of Atlanta, the civil war, and the painting, and was very engaging and informative. The information he added about the history of the painting really made the trip for us.
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Review from Kristin B.
Atlanta, GA
6/27/2011
If God has a voice, I'm pretty sure it sounds like James Earl Jones. And with James Earl Jones narrating the introductory video here at the Cyclorama, a video that has not been redone since the 1980s, it sounds like God is giving you his personal account of the Civil War, specifically the Battle of Atlanta, which is what the Cycolrama, home of the world's largest oil painting, is all about. This historic tourist trap is definitely worth the $10 admission.
From the movie, you move to the comfy bleacher like seating that's been installed on a rotating platform. As the platform rotates, spotlights illuminate key portions of the painting and diorama (oh yes, diorama. Bet you haven't heard that word since the third grade).
Cool story from the Cyclorama: The painting was eventually purchased by a traveling circus. The circus folded in Atlanta in the 1880s, and the property was put up for auction. The Woodruff family purchased the entire lot -paintings and animals. The painting was installed in the Cyclorama and the animals became the Atlanta Zoo. They've both been in Grant Park ever since.
This attraction is on my very short list of places you absolutely positively must go to if you are visiting Atlanta. It's takes the combination of history and kitsch to a level other places can't even dream of.Listed in: It's a Date, Adventures in Urban Pioneering
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Review from Mike C.
Nice civil war museum for those history buffs out there. It's right next to the zoo. So if you have a hour to spare and $10 (discounts for military, student and seniors) then come here for some civil war history.
A lot of the paraphernalia is geared towards the confederate leadership including biographies of the major generals of the confederate army. The centerpiece of the museum is a locomotive train engine from the civil war era.
A couple of cannons can be seen here as well. Typical uniforms worn by both sides are on display, and many old and vintage photographs show the men at arms prior to battle.
New fact - lots of slaves were compelled to fight for the south and had to join the confederate army with their masters. Now I know!!!
Due to time constraints I missed out on the cyclorama portion, but the rest of the museum keeps the average person engaged with the historical significance of each exhibit. I would go again.Listed in: Military Friendly - ATL, Museums - ATL
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Review from Michelle A.
Atlanta, GA
6/22/2010 ROTD 5/18/2011
Every summer, when school was out and the air was getting to be muggy and hot, my daycare would load up the vans with us kids and take us to the Cyclorama. It was a fun day out in Grant Park, a chance for us to run around freely without the confinement of a chain link fence. Every kid looked forward to this trip. After all, it was better than a boring old movie theater. Here we all could pile in to a room, listen to the history of Civil War era Atlanta and the battles that took place, all while spinning around in a slow moving circle. Kids always had a blast!
As an adult, I'm sure the "spinny circle" doesn't have that same sense of euphoria placed on it, but it's still a fun, unique attraction in Atlanta. Spend a day here learning about the war while observing one of the world's largest murals (formerly the first largest, it's now the second). When you're done, you can enjoy a day in the park or hop over to the zoo. It's definitely fun for kids. They may not learn much, but they'll enjoy watching various battles light up, all the sights and sounds, and that awesome rotating auditorium.
Having trouble rounding people up for this place? Just tell your kids that Mufasa is the one doing the movie before the diorama (you know the guy, James Earl Jones). Or perhaps the Gone With the Wind lover in you is dying to spot that Clark Gable figurine among the soldiers. Whatever it is, there's a little bit of something unique here for both adults and kids alike, and it's a real Atlanta gem that you simply have to check out. -
Review from Laura S.
1/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you are an unabashed tourist in Atlanta, this should be on your to-do list. It is the kind of place that only tourists and elementary school students on field trips would visit, but I really had a good time!
You will leave knowing lots of completely random trivia. Like how many gallons of oil paint it took to paint the world's largest oil panting. The circumference of the painting. The size of the largest and tallest figures in the diorama. And you will find Clark Gable, somewhere.
I also learned a lot about the Battle of Atlanta and Civil War history. As a Damn Yankee tourist, this is something that our history classes go light on - so I had the opportunity to learn more than just the random facts about the cyclorama itself. The video before you enter the cyclorama was wicked cheesy, but actually informative! In addition to the guide who will bring you into the cyclorama, there is a recording that tells you about the painting as you go around. I won't ruin any of the "surprises," but you'll get a kick out of the story of how this giant painting came to be. -
Review from Ivan S.
2/22/2008
With a friend from San Francisco and another from Florida, we were four former college buddies walking from Hank's Ice Cream and waiting for our team to tip it off against our hated rivals.
But what to do with the intervening hour? The friends had already seen the rest of Grant Park. We had no kids in tow, so, preferring to refrain from questions regarding any perceived creepiness, the zoo was out of the question. That's when SF friend asked, "What's the deal with this Cyclorama?"
"Don't know," we answered.
"Wait, how long have you lived in Atlanta?"
"A long time."
"And how long have you lived in Grant Park?" he asked of my other friend.
"The entire time."
"You guys are idiots."
"That we can't argue."
"I'm gonna go check it out."
So we spent an hour at the legendary Cyclorama. The Cyclorama, home of the world's largest oil-based painting and depicting the fierce Battle of Atlanta. It was the 19th century equivalent to IMAX. We spent our time before the "show" visiting the exhibits displayed in the Cyclorama's small museum. Pictures of Atlanta from back when, an antique steam locomotive, they would have all driven me into catatonia when I was younger. But now I read each word.
The show began with us piling into a set of bleachers. I believe that, with the exception of the tour guide, my friend and I were the only 2 Atlantans in the room. And then the bleachers began to spin. No, it didn't spin like we were training to be astronauts, but it spun to show off the different scenes painted on the canvas in front of us.
As I said before, all this would have bored my Pop Rocks-addled, 12 year old brain to tears. The lack of angry barrel-throwing gorillas, multi-colored ghosts, or any missiles to command would've been too much to bear. But in my old age, I actually found it all very interesting. The story about the battle itself, the story about how the Cyclorama came to live in Grant Park, and even how Clark Gable himself played into it all was fairly entertaining. I think we also only spent $5 to get in, so the price wasn't bad either.
Despite the disturbing conclusion that I've turned into my dad, I still think it was worth the visit. My friends all agreed as well. That it was enjoyable, I mean. Ok, they also think I've turned into my dad, but that's beside the point. -
Review from southern k.
Atlanta, GA
11/21/2007
Now granted this is based on a foggy memory from my childhood. It was for a school field trip and I can't recall if it was for middle school or junior high but here it goes.
It was hyped up in as an "interactive" 3-D depiction of the Civil War. Awesome, I get to leave school, sit in an air-conditioned, circular room with rotating seats while a "real-life animation" of the Civil War is unfolded before me! Sweet, now I know how Queen Elizabeth felt during her 45yr. reign or Queen Isabella when C.C. unvealed his voyage.
Feeling omnipotent, I was ready to do this! Imagine my disppointment and slight nausea when I discovered the images weren't really 3-D and the seats were spinning either too slowly or quickly. Either way, it wasn't the right speed and technically, I suppose the painting is 3-D if you can call the nose of a Civil War solider's is lighlty elevated or bumpy b/c of extra paint.
All in all, if you have nothing else to do or want to see what people called "art" or entertainment back in the day, then go. If however, the world hasn't ended and you have other options for entertainment, then by all means go and live your life. -
Review from Bonnie P.
Atlanta, GA
4/12/2009
I had heard a lot of buzz about the Cyclorama at the start of my tenure in Atlanta, but I really thought it was some event involving bicycles (to be fair, I moved to Atlanta right around the time of CORNDOGORAMA). When I was informed no, it has nothing to do with bicycles, it's a giant rotating civil war diorama, I was all in. I mean, that's just weird. In a good way.
You should know that there are viewings of the Cyclorama at various times of day. We had just missed one, so we had to wait almost 40 minutes for ours. There are some things to look at in the waiting area, but not a whole lot. It was cool to look at maps of Civil War Atlanta area after living here awhile. ("Hey, it's Erica's house!") I don't imagine tourists would really find that that cool.
One thing you should know is that they have a pre-Cyclorama movie they make you watch. So when they let you into a small theater, don't worry, that's not the main attraction. I imagine native Atlantans feel about the pre-Cyclorama movie the way I feel about the Colonial Williamsburg movie. It's odd but fun to watch what short filmmakers 20 years ago perceived about a really old war, outdated special effects and all.
After the movie you get to go into the big room and sit on fuzzy bleachers. They tell you that the best views are *starting* at the third row and going back from there. We sat about in the third or fourth row and I didn't feel like I missed anything. The painting is gigantic - you feel a bit like you're in a planetarium but your main focus is forward. The painting "becomes" 3-D at the bottom - the diorama was not actually part of the original painting, but is arguably the coolest part. It was difficult for me to tell where the painting portion ended and the sculpture portion began. I have no depth perception, so I'm not the best person to vouch for this impressive blending job, but others around me seemed to have the same view.
The Cyclorama makes two full rotations, during which the guide points things out with his flashlight and describes them. The background lighting also helps to highlight certain aspects of the art. The guide also tells you interesting facts about the size, making, and selling of the Cyclorama - unsurprisingly, it had to do with some dude's ego. I won't spoil my favorite part, but it has to do with Rhett Butler.
The gift shop is tripped-out Confederate. I enjoyed going in there with my friends and giggling over the political incorrectness of it all. Definitely a must visit.Listed in: Atlanta (TM)
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Review from Joseph D.
Atlanta, GA
6/17/2008
Fergit, HELL!!!!
This place makes Gone With the Wind look like a boring documentary with its romanticizing of the War of Northern Aggression aka, the Civil War. This is a perfect introduction for those looking to get into reenacting but aren't quite ready to go whole hog and risk emergency field surgery.
This is the biggest oil painting in the world.
It's near the top of my list whenever someone asks what to see when visiting Atlanta.
The South Will Rise Again, when it cools off a little.Listed in: Exposing myself
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Review from Gaby M.
Atlanta, GA
4/22/2010
I was dragged kicking & screaming to the Cyclorama when I was a tweenager. It was an excruciating experience (for my folks). I was a maestro of tween sighing & eyerolling. Seriously, A+ angsty fireworks.
As a tween, this place blew-- there were no explosions, tigerbeat dudes, 90210 plot lines. It was just an oil painting with sculptural elements (think 1888 era 3D, kiddies!)
As an adult, it's a pretty interesting tourist attraction for folks who don't have ADD & actually enjoy history (like me).
Refreshingly, it's also not a pro-redneck take on the Civil War like the lightshow at the place that rhymes with Tone Tountain. -
Review from D. R.
Malibu, CA
8/1/2008
Before movies you had cycloramas.
It is the largest oil painting in the world.
And I think it is the longest running entertainment show in the US.
You sit down, you see the whole Battle of Atlanta during the battle of the between the 'rebs and the Yankees, chock full of the sounds of warfare, as it goes around...and around...
A piece of history well worth your time and dollar. -
Review from Natalie G.
Miami, FL
1/31/2011
Before the advent of movies and all other popular forms of entertainment we have today, there were cyclorama's and diorama's. In the 19th century, this was akin to going to an amusement park; that being said, if you have this type of frame of mind, this cyclorama is absolutely spectacular. The massive oil painting is still incredibly vivid, and I appreciate the figures and realistic environment they've set it in, just as they did many years ago when this cyclorama was originally painted. The diorama was actually constructed by the Disney workers who fabricated many of the diorama's seen in the Disney amusement parks today, so they're really quite amazing. The film seen before you enter the room where the cyclorama is held is totally unnecessary and bland; unfortunately, there's no skipping it. But it's alright, the main attraction makes up for it.
As others have said, if you're not interested in the Civil War or massive oil paintings, you might want to skip on this. You really have to use your imagination to make the cyclorama come alive. Otherwise, I recommend the Atlanta Cyclorama as a very different experience from any other type of "entertainment". -
Review from Chuck W.
Yonkers, NY
4/2/2011
lots of fun very informative not crowded and it was fun
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Review from Christine T.
Atlanta, GA
7/19/2010
One of my favorite places to take out of town guests. It is something that is so different, but not so different.
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Review from Lucy W.
Atlanta, GA
1/15/2011
I enjoyed seeing the largest oil painting in the world. I thought the diorama (the parts in front of the painting that make it look 3D) was so cool. However, for those who aren't interested in the Civil War or aren't history buffs, the museum may be a bit dry & uninteresting (theme park it ain't). Sure, the hokey pre-cyclorama movie reminded me of a bad elementary school educational film (and didn't really try to hide its somewhat biased view of the Civil War). The best part is actually going into the circular room that houses the Cyclorama painting- you sit in the middle and the seats move around describing parts of the artwork that depicts the Battle of Atlanta via a pre-recorded narrator. Then the live tour guide gives you some of the facts and history about the painting itself, as well as the amazing diorama in front of the painting. I only wish that I was able to look closer at the painting (and that I was able to take photos- they aren't allowed.) Very unique attraction in Atlanta, especially since I don't live very far from some of the war sites around the Atlanta campaign & battle. And learning is fun- I learned why the zoo and the Cyclorama are right next to each other....you'll have to go visit to find out why for yourselves. Yes, I'm a complete history geek.
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Review from randy g.
New York, NY
5/29/2010
If you're gonna dork out...and we must all dork out once in a while, this is the kind of place to do it. Hard to believe the size, dimension, and history of this thing even though it's right in front of you! The rest of the museum is a bit dated: the film at the beginning is in "Magnavision!" Even that's kind of a treat. Go.
