This year is the 146th anniversary of the battle, and the sixth year of the B*piece of the event is the tour schedule. The East Atlanta neighborhood was the location for the Union front line and and heavy fighting went on from there across to the Kirkwood neighborhood and back to Moreland Avenue. Two different van tours in air conditioned vans as well as walking tours are offered of the historic sites and three historic cemetery tours. We are also pleased to announce a new addition to our touring program: the B*ATL Bike Tour.

The B*ATL Bike Tour
The Bicycle Tour of the Battle of Atlanta is an 8-mile ride through the historic Atlanta neighborhoods of East Atlanta Village, Edgewood, Inman Park, Reynoldstown, Cabbage Town, Grant Park, and Ormewood, following the ghosts of the July 22, 1864 battle. We'll visit the sites of General McPherson’s last ride, Hardee’s night march, the fighting on Leggett’s Hill, the storming of the Railroad Cut, and more. Designed and led by Jonah McDonald of Sure Foot Adventures (surefootadventures.com) and Robyn Elliott of Bicycle Tours of Atlanta (biketoursatl.com), this tour of the Battle of Atlanta is both a great historical story and wonderful exercise.  Space on this tour is limited so be sure to reserve your space soon, bicycles and helmets are provided!

The Last Ride Van Tour
General McPherson was the commander of the Union forces on the east side of Atlanta as General Sherman attempted to surround and cut off the city. In The Last Ride Van Tour visitors will learn how the plans were laid and how they went off course as McPherson was caught up in the action. They will see the actual sites where all of the historic action took place. This tour goes westward to Oakland and Cabbagetown and travels along the both sides of the railroad tracks which were an important prize in the battle. Visit the point from which the Cyclorama painting was created. Please note that this tour lasts approx. 1hr 30min.

The Front Lines Van  & Walking Tours
Our original tour offering, The Front Lines Van Tour travels along the front lines and to other focal points in the Sugar Creek Valley providing a comprehensive overview of the Battle at the locations where it all began and where the most blood was shed. There is also a very popular Walking Tour of the Frontlines that covers the battle’s interesting turns of events and some of East Atlanta’s formative history. Attendees will hear the human stories of the battle as well as get a sense of the troop movements from trained tour guides. The air conditioned vans are courtesy of the East Lake Family YMCA and cover several square miles. The walking tour covers a smaller 10 block route  Many guests from the metro area as well as from other states and other countries, too – have been entertained in past years by the sweep of this piece of history. They find it particularly interesting when looking at the neighborhoods today as the historic ground continues to change. Please note that these tours last approx. 1hr 30min.

  

The B*ATL Historic Cemetery Tours
Again this year a tour of Sylvester Cemetery, a historic 1842 burial ground with civil war connections will be offered as well as twilight tours of Oakland Cemetery. The Clay family cemetery dates back to the time of the Clay plantation in Civil War days.

Van Tours will leave from 449 Flat Shoals Avenue. Tour times will are listed below and on the event schedule. Refreshments will be available throughout the Village. There is limited seating on the van tours and last year they were sold out before the first tour. Organizers recommend getting tickets as soon as they go on sale. Tickets are available at Traders Store. Advance tickets for tours will be $10 ($15 on the day of). Tickets will are available online, click on the B*ATL General Store link or the "buy ticket now" button below.

B*ATL Tour  Schedule
Please note the the Van tours and Walking tour are approximately 1:30 min in length.
9:30am	Battle of Atlanta Bike Tour	East Atlanta start at B*ATL Hdqtrs, 449 Flat Shoals	$40.00 ($45.00 day of) eqpt. provided
10am, Noon, 2, 4	Van Tour  - Front Line Attack and the Sugar Creek Valley	East Atlanta start at B*ATL Hdqtrs, 449 Flat Shoals	$10.00 ($15.00 day of)
10, 11am, Noon, 1, 6pm	Battle of Atlanta Walking Tours	East Atlanta start at B*ATL Hdqtrs, 449 Flat Shoals	$10.00 ($15.00 day of)
10am	Sylvester Cemetery Walking Tour	East Atlanta tickets & map to site at B*ATL Hdqtrs,, 449 Flat Shoals	Free
11am	Clay Cemetery Walking Tour	Kirkwood on Clifton Avenue – map to site at B*ATL Hdqtrs	Free
11am, 1, 3, 5pm	Van Tour - McPherson’s Last Ride and the Railroad Cut	East Atlanta start at B*ATL Hdqtrs, 449 Flat Shoals	$10.00 ($15.00 day of)
7pm	Twilight Tour of Oakland Cemetery	Cabbagetown Oakland Cemetery	Free* (With advance ticket )

The Oakland Cemetery Foundation, The East Atlanta Family YMCA, Sylvester Cemetery Foundation and The Atlanta Preservation Center are assisting the B*ATL committee. Event sponsors include The Georgia Humanities Council, the East Lake Family YMCA and The City of Atlanta.

B*ATL is raising money to erect and maintain National Park-like display signs across the battlefield area to augment existing historic markers. The new signs would have graphics and maps to involve readers more and provide a 365-day-a-year B*ATL experience for visitors as well as area residents.