15 Things to do Atlanta, Georgia with Kids
15 Fun Things to do With Kids in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia is a beautiful city with plenty to do, especially when travelling with kids. This beautiful city is known for it’s excellent shopping, arts, museums, dining, and other attractions. It is one of the most visited cities in the United States.
We live a few hours from Atlanta and have visited and stayed there many times, and we always find something new and interesting to do. And, of course, the kids have their favorites that we have visited over and over again. Here are a few kid-tested, mom-approved activities that we have come to love in Atlanta.
Georgia Aquarium
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Georgia Aquarium is only a few hours from our home, and our entire family loves going here! It is a BEAUTIFUL Aquarium…
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Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the world. It is also the only aquarium in North America to have whale sharks, and they can be seen here in the Ocean Voyager area.
We love to visit the Cold Water Quest Gallery to see Beluga Whales, African Penguins, Japanese Spider Crabs, and Giant Pacific Octopus. One of our favorite spots is the Ocean Voyager area (above photo).
There is also the Aquanaut Adventure Discovery Zone, Tropical Diver, and River Scout Exhibits.
The kids also love the AT&T Dolphin Tales show. It is a show with video, singing, actors and -of course- dolphins. The dolphins perform some amazing tricks during this show!
Above: My kiddos watching the dolphins before the Dolphin Tales Show.
Hours Open are different every day. You can read more HERE.
General Admission starts at $28. Georgia Aquarium runs specials and have discounts and special free days for military. Read more HERE.
Georgia Aquarium // 225 Baker Street NW – Atlanta, GA 30313 // 404.581.4000
Museums
1 -Fernbank Museum of Natural History
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Fernbank Museum of Natural History has several award-winning permanent exhibitions as well as fantastic traveling exhibits. You can see more information about Fernbank and check out their awesome website HERE.
It is a great place for kids to learn about dinosaurs, see and learn about live animals, and have a hands-on science experience. There is also WILDWOODS and Fernbank Forest. It is a great place for kids to get outside and explore. There are 75 acres of outdoor nature adventures for the whole family. WILDWOODS is like a huge outdoor playground. Fernbank Forest is a great place to walk and hike and to see birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
Prices and Operating Hours can be seen HERE.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History // 767 Clifton Road NE – Atlanta, GA 30307 // 404.929.6300
2-Tellus Science Museum
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Tellus Science Museum had several permanent galleries and special traveling exhibits. There is an area for fossil digging and gem panning. There is a solar house and mineral gallery. The museum also has an Observatory and Planetarium. It is a great place to keep the kiddos entertained! Learn more about the museum at their website HERE.
Hours:
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The Southern Museum is a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate. It is a great place to learn about the railroads of the Civil War, and see Civil War Artifacts. The museum has a great train themed play area for children, and there are also train tables that the kids will love.
Hours :
Monday — Saturday
9:30 AM — 5:00 PM
Sunday, 11:00 AM — 6:00 PM
Admission Price:
Adults $7.50
Senior Citizens (over 60) $6.50
Children 4-12 $5.50
Children 3 and under Free
WEBSITE for The Southern Museum
The Southern Museum // 2829 Cherokee Street – Kennesaw, GA 30144 // 770.427.2117
Zoo Atlanta
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Zoo Atlanta features a panda, elephants, tigers, giraffes, a zebra, and lions. There are also, apes, monkeys, and meerkats as well as a reptile house. There are lots of shady areas to keep cool and several options for finding food. The zoo also has a carousel and a train for the kids to ride.
The Zoo Atlanta // 800 Cherokee Avenue, SE – Atlanta, GA 30315 // 404.624.WILD
World of Coca Cola
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Above Photo via
You and your kiddos will love visiting with the Polar Bear, the Coca-Cola Vault, and tasting all of the varieties of flavors of Coke products. There are so many soda dispensers where you can taste test the sodas from all around the world. The museum also has a very impressive museum gift shop.
WEBSITE for World of Coca-Cola
World of Coca-Cola // 121 Baker Street NW Atlanta, GA 30313 // 1.800.767.COKE
Skyview Atlanta Ferris Wheel
The Skyview is a great way to captures some amazing views of Atlanta, especially on a clear day. It offers a gorgeous view of the city skyline that is equally beautiful at night. The cabins are spacious and climate controlled.
Pricing:
Adult (Ages 12+) – $13.89 + tax
Senior (Ages 65+) – $12.50 + tax
Military (with valid Active Duty or Retiree ID) – $12.50 + tax
Student (with valid Student ID) – $12.50 + tax
Child (Ages 3-11) – $9.26 + tax
(Each Gondola must have an Adult riding with the children.)
Children 2 and Under – FREE
The Skyview Atlanta // 168 Luckie Street NW – Atlanta, GA // 678.949.9023
Atlanta Botanical Garden and/or Callaway Gardens
The Atlanta Botanical Gardens
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The Atlanta Botanical Garden has a Children’s Garden which has a treehouse area with bridges, climbing nets and a slide. The gardens also offer Kid’s Programs. You can read more HERE.
Entrance is $21.95 + tax for adults, $15.95 + tax for kids ages 3-12, and kids under 3 years of age are FREE.
WEBSITE for Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta Botanical Gardens // 1345 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30309 // 404.876.5859
Callaway Gardens
Kids love visiting Callaway Gardens, especially when they get to see the 1000+ butterflies at the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center.
Adults Admission is $20 (Ages 13-64), Children (Ages 6-12) Admission is $10, Children Ages 5 and under are FREE.
Attractions and indoor facilities are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gate hours are 9 a.m. to dusk
Callaway Gardens // 17800 US Hwy 27 – Pine Mountain, GA 31822 // 1.800.852.3210
Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta
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Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is located in downtown Atlanta near the World of Coca-Cola and Centennial Park. My kids loved the water section, the painting, and the Moon Sand Tables.
Tickets for adults and children are $14.95. Babies under 1 year old are FREE.
Every second Tuesday of the month the museum is FREE between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. ( 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in June & July ). You can read more about this and other offers HERE.
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10:00 – 4:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 – 5:00 PM
Closed Wednesdays
WEBSITE for Imagine It! Children’s Museum
Imagine It! Children’s Museum // 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW – Atlanta, GA 30313 // 404.659.5437
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
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LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a LEGO Themed museum with rides and a 4-D Movie.
There is also a pirate themed, hands-on play area called Pirate Adventure Island. There are lots of places to jump and slides to go down in this area.
The kiddos will love the variety of LEGO tables where they can build as many things as they would like. Or, they can visit the LEGOLAND Master Builder Acadamy and work up a special masterpiece with a LEGOLAND Master Builder.
There is also a Café inside the center for lunch, dinner, or a snack.
I recommend allowing at least 2-4 hours to enjoy the center with your family.
LEGOLAND is open
- Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Children 2 and under are FREE
Admission at the door is $20 per adult (13+ years) and $20 per child (3-12 years), but you can save by ordering your tickets online:
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Ticket Info
Parking is FREE, unless you choose to use the valet
LEGOLAND Discovery Museum // 3500 Peachtree Road, Suite G-1, Atlanta, GA 30326 // 404.848.9252
See More Pictures of our Visit to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center HERE
American Girl Doll Store
This has been a great place for my daughter and I to spend a few hours together. There are tons of dolls, doll clothes and accessories, and doll furniture. There is also an awesome variety of books. We also enjoyed looking at all of the displays all over the store. There is even a salon where you can have your doll cleaned and hair brushed, or get your doll’s ears pierced.
After shopping, we like to eat lunch in the Bistro. The dolls get their own little chair and a cup and saucer. American Girl Doll really knows how to make little girls happy!
WEBSITE for American Girl Atlanta
American Girl Atlanta // North Point Mall – 1202 North Point Circle, Alpharetta, GA 30022 // 1.877.247.5223
Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain State Park is less than 20 miles away from downtown Atlanta. The whole family will enjoy The Summit Skyride which is a Swiss cable car that travels to the top of the largest piece of exposed granite in the U.S.A and to the Stone Mountain Museum.
This park also offers various shows and festivals throughout the year.
Stone Mountain provides a lot of fun Winter activities like snow tubing and the Snow Zone play area. Read more about Winter Activities HERE.
WEBSITE for Stone Mountain State Park
Stone Mountain State Park // 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd – Stone Mountain, GA 30083 // 1.800.401.2407
Six Flags Over Georgia and/or Six Flags Whitewater
Six Flags Over Georgia
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Six Flags Over Georgia is a huge amusement park and there are lots of family rides and an area just for kids with rides. My kids love riding the train an driving their own car at Hanson Cars and the Looney Tunes play area is one of their favorite parts of the park.
There are also several water rides and even a little water park called Hurricane Harbor for those hot summer days.
See All the rides at Six Flags HERE!
Six Flags Over Georgia // 275 Riverside Parkway, SW, Austell, Georgia 30168 // 770.739.3400
We had such a fun time while we were at Tiny Towne!
Located in Norcross (just a few minutes north of Atlanta), this place is set up more like school, but the kids had so much fun while they were learning. They took a driving class, took a test, and drove their very own smart car. There was also a train that the kids could ride.
Tiny Towne Norcross // 2055 Beaver Ruin Road – Norcross, GA 30071 // 470.545.7227
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About The Author
KristyB
Wife. Mom. Graphic Designer. Photographer. Professional Nap Taker. Part-time Traveler (with kids in tow, of course!)
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I have travelled to the USA several times but never thought of Atlanta but after reading your post makes me want to visit. As I travel with kids there is a lot for them so interesting. The Aquarium to start with followed by the museum are of interest to us. It seems you have opened a new destination for us so thanks for your post.
I have travelled to the USA several times but never thought of Atlanta but after reading your post makes me want to visit. As I travel with kids there is a lot for them so interesting. The Aquarium to start with followed by the museum are of interest to us. It seems you have opened a new destination for us so thanks for your post. I really liked reading about 6 flags as well so would want to visit
Is there a place you recommend staying that’s centralized to the various activities?
We stayed at the Westin on our last trip (my son calls it the Cylinder Hotel) We walked to the Ferris Wheel, Olympic Park, Kids Museum, and Aquarium. It was a really nice hotel and it’s centrally located.
I don’t have kids just yet but it sounds like perfectly fun way to spend you time for adults as well!
Yes! There are tons of things to do as adults, for kids, and for the whole family. We only live 3 hours away and we love visiting ATL!
It sounds like such a fun place! And I’d love to go to the Coke museum and experience the different flavors. 🙂
The Coke Museum is really cool!
I must give you article to my daughter and son in law. They go to a different place each year to vacation with my grandchildren and this covers everything they expect. The museums they make a list of the top 3 they think will be best. A fun amusement a park, an aquarium, a zoo, World of Coca Cola, Legoland, Stone Mountain and the rest will just be bonuses.
They would have a great time in Atlanta, Gladys!
I am loving this list of fun things to do in Atlanta Georgia with kids. I am working on my itinerary for the summer break with kids and this sounds like the perfect place where we and kids can all have fun.
Atlanta sounds like a city your family would really enjoy, Preet!
This was a great itinerary or things to do in Atlanta with children. The water park looks really fun!
Oh yes! We love White Water! We go there every year!
I’m dying to visit that aquarium, it just looks so so cool!!
The Georgia Aquarium is amazing! It’s the only place you can see whale sharks outside of Asia.
Atlanta wasn’t on my list to visit, but it is now! As a new mom, I am now much more cognizant of planning activities that are child friendly. That aquarium looks incredible. I love how they made it look like jellyfish coming down from the ceiling in their decor.
I’m so glad! It’s a great city for families to visit!
This is great advice, I think I would especially enjoy six flags over Georgia and white water!
Oh yeah, those are two of our favorites! We go to those parks at least once a year.
I had no idea that Atlanta is a very child-friendly destination! So many interesting museums, zoos, and the Legoland Discovery Center to boot! My son may not want to leave this place if we come here, haha.
Yes, it’s a great city for families! I hope you get to take your son soon!
I love this post. Atlanta is in my bucket list of places to visit with my family.
I’m so glad! Your family will have a great time there!
The Legoland discovery centre looks like so much fun! We have a Legoland here in the UK in Manchester, I’ve always wanted to go!
You should, Megan! We love all things LEGO. The Legoland Discovery Center is a lot of fun – rides and 4-D movies and Lego’s to play with everywhere!
I’m amazed with the pictures, great photography! Atlanta is such a beautiful place! Loved it! 🙂
It is beautiful, Karla! It’s a great place for families to have some fun!
What a fun and great experience you had.I have never been to Georgia but I always wanted to visit. Such a wonderful place.
You would love it, Geraline! It’s such a cool city!
All of those places sound like a lot of fun for kids and adults. I know I would have a lot of fun, I’ll have to keep them in mind if I ever go to Atlanta.
Atlanta is a lot of fun! There is so many things for families to do there.
I love Atlanta! We have been there several times for business purposes but haven’t stopped to be tourists there. I would love to do all of these.
I hope you get to be a tourist in Atlanta soon, Lisa!
I can’t get over the aquarium!! The photos are stunning, I can’t imagine what it would look like in person. just…wow!
I know… The Georgia Aquarium is gorgeous! It’s our favorite place to visit when we are in Atlanta.
Thank you for this list! I live here and a few of these I didn’t know about. In always looking for new places to have fun with my family.
Thanks for visiting Carol!
atlanta is such a great place. There is so much to do and to see. It’s really great late spring when things are in bloom and it’s not too hot.
Atlanta is awesome! The traffic can be a little crazy, but there are so many fun things to do there. Thanks for visiting Elizabeth!
Very useful article.I love Atlanta because have many beautiful places.I will visit someday.
I hope you get to go there soon Alexandru! Atlanta is a beautiful city and there is so much to do – with or without kids.