Top Attractions in Atlanta: Best Things to See and Do with Kids
Here in Atlanta, a city full of history, bustling activity, and beautiful scenery, there is no shortage of things to do. And when it comes to family fun, Atlanta attractions soar with unique opportunities, historical connections, interactive museums, and amazing outdoor experiences. The combination of lush greenscapes and tourism spots makes Atlanta a fascinating city to visit and live in. Read on for a list of our favorite Atlanta attractions to visit with kids!
Looking to experience the full, 360-degree A-T-L way of life? We've rounded up some delicious spots in our Atlanta restaurants guide and awesome Atlanta parks and playgrounds.
OUR LATEST VIDEOS
Top Atlanta Attractions for Kids
1. Georgia Aquarium - Downtown
Spend hours at Atlanta's huge and impressive Georgia Aquarium. The shark tunnel is always a favorite spot for kids and no one can resist the adorable dolphins.
2. World of Coca-Cola - Downtown
See how the famous Coca-Cola (and Atlanta original) is made and sample versions of it and other sodas from all over the world. Visit the vault to learn more about Coca-Cola's secret formula.
3. Children's Museum of Atlanta - Downtown
Kids play and do hands-on activities at this whimsical museum in downtown Atlanta. There are always great exhibits for kids of all ages!
Zoo Atlanta's giant pandas have become a must-see stop at this intown attraction. Photo courtesy Zoo Atlanta
4. Zoo Atlanta - Grant Park
Families love Zoo Atlanta for the incredible gorilla habitat, rare birds and cuddly pandas. Bonus: Kids can cool off and burn off energy at the playground and splash pad (pack a swimsuit).
5. The Battery Atlanta - Atlanta
Adjacent to Truist Park (home of World Series winners, the Atlanta Braves), visitors can dine at one of The Battery's many restaurants, get in a little shopping, hang out in the green space (complete with splash pad), or catch a baseball game.
6. Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands - Lake Lanier
Kids and parents cool off at this spectacular water park on Lake Lanier, just north of Atlanta, with fun slides and yummy restaurants. During winter, this destination becomes License to Chill Snow Island with seasonal activities like ice skating and snow tubing.
7. Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame - Downtown
Kids who love college football get to see the history of their favorite teams and enjoy interactive experiences, like being a sports broadcaster and kicking a field goal!
8. Stone Mountain Park - Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain Park is great for hiking, seeing gorgoues views, and enjoying fun attractions like the Summit Skyride cable cars and special events like the laser show.
9. The Varsity - Downtown
This iconic Atlanta hot dog joint, which is nearly 100 years old, serves up delicious hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, and shakes. Guests love to hear the staff greet them with their famous welcome, "What'll ya have?!"
10. Piedmont Park - Midtown
Families enjoy this massive greenspace in Atlanta's midtown, especially the Noguchi Playscape and dog park. In the hotter months kids can play in the Legacy Fountain splash pad. Piedmont Park hosts a TON of special events throughout the year so be on the lookout for awesome happenings.
Fernbank offers an amazing playground set within the treescape of the property. Photo by Kristin Kneeland
11. Fernbank - North Druid Hills
Come for the dinosaurs, stay for other cool attractions like NatureQuest interactive experiene and WildWoods outdoor playground in Fernbank Forest.
12. Atlanta Botanical Garden - Midtown
Explore over 30 acres of beautiful gardens, including the Children's Garden and the canopy walk at Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG). Depending on what time of year you're visiting, ABG puts on its famous Garden Lights, Holiday Nights event in the winter and Orchid Daze in early spring.
13. High Museum of Art - Midtown
Visit High Museum of Art any day to have a creative adventure! Take young kids to the interactive Toddler Thursday program or older tweens and teens to the monthly Teen Art Afternoon series. The High offers the Greene Family Learning Gallery and summer camp, as well as free admission on Second Sundays.
14. The Center for Puppetry Arts - Midtown
Watch a puppet show, make puppets, and see the history of puppetry at this cultural treasure. See puppets from around the world as well as American staples from The Jim Henson Gallery at The Center for Puppetry Arts.
15. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park - Sweet Auburn
Families learn about civil rights leader and Atlanta native, Martin Luther King Jr., by visiting his childhood home, Ebenezer Baptist Church as well as the memorial created for him and his wife, Coretta Scott King.
16. Six Flags Over Georgia - Austell
Kids of all ages (and their parents) find thrills at Six Flags Over Georgia, from Looney Toons rides to the giant Goliath roller coaster. The amusement park also has great holiday-themed events throughout the year.
17. Treetop Quest - Dunwoody
At this aerial adventure park in Dunwoody, children as young as four can participate in obstacle courses and zip lines set up in the treeline. Located at Brook Run Park, Treetop Quest is a great way to harness family bonding...in a harness!
18. Centennial Olympic Park - Downtown
Families visit this iconic park in the middle of downtown Atlanta to enjoy the playgrounds, cool off in the Olympic fountain of rings splash pad, and ride the SkyView Ferris wheel. The park serves as a legacy of Atlanta's historical time as the 1996 Olympic host city.
19. Legoland Discovery Center - Buckhead
Fans of LEGO play interactive games, enjoy rides, watch movies, and of course, build at Legoland Discovery Center, located inside Phipps Plaza in Buckhead.
The jewel of Callaway Gardens is the butterfly house. Photo by Bill Leffler
20. Callaway Gardens - Pine Mountain
An oasis about 1.5 hours south of Atlanta, Callaway Gardens offers families lots of activities and amenities including Robin Lake Beach, Treetop Zipline Adventures, and the butterfly house. Families can make a daytrip to Callaway or book an on-site hotel room to discover even more of the property.
21. Ponce City Market - Midtown
Families try different types of fare (from fried chicken to cookie dough) at Ponce City Market's food hall and can also head up to The Roof to play mini golf and slide down the three-story slide at SkyLine Park.
22. Tellus Science Museum - Cartersville
Located in Cartersville, about 45 minutes north of Atlanta, Tellus Science Museum is an amazing hands-on attraction. Kids dig for fossils, pan for "gems," see the stars in the planetarium, and explore science in motion.
23. Chick-fil-A Dwarf Houses - Various Locations
Atlanta is home to beloved chicken restaurant Chick-fil-A, and visitors get to see its history at one the six Dwarf Houses. Kids love the chicken nuggets and mac and cheese, but what makes these restaurants special are the tiny doors that only children can fit through.
24. Southeastern Railway Museum - Duluth
Young train enthusiasts are in heaven at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, dedicated to all things trains. Families explore historic trains and even ride on some!
The Atlanta BeltLine is an awesome place to visit any time of year. Photo by Melanie Preis
25. Atlanta BeltLine - Midtown
This walking/biking path in central Atlanta is a great way to explore the city on foot. The Atlanta BeltLine connects beloved, intown neighborhoods and features public art, playgrounds, and restaurants along the way.
Places featured in this article:
World of Coca-Cola
Children's Museum of Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta
Stone Mountain Park
The Battery Atlanta
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
The Varsity
Piedmont Park
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Center for Puppetry Arts
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park
Six Flags Over Georgia
Treetop Quest
Centennial Olympic Park
Callaway Resort & Gardens
Ponce City Market
Tellus Science Museum
Southeastern Railway Museum