In the mid-1830s, Atlanta distinguished itself from other American towns.
No, not by becoming the capital of Georgia.
Not yet, anyway.
What made Atlanta stand out was it was the first big city in the newly established country to not be near water.
That may not sound like a big deal today, but back then, being a port city was where it was for many aspects of life and business.
Making that bold move might have been part of why Atlanta became a target three decades later during the Civil War.
The sacrifices made during the war helped win the vote to become the state capital shortly following the catastrophic loss by the South.
Unlike other old cities in the US with a lengthy history, Atlanta was essentially burnt to the ground.
You’re unlikely to find genuine antebellum estates, everything had to be rebuilt and modernized.
That lost some of its peachy charm, but it did set Atlanta on a new path.
Come along with us as we explore what kinds of things you can expect to do with kids in this day and age.
10 Things to Do in Atlanta With Kids
1. World of Coca-Cola
It’s not every day there is a theme park devoted to a beverage.
Of course, this isn’t just any beverage.
Coca-Cola is the most popular drink in the world and can be found in all but three countries.
After all, it is the best-selling soft drink in history.
So, in the middle of downtown, there is an ode to the famous creation just a short distance from where it was actually invented.
Once a ticket has been purchased, you get a tiny can of your choosing to drink on the tour.
There’s a guide to tell you all about the fun facts before you’re led to the theater for a short movie about the fizzy stuff and its global impact.
Following the movie, you’re free to explore the World of Coke and even take a picture with the Coca-Cola bear.
Inside, there is a walk through the bottling process, a blast from the advertising past, a 4D movie experience, and more.
Best of all, the day ends in a giant room with a wild variety of Coke flavors from around the world.
Each station is labeled with a region and you can try flavors such as banana, sugarberry, and ginger beer.
2. Centennial Olympic Park
Just within walking distance from the World of Coca-Cola is Centennial Olympic Park.
If you weren’t aware, Atlanta was on the world stage in 1996 when it hosted the Olympics.
1996 marked 100 years of modern games.
To pay homage to that defining moment, there is a 21-acre park to lightly showcase the triumphs of the human spirit and athletic ability.
The area also serves as a massive green field to run across, picnic on, and play games.
3. Fernbank Museum of Natural History
There are two Fernbanks.
This one is dedicated to making the public familiar with local natural history.
In addition to the skeletal remains of dinosaurs, the family can walk through an old-growth forest.
That’s as close as we can get to feeling like we’re walking back in time, currently.
For further excitement, there is a 3D theater where kids can get sucked into a variety of topics, often nature themed.
Plan ahead and be in attendance for a special event.
It takes just under two hours to walk through the whole museum, but well worth the time.
4. Zoo Atlanta
At Zoo Atlanta, there are over 1,000 animals from 200 species that were picked from various places around the globe.
There are shows and encounters all across the zoo.
Overall, most of the animals are divided into one of a few categories; African savanna, African rainforest, and Asian forest.
There is a Kidzone area with rides and more docile animals such as the alpaca and sloth.
No need to worry about bringing lunch, a cafe is on the premises.
Shows also offer everyone a chance to sit for a bit and earn something interesting.
5. Children’s Museum of Atlanta
A hop, skip, and jump from Centennial Olympic Park is the Children’s Museum of Atlanta.
When you step inside, you immediately get the feeling that a child dreamt this up and made a vow to bring it to life as an adult.
Looking around, it’s sort of like a whimsical view into the mind of a child with a wild imagination.
That’s basically what this museum is trying to evoke.
Through the encouragement and freedom of play, imagination takes hold and allows children to explore their own flights of fancy.
6. Georgia Aquarium
Atlanta plays host to the biggest aquarium in the US and the fifth largest in the world.
When it first opened in 2005, the rumor was it could flood downtown.
Since it holds 11 million gallons, it’s easy to see where that tale started.
In the 13 acres, there are seven galleries that contain thousands of aquatic creatures.
Block off at least four hours to make it through the underwater tunnels, animal encounters, and enormous tanks.
7. Fernbank Science Center
The other Fernbank, this location is dedicated to an assortment of scientific fields.
Kids can press a button and create a tornado or watch a real honey bee hive in action.
Got any little ones with an interest in space?
The Apollo 6 command module is on display, as well as info about the NASA program.
For a nominal fee, you can go into the planetarium and watch a story unfold overhead involving the planets and stars.
That’s enough to make any young mind long for a telescope for some self-imposed homework.
The best part, this museum is free!
8. Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Are any kids in the house obsessed with Moana?
There is an entire statue covered in greenery that feels similar to Te Fiti, the goddess who finally got her heart back.
That might be the reason alone to bring the kids to the botanical gardens.
Of course, there is a lot more to see over the 30 acres than just that.
In addition to ever-revolving exhibits, you can learn more about the team’s conservation efforts and ongoing research.
9. Center for Puppetry Arts
This center is the largest of its kind in the US.
It’s also one of only a handful of museums dedicated to the art of puppetry on the planet.
Not only can you learn about puppets, but you can also stay for a show.
Come for a workshop and have kids get hands-on experience with puppets.
10. High Museum of Art
Another museum that sets Atlanta apart is the High Museum of Art.
It’s the largest museum for the visual arts in the region, encompassing over 300,000 square feet.
The building itself feels like a mansion full of a wealthy family’s prized possessions curated over centuries of expertise.
From world-renowned paintings to marble statues so lifelike that you’d believe there’s a real veil covering a woman’s face, as opposed to being carved.
This is a perfect spot for the little artist in your life that’s old enough to appreciate more refined talent.
Atlanta Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Atlanta Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year to visit Atlanta?
Since much of what there is to do involves being outdoors, the best time to go is when the weather is mild.
In a southern state, summers can be uncomfortable if you’re not from a similar climate.
The heat is humid, like being in a sauna.
Therefore, you might want to plan for spring break or Labor Day weekend.
Basically, March through May and September through November.
If you do go during the summer, be sure to bring essentials to stay cool and plan fewer outdoor adventures.
What is Atlanta's public transportation system like?
MARTA, Atlanta’s system, is heavily used by citizens and visitors alike, especially for events.
It is made up of buses, trains, and street cars.
For convenience, the maps and station information can all be accessed online.
There’s even an option to preschedule a trip using website resources.
Not only is that helpful for someone who isn’t from the area, but it can also help you plan out a trip better.
Fares are $2.50 for each trip.
Seniors and those with disabilities are eligible for discounted fares.
Landing at Hartsfield International Airport?
Check the schedules, there are free MARTA shuttles that can take you to other parts of the airport area.
Is Atlanta safe for tourists?
As any major city can attest, there is no such thing as a completely crime-free place.
That doesn’t mean you should be nervous about site-seeing around Atlanta.
Atlanta is considered a safe place to vacation, but it’s important to still be cautious.
Whichever area you plan to stay in or just be in to see things, check out the crime statistics.
There’s a lot you can learn about places to avoid and it might change where you stay.
Stay vigilant after dark and make sure that your children are all indoors and accounted for at the end of the day.
The most common crime in Atlanta is pickpocketing.
When out and about, keep valuables in the hotel or at home.
Anywhere there are tons of people, it is a sneaky place for criminals to try distraction techniques.
As long as you’re watching out and being careful, you should be fine.
Is it better to stay in Atlanta or in the metro area on vacation?
It really depends on what you hope to accomplish while in town.
There are plenty of things to keep you active while staying downtown alone.
There are also popular destinations outside of downtown that might be meaningful to your family.
Are you planning to rent a car?
If so, you can find more budget-friendly accommodations in the metro area, as well as have more flexibility with activities.
If not, plan out all the locations you want to see and find a hotel in the middle.
In addition to public transportation, there are also rideshare apps.
The shortest distance will provide the best prices.
