150 years before James Oglethorpe designed America’s first planned city, there was another man coming in contact with Georgia.
Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto was one of the first to arrive at the coast.
His aim was to establish a connection with the natives in the area and spread religion.
What the Europeans didn’t understand about germs at the time would come back to haunt this endeavor, literally.
Over half a millennium later, Georgia has been through all kinds of things, including war and booming technology.
That means there are so many things to see around the state that there’s no reason for any kid living there or visiting to be bored.
Here, we’re going to take a journey around the state and discover some fun and educational kid-friendly spots to visit.
10 Things to Do in Georgia With Kids
1. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield
In the summer of 1864, as General Sherman was burning his way across Georgia, there was a battle north of Atlanta at Kennesaw Mountain.
This time, the Union army was defeated by Southern soldiers who were more familiar with the landscape.
4,000 men lost their lives that day in June, 3/4 were Union.
Due to a number of factors, a plethora of items were left behind on both sides.
It was enough to gather and keep safe for a time before eventually creating a museum on the mountain grounds.
Visitors to the battlefield can watch a short movie about the events that took place as well as see a treasure trove of now-historic relics.
You can take a paved walk-up or ride the shuttle to the top where a cannon sits all these years later as a reminder.
Of course, there are areas to have a picnic and walk your dog, too.
2. Golden Isles
The Golden Isles are just south of Savannah on the eastern coast of Georgia.
Jekyll Island, St. Simon Island, Little St. Simon Island, and Sea Island make up this sunny tourist spot.
Each island has something different to offer, so if you’re going all the way down there you might as well check out each island.
To be fair, you’ll have to plan further ahead to go to Little St. Simon Island since you can only get there by private boat.
Otherwise, the other three islands are easy to drive to from the local town of Brunswick.
Depending on which island you’re on, there’s a lighthouse, sea life rehabilitation, fishing, museums, and so much more.
3. Helen
One minute you’re just driving through the winding roads of the mountains and the next you feel like you were transported to Europe.
Nestled in the national forests of north Georgia is a quaint German town called Helen.
This seemingly random tourist strip is a rather enjoyable stay.
Each building is made to emulate German architecture with names like The Heidelberg.
There aren’t as many German restaurants as you’d imagine but most do have at least an ode to its inspiration.
Most of what makes up Helen are trinket shops, restaurants, and daily activities.
This can be done in two days or a day trip.
Be prepared, the whole town pretty much shuts down at 6 pm.
4. Savannah
From watching candy be made to a day at the beach, Savannah has all the ingredients for a fun-filled trip that even the youngest traveler can enjoy.
This is a great place for kids to expel any energy they have.
Savannah is designed as a bunch of squares.
Each square has something interesting going on.
There’s Forsyth Park with a giant xylophone and even Bonaventure Cemetery with bells attached to graves.
Everything has a story and taking kids on a tour might up their fascination.
5. Downtown Atlanta
Downtown might be the most expensive place for kids, but it surely could be the most entertaining.
To start, there is more than one massive park to run or picnic in.
Top choices are Piedmont Park and Centennial Olympic Park, which celebrates athletic excellence.
Then, you have the World of Coke, including the Cola Bear to get a photo with.
Oh, let’s not forget the 4D movie and the ability to try a variety of flavors from around the globe.
Next, the Georgia Aquarium, the biggest in the US and one of the biggest in the world!
What else?
Downtown is home to the Children’s Museum, two Fernbank museums, Zoo Atlanta, Center for Puppetry Arts, and Botanical Gardens.
6. Stone Mountain
In the metro area of Atlanta is 3,200 acres of nature, activities, and a massive mountain of stone.
Aside from the size, one of the reasons this is such a popular destination is the carving on the side.
In fact, at the top of the hill across from the mountain is a white house that doubles as a museum and theater.
Visitors can watch a movie about the making of the carving and follow it up with a walk around.
Want a better view?
Take a sky bucket to the top.
You can also walk up but try the bucket first, it’s not a walk for the faint of heart.
At the base of the mountain, there’s a little village with shops, food, and plenty of photo-op decorations.
Even when it’s too cold to walk around, they keep people coming out with attractions on the law, which are used for fireworks during the summer.
7. Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee River is such a draw that country singer, Alan Jackson, wrote a popular hit in the 90s dedicated to it.
Don’t come to swim after a heavy rain though, too much debris is drudged up.
Otherwise, the Chattahoochee is a pretty safe place to kick back and relax or get soaked.
8. Little White House
Sometimes a president needs a home away from home.
This house in Warm Springs was exactly that for FDR, especially during WWII.
Originally attracted to the spring waters for healing purposes, he couldn’t stop coming back over the years.
Occasionally he’d bring his children but most of the time this was his sacred space.
Well, he and his white house staff.
This is also where he died.
Visiting the historic site includes a museum tour of items from the presidency and FDR’s private collection.
9. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Encompassing 400k acres is a refuge down by the Florida border.
Here, you can take a tour of the Okefenokee Swamp by boat, or you can ride around the refuge on a bicycle.
There’s even the option to stay on land nearby.
Heck, you can even rent a kayak and have an adventure.
This is, after all, the largest swamp in North America.
The visitor center gets you started with maps and endless info about the inhabitants.
10. Warner Robbins Air Force Base Museum
If you have a child who is fascinated by flying or planes, this is a must-visit destination!
On display are a retired SR-71, WWII bombers, Vietnam War helicopters, and an amazing amount more from war and beyond.
Aside from actual aircraft, there are military uniforms from WWII among other wartime relics on display.
Much of what you see is interactive.
So, a child with this interest will leave with a deeper appreciation for flight.
Georgia Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Georgia Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year to visit Georgia?
If the goal is to get in the ocean, you’ll want to go in late spring or early summer.
Wait too long and the heat or humidity might get to you.
If the mountains are calling your name, come in the spring or autumn when the weather makes it possible to take long, scenic hikes.
Looking for a winter getaway?
Check out the Golden Isles in January when it’s 80 degrees out.
Of course, you’ll only want to come in the summer if crowds don’t bother you.
Most Georgia hot spots are tourist attractions and summer gets the most foot traffic.
This is a good way, however, to narrow down your interests so the best time to visit aligns with your needs.
Is Georgia a safe place to visit?
Georgia, as a whole, is viewed as safe.
With that being said, like anywhere you go, there are areas that are deemed safer than others.
The best example of that would be Atlanta.
As the state’s capital, there naturally is more crime.
A majority of Atlanta is fine throughout the day, but there are some shady spots downtown you might want to avoid.
Honestly, avoiding downtown after dark is a general rule that everyone there tries to stick to.
That can probably be said for most places you’re unfamiliar with.
Keep a majority of sightseeing during the day and it’s unlikely you’ll have issues.
If you do have excursions planned after dark, be sure to do a thorough safety check in advance.
What's the most visited tourist attraction in Georgia?
Stone Mountain, in the metro area of Atlanta, gets around four million visitors annually.
This one spot alone brings in around $50 million for the state.
While the name might not inspire creativity, the mountain is anything but a typical climb.
Not only is this what looks like a giant stone, but it has a whole carving on the face.
That carving serves as a backdrop for a multitude of events throughout the year, including a summer of fireworks.
To be fair, not all attention is good attention.
There are activists calling for the demolition of the carving because it depicts three Southern generals from the Civil War.
Whether you agree with that or not, it took a multitude of years to finish and even cost a life in the process.
If nothing else, it can serve as a reminder of Georgia’s past.
Is there anything left of the Native Americans who lived in Georgia?
Yes!
The most prominent would be the Etowah Indian Mounds in the northwest city of Cartersville.
Mounds on the site are the most intact evidence left behind from the Mississippian region.
Georgia is making efforts to conserve the mounds, now protected as a state historic site.
The museum depicts what life was like for those who inhabited the area and what their mounds most likely were built for.
It’s really worth the drive because it’s not every day that prehistoric sites are still around to check out.
While walking around the fields, there is a walking trail alongside the Etowah River.
Here, you can contemplate what it might have looked like to see the community active and using the mounds.
