Best Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids
I’ve only been to Atlanta once, and was overwhelmed by the amount of attractions (and the traffic)! There are some amazing things to do in Atlanta with kids. I’m thrilled to have Kendra Pierson as a guest author, sharing the best family friendly things to do in Atlanta. Enjoy!
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Family Friendly Things to Do in Atlanta Georgia
Atlanta is an international gateway as home to the world’s busiest airport with flights to over 225 destinations daily. Domestic visitors are welcome too since 80% of the American population is only a two-hour flight away. In the areas of culture, history, food and even TV production, the Atlanta region welcomes families to come to get to know the city. Here are five of the most iconic things to do in Atlanta as a family.
College Football Hall of Fame
In the South where weddings are planned around college football games and even toddlers have a favorite team, a visit to the College Football Hall of Fame is a must. It’s an interactive space perfect for the whole family to explore.
Exhibits cover all aspects of the college football experience from tailgating and cheerleading to calling the plays for championship games. Fans can even get into the game at an interactive ESPN College GameDay Desk and make their pick for the week. The best part is the ticket allows you to bring home your experiences at no additional fee with a download at home.
Georgia Aquarium
The world’s largest aquarium is home to seven distinct galleries ranging from the Cold Water Quest featuring animals from arctic regions to the Tropical Diver featuring one of the largest living reef exhibits in the United States, the Pacific Barrier Reef.
Georgia Aquarium is the only North American aquarium home to manta rays and whale sharks – the largest fish in the world. Guides stationed throughout each gallery help families learn more about the conservation and research efforts occurring behind the scenes. The Aquarium is the perfect backdrop for Atlanta selfies.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
The MLK is a National Park dedicated to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights era. On ranger-led tours, families can visit the childhood home of one of Atlanta’s most famous residents. The quick tour shows how Dr. King lived during the era of segregation.
Children can relate to the boy who loved to play baseball and Monopoly and tried to avoid his piano practice. The Visitor Center hosts the “Children of Courage” exhibit, telling the story of children of the Civil Rights Movement. Families will find plenty of places to play outside and children can earn their Junior Ranger badge after completing a series of activities.
World of Coca-Cola
Even if soda is a big no for your family, seeing the home of Coca-Cola and even the secret vault where the original Coca-Cola recipe is kept will give your family a true taste of Atlanta. The World of Coca-Cola shows families how this global brand is embraced by other cultures around the world.
Exhibits at the World of Coca-Cola include the Pop Culture Gallery where art and coke merge together as unique art pieces. Families can take a picture with the Coke Polar Bear or on a sofa from American Idol Season 4. Don’t leave without finding your favorite flavor from the over 100 global brands in the Taste It! Exhibit.
High Museum of Art at the Woodruff Arts Center
The High Museum of Art is the leading visual art museum in the Southeast. It is only one part of the Woodruff Arts Center along with the Alliance Theater and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The High hosts special exhibitions throughout the year. Their permanent collection has more than 15,000 pieces.
The primary focus of the collections is 19th and 20th century American and decorative art, significant European pieces, modern and contemporary art, photography, African art and folk art. Families can connect with the museum through hands-on activities in the Greene Family Learning Gallery or free Discovery Packs that can be checked out for self-guided tours.
Looking for additional articles? Don’t miss these Atlanta day trips and best things to do in Chattanooga with kids.
About the author: Kendra is an Atlanta-based freelance writer, travel/lifestyle blogger, wife and mother of two homeschooled boys. You can follow her family’s adventures on Instagram at kendra.pierson.
*This post originally appeared in June 2017, but was updated in June 2020.
