The Best Things To Do With Kids in Atlanta

Atlanta punches well above its weight as a family destination. Whether you're a local looking for a weekend activity or visiting with children in tow, the city offers a deep bench of hands-on, genuinely engaging experiences — spread across several neighborhoods and attraction districts that are easy to navigate, including by MARTA.

Here's a practical guide to where Atlanta families actually go, organized by the type of experience your kids will enjoy most.

World-Class Attractions Worth the Splurge

Georgia Aquarium

Located in Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW in downtown Atlanta (Fulton County), the Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest in the world and consistently ranks among the top family attractions in the Southeast. The whale sharks alone justify the trip. Plan for at least three hours. Tickets sell out on peak weekends — buy online in advance. Check the aquarium's website for current admission pricing, as it varies by age and date.

Children's Museum of Atlanta

A short walk from the aquarium, the Children's Museum of Atlanta is purpose-built for younger kids, generally ages 8 and under. Exhibits are hands-on and change periodically. It's a manageable size — you won't spend the whole day there — which makes it an easy pairing with the aquarium or World of Coca-Cola, which sits adjacent in the same park district.

Zoo Atlanta

Located in Grant Park (City of Atlanta, Fulton County), Zoo Atlanta is home to giant pandas and a strong collection of African wildlife. The campus has good stroller access and shaded paths, which matters in Atlanta summers. Parking is available on-site; the zoo is not directly served by MARTA but is reachable via bus connections. Check Zoo Atlanta's website for current hours and pricing.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Situated in the Druid Hills neighborhood (DeKalb County, unincorporated), Fernbank Museum of Natural History has a massive dinosaur hall that stops kids cold. The Giant Screen Theater runs nature films. Fernbank is distinct from Fernbank Science Center, which is a separate facility operated by DeKalb County School District and offers planetarium shows — often at lower or no cost. If you're planning to visit both, note that they are different venues several miles apart.

Outdoor Spaces That Work Well With Children 🌳

Atlanta BeltLine — Eastside Trail

The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail runs through Inman Park, Poncey-Highland, and Old Fourth Ward and is flat, paved, and stroller-friendly. The trail connects to Ponce City Market (a good food stop) and several playgrounds. On weekends, it's busy — plan around the crowd if your kids have limited patience for foot traffic. The BeltLine is free to access.

Piedmont Park

Atlanta's most central green space sits in Midtown (Fulton County) and anchors the city's outdoor family culture. The Piedmont Park Active Oval and the playground near the Active Oval are well-maintained. The park is MARTA-accessible via the Arts Center Station on the Red and Gold lines. It hosts frequent weekend events — check the Piedmont Park Conservancy's website for the current calendar before planning around an open lawn.

Stone Mountain Park

Technically outside the City of Atlanta and located in DeKalb County, Stone Mountain Park is managed by the Stone Mountain Memorial Association and offers trails, a sky lift, mini golf, a beach area, and laser shows (seasonal). It's a full-day outing. Check their website for current admission fees and seasonal programming — pricing and offerings have changed in recent years.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

For families with older or more active kids, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area — managed by the National Park Service — offers hiking and tubing opportunities along the river corridor north of the city. Multiple access units exist between Roswell and Vinings. Tubing operators along the river are private businesses; check availability and current fees directly with them. A National Parks pass covers entry at NPS units.

Science, History, and Learning 🔬

Tellus Science Museum

Located in Cartersville (Bartow County) — about an hour northwest of Atlanta — Tellus Science Museum is a serious drive but worth it for kids fascinated by minerals, fossils, space, or cars. It houses a planetarium and an extensive gem and mineral hall. This is not an Atlanta city attraction, but it's a realistic and popular day trip for Atlanta families.

Center for Civil and Human Rights

In downtown Atlanta adjacent to the aquarium complex, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights is best suited for older children and teenagers who can engage with the subject matter. The exhibits are immersive and emotionally powerful. It's operated independently; check their website for current hours and admission.

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum

Located in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood near Emory University (DeKalb County side of the city boundary), the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum is operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. Presidential libraries work well for history-interested kids ages 10 and up. A National Parks pass may reduce or waive admission; verify before visiting.

Under-the-Radar Options Locals Actually Use

SciTrek closed years ago, but Atlanta replaced that curiosity gap with the Maker spaces and STEM programs available through Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System branches — free and accessible to any cardholder. Programs vary by branch; check the library system's online calendar.

Warehouse district escape rooms, trampoline parks, and indoor climbing gyms are scattered across the metro — in areas like Marietta, Duluth, and Norcross — but these are Cobb and Gwinnett County businesses, not Atlanta proper. Worth knowing if you're driving anyway.

For pure local fun inside city limits, the Grant Park Farmer's Market (seasonal), the Krog Street Market in Inman Park, and the food halls at Ponce City Market in Old Fourth Ward are good low-pressure family outings — particularly for kids who don't want another museum but need somewhere interesting to go.

Quick-Reference Summary

Practical Tips for Atlanta Families

MARTA access matters. The Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights are all walkable from Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station (now called State Farm Arena Station — verify the current station name on the MARTA system map). Piedmont Park is accessible from Arts Center Station.

Book weekends in advance. The aquarium and Children's Museum sell out on popular weekend dates. Same-day walk-up availability is not guaranteed.

Heat is real. Atlanta summers are genuinely hot and humid from June through September. Outdoor-heavy plans work best in the morning. Fernbank, the Children's Museum, and the aquarium are all climate-controlled full-day options when the heat index climbs.

Atlanta vs. metro Atlanta. Several popular family destinations — Stone Mountain, Legoland Discovery Center (in Marietta, Cobb County), and the Chattahoochee Nature Center (in Roswell, Cherokee County boundary) — are outside the City of Atlanta. They're worth including in your planning but require a car or rideshare.