Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Great Hall: Dinosaurs, Drama, and a Classic Atlanta Day Out

If you’re looking for a big “wow” museum experience in Atlanta, the Great Hall at Fernbank Museum of Natural History is usually what people picture first. Those towering dinosaur skeletons under a huge glass ceiling are one of the city’s most iconic indoor sights.

This guide walks you through what the Great Hall is, what to expect when you visit Fernbank, how to plan your trip, and how locals tend to make the most of it.

Where Fernbank Museum Fits Into Atlanta Life

Location:
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
767 Clifton Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30307

The museum sits in the Druid Hills neighborhood, just east of Midtown and a short drive from Little Five Points, Emory University, and the Virgina-Highland area.

For many Atlanta families, Fernbank is a go‑to spot for rainy days, school breaks, and visiting relatives. For visitors, it’s one of the major “Things to Do in Atlanta” alongside Zoo Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

What Is the Great Hall at Fernbank Museum?

The Great Hall is the central, dramatic entrance space of Fernbank Museum. It’s the first major area you see after you enter, and it’s designed to feel like you’ve walked into another era.

Key features of the Great Hall include:

• Massive dinosaur skeletons (including long-necked giants)
• A soaring glass ceiling that floods the space with natural light
• Balconies and open walkways that let you view the dinosaurs from different levels
• Access points to galleries, the Giant Screen Theater, and the café area

This is where many visitors:

• Take their first photos
• Reunite with their group throughout the day
• Attend special events, after-hours programs, or private rentals

If your question is specifically about “Fernbank Museum of Natural History at Great Hall,” you’re essentially talking about experiencing the museum’s signature dinosaur space and the activity that happens around it.

Dinosaur Highlights in the Great Hall 🦕

The dinosaurs in the Great Hall are some of the most memorable in Atlanta. They’re large, detailed, and carefully arranged to tell a story about prehistoric life.

Expect to see:

• Gigantic sauropod skeletons
  These long-necked dinosaurs dominate the hall. You can view them from below, from the balconies above, and from multiple angles.

• Dinosaur interaction poses
  The skeletons are often posed as if they’re moving, feeding, or interacting, which helps kids (and adults) picture them as real animals rather than just fossils.

• Interpretive panels and labels
  Around the base of the displays, you’ll find plain-language explanations about the species, where they were found, and what scientists think about how they lived.

• Photo-friendly angles
  The open layout makes it easy to get full-body dinosaur shots or close-ups from different floors. Many Atlanta residents use this space for family pictures or even milestone photos (birthdays, first museum trip, etc.).

What to Expect When You Arrive

Entry and First Impressions

When you enter Fernbank and pass the ticket area, you walk directly into the Great Hall. You’ll immediately notice:

• A wide open floor with room for strollers and groups
• Clear signage pointing to:
  • Permanent exhibits
  • Rotating special exhibitions
  • Giant Screen Theater
  • Café and restrooms
  • Outdoor areas (like WildWoods and Fernbank Forest, if open)

For many Atlanta families, the routine is:

1. Start in the Great Hall for the big dinosaur moment.
2. Explore the nearby galleries and kids’ areas.
3. Come back through the Great Hall as a “hub” between exhibits.

Atmosphere

The Great Hall can feel very different depending on when you go:

• Weekday mornings: Often filled with school field trips, especially during the school year. Expect more noise and group activity.
• Afternoons and some weekdays: Generally calmer, with more local families and tourists wandering through.
• Evenings and special events: The Great Hall can transform with lighting, music, and event setups for curated programs or adult-focused nights.

Planning Your Visit as an Atlantan

Getting There

From most central Atlanta neighborhoods, Fernbank is a straightforward drive:

• From Midtown/Downtown: Take Freedom Parkway or Ponce de Leon east, then cut toward Clifton Rd NE.
• From Decatur: Head west toward Druid Hills via East Ponce, Clairmont, or North Decatur Rd, then connect to Clifton.

Parking is typically in the adjacent lots near the museum. It’s wise to check current parking details before you go, as policies can occasionally be adjusted.

Public Transit

While Fernbank isn’t directly on top of a MARTA rail station, some visitors use:

• MARTA rail to Decatur or Edgewood/Candler Park
• Then a short rideshare or local bus connection

If you’re staying in central Atlanta hotels without a car, budgeting for a short rideshare trip is often the simplest option.

Suggested Visit Plan: Making the Great Hall Your Hub

Here’s a simple way to structure your visit if you want to make the most of the Great Hall and the surrounding exhibits.

For Atlanta locals, this pattern works well when you’re hosting out-of-town guests or breaking up the day with younger children.

Great Hall for Kids and Families

Why Kids Love It

• Scale: The skeletons are huge, which immediately grabs kids’ attention.
• Movement-friendly space: The floor is open, so supervised kids can walk around, point, and explore from different sides.
• Easy-to-understand signage: Most labels are written in simple, direct language with visuals that help children connect the information to what they’re seeing.

Parent Tips

• Use the Great Hall as a “home base.”
  Agree ahead of time: “If we get separated, meet by the big dinosaurs.”

• Circle back multiple times.
  Kids often notice new details on a second or third pass—teeth, claws, fossils, and bone shapes.

• Build in snack breaks.
  Plan your restroom and snack times around passing through the Great Hall. This keeps the day structured and predictable for younger kids.

Events and Special Uses of the Great Hall

The Great Hall is more than just a static display—it’s also a flexible, event-friendly space.

Common uses include:

• Museum special programs:
  Seasonal events, family days, and themed activities may set up stations or information tables in or near the Great Hall.

• Evening events:
  At certain times of year, Fernbank may host after-hours programs for adults, often featuring music, lighting, and access to exhibits. The Great Hall is usually a central gathering point.

• Private rentals:
  Some Atlanta residents and organizations use the Great Hall for weddings, corporate receptions, or milestone celebrations, taking advantage of the dinosaur backdrop and dramatic architecture.

If you’re interested in the Great Hall for a private event, you would typically contact the museum directly through their main phone number or event services office to discuss availability, capacity, and policies.

Practical Details Atlanta Visitors Ask About

Typical Visit Length

Most Atlanta families and visitors spend:

• 2–4 hours at the museum, depending on:
  • Age of kids
  • Interest in the Giant Screen films
  • Whether you explore any outdoor forest or nature areas, if open

The Great Hall itself can be enjoyed in as little as 15–30 minutes, but most people naturally pass through it multiple times, extending the experience.

Accessibility

The Great Hall and surrounding exhibits generally include:

• Elevators between floors
• Wide walkways suitable for wheelchairs and strollers
• Benches or rest areas in nearby sections

If anyone in your group has mobility concerns, you can plan to use the Great Hall as a primary route, since it connects efficiently to multiple levels and exhibit areas.

Making the Most of Your Fernbank Great Hall Experience

To get the most value from a visit centered around the Great Hall:

• Time your arrival.

  • For fewer crowds: Aim for weekday afternoons outside school field trip hours.
  • For school-age kids: Weekend mornings work well before they get tired.

• Plan photos early.
  Take your main family or group pictures right when you arrive, while everyone is fresh and excited.

• Talk through the dinosaurs.
  Use the displays to start conversations:

  • “How long do you think that tail is?”
  • “What do you think this dinosaur ate?”
  • “How do scientists know what this looked like?”

• Use the Great Hall as a mental map.
  When you step out to other exhibits, always note how to get “back to the dinosaurs.” This makes the museum feel easier to navigate, especially for first-time visitors to Atlanta.

When the Great Hall Is a Good Fit (and When It’s Not)

The Fernbank Great Hall is usually a great fit if you:

• Enjoy dinosaurs, natural history, or science storytelling
• Want an iconic Atlanta indoor attraction that works year-round
• Are hosting visiting family or friends and need a reliable “wow” activity
• Have kids who are curious about animals, fossils, or prehistoric life

It may be less of a priority if you:

• Prefer purely outdoor activities (in that case, consider pairing Fernbank with a Piedmont Park or Atlanta BeltLine visit)
• Are only in Atlanta for a very short time and focused strictly on downtown attractions like Centennial Olympic Park

For most residents and visitors who want to understand Atlanta’s museum scene, though, Fernbank Museum’s Great Hall is one of the city’s most distinctive spaces, and seeing the dinosaurs there at least once is often considered a classic Atlanta experience.