Explore Atlanta: The Top 25 Family-Friendly Attractions
A popular destination for both American and overseas visitors, Atlanta is an incredible city to explore. With museums and historic sites, performing arts venues, parks, festivals, and so much more, there’s always something to do in The Big Peach.
Whether you call Atlanta home or you’re just in town for a few days, there’s an endless list of incredible family-friendly attractions where adults and kids alike can play, learn, and explore the wonderful world of Atlanta.
Are you looking for fun things to do in Atlanta that won’t leave your kids bored to death? Join us as we take a look at the top 25 family-friendly attractions in the city that will delight the young and the young at heart.
1. Georgia Aquarium
The largest aquarium in the U.S. and the fifth largest on the planet, Georgia Aquarium is an impressive attraction that exhibits hundreds of species within its seven major galleries. With thousands of animals calling the aquarium home, your entire family will have a blast exploring this truly impressive Atlanta institution.
Easily the premier tourist attraction in the entire city, you’ll also have the chance to visit a number of other excellent sites at the same time. The World of Coca-Cola is also located at Pemberton Place, where Centennial Olympic Park, the CNN Center, the State Farm Arena, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and many other downtown tourist attractions are within walking distance.
2. Zoo Atlanta
Also sometimes called Atlanta Zoo, Zoo Atlanta was founded all the way back in 1889. Adults and kids alike will love exploring the African Savanna, where there are elephants, zebras, giraffes, rhinos, ostriches, and other incredible creatures.
You’ll also find one of the largest populations of gorillas on the continent here in the Ford African Rain Forest and have the rare opportunity to see giant pandas. (Zoo Atlanta is only one of two American zoos with giant pandas.)
3. Tellus Science Museum
Located a little under an hour northwest of the city of Cartersville, GA, the Tellus Science Museum is an excellent place for the entire family to immerse themselves in the wonders of science.
Your kids will love taking a trip to the Fossil Dig and Gem Panning areas, where they even get to bring home a fossil and gems as mementos.
4. Atlanta Botanical Gardens
According to USA Today, Atlanta has one of the best botanical gardens in the country. This is truly a place that the entire family can enjoy, allowing the whole crew to immerse themselves in an urban oasis right in the heart of Midtown.
Kids will particularly love the Children’s Garden (complete with a splash pad area), Fuqua Conservatory, the Canopy Walk, and the Edible Garden. The Botanical Garden is also constantly putting on kid-friendly events, which you can find on their kids’ programming calendar.
5. The Peachtree Trolley
Are you hoping to have a fun and adventurous day with your kids while also learning a bit more about Atlanta’s history?
Look no further than the Peachtree Trolley, which offers a Sightseeing Trolley Tour that will show you around eleven top attractions in the city.
6. Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Offering hands-on experiences to children between the ages of 0 and 8, this is the perfect Atlanta outing for your little ones.
All of their exhibits are specifically developed with children eight years and younger in mind, making this a must-see attraction for families with young children.
7. Chattahoochee Nature Center
Located in Roswell, Georgia (about half an hour’s drive north of the city center,) the Chattahoochee Nature Center is an ideal outing for families that love the natural world.
With 127 acres of space right next to the Chattahoochee River, you can explore their five wooded trails, zip through the trees on their zipline, canoe on the river, and so much more.
8. iFLY Indoor Skydiving
Are you searching for a truly memorable experience you can share with the whole family while you’re in Atlanta? Look no further than iFLY, an indoor skydiving center where you can find out what it feels like to fly in their vertical wind tunnels.
While you might think this is something that’s reserved for older adrenaline junkies, the indoor skydiving center is safe for all ages, abilities, and experience levels. This is a great way to celebrate your kids’ birthday or simply create memories with your family that will last a lifetime.
9. LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Basically a LEGO paradise, your kids will have a great time unleashing their inner architect and experiencing their wide variety of exhibits.
Kids 3 and up will love this one, as well as kids at heart of any age.
10. Piedmont Park
Are you trying to find something to do in Atlanta on a perfect sunny Southern day? You’ll want to consider heading to Piedmont Park, where kids can splash in the family-friendly pool, run around on the playgrounds, and much more.
The entire family can enjoy a lovely picnic in the abundant green space of the park, guided history tours, the weekly farmers market, and so much more.
11. Ponce Market Rooftop Arcade
There’s something unique about the Ponce Market Rooftop Arcade, which has a tremendous nostalgia that will warm the hearts of older family members and delight younger family members.
You and your family can engage in everything from skee ball and ring toss to mini golf and basketball.
12. High Museum of Art
Tailoring activities to the youngest among you can sometimes leave older family members feeling a bit bored. Visiting the High Museum of Art is the perfect solution– there is plenty for the whole family here.
Beyond having a massive permanent collection and truly incredible traveling displays, kids 12 and up will love the creative programs offered that are specifically designed for the whole family.
13. Center For Puppetry Arts
At the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, you and your family can watch puppet shows online, engage in workshops, and explore the museum.
You can find hundreds of puppets and other puppet-focused memorabilia from around the world.
14. Atlanta History Center
The Atlanta History Center is another great attraction to check out in the city. Founded in 1926, the museum currently has nine permanent exhibitions and several temporary exhibitions.
Located on a 33-acre campus with historic homes and gardens right on the grounds, you’ll want to check out places like Smith Farm, Swan House, and Wood Family Cabin while you’re visiting.
15. Stone Mountain Park
Located about half an hour outside of the city, Stone Mountain Park is a huge, family-friendly attraction with plenty of rides, events, festivals, and natural areas to explore.
Whether you want to explore their 15 miles of wood hiking trails, rent a kayak to have some fun on the lake, or you want to take a summit skyride on a high-speed Swiss cable car, there’s a little something for the whole family here.
16. Lake Lanier Islands
Looking to take a mini-vacation with the fam? You might want to check out Lake Lanier Islands, a resort complex that was constructed on a group of small islands right on beautiful Lake Lanier.
Sixty miles northeast of the city, this is the perfect place to get away from it all. With a golf course, water park, hotel, beaches, boat docks, and more, you won’t want to miss this great Atlanta summer attraction.
17. The Atlanta Beltline
You and your family will love exploring the Atlanta BeltLine, a 22-mile multi-use trail and light rail transit system built around the city’s core. While the project is still ongoing (it’s scheduled to be completed in 2030), it has already been vastly successful in launching urban renewal projects.
With plenty of places to eat, drink, shop, and explore along the path, this is one attraction you won’t want to miss.
Are you considering making Atlanta your new home? Check out our guides to the most affordable Atlanta suburbs, the best gated communities, and Atlanta HOAs.
18. The Starlight Drive-In Theatre
With plenty of nostalgic charm without sacrificing modern conveniences, spending a night at the Starlight Drive-In Theatre is an excellent place to bring the whole family.
In fact, the theatre basically encourages you to bring the whole crew with tickets for kids between the ages of 5 and 9, only costing $1.
19. Tiny Doors ATL
One really special attraction in Atlanta is known as Tiny Doors ATL, a series of– you guessed it– tiny doors that are installed all over the city. Using this map, you can make sure you catch these creative art installations when you’re checking out other Atlanta institutions and attractions.
How tiny are these tiny doors, you ask? Quite tiny, in fact– each one only stands seven inches tall. This makes them the perfect little easter egg hunt for your kids as you explore the city.
20. World of Coca-Cola
A museum dedicated to the history of the Coca-Cola Company, this impressive complex is a fun place to explore when you’re in the city.
Your kids can meet and have their photo taken with the iconic Coca-Cola polar bear, while the whole family will love tasting all of their beverage samples.
21. Centennial Olympic Park
A trip to Centennial Olympic Park is basically mandatory if you’re visiting Atlanta. This 22-acre greenspace is considered the crown jewel of Atlanta’s downtown entertainment district and serves as the legacy of the Summer Olympic Games that were held there in 1996.
You and your family can enjoy the gardens, playgrounds, gorgeous lawns, and countless features and landmarks that will make it a trip to remember.
22. Six Flags Over Georgia
Located in Cobb County, just ten miles west of the city, Six Flags Over Georgia is the ideal spot to take your family if you’re looking for a truly thrilling experience.
Some consider this Atlanta amusement park to be one of the best in the Six Flags chain, with an impressive rollercoaster collection. The largest and most exciting theme park in Atlanta, this is an excellent choice if you and your family are looking to enjoy a true adventure.
23. Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Want to ignite your kid’s curiosity with an immersive experience in the realms of science and nature? Look no further than the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, where you and the family can travel back in time and around the world through their fascinating exhibits.
Beyond that, you can explore their 75 acres of incredible walking trails, outdoor exhibits, nature playgrounds, and native wildlife.
24. Urban Air Adventure Park
Another great choice for the thrill-seeking family, this is the ultimate indoor adventure park. An awesome place to host your kid’s birthday party or just to have a memorable day, there are several Urban Air Adventure Parks outside Atlanta.
With experiences including laser tag, V.R., climbing walls, trampolines, indoor playgrounds, and so much more, adventurous kids will surely have an incredible time here.
25. The Braves Truist Park
Have any baseball fans in the family? Make sure you put the Braves Truist Park on your itinerary. Of course, you can visit the park in order to cheer on the Atlanta Braves. Additionally, though, you have the opportunity to experience some major league excitement before or after their next game.
With unique dining and shopping experiences and an iconic music venue featuring music and comedy shows on non-game days, consider taking a tour of Truist Park to get the inside scoop on this iconic landmark.
Are You Thinking About Calling Atlanta Home?
Atlanta is an awesome place to raise a family, and people are starting to catch on. With thousands of people moving to the city thanks to its increasing job growth, rich history, and desirable neighborhoods (to name a few,) you’re in good company if you’re considering making a move to Atlanta.
Whether you’re drawn by the thriving economy, lovely weather, or family-friendly atmosphere, finding the right home in the area can feel like an overwhelming task. There are many choices to make along the way– whether you want to live ITP or OTP, whether you want to live in the city or the suburbs, and so on.
Are you considering taking the plunge and calling Atlanta your home? If so, we’re here to help. At the Justin Landis Group, our team of world-class experts is dedicated to helping make your real estate dreams come true.
If you’re ready to get started, reach out and contact us today!