10 Things to Do with the Family in Atlanta
From trails to theme parks, museums and more, Atlanta has fun adventures for all ages.
Atlanta overflows with world-famous attractions and endless entertainment. There is so much to experience in Atlanta, it can be hard to know where to start and where to go that will satisfy everyone in the family. So, here's a list of 10 metro Atlanta spots that always get a thumbs up and are must-sees for family-friendly fun.
Canopy walk at Atlanta Botanical Garden in Atlanta, Georgia
1. Atlanta Botanical Garden
See what's blooming at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, a 30-acre oasis in Midtown. There's a Children's Garden for hands-on fun and learning, the Fuqua Conservatory's Tropical Orchid House, classes and cooking demonstrations, and art on display among the blooms.
Check the garden's event calendar for the full lineup of special events, including Alice's Wonderland Returns, May 11 - Sept. 15, 2024.
Bamboo forest on the East Palisades Trail in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Photo by @pokkychoo
2. Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area & Chattahoochee Nature Center
Choose any of the 15 access points in the 48-mile-long Chattahoochee National Recreation Area and jump into miles of trails to bike, hike and run along the river. One hidden gem is the bamboo forest, which you can find in the East Palisades section.
To learn more about Atlanta's treasured river, visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell. Explore the interpretive center, hike woodland trails, meander through butterfly and native plant gardens, and explore the river boardwalk while viewing native animals. Check the center's calendar for even more family fun, like the Butterfly Festival and Family Fun Days.
Dunwoody Nature Center in Dunwoody, Georgia
3. Dunwoody Nature Center
Explore 2 miles of peaceful wetland, woodland and streamside trails at Dunwoody Nature Center, an oasis in the busy metro area. Admire the display gardens, relax on the picnic meadow, and watch the kids have a ball on the shaded playground. Check the center's calendar for seasonal events.
WildWoods at Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta, Georgia
4. Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Say hello to the world's largest dinosaur as you walk in the front door of Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Kids turn into explorers in the interactive NatureQuest, and everyone can enjoy the feeling of "being there" at the IMAX Theatre. Outside, follow the elevated walkway into the treetops, where you can enjoy stunning views from tree pods, and continue to explore more than two miles of paths winding through Fernbank Forest, a 65-acre old-growth forest.
Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Photo by @hesamusicman
5. Georgia Aquarium
No matter your age, everyone's a kid at the Georgia Aquarium. You can just sit back and watch the mesmerizing aquatic animals play, or you can go behind the scenes and get up close to beluga whales, sea otters, penguins and more. Explore the amazing galleries, full of aquatic life, and make friends with a shark, dolphin, harbor seal or sea lion in encounter programs. This spring, check out the new coastal birds exhibit, featuring roseate spoonbill and scarlet ibis. Check the aquarium's calendar for even more special events.
Infinity Room at the Museum of Illusions in Atlanta, Georgia
6. Museum of Illusions
Take an interactive and immersive journey through the world of optical illusions and mystifying puzzles at the Museum of Illusions at Atlantic Station. Explore more than 80 exhibits of fascinating illusions, holograms and gravity-defying spaces. From the Vortex Tunnel to the Building Illusion, Reversed Room to the Moire Flower, you'll encounter mind-bending challenges that test your agility and mind.
Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia
7. Six Flags Over Georgia
At Six Flags Over Georgia, laugh and scream at the same time on thrill rides like the open-air, high-flying SkyScreamer and monster roller coasters like Goliath. Get soaked on the water rides in Hurricane Harbor, and check the park's special events calendar for even more fun!
Sloomoo Institute Atlanta
8. Sloomoo Institute Atlanta
Become immersed in a mesmerizing world of sensory experiences, including hand-crafted slime, delicious scents, vivid colors and soothing ASMR delights. Design your dream slime at the DIY bar, play with kinetic sand, and experience kaleidoscopic glow-in-the-dark moments. If you choose the enhanced admission tickets, you will have slime rain down on you for a truly once-in-a-lifetime moment!
World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta
9. World of Coca-Cola
Explore the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta to learn about the history of The Coca-Cola Company and the world's most famous soft drink. Get closer than ever before to the vault containing the secret recipe, and see the fully functioning bottling line that produces a commemorative glass bottle of Coca-Cola for every guest. In Scent Discovery, follow your nose to uncover new beverage favorites from around the world based on your favorite scent profiles. Don't miss the tasting room, where you can sample more than 60 beverages from around the globe!
Zoo Atlanta
10. Zoo Atlanta
Feed giraffes and go behind the scenes with African elephants, giant pandas and lemurs at Zoo Atlanta. And don't miss baby gorilla Shalia, who was born in April 2023, and baby orangutan Nangka, who was born in May 2023. Located in historic Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta is home to the largest collection of gorillas and orangutans in North America. Check the zoo's event calendar to plan your trip so you won't miss special events.
