Planning to visit Atlanta with kids? My husband had to travel to Atlanta for work, so of course we decided to tag along and explore a new city! We found so many fun things to do in Atlanta with kids, and had a great time there. So in this guide, I’ll be sharing everything you need to know to make your family vacation to Atlanta, GA, fun for all the family!
We visited Atlanta in November when our boys were almost 4 years old and 8 months old. The weather was mixed, two sunny days and two with torrential rain!
Before going, I’d read mixed reviews on Atlanta, so maybe you’re also wondering, is Atlanta good for families? In full honesty, there is sadly a big problem with homelessness there. This is a similar case in a lot of American cities. I had a couple of days there on my own with the boys while my husband was working, and I did experience quite a few men shouting comments at or about me. I also felt uncomfortable getting my phone out to check Google Maps a few times. Like anywhere, you should be aware of your surroundings and not walk around alone at night!
Saying that we found plenty of things to do in Atlanta and overall, enjoyed our time there! A lot of the activities in Atlanta were quite expensive. If you’re visiting Atlanta on a budget, check out my guide on the best free things to do in Atlanta, linked here. Below, I’ll share the ones we chose to do and also list some other options, so you can choose your favourites.
- How Long to Spend in Atlanta, GA
- Where to Stay When You Visit Atlanta with Kids
- Things to Do in Atlanta With Kids – Downtown
- Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids – Sweet Auburn
- Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids – Cabbagetown
- Things to do in Atlanta with Kids – Midtown
- Other Things to Do Across Atlanta with Kids
- Map of the Best Things to do in Atlanta with Kids
- FAQ's About Visiting Atlanta with Kids:
ATLANTA WITH KIDS QUICK PLANNING
Best Time of Year to Visit:
Spring and fall are the best times to visit Atlanta with kids, when temperatures are mild and perfect for exploring.
Ideal Trip Length:
Plan for 3 days to see Atlanta’s top family attractions.
Getting from the Airport:
The MARTA train (Red or Gold lines) takes 15–20 minutes to reach Downtown Atlanta and costs just $2.50.
Hotel Recommendation:
Twelve Downtown, Autograph Collection (where we stayed).
Getting Around Atlanta:
Having a car to explore Atlanta would be ideal. Compare rental car prices here. However, we managed on foot, combined with the Atlanta Streetcar.
Top Sights to See:
Centennial Olympic Park
Search for Tiny Doors
Walk the Beltline
Activities to Book:
World of Coca-Cola
Georgia Aquarium
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
If you plan to visit lots of Atlanta’s top attractions, you can save big with the Atlanta CityPass, which allows you to pick up to 5 of the top attractions and can save up to 49%.
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DISCLAIMER: Some of the links used below are affiliate links. If you shop through one of my links, I may get a small commission. There is no additional cost to you, and I am extremely grateful, as it helps me to run my blog!
How Long to Spend in Atlanta, GA
We found there are so many things to do in Atlanta that are great for kids. For a first-time family visit, plan on spending 2 to 3 days in Atlanta as a minimum. This gives you enough time to explore major attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, and Centennial Park without feeling rushed. If you’re adding in slower-paced activities like the BeltLine, a visit to Zoo Atlanta, or time at local playgrounds, a 4+ day trip allows for a more relaxed experience, especially with younger kids in tow.
Where to Stay When You Visit Atlanta with Kids
For families visiting Atlanta with kids, Midtown and Downtown are two of the best areas to stay. Midtown offers walkable access to Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden, while Downtown puts you close to top attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, the Children’s Museum, and Centennial Olympic Park. Look for hotels with suites or kitchenettes, or consider a vacation rental if you prefer more space for little ones to play and unwind.
We stayed at Twelve Downtown, Autograph Collection, and it was an amazing hotel suite!
Things to Do in Atlanta With Kids – Downtown
Below, I’ll share all the options for things to do in Atlanta with kids. It’s quite a vast city, so I have split the activities by area.
If you plan to visit lots of these places, it may be worth purchasing the Atlanta CityPass to save up to 49%! I’ll talk more about which attractions are included below.
Relax in Centennial Olympic Park
This is a 22-acre beautiful park, and it looked even more lovely with all the autumnal leaves. We spent the best part of a day here enjoying the sunshine.
There is a small playground, but it looks like a newer one is under construction! There are lots of fountains in the park, and the boys enjoyed splashing in them. We also had a picnic lunch and ice cream!
In this park, you’ll also find the Visitors Centre. I called in, and the lady working there was so friendly and helpful in sharing all the great things to do in Atlanta with kids!
Children in Centennial Olympic Park
Explore the World of Coca-Cola
Just across the road from the playground in Centennial Olympic Park is the World of Coca-Cola. As we’re not Coca-Cola drinkers, we decided not to go in, but there were lots of seasonal decorations in the green area outside that the boys enjoyed.
You can also find public toilets in the green area between The World of Coca-Cola and The Georgia Aquarium.
BOOK TICKETS FOR WORLD OF COCA-COLA HERE OR USE THE ATLANTA CITYPASS.
The World of Coca-Cola
Ride SkyView Atlanta
This is Atlanta’s Ferris wheel, located in Downtown Atlanta. This is another fun thing you could do in Atlanta with kids. Tickets are $19.50 for adults, $14.50 for kids and under 2’s ride free. We decided against it as I’m not convinced the view would be worth this cost.
PURCHASE TICKETS FOR SKYVIEW ATLANTA HERE
SkyView Atlanta
Marval at the Georgia Aquarium
Visiting the Georgia Aquarium is one of the most popular things to do in Atlanta with kids. The Georgia Aquarium is the biggest in the USA and is run as a non-profit organisation.
This was our first time visiting an Aquarium. I was put off visiting as tickets are quite expensive. Georgia Aquarium tickets are $67.99 at the door for everyone ages 2+. It is best to book in advance on a site such as Get Your Guide for a discounted price.
One of our days in Atlanta, it rained THE WHOLE DAY! As the aquarium is huge, we were in there from around 10-4, so we got our money’s worth from the tickets, and the whole family enjoyed it.
The dolphin and seal shows are included in the ticket price; however, you do need to book a ticket, so make sure to check the schedule when you arrive and scan the QR code to reserve your tickets.
There are also some special animal encounters you can book (for an additional fee), these include feeding the Beluga whales or a dolphin, penguin or sea otter encounter (for children ages 7 and above). If you have a scuba certificate, you can even swim with whale sharks and manta rays.
Be prepared, you have to walk through the gift shop on your way out and kids will of course, want a treat!
TOP TIP: Some seats in the dolphin show are marked as a splash zone. They didn’t tell us until the show was about to start that you’d get soaked. I would advise avoiding these seats with kids, or at least make sure you have spare clothes for them. We were all drenched in cold water.
BOOK TICKETS FOR THE GEORGIA AQUARIUM HERE OR USE THE ATLANTA CITY PASS.
Play at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta
The boys love The Children’s Museum in Manhattan, but I have to say, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta is so much better! Tickets are $23.95 per person (babies under 12 months are free) at the door or book online for a lower price of $19.95 each.
In New York, you have to check your stroller into the cloakroom (for free), but in Atlanta, you can take it in with you. This was perfect for me as my baby was napping when we arrived, and he soon woke up to enjoy the fun!
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
We had so much fun here, I’d highly recommend visiting! There is so much learning through play here, and it’s the perfect option for a rainy day!
BOOK CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA TICKETS HERE
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Get Wild at the Atlanta Zoo
We didn’t visit here, but I know this will be a popular choice for kids visiting Atlanta!
BOOK ATLANTA ZOO TICKETS HERE OR USE THE ATLANTA CITY PASS
Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids – Sweet Auburn
Sweet Auburn is a small area of Atlanta, next to Downtown.
Wander the Municipal Market
An indoor food market is a great place to stop for food or a snack. We all know kids need many snacks throughout the day! We’d already eaten, so we just got some fruit for later!
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park
Learn about History at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park
Honestly, this was more a stop for Daddy than for the children. But we like to do something for everyone when we travel! First, we headed to the playground behind the museum. This was a good way for our toddler to burn some energy before heading into the museum. Luckily, it was nap time for our baby. The museum is free to enter and has lots of interesting information about black history.
I had to gently explain to our 3-year-old about human rights, how people weren’t always kind and how it’s important to treat everybody fairly.
Playground by Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park
Brunch at Biggerstaff Brewing Company
UPDATE: THIS PLACE HAS NOW SADLY CLOSED
I don’t often recommend restaurants, but the brunch we had here was amazing! It’s a game cafe, so it has lots of great options for keeping the kids entertained. We stayed here a while while we waited for a rain shower to pass!
Address: 537 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, United States
Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids – Cabbagetown
This is another small area, located towards the East of Atlanta.
Graffiti in Krog Street Tunnel
While hunting for a tiny door (see below), we came across the Krog Street Tunnel. This is a tunnel covered in graffiti and street art. Someone had left a spray can there, so we had a little turn!
Krog Street Tunnel
Just through the tunnel is a street (Wylie St SE) that is lined with beautifully painted murals. This is also fun for little kids to look at and pick out their favourite.
Mural and Tiny Door by Krog Street Tunnel
Things to do in Atlanta with Kids – Midtown
Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden are two places we really wanted to visit, but didn’t get to. Unfortunately, the rain was just too heavy and we had to abandon. It does look beautiful, though.
Other Things to Do Across Atlanta with Kids
These are a few extra fun things to do in Atlanta as a family that aren’t specific to one area!
Hunt for Tiny Doors
There are 22 ‘Tiny Doors’ hidden across Atlanta. Our kids absolutely loved hunting for them! We didn’t see them all, but found quite a few. I would suggest you use the map to see where they are because they are hard to spot. You can download the Tiny Doors Project map for free here.
Searching for Tiny Doors
Ride the Atlanta Streetcar
For any kids who love vehicles, this is a fun activity. It’s also an easy and affordable way to get around Atlanta. Adult tickets are only $1 a ride (or $3 for a day pass), and kids under 46 inches ride free. For tickets, you can buy them from the ticket machine, which requires getting a Breeze Card. Or, if you have the right money, you can pay on board.
More information can be found on the website linked here.
Riding the Atlanta Streetcar
Walk the BeltLine
The Atlanta BeltLine is a huge 22-mile loop that is great for walking or cycling around Atlanta. Obviously, 22 miles is a long way, but you can pick a section to walk. We planned to start near the Krog Street Tunnel and end at Piedmont Park.
Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. Torrential rain meant we had to abandon and head back to our hotel.
See the BeltLine map and plan your route here.
Walking the Atlanta Beltline
Map of the Best Things to do in Atlanta with Kids
Below is my map of all the best things to do in Atlanta with kids, and everything else I’ve mentioned above. This will help you when planning your Atlanta itinerary. Just click on the top right-hand corner to open it in Google Maps.
FAQ’s About Visiting Atlanta with Kids:
Yes, while it wouldnt be my top recommendation on places to visit, we enjoyed our visit to Atlanta as a family. There is plenty to do and see, and many of the attractions are perfect for children.
Overall, during the day, Atlanta is safe to explore, like anywhere. Be aware of your surroundings and don’t walk around alone at night! Sadly, there seemed to be a big problem with homelessness in Atlanta and I did experience quite a few men shouting comments at or about me when I was alone with my children. This did not happen when my husband was there.
I would recommend Midtown or Downtown as great locations for families. Midtown is more central, however, many of the family attractions, such as The World of Coca-Cola, The Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park, and The Children’s Museum, are located Downtown, so this was a great base for us.
Writing this post has made me realise just how many fun things there are to do in Atlanta with kids! I hope we have inspired you, and you have a fun family visit to Georgia! We turned our Atlanta visit into a road trip, hiring a car and going on to Great Wolf Lodge (to celebrate our son’s birthday!) and then Charleston. Read more about Charleston here!
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FREE THINGS TO DO IN ATLANTA WITH KIDS
WE ALSO HAVE GUIDES ON:
– DALLAS – NASHVILLE – NEW ORLEANS – NEW YORK – CHARLESTON –
Happy Exploring,
A London mum sharing stylish, family-friendly travel guides.
I In our travel guides, I show you that you can still travel as a family and create beautiful memories, even when trips aren’t full of kid-centric activities.
When I’m not planning our next adventure, I also share timeless style inspiration and ideas for living more thoughtfully and sustainably.
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