We asked Lesli from This Crazy Home School Life and an Atlanta resident, what her favorite adventures in Atlanta are as a family. She put together 3 great itineraries that cover three different types of adventures. Check out her itinerary for Things to Do for the Outdoor and Adventure family and the “All About Learning” getaway for families.
Day 1 –
Zoo Atlanta
As home to hundreds of fluffy, creepy, crawling, and ambling creatures, Zoo Atlanta is the perfect place to start your tour of the city’s highlights. You’ll find rhinos, sun bears, and pandas and more, along with many sculptures and activities on the grounds. Zoo Atlanta is especially delightful for the kiddos, as there is a spray ground, playground, train, and carousel in the park.
Tip: Bring a change of clothes if the day is warm. The kids will love the spray grounds!
Rhino at the Atlanta Zoo.
Day 2 –
CNN Studio Tour or the Children’s Museum of Atlanta
No trip to see the highlights of Atlanta is complete without a day spent in Atlanta’s premier tourist area, the Centennial Park District. To see most of the area, and have the best family experience, start your day at either the CNN Studio Tour or the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. The CNN tours are first come, first serve, so start the day early in the CNN Center. The tour is 50 minutes, and a perfect activity for your morning. If your children are not at the stage where a CNN tour would be enjoyable for your family, visit the Children’s Museum on the other end of Centennial Olympic Park for interactive playtime.
Tips: I recommend the CNN Studio Tour for children ages 5 and up, as strollers are not welcome and this is a walking tour. I recommend the Children’s Museum for families with children seven and younger, and parents should plan to spend about two hours in the Museum.
Centennial Olympic Park
After your morning activities, take some time to walk, hop, skip, or jump through Centennial Olympic Park. Built as a gathering location of the 1996 Olympic Games, the park still features the Fountain of Rings and many other Olympic monuments. The park also has two great playgrounds for the kiddos directly across from the World of Coca-Cola. If it’s a hot summer day, take bathing suits for the kids, and they can play in the Fountain of Rings and cool off for a while!
Tips: there are several places to eat within walking distance. Johnny Rockets is a fun, counter service, burger and shake place to the west of the Aquarium, there is a café in the plaza outside the Aquarium, and there are several Chick-Fil-A locations in walking distance. If a family wants to walk a little further, there is a Hard Rock Café about 10 minutes away from Centennial Olympic Park.
The Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium is truly a gem in the city’s lineup of places to visit. While there is a lot to see in the Aquarium, it is usually very busy until around four in the afternoon. Your family will have a much more peaceful experience if you wait and spend the later afternoon and evening enjoying the sights of the deep.
Tips: The Aquarium takes about four hours to truly enjoy and experience. There is a café located inside the Aquarium, however, my family enjoys visiting Johnny Rockets across the street for a fun lunch or dinner when we visit the area.
Whale shark at the Georgia Aquarium.
Day 3 –
The Center for Puppetry Arts
With a large collection of Jim Henson’s puppets, a collection of puppetry traditions from around the world, and daily performances, The Center for Puppetry Arts is a delight for everyone!
Piedmont Park
Located a mile and a half from the Center for Puppetry Arts, Piedmont Park is a beautiful place to spend some time together outside, take photos of the Atlanta skyline, and let the kids enjoy several unique play areas.
Piedmont Park features two playgrounds. Mayor’s Grove Playground is designed to be a sensory-rich play area for children of all abilities. The Noguchi Playscape is a playground designed by a modern artist to give children an interactive experience with the concepts of shape, colors, and textures.
Tips: The Park hosts several events in the summer, including the Atlanta Wine and Food Festival, several yoga classes, and a Green Market each Saturday. Some events feature live music and all events can be found on the Piedmont Park calendar.
Day 4 –
The Atlanta History Center or The Atlanta Botanical Garden
The History Center is an indoor and outdoor experience with several preserved homesites and an onsite museum. The museum features stories covering everything from the Native American experience in the North Georgia area, to recent history and the Civil Rights era of Atlanta’s History. The History Center is also located in the Buckhead district of the city, and near to plenty of shopping and dining to round out your visit to the city.
The Botanical Garden is a year-round adventure. In the spring you’ll find the orchids in bloom, and in the fall the garden lights up for the holiday season. There is also a recently opened children’s garden with play areas to bring the delight of the plant world to life for your children.
Considerations: Both the Botanical Garden and the History Center can be full day adventures.
Kid’s pond at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
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