Unique Things to Do in Atlanta for High School Teens

By Joleen Pete

Published July 29, 2024
Last Updated November 27, 2024

Atlanta is a city brimming with activities that cater to high school teens looking for unique and exciting experiences. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a history buff or someone who loves the arts, Atlanta has something special for everyone. From outdoor adventures and interactive museums to quirky attractions and trendy spots, here’s a guide to some of the best things to do in Atlanta that will make your high school years memorable.

Learning and Volunteering Opportunities for Teens at Atlanta Attractions

Perhaps one of the coolest things Atlanta attractions offer is internships and volunteer opportunities for high school teens. Get hands-on learning among your peers and make new friends. These special experiences are limited to a select number of students.

Atlanta Botanical Garden Summer High School Internship

High schoolers aged 16+ who are interested in agriculture, plants and gardening will love the opportunity to intern alongside the staff at Atlanta Botanical Garden to cultivate, conserve and teach others about plant collections. Internship opportunities vary and provide valuable skills and resources to carry forward to college and careers. Applications open in the spring.

CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp

Interested in disease, public health and emergency preparedness? The CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp may be for you. High school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up, can apply to take part in this unique experience and tackle topics such as public health interventions, global health, data analysis, school wellness programs and more. This camp is fast paced and academically challenging, but completely free to accepted applicants.

Fernbank Museum CORE

The CORE (Connecting, Observing, Researching Ecosystems) program at Fernbank Museum of Natural History is free and open to low- to moderate-income students. Participants visit WildWoods and Fernbank Forest, where they become scientists and ecologists, studying important qualities of ecosystems: the life-sustaining benefits they provide, the interrelationship between healthy ecosystems and healthy communities and the importance of water quality. They will learn data collection, analysis techniques and conduct biodiversity and water purity surveys.

Georgia Aquarium Beginner Environmental Leadership Program

Fans of aquatic ecosystems may wish to participate in the leadership program at Georgia Aquarium. Students ages 15 through 17 who love to engage people are suited for this program dedicated to empowering teens to become tomorrow’s leaders in environmental conservation. This program runs three times a year with varying hour requirements. Upon completion, students receive five one-time use daily admission tickets. 

High Museum of Art Fellowships and Internships

See a future in the art world? The High Museum of Art offers a variety of internships and fellowships for high school- (and college-) age students. The Teen Team meets to learn about art, tour the museum’s collection, speak to artists and plan events for other teens. The summer internship program is an eight-week program for rising high school juniors and seniors, graduating seniors and enrolled college students. This paid program provides real-world experience in professions where experience is crucial. Interns contribute to important departmental tasks and participate in professional development workshops. Opportunities vary. 

Zoo Atlanta Volunteen Program

Teens, ages 14 through 17, are invited to apply for the Volunteen Program at Zoo Atlanta, designed to develop advocacy for themselves and others, empathy for the world around them, commitment, leadership and customer service skills. They will also learn in-depth information about animal species, care and conservation. Applications open the first of the year and the program runs year-round, with participants working toward 160 service hours over the program course.

Where to Have Fun in Atlanta for Teens

There are so many unforgettable experiences to be had in Atlanta. Here are some fun options for teens.

Grab some friends for this ultimate adventure at Beat the Bomb. Choose from one-hour Bomb Missions, where teams of four to six suit up in hazmat gear, dodge lasers and crack codes to disarm a giant paint and foam Bomb, or else…#GETBLASTED.

Bowling may seem old school, but it’s still fun with many alleys adding arcade games and even themed bowling like glow bowling. Gather some friends and hit the alleys for year round fun. Check out Atlanta’s game bars and bowling alleys.

Find your “om” alongside a variety of friendly farm animals like goats, pigs, lambs and maybe even a llama. Try Farm Animal Yoga on the Green at Halcyon in Alpharetta and other locations around Atlanta. Hosted by Love GOGA, class sizes are limited and pre-registration is required.

This isn’t your parent’s mini-golf. Puttshack offers a tech-infused, indoor adventure with a fun scoring system. Food and beverages are available. Reservations aren’t required, but are recommended especially on weekends. Please note: The venue is open for all for most of the day and is for 18+ after 7 p.m.

Adrenaline junkies will find thrills and fun at Six Flags Over Georgia. This theme park offers a variety of rides, entertainment, games, treats and a water park to beat the summer heat. Pick up a season pass for savings on multiple visits.

Get a little messy and a lot creative at Splatter Studio where you can dab, flick and splatter paint on your canvas to create a one-of-a-kind work of art. It’s fun for groups, parties and families, and it is open every day except Monday and Tuesday. 

Tubing down the Chattahoochee River is a fun way to spend hot summer days. Float down the river with friends while splashing and having a blast. Check out the websites for Shoot the Hooch and Chattahoochee River Tubing. See for details and pricing.

The ROOF at Ponce City Market has a lot to offer with a variety of carnival style games and attractions plus food. It is a great option for an afternoon of fun or as a spot to host a birthday party. Please note: The Roof is 21+ only on Fridays and Saturdays after 7 p.m.

Your 3rd Spot is a hangout with more than 80 games in a range of styles and varieties including Cards Against Humanity, Giant Jenga and Giant Battleship as well as a variety of arcade games, pinball and table games like air hockey and Skeech. Pair these with a variety of small plates. Play until 5 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. on weekends. Adult supervision is required.

Don’t forget about roller skating at Atlanta roller rinks — Cascade Family Skating, Golden Glide Skating Rink, Hot Wheels Skate Center, Metro Family Fun Center or Stone Mountain Skates. These rinks are fun places to have parties and hang out, as well. If you’d rather catch a few rays while skating, try renting skates at Skate Escape Bike Shop and hop on the Atlanta BeltLine.

Tap into your inner child at Sloomoo Institute and make your own slime or zip along the trees at Treetop Quest. For more awesome ideas, check out Atlanta’s gaming and entertaining spots for the entire family.

Cool Atlanta Tours for Teens

Get to know ATL like you haven’t before. Get your friends together and head out on one of these cool Atlanta tours for teens.

ATL Cruzers

Interested in exploring Atlanta neighborhoods by Segway? Check out ATL Cruzers for a variety of tours available to participants 14 and older. 

Black Art Tour

Explore the culture of Black art by visiting one or more stops on a self-guided Black art tour. Be sure to check out The Musa Lair Grooming & Art Gallery, widely known for its celebrity clients.

Grant Park Food Tour

Consider yourself a foodie or like trying new foods? Check out Unexpected Atlanta’s Grant Park Food Tour or the Historic Market Food Tour and Biscuit Class.

Cabbagetown Street Art Experience

Explore urban street art and learn how every mural tells a story during this 2.5-hour walking tour with Unexpected Atlanta through Cabbagetown, Krog Street Tunnel and culminating at the Atlanta BeltLine where you’ll have the opportunity to create your own street art.

Stranger Things Filming Location Tour

Fans of the hit series “Stranger Things” will love this tour of the real life filming locations in Atlanta. Hosted by Dtours.

Tiny Doors ATL Bike Tour

Tour Atlanta’s iconic Tiny Doors on one of these Instagram-worthy bicycle tours through Bicycle Tours of Atlanta, and meander through Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods where you’ll see some of the best street art.

Free Things to Do for Atlanta Teens

Looking for something fun to do but short on funds? Check out these free things to do for teens in Atlanta.

• Explore the Atlanta BeltLine via bicycle, skates, skateboard or feet and view public art, public markets, eateries and more. Atlanta is chock full of street art celebrating the diverse makeup of our city. Embark on one or more of these unique self-guided street art tours and flood your Insta with colorful and interesting shots. 
• Visit Historic Oakland Cemetery, which is not only beautiful but also full of history, gardens and sculptures. Meander through on a self-guided tour at no charge or spend a little to download a self-guided tour map that is loaded with history and interesting tidbits.
• Drop in at Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark for a little skateboarding for any level or enjoy the multi- use athletic field that adjoins it. 
• As the second largest U.S. Air Force museum, the Museum of Aviation offers a look at the history of aviation and the military. View a wide variety of restored aircraft, participate in a scavenger hunt and learn about our nation’s military history.
• With public art initiatives like Tiny Doors ATL, Living Walls and the Outerspace Project, there is no shortage of murals and art installations to see with a self-guided street art tour in Atlanta. Explore Atlanta street art by neighborhood.
• Have a passion for motion pictures? Cinephiles may want to use our free itinerary to visit top filming locations in Atlanta.

For special events and cool things to do, stay up to date with what’s happening in the A.

Joleen Pete lives outside Atlanta with her husband and their son. On the weekends they enjoy going into the city for family fun and exploration. Joleen is the family travel and lifestyle blogger behind Love, Joleen.