Best Attractions and Activities for Kids in Atlanta this Summer
Published July 28, 2023
Last Updated November 12, 2024
We’ve got your ticket to an ultimate summer for the whole family in Atlanta. Our local attractions offer many unique experiences for all ages. Check out this guide and experience your best visit in Atlanta with kids this summer.
Atlanta-Only Attractions for Families
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Located in Midtown near Piedmont Park. Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG) spreads across 33 acres of woodlands and manicured gardens and also includes the Children’s Garden and orchid house. The highly anticipated “Alice’s Wonderland Returns” (May 11 through Sept. 15), features installations of 38 gigantic topiary-like pieces. Regular programming for families and children also continues throughout the summer.
Where: 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE
Atlanta History Center
There’s more than meets the eye at the Atlanta History Center: three historic homes and sprawling outdoor gardens that include two furnished playhouses. This summer the Center is hosting an exhibit featuring the work of interior designer Ruby Ross Wood (through June 30), which includes a collection of her designs, photos and documents. Another new exhibit, “More Than Brave” celebrates the life and legacy of Hall of Fame baseball player and civil rights icon Hank Aaron (through September 2025).
Where: 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW
Center for Puppetry Arts
While a visit to the Center for Puppetry Arts is fun anytime, this summer, visitors are reminded that worries are always for another day with the new exhibition, “Down in Fraggle Rock” (May 10 through Nov. 3). Take a deep dive into the history and characters from the 1980s and 2022 versions of
Fraggle Rock universe. After a show, don’t miss the Worlds of Puppetry Museum featuring a large Jim Henson collection.
Where: 1404 Spring St. NW
Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
At this indoor homage to college football, visitors can unlock a unique encounter with the interactive All-Access Pass, visit more than 50 exhibits and learn about the top teams, players and coaches. This year Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame celebrates its 10 year anniversary with an expansion and renovations. The popular attraction is set to close for a week this summer with a grand reopening in August with exciting new things to see.
Where: 250 Marietta St. NW
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Younger children, ages 8 and under, will love a visit to Children’s Museum of Atlanta to experience Animationland from May 18 through Sept. 8. They’ll be invited to create stories using art and science as well as animation basics such as storyboarding, sketching and stop-motion movie making.
Where: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Fernbank Museum guests can enjoy a whole day in the indoor/outdoor hands-on museum exploring dinosaurs, prehistoric cultures and scientific discoveries. Exhibits and events to enjoy this summer include the outdoor showcase, “Flora, Fauna and Flight” (through June 23). Fernbank also welcomes the special exhibit, “A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature” (June 8 through Sept. 9). It immerses guests in a life-size mirror maze and includes hands-on activities and digital elements focused on patterns found in the natural world.
Where: 767 Clifton Road
Georgia Aquarium
There are two new experiences debuting this summer at Georgia Aquarium. Explorer’s Cove will combine two expansive touch pools with immersive technology to give guests an opportunity to respectfully engage with rays, guitarfish, sturgeon and sharks. A new dolphin presentation — Destination: Dolphin — will wow audiences of all ages through music, lighting and effects. Those looking for a truly immersive experience will want to sit in the soak zone.
Where: 225 Baker St. NW
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum
Follow the life and work of President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter with artifacts surrounding his presidency, a replica of the Oval Office and interactive exhibitions about the Carters’ work overseas monitoring elections and preventing disease. The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum resides on 35 acres. Visitors can learn more about the 39th president, his family and accomplishments through hands-on exhibits, author visits and educational events. The current exhibition, “The Negro Motorist Green Book” (through June 23), includes relics, footage and personal accounts to illustrate the fear and resilience felt by African American travelers during the 1940s and 1950s.
Where: 441 John Lewis Freedom Parkway NE
Michael C. Carlos Museum
Emory University’s Michael C. Carlos Museum houses permanent collections of Egyptian artifacts and one of the earliest bathtubs in existence. World-renowned traveling exhibits mesmerize all ages. Plan to take a break at the second location of Golden Drops Café, which will open at the Carlos Museum in August.
Where: 571 South Kilgo Circle NE
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Wander through the immersive experience at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and learn about the past, present and future for human rights and justice. Find the Lunch Counter Sit-In, where you put yourself in the shoes of nonviolent protesters, experience the interactive portraits from human rights champions and catch a glimpse of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s personal papers. Construction at The National Center for Civil and Human Rights began on a 24,000 sq. foot expansion in March. The museum remains open through 2024. The upcoming three-story West Wing will include a café and three new galleries, including an immersive, hands-on Family Gallery geared toward children under 12.
Where: 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. NW
Six Flags Over Georgia
Thrill seekers will love a day spent at Six Flags Over Georgia and can make a splash at Hurricane Harbor after May 25. Visit in the month of June for the Summer Vibes Festival. Aspiring engineers or those who just love learning how things work will want to visit during CoasterFest on Aug. 17 and 18.
Where: 275 Riverside Parkway, Austell, Ga.
Stone Mountain Park
Celebrate the best outdoor summer fun at Stone Mountain Park this season with engaging activities throughout 3,200 acres of natural beauty. Summer at the Rock (June 8 through July 28) invites guests to cool off with the new Water Works show. Young visitors will like “The Tales of Frog and Fish” puppet show. Check out the Spray Ground activity zone, Foam Zone, plus other activities like SkyHike, Summit SkyRide, Adventure Golf and the Scenic Railroad. This year, Stone Mountain Park will also debut a Bollywood Indian Festival (Aug. 10 and 11; 17 and 18).
Where: 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain, Ga.
World of Coca-Cola
There’s a new immersive experience at World of Coca-Cola. In the Beverage Lab you’ll have an opportunity to get an inside look at Coca‑Cola beverage creation, sample formulas from the Vault and taste unreleased formulas. In the newly reimagined Scent Discovery, you can explore the Scent Library, learning about the five scent categories then putting your nose to the test.
Where: 121 Baker St. NW
Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta is home to hundreds of animals representing more than 200 species worldwide, many endangered or critically endangered. Look for special events this summer, including adult-focused fun at Brew at the Zoo (May 25), Art Gone Wild Artist Market (June 15) and Savanna Nights (June 21, July 19, Aug. 9) and family fun, including Grossology Day (July 14) and Wild World Weekend (July 27 and 28). Add a Wild Encounter behind-the-scenes experience with Zoo Atlanta’s elephants, tortoises, lemurs, warthogs and more for an extra special visit.
Where: 800 Cherokee Ave SE
For more fun things to do in Atlanta this summer, visit our ultimate guide to summer in Atlanta or check out these 50 fun things to do.
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