Spring break fell earlier at my daughter's school this year than at most and we had been eagerly awaiting its arrival. But within 2 weeks of our scheduled departure for an exciting family vacation we had planned months in advance, we unexpectedly had to cancel. At the last minute and without much planning, we opted instead for a quick getaway to Atlanta a mere 4 hour drive away. We were pleasantly surprised at the wealth of options available in this "Capital of the South." Here are our twelve favorite attractions for kids and families visiting Atlanta.
1. Centennial Olympic Park (pictured above) - Located in the heart of downtown, this 21-acre public park boasts a beautiful backdrop, widespread grassy areas, a fun playground, an audio walking tour and its star attraction: the Fountain of Rings splash pad shaped like the Olympic Rings symbol with computer controlled lights and jets of water synchronized to music.
2. Georgia Aquarium - The largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, the Georgia Aquarium is home to tens of thousands of animals, including whale sharks, beluga whales, manta rays, and more, many of which are housed in the world's largest indoor aquatic habitat which features a 100ft underwater tunnel and one of the world's largest viewing windows.
3. World of Coca-Cola - Located just blocks away from where John Pemberton created the original formula, the museum showcases the history of Coca-Cola through interactive exhibits including a tasting room with an opportunity to try more than 100 international and domestic Coke products.
4. SkyView Ferris Wheel - A 20 story Ferris wheel with climate controlled gondolas, SkyView Atlanta is a great stop for scenic, panoramic views of the city.
5. Zoo Atlanta - Home to over 1400 animals including the nation's largest zoological collection of orangutans and gorillas, Zoo Atlanta is one of only four zoos in the US currently housing giant pandas; it also boasts a fun children's area with a carousel, petting zoo, rock climbing wall, train ride, splash pad, playgrounds and a new treetop trail.
6. Fox Theatre - Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta's premiere venues for live entertainment and host to a variety of cultural and artistic shows and events. Guided tours are also available showcasing the theatre's remarkable history and the Mighty Mo', the largest working Moller theatre organ in the world and the second largest theatre organ in the country.
7. Fernbank Museum of Natural History - Home to the world’s largest dinosaurs and Atlanta's biggest movie screen, this award winning museum offers a variety of interactive exhibits, educational programming, fun activities and both indoor and outdoor experiences bringing science to life.
8. Stone Mountain Park - Located on 3200 acres of natural beauty, Stone Mountain Park is Georgia's most popular attraction with a wide variety of family activities including the nation's largest adventure course, the world's largest laser light show with a fireworks finale, 15 miles of nature trails, a 363 acre lake, a cable car ride to the top of the mountain with panoramic views, a scenic train ride, a unique gushing geyser experience, a Duck vehicle tour, an all new life-size Dinosaur Explore exhibit and so much more!
9. LEGOLAND Discovery Center - With 2 rides, 10 LEGO build & play zones, a 4D cinema and more, this 30,000 square foot interactive attraction is a great indoor experience for LEGO fans of all ages.
10. Six Flags Over Georgia - This 290-acre theme park features characters and themes from Warner Bros properties, 11 roller coasters and over 30 other rides, shows and attractions.
11. Children's Museum of Atlanta - Geared toward children under the age of 9, this educational venue has bright, creative, hands-on exhibits designed to promote inventive problem solving, creative thinking and artistic expression.
12. Center for Puppetry Arts - The largest organization dedicated to the art form of puppetry and one of few puppet museums in the world, the Center for Puppetry Arts is home to more than 350 puppets from around the world, the largest collection of Jim Henson's Muppets and fun, interactive shows and exhibits.
This is just a sample of the fun that awaits families visiting Atlanta. With mild weather year-round, southern charm and lots of attractions, Atlanta makes a great destination for a weekend getaway or week-long vacation.
