Atlanta, Georgia, is a wonderful city to raise a family since there are so many fun, family-friendly attractions to do and see. We at Crème de la Crème of Buckhead know that local adventure spots and engaged learning locations can help children get inspired, get active, and get creative. So the next time you need something to do with the family, check out this list of major family attractions in and around the Atlanta area.
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Not many museums are dedicated just to sparking the interests, passions, and creativity of children, but the Children’s Museum of Atlanta provides interactive, play-based exhibits that challenge children in amazing ways. The museum has rotating exhibits, so your kids are likely to find a new favorite activity each time you go. Ticket prices range from $11.95 to $19.95 per person, depending on the day you go and the play session you attend.
Some of the best exhibits include Fundamentally Food, where kids can go to a farm and collect eggs from chickens and get on the tractor. They can head to the grocery store and practice coordination skills while pushing the cart and test their math skills as their order adds up. This whole exhibit is about exploring where food comes from and how to turn ingredients into the delicious meals we love to eat. Other permanent exhibits include the diverse arts and crafts area and the STEM area step Up to Science, which was recently renovated.
Georgia Aquarium
“The Aquarium” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by Mike Johnston
Take your children to explore the deep blue sea at the Georgia Aquarium, which is often regarded as one of the top 10 in the nation. And for good reason, too, because this aquarium is home to hundreds of species of fish, water-loving reptiles, whales, dolphins, sharks, rays, turtles, snakes, penguins, insects, and more. Keep an eye out for your cartoon favorites Nemo and Dory, but also look for the chocolate chip sea star, the giant octopus, and the jellyfish.
You can get up close with many species, not just from behind the glass, but during interactive demonstrations and behind-the-scenes tours, too. Pay for special tickets to meet the stingrays, sea lions, dolphins, and other awesome creatures. And when you’re feeling particularly adventurous, consider going on a dive in the tanks or in a cage dive to meet the sharks.
General admission for everyone 3 and up is $36.95, but you can get a family membership for $285, which includes admission as many times as you want for a whole year, discounts for special tickets, and access to special, members-only events.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Walk in the garden and smell the roses (and many other flowers and plants) at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Stroll along the pathways and spot gorgeous arrangements, displays, and collections of lilies, roses, hydrangeas, conifer plants, magnolias, maple trees, and even carnivorous plants. If you head inside the conservatory, you can find tropical amphibians and gorgeous orchids. And if you’re not sure where to start, head to the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s website to get a suggested itinerary based on when you attend and the kind of visit you want to have.
The Botanical Garden also hosts family-friendly activities, like story time in the garden for little ones, and special events, like art shows and installations throughout the garden. You can visit Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission ranges from $22.95 to $24.95 for adults and $19.95 to $21.95, with weekend attendance costing the most. You can purchase flexible tickets for a surcharge.
LEGOLand Discovery Center
For even more play-based interactivity, head over to LEGOLand Discovery Center. See a miniature version of your beautiful Atlanta in MiniLand, and try to spot your favorite locations. Or, fully immerse yourself when you get in the (virtual) driver’s seat at the Great LEGO Race VR exhibit or catch a show at the 4D theater. Then, have a meet and greet with your LEGO characters, like Emmet from LEGO Movie, to make memories that’ll last forever.
In addition to these awesome exhibits, there’s so much more to LEGOLand that you and your kids can explore. Plus, you can grab some new LEGO buildings at the store to construct at home and see if you have an expert LEGO builder in the family. This attraction is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets start at $19.99 per person.
Treetop Quest
Looking for some real adventure? Then head a little ways outside of Atlanta to nearby Buford. The 40-minute drive northeast is well worth it because in no time, you’ll be swinging, climbing, scaling, and crawling across multiple tree-top rope courses at Treetop Quest. You get to zipline across to different stages, tackle over 100 obstacles, and cover the courses you’re fit for over the span of 2.5 hours. And if you’re feeling really daring, you can take on the Spider Quest, which is a harnessless course you complete over a giant safety net.
The full adventure is best for children ages 7 and up since there are more courses for them to try out. However, the park has a “Chick Peas” area that is perfect for children as young as 4 years old. Plus, you’re all given safety equipment like harnesses and gloves, and kiddos get helmets, too, just in case.
This activity is a great way to build up your children’s endurance, strength, coordination, and balance. You even get to help them develop skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and decision-making, all while having a blast. Tickets range from $20 to $23 for children ages 4 to 6, $33 to $36 for kids 7 to 11, $43 to $46 for kids 12 to 17, and $50 to $53 for adults. And if you’re up for the Spider Quest, it’s an additional $10 when you purchase a regular ticket or $19 if that one-hour course is all you want to do.These are just some of the awesome spots located in and around Atlanta. What’s your favorite local, family-friendly attraction in and around Atlanta? Contact Crème de la Crème of Buckhead and let us know. We’ll be sure to add it to our list!