Planning a family outing to a local museum is a great way to enjoy some quality time together while learning and exploring. Fortunately, the area in and around Duluth features a wide array of amazing museums perfect for a family visit.
Crème de la Crème of Sugarloaf (Duluth) put together this list to get you started. You’ll find museums right here in our hometown as well as close to home in Atlanta and other nearby areas, so you’re sure to discover your family’s new favorite local museum on this list.
Southeastern Railway Museum
“train on snowfield” used with permission via Unsplash by briansuman
Kids will love getting up close and personal with a variety of trains at the Southeastern Railway Museum, located right in Duluth. You’ll get an account of rail travel’s interesting history through a collection that includes locomotives, cabooses, passenger cars, and more.
Admission costs $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $12 for kids between 2 and 12 years old. Regular admission even includes one ride on a train! The museum is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.
Hudgens Center for Art & Learning
You’re in luck if you’re family is into art. The Hudgens Center for Art & Learning is another amazing Duluth museum perfect for spending a day with the kids. The non-profit is dedicated to spreading a love of art and helping adults and kids alike discover the power of their imaginations.
Look forward to fine art exhibitions, including rotating exhibits and works from the private collection, arts enrichment classes, and more. The Hudgens Center for Art & Learning is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The best part? Admission to the galleries is free!
Roswell Fire Museum
Head over to nearby Roswell for a historical look into firefighting. The Roswell Fire Museum is sure to delight kids (and the adults with them!) with its fire-related pictures and artifacts. The 1947 Ford American LaFrance Pumper, an original piece of firefighting equipment that was used by the City of Roswell, is a surefire highlight. The museum is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Keep in mind that the museum will temporarily close when station personnel need to respond to incidents in the area.
Marietta Fire Museum
If you’re kids still can’t get enough of firefighting history, you’ll have another nearby museum to explore. The Marietta Fire Museum, situated just two blocks from the Historic Marietta Square, features an exciting collection of fire apparatuses, tools, and gear, including pieces that date back to 1854. Admission to the museum is free. You can visit for a self-guided tour on Saturdays and Sundays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you’re interested in touring after 5 p.m., you’ll need to schedule your visit at least a week in advance.
Fernbank Museum
Easy access to the Atlanta area opens up tons of additional opportunities for museum-going fun. Start with the Fernbank Museum, which will take you on a trip back in time as you learn about dinosaurs, prehistoric cultures, and more. The 75-acres of the facility include walking trails, outdoor exhibits, and so much more.
The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but you’ll need to purchase timed tickets in advance. Admission costs $20 for adults, $19 for seniors, and $18 for children between 3 and 12 years old. Or, go for a combo ticket to enjoy a Giant Screen Movie as part of the fun experience.
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Of course, no list of area museums would be complete without a mention of the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. As the only educational venue of its kind in Atlanta, this unique museum sparks discovery, learning, and imagination through exhibits on arts, language, culture, and more. STEM and technology play stations take the museum outing to the next level.
You’ll need to make online reservations in advance for one of the daily play sessions, typically offered from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Pricing varies depending on the day you choose. Infants under 12 months and members can get in for free, but will still need tickets.
Worlds of Puppetry Museum at Center for Puppetry Arts
The Worlds of Puppetry Museum, also located in Atlanta, will quickly become a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. The museum includes the Global Collection Gallery and the Jim Henson Gallery, with the former exploring the five main types of puppets and puppetry traditions across the globe and the latter offering a glimpse into the imaginative creator’s life and legacy. You’ll get to see Muppets from Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Fraggle Rock as you learn.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Ticket prices vary depending on the experiences you want to add on, including shows and workshops, so you can easily tailor a visit to meet your family’s needs.
Georgia Capitol Museum
The Georgia Capitol Museum interprets the history of the Georgia Capitol building itself as well as events that have taken place here. In other words, this museum offers the perfect introduction to local history for the whole family to enjoy. You’ll see artifacts like historic flags and art when you visit, so check the calendar online and reserve a space on a tour.
Atlanta History Center
The Atlanta History Center is another must if you have budding history buffs in your family. The museum houses 33 acres of curated Goizueta Gardens, four historic houses, and a range of exhibitions and programs to expand your knowledge of history. The Atlanta History Center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The historic houses open at 11 a.m.There you have it, Crème de la Crème of Sugarloaf (Duluth) just gave you nine awesome museums to check out close to home. But maybe we skipped your family’s go-to museum in the area? If you have another favorite we didn’t include, let us know so we can add it!