What are some good family attractions in the Atlanta area?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

I'm thinking about my family summer vacation plans. One of my kids loves sea creatures and when she learned the Atlanta aquarium has a real live whale shark, she wouldn't stop talking about it.

So I was thinking of taking the family up there for a few days. Obviously, I don't just want to see the aquarium, though. Does anyone know of any good places to take the family around Atlanta?

[onehandle]

1. Almost none.

Lived in Atlanta all my life until recently. When I had visitors from out of state, it was a real head scratcher to think of things for them to do, especially people with kids.

Atlanta is a beautiful and green city, but mostly it's a corporate bubble with many office buildings and good restaurants.

Never think of it as a vacation destination.

The World Of Coca Cola? Stone Mountain is about 45 minutes from downtown.

The MLK Memorial and Carter Centers are there, but are more appropriate for you and me.

There is a Six Flags, if you must...

My wife and I simply ran out of things to do which is why we left.

[hlthe2b]

6. Lived there in the past... To what has been suggested already....

I think their zoo is not bad--particularly with its gorillas. Lots of civil war history that you could soak up (yes, the tone is definitely reverence to the confederacy but still, it is history)... Just north of Atlanta is Kennesaw Mountain battlefield... I used to go there to hike and it does have some interesting exhibits.... I think the cyclorama is still probably worth seeing (Atlanta)...

I always used to take people to Stone Mountain and then if they were there long enough up to North Georgia which is very pretty. Tallulah Gorge State Park is beautiful and there is a little mountain community up that way, Helen, GA that has been remade to resemble an Alpine Village (though probably a bit too commercial at this point, it is a very pretty area).

I think the aquarium is pretty worthwhile as well.

As others have said, the city is pretty, but with the exception of its civil war heritage, it seems locked in its capitalistic/commercialistic focus... It has become a destination and residence of choice for the rap music world since I left, but other than coca cola, I'd be hard pressed to say what else it is famous for at this point. Good restaurants, some nice parks and lots of businesses (and $$$ shopping).

[onehandle]

8. LOL!

That'll kill five minutes.

[woodsprite]

3. I can't say enough great things about the Aquarium.

We made a special side trip just to see it and it was AWESOME! However, do pick your date/time, order and print your tickets off before going. We didn't do that and it held us up about 3 hours. Not long enough to get lunch and cross the block to see the Coca-Cola museum and get back though. We had some time to kill sitting after grabbing lunch at the eatery behind the Aquarium. We did still have about an hour where we sat on the walls just waiting before we could even get in line.

I'm sure your family will love it!

[KamaAina]

4. One downside: It has a metal detector!

I was not expecting that at an aquarium!

Once you get, in, however, it's all good. Be sure to say to the belugas for me.

[dawg]

5. Fernbank Science Museum, CNN Tour, Whitewater Water Park ...

The skylift to the top of Stone Mountain is pretty cool, so long as you aren't terrified of heights and don't get too creeped out by the Confederate leaders carved into the side of the mountain. They also have a train ride, steamboat, laser show, and a number of other attractions at the park.

The Carlos Museum at Emory University has some really neat ancient history pieces, but that might be boring for the kids.

I think they have tours now that show filming locations for various movies and tv shows. Lots of things are filmed in and around Atlanta these days. (Not just the Walking Dead.)

It's fun, although a little pricey, to take a meal at the rotating restaurant at the top of Peachtree Plaza. The view is great, and you pretty much get a full 360 over the course of a typical meal.

The Fox Theater is an elaborate old movie palace that is now being used as a multi-purpose venue. They give tours, which look pretty interesting.

Someone already mentioned the Carter Center and MLK sites. They might be boring for the kids, but a little history might not hurt them.

In the fall, Netherworld is a pretty big deal. Very creepy though, or so I've been told.

There's a Medieval Times, if you're into that.

The aquarium is amazing ... especially the whale sharks. I do wish they would scrap the dolphin show, though. Not only is it not the best thing to keep such intelligent animals in captivity like that, it is also the corniest single event I have ever witnessed in my life - and I've been to the Grand Ole Opry!!

[RebelOne]

7. Take the family to Kennesaw Mountain

north of Atlanta. There is a lot of Civil War history at the top, plus a great view of Atlanta.The visitor center has a lot of memorabilia and shows films about the fighting at the mountain.

[NightWatcher]

9. Two Words: The Varsity

What'll ya have?



It's junk food, but it's cheaply made, mass produced junk food. And it's yummy. Cheeburger cheeburger...