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What is There to do with Children in Atlanta, Georgia?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

Atlanta is both Georgia's capital city and the largest city in the state. There are many fun and creative things to do with children in Atlanta. Stone Mountain Park, the Center for Puppetry Arts, Imagine It! Children's Museum, Imagym, Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium are just some of the wonderful places to go with children in Atlanta.

The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the world. The Aquarium features sea life native to Georgia as well as ocean, river and tropical sea life from around the world. Many visitors feel that they are almost in the water with the fish as they walk through the Georgia Aquarium's tunnel-shaped tanks and look up at fish swimming overhead.

Zoo Atlanta includes a giant panda exhibit.
Zoo Atlanta includes a giant panda exhibit.

Visiting Zoo Atlanta, in Grant Park, is another one of the great things to do with children in Atlanta. The Zoo has some rides such as the Norfolk Southern Zoo Express Train as well as a petting zoo and a rock climbing feature. Zoo Atlanta has 1,000 animals and 250 species from all over the world and is known for its giant pandas.

Imagym is a play and fitness gym for children aged six to twelve years. Imagym Junior is for younger children aged six months to five years old. The imaginative and fun physical activities are designed to attract and hold children's interest in fitness.

Zoo Atlanta is home to over 1000 animals.
Zoo Atlanta is home to over 1000 animals.

The Imagine It! Children's Museum is a must-see with children in Atlanta up to age six. Learning through play is the museum's theme and there are creative innovative activities to encourage every child's imagination and sense of wonder. The interactive exhibits range from sculpture making and water play to experimenting with engineering activities.

The Center for Puppetry Arts is an interactive puppet museum that has over 350 puppets. The puppets vary from ancient to modern and both head and full body puppets can be found here. The Center for Puppetry Arts also features the imaginative animation techniques that are a part of the art of puppetry.

Atlanta has opportunities to view exhibits featuring 1800s antebellum plantations.
Atlanta has opportunities to view exhibits featuring 1800s antebellum plantations.

Stone Mountain Park offers many different things to do with children in Atlanta. The Park has rides on a 1940s locomotive, rock climbing walls and laser shows. There are historic interactive exhibits such as a 1800s antebellum plantation and farmyard exhibit with many sounds as well as sights. Stone Mountain Park also has plenty of space for hiking, picnicking and fishing.

Discussion Comments

pastanaga

A couple of things that haven't been mentioned that I really enjoyed when I visited my father in Atlanta a few years ago are the Coca Cola headquarters and the Underground shopping area.

The coke place was basically just cool because I was a kid and I liked learning more about my favorite drink and seeing all the strange products with the brand on them.

And the Underground was just really nice in general. There were a lot of craft shops and a kind of carnival atmosphere. It would probably be better for older kids, but if they are starting to get to the point where they enjoy shopping more than rides, then it's a good place to go.

pleonasm

@irontoenail - We loved the aquarium as well. It was pretty busy though. Mostly I remember the beluga whales and the manatee exhibits because I had never seen either of those before, particularly in captivity.

I'm sad about it now though, because I'm older and I know a little bit more about keeping cetaceans in captivity. I think the manatees were injured ones that couldn't survive in the wild anyway, but I don't agree with keeping whales or dolphins. I just don't think we can make tanks that are big enough to accommodate them.

I've got to admit, though, that I don't know much about this aquarium in particular, but it does have dolphin shows, so I'm not sure it would be on my 'things to do in Atlanta' list next time I go there.

irontoenail

The Georgia Aquarium was absolutely amazing when we went to see it. It had only just opened relatively recently though so there were enormous crowds. I don't know if it still has that many people there every day, but if I was going again I'd make a plan with my kids about where to meet up if we got separated and other contingencies like that.

I mean, it was so packed that if you let go of a child's hand you might lose them within a few feet of space, so be very cautious. Or better yet, go on a weekday if you can.

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    • Zoo Atlanta includes a giant panda exhibit.
      Zoo Atlanta includes a giant panda exhibit.
    • Zoo Atlanta is home to over 1000 animals.
      By: yellowj
      Zoo Atlanta is home to over 1000 animals.
    • Atlanta has opportunities to view exhibits featuring 1800s antebellum plantations.
      By: AStargirl
      Atlanta has opportunities to view exhibits featuring 1800s antebellum plantations.