10 Things to Do with the Family in Atlanta this Spring
From trails to theme parks, museums and more, Atlanta has fun adventures for all ages.
Named one of the top destinations to visit in the National Geographic Best of the World 2022 list, Atlanta overflows with world-famous attractions and endless entertainment. Lonely Planet also included it in the Best in Travel list for 2022, the only U.S. city on the list.
There is so much to experience in Atlanta, it can be hard to know where to start and where to go that will satisfy everyone in the family. So, here's a list of 10 Metro Atlanta spots that always get a thumbs up in the fun department and are must-sees this spring.
See art among the flowers at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
See what's blooming at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, a 30-acre oasis in Midtown. There's a Children's Garden for hands-on fun and learning, the Fuqua Conservatory's Tropical Orchid House, classes and cooking demonstrations, and art on display among the blooms.
Through Sept. 17, 2023, experience the exhibit of giant folklore-inspired sculptures by Thomas Dambo in "Trolls: Save the Humans." The trolls, ranging from 15 feet tall to 25 feet wide, carry an environmental call. Check the garden's event calendar for the full lineup of special events.
Illuminarium Atlanta
Illuminarium Atlanta
Become fully immersed in an out-of-this-world experience at Illuminarium Atlanta's SPACE: A Journey to the Moon & Beyond. Take a technicolor flight through a nebula, kick up dust on the moon, view planets at an extraordinary scale, and weave through an asteroid belt. The Illuminarium is brought to life through a blend of 4K laser projection, audio beams, and in-floor haptics producing realistic sensations. Strobe effects, gentle floor vibration, immersive sound, and realistic and responsive projection are all part of the experience. A giant leap into the unknown, SPACE will transport you to places you’ve only ever imagined.
Bamboo forest on the East Palisades Trail in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Photo by @pokkychoo
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area & Chattahoochee Nature Center
Choose any of the 15 access points in the 48-mile long Chattahoochee National Recreation Area, and jump into miles of trails to bike, hike and run along the river. One hidden gem is the bamboo forest, which you can find in the East Palisades section.
To learn more about Atlanta's treasured river, visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell. Explore the interpretive center, hike woodland trails, meander through butterfly and native plant gardens, and explore the river boardwalk while viewing native animals. Check the center's calendar for even more family fun!
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Say hello to the world's largest dinosaur as you walk in the front door of Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Kids turn into explorers in the interactive NatureQuest, and everyone can enjoy the feeling of "being there" at the IMAX Theatre. Outside, follow the elevated walkway into the treetops where you can enjoy stunning views from tree pods, and continue on to explore more than two miles of paths winding through Fernbank Forest, a 65-acre old-growth forest.
Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Photo by @hesamusicman
Georgia Aquarium
No matter your age, everyone's a kid at the Georgia Aquarium. Either swim with giant whale sharks and beluga whales or just sit back and watch them play. Explore the amazing galleries, full of aquatic life, and make friends with a shark, dolphin, sea otter or penguin in encounter programs. Check the aquarium's calendar for even more special events.
Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia
Six Flags Over Georgia
At Six Flags Over Georgia, laugh and scream at the same time on thrill rides like the open-air, high-flying SkyScreamer and monster roller coasters like Goliath. Visit on opening day, March 4, and have a chance to win gift packs, park passes and more exciting prizes.
Sloomoo Institute Atlanta
Sloomoo Institute Atlanta
Become immersed in a mesmerizing world of sensory experiences, including hand-crafted slime, delicious scents, vivid colors and soothing ASMR delights. Design your dream slime at the DIY bar, play with kinetic sand, and experience kaleidoscopic glow-in-the-dark moments. If you choose the enhanced admission tickets, you will have slime rain down on you for a truly once-in-a-lifetime moment!
World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta
World of Coca-Cola
Explore the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta to learn about the history of The Coca-Cola Company and the world's most famous soft drink. Get closer than ever before to the vault containing the secret recipe, and see the fully functioning bottling line that produces a commemorative glass bottle of Coca-Cola for every guest. Don't miss the tasting room, where you can sample more than 60 beverages from around the globe.
Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta
Feed giraffes and go behind the scenes with African elephants, giant pandas and lemurs at Zoo Atlanta. Located in historic Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta is home to the country's only twin panda cubs and largest collection of gorillas and orangutans in North America. Check the zoo's event calendar to plan your trip!
SeaQuest Stonecrest in Lithonia, Georgia
SeaQuest Stonecrest
Touch, feed and interact with exotic mammals and aquarium fish from five continents at SeaQuest Stonecrest in Lithonia. Make your way through an Icelandic Fishing Village, the Great Wall of China, to the Amazon River and beyond. Enjoy walk-in aviaries, come face-to-face with crocodilians by feeding the caiman, or even snorkel in the 36,000-gallon exhibit filled with reef sharks, stingrays and hundreds of tropical fish! Get a preview of the animals you can expect to meet on the SeaQuest YouTube channel.
