One Day in Atlanta with Young Kids

I live in the Atlanta suburbs, and when my son was younger, I loved bringing him into the city for little day adventures. Atlanta has so many places where kids can explore, play and learn, and it is easy to build a full day around a few fun stops. This itinerary mixes hands-on attractions, outdoor play and kid-friendly dining for a day that keeps everyone happy.

Morning

Center for Puppetry Arts

Start the day at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Watching a puppet show together always felt a little magical, and the Worlds of Puppetry Museum has interactive exhibits that let kids get up close with puppets and characters they recognize. My son especially loved seeing the Jim Henson puppets, including Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, and making his own puppet during the workshop.

What makes it great: Live performances and interactive exhibits spark creativity and keep young kids engaged.

Piedmont Park Playground

After the show, we would head over to Piedmont Park so he could run around and burn off some energy. The playground has climbing structures, swings and lots of space for kids to play against the Midtown skyline. We often took a quick walk along the paths or sat on the grass for a few minutes before heading to our next stop.

What makes it great: A large playground and open green space give kids a chance to move and explore.

Midday

Lunch at Ponce City Market

When it was time for lunch, we headed to Ponce City Market, where the food hall makes it easy to find something everyone will eat. There’s pizza from Bellina Alimentari or dumplings from Ton Ton and for dessert, nothing beats Honeysuckle Gelato for small-batch ice cream.

After lunch, we would take a short walk along the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail. My son especially liked spotting the colorful murals and watching the bikes and scooters pass by.

What makes it great: Lots of dining choices plus easy access to the Atlanta Beltline for a quick walk and some fresh air.

Afternoon

Zoo Atlanta

In the afternoon, we would head to Zoo Atlanta in Grant Park. The zoo is very walkable for families, and there is always something exciting for kids to see. My son loved watching the elephants and giraffes and spending time in the Treetop Trail playground area.

What makes it great: Animals, playgrounds and shaded paths make it easy for families to explore at their own pace.

Evening

Dinner and Dessert in Little Five Points

To wrap up the day, we sometimes stopped in Little Five Points for a casual dinner. Savage Pizza is always fun for kids with its comic book-themed decor, and it is an easy place to share a few slices before heading home.

Before leaving the neighborhood, we would stop by Morelli’s Gourmet Ice Cream for dessert. Grabbing a scoop of ice cream felt like the perfect way to end a day of exploring the city together.

What makes it great: Fun neighborhood energy, casual dining and a stop for locally loved ice cream make this a sweet way to end the day.

50 Fun

Looking for even more ways to explore Atlanta with kids? Check out the 50 Fun Things to Do With Kids in Atlanta list for dozens of family-friendly ideas across the city. Wander the colorful seasonal displays at Atlanta Botanical Garden, test your football skills at the interactive exhibits inside the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, explore science and nature at Fernbank Museum of Natural History or ride the SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel for a bird’s-eye view of Downtown. Atlanta is full of new places for families to play, learn and explore together.