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LEGO Discovery Center

Things to Do for Spring Break in Atlanta

The Travel picks Atlanta as No. 7 in its 2024 list of the most-visited cities in the United States. Atlanta’s top attractions, according to The Travel, are: Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta Botanical Garden, World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Olympic Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Fox Theatre and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The site further describes Atlanta like this: “This southern city welcomes nearly 35-36 million visitors annually and has become a mecca of music, culture, and opulence.”

CityPASS Saves 44% on Admission to Top Attractions

Start planning your Atlanta spring break trip by purchasing a CityPASS, which allows you to save 44% on admission to five of Atlanta’s top attractions. And – bonus – CityPASS enables expedited entry in some cases. CityPASS tickets are valid for nine days beginning with the first day of use so you are free explore at your own pace. Here are the CityPASS attractions — for starters, you get tickets to these three attractions:

Georgia Aquarium

You’ll be awed by the largest aquarium in the United States. (Photo by Joleen Pete)

World Cities Ranking puts Georgia Aquarium in the No. 2 spot in its list of list of the largest and best aquariums in the world in 2024. “Outside of Asia, this aquarium is the only institution housing whale sharks. In addition. the aquarium’s notable specimens include beluga whales, bottlenose dolphins and manta rays. The animals are displayed in five galleries: Tropical Diver, Ocean Voyager, Cold Water Quest, River Scout, and Dolphin Tales. Each gallery corresponds to a specific environment,” notes World Cities Ranking.

World of Coca-Cola

In the World of Coca-Cola tasting room, you can sample Coca-Cola products from around the world. (Photo by Joleen Pete)

World of Coca-Cola invites you to meet the Coca-Cola polar bear (and get a photo), journey to The Vault, which holds the secret formula for the soft drink, look back at Coca-Cola promotions through the years. See a small bottling operation. Visit Scent Discovery to learn about the relationship between scent and taste. In the Taste It room, sample Coca-Cola products from around the world. As you leave, browse the gift shop where there are souvenirs galore. Admission is always free for active, reserve and retired members of the U.S. military with proper ID. New at World of Coca-Cola is the Beverage Lab, where visitors delve into the world of beverages and get the opportunity to explore the science, creativity and innovation that fuel Coca‑Cola’s lineup of drinks.

Zoo Atlanta

Did you know that the pandas at Zoo Atlanta are on loan from China? (Photo courtesy of Zoo Atlanta)

Zoo Atlanta, located in historic Grant Park, features animals from the African plains and Asian forests. See the nation’s largest gorilla habitat or visit the playful pandas. Check out the Slimy, Scaly Spectacular to see reptiles and amphibians. The African Savanna is home to African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, warthogs, meerkats and Southern white rhinos. The zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered.

Choose Two

In addition to those three attractions, you get to choose two from among: Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Fernbank is home to dinosaurs, and that’s not all. (Photo courtesy of Fernbank Museum of Natural History)

When you visit Fernbank Museum of Natural History, say hello to the world’s largest dinosaurs. Science comes to life at Fernbank, both on the Giant Screen theater and in exhibits that explore, for example, our bodies, animal life and nature’s superheroes.

Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

You may have to drag the kids away from the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. (Photo courtesy of Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame)

Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame includes 45-yard football field, shrines to the sport’s best players and coaches, a Helmet Wall and a skill zone where you can try your luck at kicking a field goal. 

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Relive the American Civil Rights Movement or learn about it for the first time at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. (Photo courtesy of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights)

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights makes it possible to walk back in time to the tumultuous days of the American Civil Rights Movement, sit at a mock lunch counter and try to remain calm as angry voices shout insults over headphones. Meet the Freedom Riders and experience the historic March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. (After visiting this exhibit, you may be inspired to visit the nearby Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park.)

Now that you’ve exhausted your CityPASS options, try some of the following ideas for family fun during spring break in Atlanta:  

More Ways to Family Fun in Atlanta

Center for Puppetry Arts

Kermit the Frog at Center for Puppetry Arts
Get a tour of the Worlds of Puppetry Museum and catch a show at The Center for Puppetry Arts. (Photo by Joleen Pete)

The Center for Puppetry Arts is the largest organization in the country dedicated to puppetry. The center’s puppet shows are magical, funny and heartwarming. While you’re there, tour of the Worlds of Puppetry Museum where the Jim Henson Gallery explores the mind and legacy of this animator, inventor, filmmaker, screenwriter and puppeteer.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

See special exhibits at Children’s Museum of Atlanta. (Photo courtesy of Children’s Museum of Atlanta)

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta enables children ages 0 to 8 to have fun while they learn through play about the arts, culture, engineering, math, health, literacy and so much more.

LEGO Discovery Center

Blast off: Children can become space cadets at the LEGO Discovery Center. (Photo courtesy of LEGO Discovery Center)

North America’s first next-generation LEGO Discovery Center is located at Atlanta’s Phipps Plaza. Children may blast into the new Spaceship Build & Scan where they will see their LEGO rocket fly into outer space. Little ones may visit DUPLO Park where they can hop aboard a carousel. Another option is to join the master model builder and learn how to build the fastest race car.

Take a Tour

Get an insider’s look at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Photo by Paul Daniel)

In addition to all of the above, you can take the family on a tour. Choose a food tour, civil rights tour, bicycle tour or Segway tour.

If you have high-school age kids, consider taking a self-tour of a college campus. Close-in campuses include Atlanta University Center — Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine and Spelman College; Georgia State University; Emory University; Agnes Scott College; and Georgia Tech. A little further out are Kennesaw State University, Clayton State University and Oglethorpe University.

Finally, if you have time to spare, take a walk along the Atlanta BeltLine, stroll and relax in Centennial Olympic Park and grab a hot dog and fries at every kid’s favorite, The Varsity, the world’s largest drive-in restaurant. Yes, there are car hops. If you are an Atlanta Falcons fan or an Atlanta United fan, take a tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. If you are an Atlanta Braves fan, take a tour of Truist Park.

Just in case we didn’t give you enough options, here are 50 fun things to do in Atlanta.  

Journalist Carol Carter writes and edits for Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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