Things to Do in Atlanta for Every Age Group
Published August 15, 2024
Last Updated November 27, 2024
It’s time for a family outing. What would the kids enjoy doing? How about the adults? No worries. Many of Atlanta’s major attractions offer things to do for various age groups, and then there are some attractions such as the Children’s Museum of Atlanta that are just for the kiddos and their adults. Take a look and find out what’s on tap that your family might enjoy.
Alliance Theatre
Alliance Theatre, Atlanta’s regional theater, has so much to offer, starting with the Bernhardt Theater for the Very Young, which features professionally produced, fully interactive theater for infants and toddlers. ages 0 to 5 years old and their families. The Alliance also has a family-friendly series that usually stages shows at either the Selig Family Black Box Theatre or on the Hertz Stage. The Coca-Cola Stage is where to see world premieres and other plays that are mostly for grown-ups.
Where: 1280 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta Botanical Garden is a beautiful oasis in Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood. Adults who love flora and fauna can’t go wrong here. The garden regularly hosts events for both adults and children. From May 11 through Sept. 15, adults often visit for Cocktails in the Garden. There are classes such as an Orchid Care Clinic and a Cherry Blossom watercolor class. The Children’s Garden includes a splash pad and a tree house play area. One annual event that families love is the spectacular Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, which in 2023 was named Best Professional Light Show by ABC’s “The Christmas Light Fight” contest.
Where: 1345 Piedmont Ave.
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Families with budding Mozarts might take the kids to a classical concert by the award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO), but no worries if your child probably won’t be interested — the ASO offers plenty of performances custom-made for kids. The Music for the Very Young Concert Series presents interactive 45-minute concerts for children ages 3 to 8 years old. The children can engage with the actors and musicians as the story unfolds. Family concerts include a Halloween Spooktacular, the I Love Music Valentine’s Day Concert and the Out of This World Symphonic Space Adventure. Frequently, the orchestra screens a popular film and simultaneously performs the soundtrack live. In one example, the ASO will present “Frozen” in concert with the Grammy-nominated score performed live while the film is showing. Sometimes, popular musicians like John Legend perform with the orchestra.
Where: 1280 Peachtree St. NE
Center for Puppetry Arts
There’s nothing like the Center for Puppetry Arts’ annual production of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to get the kiddos into a holiday mood, but the fact is that adults love this classic as much as the kids do. Even puppet shows that aim for the youngest audiences are delightful to people of all ages. However, the center does present adults-only shows such as “The Ghastly Dreadfuld,” which returns every fall. The Worlds of Puppetry Museum, housed at Center for Puppetry Arts, appeals to various age groups. The Jim Henson Gallery in the museum, for example, includes puppets, props and costumes from Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock and The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth to name a few.
Where: 1404 Spring St. NW
Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
Americans love college football, and that applies to kids as well as adults, who act a lot like kids when cheering for their favorite team. So, yes, adults and children alike love to visit the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. Game day, seasonal and celebratory family-friendly events are held year-round. Kids and adults may run, kick and pass on the indoor playing field, catch a live game or daily highlights or enter the field by running through the Touchtone Tunnel.
Where: 250 Marietta St. NW
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is one Atlanta attraction that is strictly for kids (and their caregivers). The museum is a magical place where children ages 0 through 8 learn through play. The exhibits and programs focus on arts, culture and geography, engineering, health and wellness, math, science, social and emotional.
Where: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Fernbank Museum of Natural History sometimes hosts events specifically geared to children and frequently presents exhibits that may primarily appeal to adults but which kids may also find fascinating. Fernbank After Dark is an event for young adults where science is served alongside cocktails and light bites. Live Animal Encounters appeal to all ages. Dino Talk is recommended for ages 6 and older. There are nature walks, story times and opportunities to meet a ranger. Fernbank’s Giant Screen Theater screens award-winning, science-based documentaries made for Giant Screen and IMAX theaters.
Where: 767 Clifton Road NE
Georgia Aquarium
You’ll see babies in strollers at Georgia Aquarium and seniors in wheelchairs. Age makes no difference as you pass through a glass tunnel where fish swim to your left, to your right and up above. From jellyfish to the whale shark, visitors get up-close views of the sea creatures who live at Georgia Aquarium. It’s even possible to have a private encounter with a sea otter, harbor seal, a beluga or a dolphin. Guided by an aquarium employee, you can interact and even touch the animals. The aquarium also allows sleepovers for families and kids.
Where: 225 Baker St. NW
High Museum of Art
European art, modern art, African art: Any time is a good time to tour the permanent and visiting exhibits at the High Museum of Art. And there is plenty more to do at the High for both children and adults. Every Thursday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. is Toddler Thursday where kids ages 15 months through 3 years and their caregivers make art and more. Adults love Friday Jazz, an after-hours music event from 6 until 10 p.m. every third Friday where drinks and bites are served and guests are welcome to tour the exhibits. On Saturdays, Oasis, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. offers a sanctuary for those seeking both solace and community. Participants immerse in movement-based sessions led by local yoga instructors, unwind with soothing sonic experiences or unleash creative expression during art-making activities. The Greene Family Learning Gallery offers two spaces for creative play that combine cutting-edge technology with hands-on activities. Both spaces offer child-centered environments with age-appropriate activities for kids ranging from infants to 8-years-old.
Where: 1280 Peachtree St. NE
Lego Discovery Center
Kids might be surprised at all there is to do at LEGO Discovery Center. They can hop aboard a chariot on the Kingdom Quest ride to rescue the captured Princess. Along the way, they should watch out for beastly trolls and sneaky skeletons lurking around every corner. At DUPLO Park, toddlers can experience duck fishing, spin the construction challenge wheel and take a ride on the dinosaur carousel. There’s a 4-D cinema, too. At Spaceship Build & Scan, kids can build and customize a spaceship, scan it and finally take the controls during a digital space journey. There’s Miniland, Build Adventures and Pirate Adventure Land.
Where: 3500 Peachtree Road NE
Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain Park is packed with things to do for everybody. There are activities for kids. There are hiking trails for all ages. There are festivals throughout the year. There is golf plus camping and glamping. Here are just a few of the activities for children: Dinosaur Explore, Geyser Splash Pad, SkyHike and miniature golf. There are seven trails including the Muscogee Trail, which takes you on a loop through a landscape of hardwoods. There are two 18-hole golf courses. Festivals include big Labor Day and Memorial Day Weekend celebrations, the popular early fall Yellow Daisy Festival and Stone Mountain Christmas.
Where: 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain, Ga.
World of Coca-Cola
What’s not to love about a museum dedicated to a soft drink? Everyone begins their tour by meeting the Coca-Cola Polar Bear. Kids and adults may have their picture taken with the polar bear either using their own camera or the World of Coca-Cola’s professional photography service. The Beverage Lab offers kids and adults a chance to explore the science, creativity and innovation that fuel Coca‑Cola’s lineup of drinks. Everyone loves Taste It!, where you can sample a variety of Coca-Cola beverages from different countries around the world. Visit The Vault, where the legendary secret formula for Coca‑Cola is secured. (The recipe is one of the most closely guarded secrets of all time.) The gift shop at the end of the tour is full of tempting items including Coca-Cola T-shirts and hoodies; Coca-Cola buttons such as the Coke and a Smile button; a Coca-Cola dominoes game; and Coca-Cola polar bear paw slippers
Where: 121 Baker St. NW
Zoo Atlanta
In addition to the animals, which just about everybody loves, there are additional things to do for kids and adults at Zoo Atlanta, including the Kidzone Playground, giraffe feeding and goat feeding, a petting zoo and the Treetop Tykes Trail. For adults there are special events such as Savanna Nights and Sippin’ Safari. A popular event for the little ones is Boo at the Zoo, held around Halloween every year.
Where: 800 Cherokee Ave. NE
Here are Cool Things to Do in Atlanta for Tweens and Teens. Find the Ultimate Things to Do with Kids in Atlanta. Learn Unique Things to Do in Atlanta for High School Teens.
Journalist Carol Carter writes and edits for Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.
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