Atlanta Family Travel: Activities, Parks & More

Ask someone if they’ve been to Atlanta and most people answer affirmatively—meaning they’ve passed through Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). But there’s much more to the city than runways and terminals (or for being known as the home of Coca-Cola and CNN). Atlanta offers a novel brew of Southern hospitality and urban sensibilities that provides plenty of options for a memorable family vacation.

Atlanta is more than a city—it’s the center of a huge metropolitan region that covers more than 20 counties, stretching to Georgia’s borders with Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. The city of Atlanta is the focal point of the area, surrounded by a series of neighborhoods in the largely urban areas of Fulton and DeKalb counties. Most of Atlanta’s growth in recent years has been north of the city in Gwinnett and Cobb counties, with more development in Clayton County south of the city around the airport.

Getting Around

Whatever your family wants to see on your Atlanta vacation, you will probably need a car to explore the metro area. Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), the rapid transit system that includes rail and buses, serves only Fulton and DeKalb counties. Other counties have bus systems that link to MARTA, but it can be difficult for visitors to navigate the various systems. Your best bet for a family vacation to Atlanta is renting a car or driving your own.

It can be tricky getting around Atlanta—particularly during its notorious rush hours—but arriving in the city is much easier. Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the world. However, the volume of traffic also means connectivity—Atlanta’s airport offers direct flights to many cities across the country and around the world. Delta Air Lines—the largest carrier in the world—calls Atlanta home and has its main hub here.

 

• Atlanta’s skyline glows in the distance.

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Amtrak’s Crescent train stops in Atlanta as part of its service between New York and New Orleans. Interstates 75, 85 and 20 also provide easy access to Atlanta from most of the eastern United States.

Atlanta Hotels and Restaurants

For where to stay and eat when exploring Atlanta and its metropolitan area, read Atlanta Slumber Party: Best Family Hotels and Kid-Friendly Dining in Atlanta. For more recommendations, see our Atlanta College Visits article, for families checking out the city’s universities.

Next: Key Atlanta Attractions—Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium, Coca Cola, Puppets