Kids Activities Atlanta

Whether your family prefers natural beauty, theme parks or pop culture, Atlanta, Ga., has plenty of opportunities for family fun.

Centennial Olympic Park

Start your Atlanta vacation at the centerpiece of downtown Atlanta—Centennial Olympic Park, a $75 million, 21-acre complex developed in conjunction with the 1996 Olympic Games. The Fountain of Rings—the world’s largest interactive fountain—is one of the most photographed landmarks in the city. The fountain provides synchronized water dances and a cool spot for kids who play at the nearby All Children’s Playground.

Georgia Aquarium

Adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park is the Georgia Aquarium, often cited as the “world’s largest aquarium.” It contains eight million gallons of water and the biggest collection of aquatic animals in the world, including whale sharks, beluga whales sea lions, loggerhead sea turtles, otters and penguins.

Since the Georgia Aquarium opened in 2005, it has drawn millions of guests. That popularity also means it’s often crowded—particularly during high-profile sporting events and conventions in the downtown area. Your best bet is to buy your tickets online and arrive at the aquarium during the time period suggested by the aquarium when you make your purchase.

 

• A visitor to the Georgia Aquarium admires the sheer size of a whale shark in the Ocean Voyager exhibit.

Courtesy of the Georgia Aquarium

World of Coca-Cola

A few steps from the aquarium is the World of Coca-Cola, which moved from Underground Atlanta to the park district in 2007. The homegrown beverage is the best-known consumer brand in the world, and this facility provides the only place where visitors can explore the complete story of Coca-Cola. The World of Coca-Cola covers 92,000 square feet, including more than 1,000 worldwide Coke artifacts, interactive exhibits and a collection of Olympic torches. Kids particularly enjoy the tasting lounge featuring 70 beverages from around the world.

Next: Atlanta’s most popular family attraction—Stone Mountain Park.