There is so much history, culture and fun for families to experience together in Atlanta. Here are four ways to learn while you play in Georgia’s capital city.
Centennial Olympic Park, home to the 1996 Olympic Games
Explore Atlanta’s history and culture
Did you know that Margaret Mitchell wrote “Gone with the Wind” in Atlanta? Watch the movie together before your trip and then visit Margaret Mitchell House, a three-story Tudor Revival mansion where she penned her famous novel.
Learn more about the American Civil War and see over 1,500 artifacts that include cannons, uniforms and flags at the Atlanta History Center. There are guided tours and free audio tours available.
Teach kids about the civil rights movement with a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, the birth home of MLK.
Sports-loving families will enjoy touring the Centennial Olympic Park, home to the 1996 Olympic Games. See the world’s largest Olympic Ring Fountain and explore the impressive monuments and engravings along the walkways.
Sea creatures surround visitors at the Georgia Aquarium
Discover the ocean’s creatures
Brightly colored fish, whale sharks, manta rays and more sea creatures swim through the plentiful tanks at the impressive Georgia Aquarium. Before you enter the Ocean Voyager exhibit, pick up a Dive Card. These cars feature pictures and names of the various types of sea life that can be found in the exhibit. Encourage children to spot and name the different fish as they swim by and above your family.
Kids learn by doing at CNN Headquarters, where they can act as weather announcers
Become a newscaster for a day
At the CNN headquarters in downtown Atlanta, families can embark on an Inside CNN Studio Tour that runs about 60 minutes and is suitable for kids gradeschool-aged and older. My family’s tour guide did a wonderful job of keeping the attention of my young children (ages 5 and 7). Both of my kiddos got some real-life experience becoming weather announcers for a day. They also got a chance to see a real newsroom full of employees in action.
Taste beverages from around the globe at The World of Coca-Cola
Taste flavors from around the world
During a visit to The World of Coca-Cola, you will learn about the history of this international soda company and see the vault where Coca-Cola’s secret recipe is kept. What the kids will remember most, however, is taste-testing various beverages from around the globe. In the tasting room you will find fountain drinks categorized by continent. Grab a cup and start sipping — you can stay as long as you want. Both of my children agreed that blue rasberry was the best, but a pineapple-flavored soda was my personal favorite.
Stay in the city
On this trip to Atlanta, my family checked into the Omni Hotel at the CNN Center, which is located in the heart of downtown within walking distance of many local attractions. Once we parked our car, we didn’t have to move it again until it was time to drive home.
Our weekend spent running around downtown Atlanta from one attraction to the next didn’t even touch the surface of the many learning opportunities the city has to offer. We are already planning a trip back so that we can visit the Fernbank Museum of Natural History where we will learn more about dinosaurs, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to learn about flowers, and Yellow River Game Ranch to learn about the animals that are native to Georgia.
What learning experience in Atlanta appeals most to you? Let us know in the comments!
Jennifer Close writes about her adventures on her family travel blog, Two Kids and a Map, and writes about exploring Pensacola at Pensacola with Kids.
A note from Jennifer: Thank you to the Omni Hotel at the CNN Center for hosting my visit to Atlanta.
About Jennifer Close, Travel Mamas Blogger
