10 Best Free Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids
Atlanta satisfies families of foodies, art lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts. What’s more, there are plenty of attractions in Georgia’s capital city that you can explore without spending a cent. As a former Atlantan, these are my picks for the 10 best free things to do in Atlanta with kids.
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1. Centennial Olympic Park
In 1996, the Summer Olympics came to Atlanta. It was such an exciting time to be a resident of this great city! In a previously run down part of the city, Centennial Olympic Park was created as a gathering spot for visitors and residents alike. One of the most popular areas of the park is the Fountain of Rings. Touted as one of the world’s largest interactive fountains, kids can splash in the waters that spray from the Olympic rings symbol.
2. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Site honors one of the great leaders in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Covering 35 acres, this National Parks Service site offers much to see and learn. Among the many stops, you can pay your respects at his burial place, tour his boyhood home, or visit Ebenezer Baptist Church where he often spoke. Entrance is free for all ages.
3. Your Dekalb Farmers Market
Your Dekalb Farmers Market is THE food shopping destination in Atlanta for individuals, restaurants, cafés, and food trucks alike. Many of my favorite Atlanta restaurants serve local and international foods from the market. The food isn’t free but there’s no charge to wonder through the market. Expect colorful rows of fresh produce, spices, coffees, seafood, and flowers. Plan to have lunch at the market, enjoying a sampling of foods from salads, to moussaka to pizza.
4. Piedmont Park
When I taught summer camp in Atlanta, my campers adored field trips to Piedmont Park. Located in Midtown Atlanta, this 189-acre outdoor play space has something for everyone in the family. The park offers such activities as playgrounds, skating and biking paths, and picnic areas and grills. You can even go fishing in Clara Meer Lake, if you purchase a Georgia State fishing license. Additionally, bird walks led by the Audubon Society are free of charge for all ages. Check the Piedmont Park calendar for festivals and other happenings in the park. Your family might enjoy the Atlanta Jazz Festival for music lovers, the Atlanta Arts Festival for art lovers or the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival for everyone. This park is a must when visiting Atlanta with kids.
5. High Museum of Art
If you’re looking for free things to do in Atlanta, do yourself a favor and go to the High Museum of Art. This museum features over 15,000 pieces of artwork in its permanent collection. Art lovers can peruse an impressive collection of contemporary and modern art along with traditional European paintings, African art, photography and more. Everyone receives free admission on the second Sunday of each month, with special family-friendly programming from 1 to 4 pm.
6. Silver Comet Trail
This wheelchair accessible paved trail stretches for 61.5 miles. It starts in Smyrna, Julia Roberts’s home town. Then the trail ends at the Georgia/Alabama line. The picturesque, non-motorized Silver Comet Trail is for bikers, hikers, skaters, horseback riders, and dog walkers.
7. Woodruff Arts Center
Woodruff Arts Center is home to the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre, the Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the High Museum of Art. On the second Sunday of the month, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, bring the family for a free day of music, theater, games, crafts, petting zoos and more.
8. Underground Atlanta
Also known as “The City Beneath the Streets,” Underground Atlanta is one of the city’s oldest attractions. In the 1920s, a new viaduct system required the street to be raised a level. This left houses, shops, saloons and restaurants dating back to the 1860s below ground. In the 1960s, the storefronts were found and, and amazingly much of the architecture was still intact. In the early 1990s Underground Atlanta had a major renovation. Now visitors can enjoy 225,000 square feet of shopping, restaurants and entertainment on the original streets of Atlanta. Several spots still sport original architecture.
9. Oakland Cemetery
You might think a cemetery is a strange item to be on a list of the best free things to do in Atlanta with kids. But for older children, Oakland Cemetery makes an interesting outing. Wander through the grounds, seeking tombstones of soldiers from the Civil War. Also, buried here are Gone with the Wind Author Margaret Mitchell, Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, and famous golfer, Bobby Jones. Bring paper and crayons to do rubbings of the famous headstones.
10. Movies in the Park
If your family loves the silver screen, go see a free movie in one of several Atlanta parks. There’s just something magical about seeing a movie under the stars. Atlanta offers several free fresh air cinema options in summer including “Movies in the Park” at Atlantic Station, “Movies on the Town” at Town Brookhaven, and “Dodd After Dark” at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Bring a blanket (or some hotel towels) and cozy up on the grass to watch a flick with the kids.
Save this List of Free Things to Do in Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia is a city full of southern charm and so many great places to see. I hope I piqued your interest in visiting my beloved former hometown!
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Planning a visit to America’s Southeast? Check out our tips for visiting Mississippi Gulf Coast with kids and the best things to do in Savannah, Georgia from our friends at Points and Travel.
Do you have any suggestions for, or questions about free things to do in Atlanta with kids? Let us know in the comments below!
A Note from The Foodie Travel Mama: I did not receive any comps or media rates related to this story. All opinions are mine, as always.
I haven’t gone to the museum of art yet. It looks like one I MUST do and soon!
Liz, I am sure you would love it. They have several functions there throughout the year. A favorite for us adults is the women’s wine and art events. Super fun event for you and your girlfriends and your daughter!
That farmers market looks really awesome! I would love to attend with my family and go shopping.
Amy, This place is HUGE!! We can easily spend a large part of our day just browsing and having lunch there. Super interesting place to hang out!
There are so many great things to do in Atlanta. We would go to the High Museum of Art first.
Great choice Ann! It is one of our favorite stops as well!
These are great ideas to check out in Atlanta. I haven’t been there in many many years, way before my kids days.
Kerri, You should try and make it down with the kids. Mine just love visiting Atlanta.
It sounds like there’s so much to do with kids in Atlanta, both for tourists and locals alike. I like learning about the history of different towns, so I’d definitely need to see the MLK site.
Crystal, The MLK site has been a favorite of mine for many years. When I taught summer camp, it was one of the places we took the older kids.
We love doing free things (who doesn’t!). I especially like the farmer’s market, those are always so lively and interesting to be in.
Yes Janis, I totally agree! The DeKalb Farmer’s Market is so big! It is packed with so much for the whole family to enjoy. We like to people watch there 🙂
I’ve always wanted to visit Atlanta. l’ll have to bookmark this post so I can refer back to it when I finally get the chance to go 🙂
When you get the chance, you should totally go Stacey! The 10 places I listed are just the tip of the iceberg!
I have always wanted to visit Atlanta but never had the chance. These all sound great, and the High museum Of Art looks like a colorful place.
Val, if you get the chance, you should go! My family misses living there and we love to visit whenever we can.