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Atlanta is a city which gets the attention of family travelers for many reasons. For one things, it’s affordable. In comparison with other family travel hot spots, Atlanta’s attractions and accommodations are fairly priced. For another thing, Atlanta is a city which is rich with history and that’s something many parents like to share with their children during educational-but-fun family vacations. As one of the only areas of the Southern United States that has always been a leader in civil rights, Atlanta is a great place to go to teach kids about diversity and the important role it has in American’s history. And finally, Atlanta is fun. It’s a destination that has something to offer to everyone which makes it a good place to go for all ages.

There are many different things that you could do with your family on a trip to Atlanta. Here are some of the most popular family destinations in this fast-growing city:

Babyland General Hospital. Want to experience something a little bit nostalgic from your own youth that the kids might like as well? Remember Cabbage Patch Kids? This museum for them is located just outside of Atlanta and it’s a free destination that you’re family can enjoy together.
Center for Puppetry Arts. What kid doesn’t like puppets? And these days, what chance do they really get to see or play with them? At this location which is part performance hall and part museum, Atlanta doesn’t let puppetry become a lost art. What will get lost is time as you find that you can’t bring yourself to part from the interesting things on display here.

CNN Studio Tour. Many kids aren’t really interested in world news these days. You can change that for your own children by taking them to where the news gets reported. The studios offer daily tours that provide insight into what it’s like to work in a news station. Kids find it both glamorous and informative and parents learn something too.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Some kids just naturally get interested in natural history museums with their dinosaur exhibits and informative displays. Other kids need some prodding and can be won over by educational IMAX movies and interactive exhibits. Both kinds of kids will find that their interest is captured at this Atlanta family destination.

Georgia Aquarium. People of all ages can enjoy spending time in an aquarium where you get to get up-close-and-personal with sea creatures that you normally don’t ever get to see. The Georgia Aquarium is impressively large and offers a lot of different types of animals on display. This means that even those families who have already been to famous aquariums (such as the ones in Last Vegas) are likely to find that they enjoy a trip to this one. In addition to just seeing the animals, you can take an audio tour of the aquarium, see a movie in the 4D movie theater there or get a behind-the-scenes tour from aquarium staff.

Imagine It! This is Atlanta’s children’s museum, something that shouldn’t be missed during a family trip to the city. Children’s museums are great because they’re an interactive way to get kids interested in science. While you won’t learn a lot about Atlanta specifically, you will get the opportunity to really get an education with your kids.

Little Five Points. There is a different kind of parent raising kids today. This is the parent who was once at Haight-Ashbury (or wishes that he was). It’s the kind of parent that is concerned about eco-friendly issues and wants to raise her children in an organic way. This kind of parent will be delighted to spend time with the kids in Little Five Points, an Atlanta neighborhood that is known for its bohemian flavor. If you’ve got some shopping to do in Atlanta and you want to take your kids to a place that’s a little funky, a daytime trip to this neighborhood might be in order.

Martin Luther King Jr. Center. One of the things that Atlanta is most notable for is that it stood as a center of civil rights action during a time when the rest of the south still supported segregation. A leader in this movement was, of course, Martin Luther King Jr., a man who called Atlanta home. The King center, which was created by Martin Luther King Jr.’s wife Coretta after his death, is set up to honor the work that he did and the results that have been achieved in the name of his dreams. It’s a great place to explore the history of Atlanta, the history of the United States and the important issue of diversity in America.

Piedmont Park. Perhaps you just want to take a picnic and chill out in the park for a little while. Well this Atlanta park provides you with over fifty acres of space to do just that. There are walking paths, a dog park and plenty of sports activities as well as playgrounds for the kids. This is also where many of Atlanta’s annual festivals are held so check some community calendars to see if anything is planned during your trip.

SciTrek. Most people who want to go to a children’s museum in Atlanta will go to Imagine It! (see above). However, some people are more interested in technology exhibits for their kids. If that’s the case, SciTrek is more of the museum for your family to stop at during an Atlanta vacation.

Stone Mountain Park. This is the perfect Atlanta destination for families that love the outdoors. It’s also great for families that are interested in exploring the history of Atlanta in a rather unique way. Stone Mountain itself has carvings of several civil war heroes which makes it a neat place to take some pictures while learning about what the civil war was like in Atlanta. The surrounding park offers hiking, picnicking and other outdoor activities where families can experience the nature that surrounds Atlanta. And for kids who are used to having a lot of stimulation, there are rides like the mountainside Skyride, the Riverboat cruise and the scenic railroad tour that keep things interesting.

Zoo Atlanta. What’s a family vacation to anywhere without a stop at the destination’s zoo? Atlanta’s zoo does not disappoint families that think this way. There are over two hundred different species of animals to see at this zoo including interesting creatures like the Komodo dragon and the kangaroo. If you plan your trip in advance, you can schedule a Family NightCrawler tour in which you get to see some of the animals that aren’t usually out and active during a night tour of the zoo. You also get to camp there overnight which the kids are sure to never forget.

World of Coca-Cola. Your kids might get a sugar rush but they’ll also get to learn some interesting history about the Coca Cola factory and products. If you’re interested in art, you’ll enjoy the Coke-related art displays which include the work of people like Andy Warhol. And who in the family won’t love the tasting room?

There’s not much that you can’t do in Atlanta. If you want to explore history, including civil rights history and war history, you can do that with your family. If you want to see what kids who live in Atlanta do during their spare time, you can do that. Or if you want to see some more well-known tourist attractions that aren’t to be missed by Atlanta visitors, that’s an option as well. Just take the kids and have a good time.

photo credits: cokak, hyku, dixietraveler, inspired, mre770, versatile

Tags: atlanta | georgia | North America | United States