Going to Atlanta for 4 days. What to do?

[moopdog]

I'll be visiting my brother's family with my two kids ages 8 and 10. It turns out we may have a day or so to go off on our own. We are looking for cheap or not-to-miss things. Just one or two. I am pretty sure we want to see the Aquarium - any discounts there? Also - is there an IMAX film that plays there? We'd love to see one.

Thanks!

 

[stacy347]

I don't know about the IMAX, but I just wanted to say that we are using our Coke Rewards to get free tickets to the World of Coca-Cola. From what I've read, it's not an all day thing, but some cool stuff for the kids to see and do.

http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/?WT.srch=1

 

[karliebug]

Go to citypass.com and buy a ticket. It is the cheapest way to see major attractions. We went to coca-cola, CNN, the aquarium and a history museum.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

The aquarium now has a dolphin show for an extra cost.

 

[clh2]

There is a "Center for Puppetry Arts" in Atlanta.

We went years and years ago, and LOVED this attraction.

Another thing we enjoyed was the Underground Atlanta area. Fun to walk around in. Now - they offer walking tours of the area - some great history tide to this area.

 

[jwfla422]

I agree with the other posters about the downtown area, plus if you are going during HOT season there area also the fountain area where the kids can play and cool off (be sure to bring bathing suits or a change of clothes). There is also a kid's museum called Imagine It in the area downtown. It's another place that won't take the whole day but they may have coupons for it as well. It's geared toward younger kids but my dd enjoyed it when she was about 7 or 8. Her cousins were 6 and 9 then and they also enjoyed it (boy and a girl).

Just keep in mind though, if you're going downtown during the week, go right after morning rush and try to head back home before 3:00 because downtown traffic is horrendous after that time (of course that all depends on where you're staying too).

My brother lives north of the city so I always plan (or try) to get our flights in early in the day when we come in during the week to avoid this traffic nightmare. School starts in a week there so the traffic is always worse during the school-year.

 

[auralia]

you just have to go to the varsity and get a burger! largest drive in in the world i believe and oh the greasy goodness! we always stop there. there is a six flags and a white water water park. Also the park from when they had the olympics.

 

[wsblank2000]

If you are going to the aquarium, I would definitely recommend going to the World of Coke (it is right next door). Your kids are way too old for the Imagine It (Children's Museum) so you can skip that. You will probably need 3 - 4 hours for the aquarium and about 1 1/2 - 2 hours for World of Coke. You will be near Centennial Park (across the street) and you can walk around the park and play in the fountains.

If you have any other free time, there is Stone Mountain (free laser show every night although there is a parking fee) and Dialog in the Dark at Atlantic Station is a unique/really cool exhibit.

Have a great trip.

 

[saysay]

I am from ATL and think the Aquarium and World of Coke would be perfect. You can do them in one day. Citipass is a good deal as well.

Stone Mountain is a great place to visit, the mountain itself is very unique. The laser show is pretty cool.

If you want to learn about Atlanta, I love the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead. There is a museum and 2 houses.....one farm house showing life on a georgia farm - its an old small plantation house and there is a beautiful home built I think around the 20's showing how the rich folks lived. My inlaws and neices from Cali loved it.

I am not a fan of underground and think its totally skipable.

 

[mrssmith06]

for 4 days I would do the City Pass.
We just went to ATL last week for a day trip and did the Aquarium with the dolphin show and the World of Coke. We really enjoyed both!!! The only discount we found was an 10% employee discount we could get through my DH's job.

 

[ilovebassets]

(Almost) native atlantan here. Underground is not what it used to be. I would definitely skip it.

The atlanta city pass is definitely a good deal. The only thing I don't like about it is that you can do Zoo Atlanta OR the Atlanta History Center, and I think both are great personally. Our zoo is very nice, but it's definitely not the national zoo or the san diego zoo. The Atlanta History Center is a hidden gem and I highly recommend it.

I've only been to the aquarium once and thought it was expensive and not as great as I was hoping for but everyone else seems to think its great.

 

[MSSANDRA]

The city pass is the way to go. We enjoy Atlanta. Stone mountain is really fun and can take a whole day. We also enjoyed the zoo in Atlanta. The metro in Atlanta is clean and easy to navigate if you need to get around. We find under -ground Atlanta a little scary, but we did enjoy Johnny Rockets there, If you are there in season, a Braves game is a must. We also have done and enjoyed an CNN tour.

 

[crazelion]

The city pass is the way to go. We enjoy Atlanta. Stone mountain is really fun and can take a whole day. We also enjoyed the zoo in Atlanta. The metro in Atlanta is clean and easy to navigate if you need to get around. We find under -ground Atlanta a little scary, but we did enjoy Johnny Rockets there, If you are there in season, a Braves game is a must. We also have done and enjoyed an CNN tour.

I would say Marta is not that easy to follow at all. They should have people in the tourist areas explaining how to read Marta signs and for the directionally challenged that have never taken bus or subway train before.

Atlanta traffic is crazy fast. The normal speed on the freeway is a 80 and above. I am not kidding either. Yes I know the speed limit is 70 mph .

Can someone explain catching Marta at the Georgia Dome train and going to Underground Atlanta why can say the underground besides Five points station.

 

[jwfla422]

The city pass is the way to go. We enjoy Atlanta. Stone mountain is really fun and can take a whole day. We also enjoyed the zoo in Atlanta. The metro in Atlanta is clean and easy to navigate if you need to get around. We find under -ground Atlanta a little scary, but we did enjoy Johnny Rockets there, If you are there in season, a Braves game is a must. We also have done and enjoyed an CNN tour.

You know, it's too bad about underground Atlanta...they just can't seem to keep up on it. It was bad many years ago and then they fixed it all up and it was really nice (I think it was in the early 90s?) and it went downhill again, too bad...

 

[simonkodousek]

"""

 

[mantaz]

You know, it's too bad about underground Atlanta...they just can't seem to keep up on it. It was bad many years ago and then they fixed it all up and it was really nice (I think it was in the early 90s?) and it went downhill again, too bad...

It was nice in the early 90's. I went their with the HS chorus to sing and then we were allowed to walk around and shop some. I wouldn't dare do that now! It is sad that they build something with such potential and let it landslide into disgrace.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I highly recommend the GA Aquarium, however, I would bypass the Deepo show. It is a cheap rip off of Nemo, and costs $15 for a 6 minute movie... And that's it. A total rip off, IMO, but the aquarium itself is SO worth seeing!

I would bypass the World of Coke unless you are a HUGE Coke fan. It is expensive (around $30/person last time I was there) and the only truly fun part, for me anyway, is tasting the international sodas which is something you can do in Epcot free of charge, other than park admission.

Check out Lenox Square or Atlantic Station if you want to do some shopping! Oh, and you can't forget Chick-Fil-A if you don't have them where you live.

The Aquarium is a great choice, as is the World of Coke. You can get the Pemberton Place card that allows you access to both for a reasonable price. The World of Coke is $15 for adults, but there are tickets available on My Coke Rewards, we just used those last fall, and they don't require that many points.

If you are only going to have a day or 2 to explore, I wouldn't go for the City Pass, it isn't worth it, especially if you aren't into the sort of choices it gives.

The Atlanta Zoo is really nice and they have quite a few babies that were born earlier this year, including a baby giraffe that was born in the last week or so. We spent at least 2/3 of a day there.

We have been wanting to check out the Fernbank Museum and they have an IMAX theatre. They have Martinis and IMAX on Friday evenings for adults only, DH and I are going to try that one evening.

We didn't care for Stone Mountain, it was really expensive and there just wasn't enough to keep me interested for the price we paid. And I am scared of heights, but rode the cart thing to the top, that was beyond scary.

Atlantic Station is a nice place to go shop or have a nice meal. I want to see the Bodies exhibit, but that is probably not for children and my DH doesn't want to see it, so I guess I won't be seeing it either.

 

[tadamom]

Like some previous posters said, if you go to the aquarium DON'T do the Deepo movie. It is a waste and a total rip-off of Nemo. The aquarium is fun, the zoo is nice but if you are going to be here during baseball season go to a Braves game. There is lots to see & enjoy & I believe on Friday nights they do Fireworks.

Your kids are probably too old to enjoy the children's museum. Also, depending on when you come you could do White Water and Six Flags.

There is also tons of malls. IKEA is here as well! (I love IKEA!)

Also, like others have said traffic is CRAZY! In the downtown area, traffic is always insane and in my opinion, it is always rush hour traffic!!