Please help w/ Atlanta for kids???

[MSSANDRA]

We like Atlanta.

We did the city pass last time and thought it was a good deal for us. The aquarium and world of coke are very close to where you are and great. We like the zoo.
how are you getting around??? It can take quite a while to get to the zoo and the history musuem on public transpotation. We just about ended up having to get a taxie back from the musuem.

We did not care for underground atlanta, but they do have a Johnny Rockets which is a fun place to eat. Also we liked hard rock.

LOVE Stone mountain but it is a drive out of the city.

forgot when you are going??? Braves games are easy to get to and a LOAD of fun!!!

 

[snoopy5386]

we did the EXACT same thing 2 years ago - tagged along on a conference with DH. I hope you will have a car, we only had one for a day at it made getting around difficult at times. We did the aquarium - loved it, the best I have ever been to, the whale shark is so cool!! DD also had a blast at the childrens museum and just playing in the park that is right there. She was too young for the world of coke (only 2) so we skipped that. We also loved the zoo, lots to do and see but we were able to do it all in a reasonable amount of time. Be aware that where you are staying is pretty much a M-F 9-5 zone - almost everything will be closed at 5 pm and it is hard to find a place to eat, etc. after that time or on the weekends. There is also no stores such as a 7-11 or anything in walking distance. I was hoping to hit up somewhere to buy cereal, snacks, etc instead of paying the outrageous prices in the hotel but it was not an option. Also there is a large population of homeless people in the area - you may want to prepare your kids for that. We ate at Gladys Knight's chicken and waffles restaurant -within walking distance and very yummy!
http://www.gladysandron.net/

 

[mousesweetie]

Definately World Of Coke(last room there is like a HUGE club cool lol) and the GA Aquarium which is right next door. I know that the original Krispy Kreme shop is in ATL too.
Enjoy your stay!!

 

[anadyr21]

DDs (8 ½ & 6 ½) & I are tagging along to DH’s conference in Atlanta for 4 days. We’re staying at the Embassy Suites Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park.

Here is what I’ve found so far. I’d truly appreciate any reviews/suggestions. Also any kids eat free deals or not to miss places to eat would be great too!!

AG place

Atlanta Zoo
The zoo is a must, but when are you going? It's been a bit cold and rainy lately, and that's not fun for kids. However, I believe there is a discount for the zoo for days when the temp drops below 32 degrees.

Leonardo da Vinci: Hand of the Genius. The High Museum of Art. Explore more than 50 original works including 20 sketches, some never before seen in the United States. The exhibit showcases da Vinci’s talents as a scientist, inventor, writer, designer, sculptor, architect and painter. Through Feb. 21. Tues.-Wed., Fri-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4444-. Adults, $18; children 6-17, $11; under 6, free. ** Tickets for ½ price @ Half Off Depot ~ should I jump on it??:

The High Museum is great for adults, but unless your kids are into art, I don't know how much they'd like it.

Elachee Nature Science Center
Elachee Nature Science Center is a nonprofit environmental education center that provides interactive experiences in the Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve. Elachee's campus includes a woodland refuge and interactive museum. The Museum Center houses three discovery areas where visitors can explore native plants and animals, local archaeological history, astronomy, and displays of live amphibians, reptiles, and hawks. Surrounding the Center is the 1500 acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve laced with over 13 miles of hiking trails.
NO!!! That is WAY too far of a drive! You're already in the heart of the city! Elachee has quite a bit of fun outdoor things to do, and I think it works better in at least springtime weather.

Anne Frank in the World: 1929-1945. Parkside Shopping Center. The exhibit opens in its new home this month, detailing the life of the Frank family and others who lived in the Secret Annex, plus a brief film about Frank’s life and a replica of Anne’s room in the annex. Tues.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 12-4 p.m. 5920 Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs. 404-370-3057. Free.
Great exhibit. Just not sure how much the kids will like it. I don't know if I'd want to drive to Sandy Springs, though.

Seussical, Jr. Off Broadway Children’s Theater. The whimsical world of Dr. Seuss features the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz and more. Feb.5, 6, 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 7 and 14 at 3 p.m. 12315 Crabapple Rd., Alpharetta. 770-664-2410. Tickets, $5-$10.
Alpharetta is not a short drive from the city. If you really want to do it, choose the 3pm showing. If you go for the 7:30, you'll be in ridiculous traffic along with all the thousands of people commuting back to the burbs. But if you're going to be in Alpharetta, as someone else said, there is an American Girl store at Northpoint Mall, and little girls seem to love the lunch and makeovers!

Not sure which/if any of these Aquatic Centers???
Bogan Park Aquatic Center
This is the indoor play pool that started it all in metro Atlanta. This Buford facility features a two-story water slide, a “lazy river” with a slow current, a zero-depth entry area, and water play structures galore. 2723 North Bogan Rd., Buford. 770-614-2063; www.gwinnettparks.com. Play pool hours: Mon., Wed., Fri., 3-6 p.m.; Tues., Thurs., 3-7:30 p.m.; Sat., noon-6 p.m.; Sun., 1-6 p.m. Adults, $5; children 4-10, $4; 3 and under, $2.
"Meh". I don't know if it's worth it to drive out to Buford. That, too, is far out.

Bethesda Park Aquatic Center
With a similar setup to Bogan Park, this water park pool is even grander in scale! Also in Gwinnett County, this facility boasts a beach entry, a giant waterslide that exits and then reenters the building, a river channel, water play structures, and a ceiling spray among other features. 225 Bethesda Church Rd., Lawrenceville. 678-924-6334; www.gwinnettparks.com. Play pool hours: Mon.-Thurs., 3-7:30 p.m.; Fri., 3-6 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m; Sun. 1-6 p.m. Adults, $5; children 4-10, $4; 3 and under, $2.
Same issue as the above, Lawrenceville is out there.

South Cobb Aquatic Center
On the other side of town, children can splash to their hearts’ content with spray features at various water play stations, or they can slip and slide down the giant slide into the lazy river at this water park pool. 875 Six Flags Dr., Austell. 770-739-3180; www.prca.cobbcountyga.gov. Play pool hours: Mon.-Thurs., 2-4 p.m., 7-8 p.m.; Fri., 4-9 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 2-5 p.m. Adults, $3.18; children 2-17, $2.12; under 2, free.

You're right there at Centenial Olympic Park. World of Coke, the Aquarium, and Phipps Arena are right there. You could walk over to the CNN center, and if you're bold, you could go to the tourist trap that is The Underground. On a good springtime day, you could spend your whole day doing that.

Fernbank and the Center for Puppetry Arts is more for kids and is closer in the city.

Stone Mountain has tons to do, and still has Snow Mountain going. It's pricey, but you could spend 2 days and still not get through everything.

If the weather is nicer, Piedmont Park can be fun for kids.

 

[TwoRoos]

We love the aquarium! It is awesome. You should definitely go. My dh is from Atlanta and he is a big fan of The Varsity. We also like the zoo.

 

[auralia]

the atlanta childresn museaum is for Very small children under 4 or 5 or it is very boring and basic and over priced... the zoo is very small and also expensive for it's size (20$). you could take them up to Stone mountain... just look it up, i haven't been there yet but have heard good things about it.