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Atlanta Family Vacation
Know Before You GoAtlanta is the capital of Georgia and the 9th largest metropolitan area in America. Atlanta prospered after the Civil War, becoming a national center of commerce with its economy rising up the ranks to 6th in the nation. It used to be named “Terminus” instead of Atlanta when there were plans for railroads to be built there. Getting OrientedThe busy Interstate 285 freeway circles around Atlanta and is known as the “Perimeter.” Each neighborhood in Atlanta has its unique identities that draws visitors each year. Famous NeighborhoodsBuckhead is known to be one of the most upscale areas, earning the nickname “Beverly Hills of the East,” while Little Five Points is known as a more alternative/hipster area with awesome festivals and live music in the summer. Alabama Street is known to be Atlanta’s most historic part. It’s part of the popular Underground Atlanta area where you will find tons of different shops and restaurants. Vinings is the area that meets in the middle, which is perfect for someone who wants a city-feel but still suburban with a village type mixed atmosphere. Downtown AtlantaThis is a part of Atlanta that is consistently very busy. Part of Downtown Atlanta includes Five Points district, which is known to be considered as the center of the town. It has been keeping its title because of the continuing expansion of Georgia State University. Midtown AtlantaMidtown Atlanta is known as Midtown Alliance, which consists of “Midtown Mile” (Peachtree Street) and Historic Midtown. Midtown is the second largest business district in Atlanta, and it’s also the center of Atlanta’s art scene, including architecture such as the Fox Theatre, High Museum of Art, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. West Midtown AtlantaWest Midtown Atlanta, offers a large contemporary art scene, compared to the classical art scene in Midtown, with many urban lofts, art galleries, restaurants, clothing shops, and live music. Things to DoAtlanta hosts a wide range of fun things to do for families and kids. Historical Landmarks
Opened in 1889 and named a National Historic Landmark in 1974, the Georgia State Capitol building is a beautiful building worth visiting if you appreciate politics, architecture, and history. It is the government of Georgia’s main office building, and there are galleries and a museum for visitors on the fourth floor. Centennial Olympic Park is a 21-acre large park where the world gathered for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. Now, it holds many events like the Fountain Animal Attractions
The Georgia Aquarium holds the title as the largest aquarium in the world covering 13 acres of land and holding 500 species from around the world. It has more than 10 million gallons of both fresh and salt water, and its largest exhibit holds 6.2 million gallons of water. This incredible aquarium includes animals such as 4 whale sharks and 4 beluga whales. They even offer programs where you can swim with the whale sharks or belugas. Don’t forget to check out the dolphins and view a beautiful musical performance that shows the bonds between dolphins and humans. There are more than 60 exhibits, as well as a 4D theater, food court, and 5 galleries. Visiting this aquarium can entertain you and your kids for the whole afternoon! Prices of admission are $36 for adults and $30 for kids, not including tax.
Zoo Atlanta houses more than 1500 animals and 220 species. Visit here if you love monkeys because this zoo has the largest collection of gorillas and orangutans in every zoo in the nation. It’s also one of the four zoos in America that has giant pandas. Currently residing here are the only twin pandas in the U.S named Mei Lun and Mei Huan. Another point for Zoo Atlanta is that they are highly involved in global efforts to rebuild threatened and endangered habitats, and their animals are in habitats that have been recreated to be as much like the wild as possible. Prices of admission are adults for $22 and children for $17. Other Attractions
The World of Coca-Cola offers 2 stories of many interesting exhibits to show the history of the famous soda brand. Some popular exhibits are the Vault of the Secret Formula, American Originals: Norman Rockwell and Coca-Cola, and Coca-Cola Freestyle, where you can make your own soda from over 100 choices. You can also check out its 4D Theater and take a picture with the Coca-Cola Polar bear! Prices of admission are $16 for adults and $12 for kids.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History is the largest natural history museum in the Southeast. This museum has the world’s hugest dinosaurs and brings them to life in their hands-on exhibits and galleries. They also have a large IMAX theater with showings in the afternoon and evening. Prices are $18 for adults and $16 for kids for the museum, and an extra $13 for adults and $11 for kids for IMAX. Where to stayBest Value Hotels:
Best Upscale Hotels for Families:
Dining with the KidsThe Flying Bisquit Café- This cute little breakfast/brunch place serves delicious and fun-named plates with vegetarian/vegan options as well. Plus, their “moon-dusted” potatoes are cooked to perfection. Ted’s Montana Grill- Its bison burgers are very popular, but the regular hamburgers and other menu items are great as well. Its kid menu includes familiar items, but also offers salmon and steak (at a much smaller size and cheaper price, too). Yeah! Burger- Another awesome burger joint, this place located in Midtown offers grass-fed burgers and only uses local ingredients and sustainable practices. They also have a tasty bison burger called Triple B bison burger. Kid menu choices give healthy organic sides as options. There’s a vegan menu as well! Palookaville- This restaurant is so unique and perfect for kids. They use creative techniques to serve up gourmet corndogs, hotdogs, and pork burgers. A great choice for corndog lovers would be the Corndogolusa. Fries are uniquely seasoned, and there is a delicious array of strange drinks from the soda fountain. Dakota Blue- Here at this little neighborhood joint, there’s a toy area for kids to play in the corner of the restaurant, and there’s a large kids’ menu with yummy food. Their fish tacos are delish, and their prices are very reasonable. Insider TipsDon't get too comfortable with street names as you're traveling around, because they can get very confusing and use the same street name multiple times. Make sure you know exactly where you're going so you don't get lost! Don't miss out on the Georgia Aquarium if you truly appreciate marine creatures, as it is the largest aquarium in the world. And if you really want to feel like a true Georgian, pronounce the city Atlanta as "Lanna," not "At-lan-ta." If You GoAs mentioned before, the major airport is Hartsfield Jackson Airport (ATL), which is located in Reviews
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of Rings, which is a dancing water show with sound and lighting effects. The park has local bands playing for Music at Noon every Tuesday and Thursday in summer, and jazz music for Wednesday Wind Down. Ever month is a free event called Fourth Saturday Family Fun Day, which offers activities for the kids and performers to enjoy.
Atlanta and is the airport with the most traffic in the entire world. As long as your a U.S. Citizen, there are no passport/visa requirements since Georgia is in the U.S. On the ground, there are many different options of transportation, including shuttles, buses, trains, and rental cars. There are also several great hotels located conveniently right next to the airport if you decided to stay close by to limit transportation costs. Here is a link for more info on ground transportation services: