Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, GA
Family Fun Attractions

Atlanta History Center
130 W Paces Ferry Rd
404-814-4000

A contemporary atmosphere marks this historical center, which holds the largest, most comprehensive Civil War exhibits in the South, and touches on aspects of Southern and Atlanta history, including the civil-rights struggle. Two historic homes on the 23-acre grounds of the center are open for touring: an authentic 1840s-working farm (The Tullie Smith House), and a 1928 grand Italianate mansion (The Swan House)

Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Ave NE
404-876-5859

The Garden features several distinct exhibit areas. The Fuqua Conservatory is a giant greenhouse enclosing different climate-controlled ecosystems. The steamy Tropical Rotunda features colossal-leaved plant life and towering rubber trees. Visitors feels like they are in a real rainforest. Outdoors, there are numerous paths to guide guests through planned nature walks. The influence of Japanese architecture is evident throughout, and quiet spots to sit and absorb the beauty of the landscape are abundant. Children are special guests at the Botanical Gardens. An interactive "kid's space" is scheduled to be completed in 1999.

Centennial Olympic Park
Centennial Park is clean and well-maintained space, featuring a decorative mosaic of grass-green patches and various geometric shapes composed in red brick. The Quilt of Remembrance, a memorial to those killed by the bomb planted here during the 1996 Olympics, is the most notable of the park's many artistic adornments. Every day at noon sharp jets of water suddenly burst from the six rings of an Olympic logo in a beautiful water display that includes programmed music.

Center for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring Street
404-873-3391

Located in a former elementary school, the 22-year-old center prides itself on being the largest organization in the U.S. devoted to puppetry. The center offers puppetry classes, daily performances by center puppeteers and various companies, along with a great interactive museum that includes figures like the Muppets.

CNN Center
1 CNN Center
404-827-2491

The global headquarters of the CNN News Group and Turner Broadcasting and also an entertainment-shopping-dining-hotel extravaganza. The crown jewel of the Center is the CNN Studios tour, a must-see for an impressive behind-the-scenes look at global news in the making.

Fabulous Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree Street NE
404-881-2100

Box office open all day on day of show
This beautiful 1920s structure was built as an Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque and features Moorish designs inside and out, including onion domes, minarets, and arches. An open-air Arabian courtyard serves as the auditorium. The Fox showcases a colossal theater organ with four keyboards, 3,622 pipes, 376 stops, and 42 ranks. This attraction is one of Atlanta's most beloved landmarks.

Grant Park
Corner of Berne Street and Boulevard Atlanta
In 1883, Colonel Lemuel P. Grant bequeathed 85 acres of his private estate to Atlanta for use as a public park. The city won 44 more acres of land before opening the park in 1891. The park has cozy glens, abundant small hills, gazebos and open pavilions. Grant Park also contains the Atlanta Zoo.

Kennesaw Mountain National Park
900 Kennesaw Mountain DR NW
770-427-4686

Kennesaw Mountain National Park commemorates the 1864 Civil War battle for Atlanta. Union forces under General Sherman assaulted the heavily fortified Confederate positions on Kennesaw, losing more than 5,000 men. Eventually, Confederate forces retreated amidst the horror of hand-to-hand combat. Today, the park encloses 2,882 acres of protected land and boasts 16 miles of hiking trails. Over 11 miles of Confederate trenches form visible rings on the mountainside. Historic markers and memorials provide information about significant battle sites and events. A small museum displays Civil War-era artifacts. Guests often picnic here and enjoy views of Atlanta and even Chattanooga, Tennessee. Over 1million people enjoy this park each year.