Atlanta Local Highlights
Published on January 25, 2022 - Updated on February 24, 2022
Are you ready to explore Atlanta? With so many amazing indoor and outdoor activities options, Atlanta never disappoints! Check out just a few of the incredible things that this massive city has to offer!
Zoo Atlanta
(800 Cherokee Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30315)
Zoo Atlanta is one of our favorite stops in this city. The zoo is especially famous for its gorilla exhibit, and it does not disappoint! Definitely check out the giant pandas as well. If you are not a member of Zoo Atlanta, then you will need to purchase timed ticket entry tickets online. Want to get the kids excited ahead of time? (As if that is even necessary for a zoo trip!), check out Zoo Atlanta's panda cam and enjoy these fun creatures from home as well!
The Georgia Aquarium
(225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
The Georgia Aquarium is also worth a stop! It is the LARGEST aquarium in the world and has fish and critters that will shock you, including a crab that is probably as large as your kid! They have multiple animal encounters and a great walk-thru tunnel where kids will be surrounded by the creatures of the sea. Block out a few hours to visit because once you arrive, you will not want to leave. Tickets now need to be purchased online.
The Children's Museum of Atlanta
(275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
The Children's Museum of Atlanta is a spot your little ones will love! This museum offers many ways for your child to learn, play, and create, all while having fun! There is also a special area for your toddlers, so they don't get lost in the crowd of big kids! At the Children's Museum, your kids can travel the world, help out at the farm, go shopping at the grocery store, try their hand at fishing, or, every kid's dream...paint on the wall!
Beautiful day? Wating to get outside for some time at the park? Check these great ones out below!
Chastain Park
(4371 Powers Ferry Road Atlanta, GA 30342)
Chastain Park is a hidden gem and offers trails to walk through in the woods, as well as lots of green space to play in and a pool to swim and cool off in during the summer months!
Centennial Olympic Park
(265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
Centennial Park is also worth a visit. It is a 22-acre park built after they needed to revitalize the area used for the 1996 Olympic Games. Now, it is a beautiful park that is a great legacy to the history of the Games in Atlanta! It has paved paths good for biking, scootering, stroller running, a water fountain park that kids can cool off in, and an amphitheater where you can listen to some amazing musicians perform. Want to get up high and see all of the sights at once? Sky View Atlanta is located here as well and will give you a beautiful bird's eye view of the city!
Sweetwater Creek State Park
(1750 Mt Vernon Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122)
Sweetwater Creek State Park is a short drive from the city. The park boasts hiking trails, a lake for canoeing, and lots of spots for picnicking. With over 215 acres of nature at your fingertips, this is a great retreat from the hustle and bustle of downtown Atlanta.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
(1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309)
The Atlanta Botanical Garden has a wonderful kid's area with a honeybee colony and an edible garden. There are miles of beautiful walking paths as well! An amazing spot any time of the year, but especially beautiful during the spring months!
Fernbank Forest
(767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307)
Fernbank Forest also offers 1.5 miles of paved trails in a wooded area that is especially good for little kids. While you're there, check out the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. They have an array of indoor and outdoor exhibitions that will capture everyone's imagination. Their dinosaur skeletons are especially exciting for kids as well!
Looking for ice cream in the city? There are plenty of delicious options.
Sweet-Stack Creamery
(25 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303)
Sweet-Stack Creamery is conveniently located downtown and has an abundance of options. If you're feeling very ambitious, you can even order a doughnut ice cream sandwich. They have vegan ice cream if anybody in your group is lactose intolerant!
Jake's Ice Cream
(660 Irwin St NE, Atlanta, GA 30312)
Jake's Ice Cream is also worth a try. They have more than 200 flavors, so there is something for everyone!
Queen of Cream
(702 Cleburne Terrance NE Atlanta, GA 30306)
Queen of Cream is especially proud of their ice cream made completely from scratch using local dairy.
What are some of your favorite spots in Atlanta? Any great local haunts you would love to share with our community? Leave a comment below or tag us in your photos on Instagram @gethappyly!
Headed south after visiting Atlanta? Read up on some great spots to check out while in Savannah, Georgia! Or check out a few of our other great Local Highlights articles and take a tour through Austin, Texas, Chatanooga, Tennessee, or Grand Rapids, Michigan.
And if you love exploring near and far as much as we do, download the happyly app today! Thehappyly app is the country’s only mobile-first family activity planning app delivering five-star family adventures and expertly curated days, both locally and in many communities and travel destinations across the country.