Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Atlanta - 2022
2022's Best Places for Kids in the Atlanta area
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. Typically, we showcase the Top 20 winners... but this year, in honor of KidsOutAndAbout.com's 21st birthday (we originally launched in June of 2001), we bring you the Atlanta area's
TOP 21 Places to Take Kids!
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Use what is listed below as the starting point, then browse through our calendar and resource lists to find lots more! Sign up for our fabulous weekly e-newsletter, and be sure not to miss our Everything Free page!
© 2022, KidsOutAndAbout.com. This information may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of KidsOutAndAbout.com.
1. Tellus Science Museum
Because science matters, we engage, educate, and inspire visitors to make scientific connections through dynamic exhibits and enriching experiences.
2. Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium contains more than 10 million gallons of water with over 500 different species. Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide.
3. Zoo Atlanta
An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta saves wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education and engaging experiences. The Zoo Atlanta experience connects people to animals and inspires conservation action.
4. Billy Beez - Mall of Georgia, Buford
The #1 kid's choice for indoor play, birthday parties and family fun in Buford, GA! We are all the buzzzz in kids entertainment!
5. Atlanta Botanical Gardens
The mission of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is to develop and maintain plant collections for display, education, research, conservation and enjoyment.
6. Fernbank Science Center
Welcome to Fernbank Science Center...where science truly becomes an adventure! Visit today and experience the Jim Cherry Memorial Planetarium and the Ralph Buice Jr. Observatory. In addition to the Apollo 6 command module, our Center host many child-friendly exhibits.
7. Six Flags over Georgia
Thrill Capital of the South. Park features Dare Devil Dive, THE JOKER Chaos Coaster, Goliath and 9 other world-class coasters. 2 Family Themed Areas. More than 40 rides and attractions.
8. LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Visit the LEGOLAND Discovery Center and it's like you've just jumped in to the world's biggest box of LEGO bricks! Now open in Phipps Plaza!
9. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Atlanta area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them to the list of the best places to take kids this year!
10. Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball as a member club of the National League East division.
11. Catch Air
We pride ourselves on being the very best children’s indoor playcenter. Fun, safe, unique, dynamic, and interactive activities; laser shows, dance parties, giant three story soft play castle, interactive toys, and lots more.
12. Georgia Renaissance Festival
The Georgia RenFest is one of the largest Renaissance Festivals in the Southeast. Spend a day full of romance, chivalry, and fantasy in our 32-acre village as 200 artisans, delicious food, and non-stop entertainment combine to make a day full of memories!
13. Wild Animal Safari
Wild Animal Safari, offers a unique experience. Visitors can see, touch, and feed hundreds of exotic animals - a true worldwide safari!
14. Children's Museum of Atlanta
Children’s Museum of Atlanta is the only educational venue of its kind in Atlanta, presenting educational programs and exhibits designed for young children ages 0-8.
15. Urban Air Adventure Park
Urban Air Adventure Park is much more than a trampoline park. With new adventures behind every corner, we are the ultimate indoor playground for your entire family. Take your kid’s birthday party to the next level or spend a day of fun with the family and you’ll see why Urban Air Adventure Park is the best place for jumping, climbing, riding, playing, and fun for all ages.
16. Chattahoochee Nature Center
The Chattahoochee Nature Center's (CNC) mission is to connect people with nature. Being outdoors is more important than ever to our communities' health and well-being. At CNC, visitors of all ages have 127 acres to safely explore and endless opportunities to connect with nature while learning about Georgia's ecosystem. CNC features three ponds, six woodland and wetland trails, including a newly renovated 2,000-foot river boardwalk. We offer a space for quiet, reflective moments, or more active options such as hiking, ziplining, or canoeing. CNC also offers programs involving rehabilitated native wildlife, horticulture, photography, art, and more. Our goal is to encourage life-long learning and demonstrate the important role nature plays in our daily lives. Visit our website at www.chattnaturecenter.org.
17. Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Come face-to-face with the world's largest dinosaurs, explore the development of life on Earth through the landscapes of present-day Georgia, connect with cultures from around the globe, engage in a variety of hands-on exhibitions and more! Take a walk on the wild side as you explore 75 acres of new outdoor nature adventures. WildWoods and Fernbank Forest combine to highlight the natural world through immersive trails, educational programming, hands-on exhibits, and beautiful scenery.
The largest water park in the Southeast!
19. World of Coca-Cola
The World of Coca-Cola is a museum, located in Atlanta, Georgia, showcasing the history of the Coca-Cola Company. The 20-acre complex opened to the public on May 24, 2007, relocating from and replacing the original exhibit, which was founded in 1990 in Underground Atlanta.
20. Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games is a premier entertainment & event destination featuring heart-pounding attractions, delicious cuisine & unique event spaces. Our 100k+ sq ft facility features high speed electric Superkarts on a multi-level track, state of the art arcade, VR experiences, two-level laser tag arena, bowling, 7D Xperience motion theater, scratch restaurant, full bar and over 8,000 sq ft of party and event space. Locations in Marietta and Buford.
21. Smith-Gilbert Gardens
Smith-Gilbert Gardens is the City of Kennesaw’s botanical garden. Recognized by Cobb Travel & Tourism as one of the Top 10 places to visit in Cobb County, the 17-acre property is rich with botanical, artistic and historic treasures. Fifteen themed garden spaces, anchored by the reconstruction era Hiram Butler House, contain more than 4,000 different plants, several rare in American gardens. The award winning “Garden with Wings” butterfly house (open every July) promotes conservation of beneficial Georgia native pollinators.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: The Woodruff Arts Center
Woodruff Arts Center is a visual and performing arts center located in Atlanta, Georgia. The center houses three not-for-profit arts divisions on one campus. Opened in 1968, the Woodruff Arts Center is home to the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the High Museum of Art.
Top Sports Educator: TopGolf
Topgolf is a technology-enabled, golf entertainment concept where people from all walks of life come to play golf their own way in a dynamic, multi-level venue experience. Equipped with 102 outdoor hitting bays, players can enjoy a variety of games for players of all ages and skill levels, a chef-inspired food and beverage menu, and more. To book your play today, visit www.topgolf.com.
Top STEM Educator: Fernbank Science Center
Welcome to Fernbank Science Center...where science truly becomes an adventure! Visit today and experience the Jim Cherry Memorial Planetarium and the Ralph Buice Jr. Observatory. In addition to the Apollo 6 command module, our Center host many child-friendly exhibits.
