georgia aquarium
Atlanta saw a boom in the late 1980s and early 1990s as businesses capitalized on the low cost of living. The Summer Olympics in 1996 spurred even more growth. Called the “Capital of the New South,” Atlanta is a friendly city filled with Southern charm and world-class museums, attractions and restaurants. That adds up to Atlanta being an awesome destination for families!
Getting There
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is one the country’s busiest airports and the hub for Delta Airlines. There are numerous airlines flying direct to Atlanta from Ft. Myers making it an easy (and usually inexpensive) flight. If you drive, it’s just a little over 600 miles from Naples–about 10 hours depending on the number of stops along the way.
Getting Around
Atlanta has several distinct neighborhoods with most tourist attractions in midtown, downtown and south of the city. Buckhead is filled with a younger crowd and is known for its popular restaurants and bars. If you fly into Atlanta, you will most likely need a rental car unless you plan on staying within midtown and downtown. Public transportation isn’t great–with the exception of the subway connection from the airport and getting around the downtown area.
Where to Stay
There are a variety of hotels in every price point in downtown and midtown Atlanta. All of the major travel search engines have good rates on hotels and you can choose amenities based on what’s important to your family. A word of warning, driving in Atlanta can be busy and confusing so limit it as much as possible by choosing a hotel within a short drive or walk to the popular tourist attractions.
What to See
The major family attractions in Atlanta include several museums, tours of CNN and Coca Cola and The Georgia Aquarium. Stone Mountain Park and Six Flags over Georgia both are worthy of a day trip.
Centennial Olympic Park
This 21-acre park was built to celebrate the 1996 Olympics, and revitalized a rundown area of the city in the process. There is live music at the park most days of the week and special events planned throughout the year. The Fountain of Rings is the centerpiece of Centennial Olympic Park and is free to view. It plays four times a day, 365 days a year, at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Your family can come face to face with huge dinosaurs, explore the development of life on Earth, connect with cultures around the world, and engage in a variety of hands on activities at Fernbank. An IMAX theatre offers an array of educational and fun films. The website offers downloadable activities and a ton or resource materials.
Georgia Aquarium
The world’s largest, the Georgia Aquarium encompasses 13 acres and is home to tens of thousands of animals. The largest exhibit holds 6.2 million gallons of water! The aquarium is a definite full day so plan on getting there early and staying late. Hours vary depending on day and season and you can buy tickets online ahead of time.
Imagine It!
Children’s Museum of Atlanta The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is located in downtown Atlanta and is just across the street from Centennial Park and within walking distance to the aquarium, CNN Center. It’s a great stop on a rainy (or too hot) day when you have a few hours to fill. Most exhibits are geared towards children 8 and younger. There are special events and exhibits that change frequently and you can purchase tickets online. Currently, the museum is closed on Wednesdays.
Inside CNN Studio Tour
Inside CNN is a 55-minute guided walking tour that offers a behind the scenes look into the action at CNN’s global headquarters. Tours depart every 10 minutes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tickets can be purchased online. Please note that the Inside CNN Tour includes walking eight flights of steps so plan accordingly and check the website for accessibility information for special needs.
World of Coca Cola
Visit this attraction to trace the history of the world’s most popular soft drink. Your family will learn about the “legend of the secret formula,” get an inside look at the bottling process, see the world’s largest collection of Coke memorabilia, and much more. The World of Coca Cola is located right near The Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta.
Outside of Atlanta:
Six Flags Over Georgia
This 330-acre park is filled with rides, attractions and shows. Younger kids will enjoy “Bugs Bunny World” with rides especially for little ones.
Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain Park is set on more than 3,000 acres of natural beauty with a variety of family activities. The park is Georgia’s most popular attraction and offers special events and festivals throughout the year. There are two hotels onsite as well as camping.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
The Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, 404-581-4125 • www.GeorgiaAquarium.org
Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Avenue West, Atlanta, GA 30313, 404-222-7275 • www.centennialpark.com
Children’s Museum of Atlanta 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, Atlanta, GA 30313, 404-659-5437 • www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org
Fernbank Museum of Natural History 767 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, 404-929-6300 • www.fernbankmusum.org
Inside CNN Studio Tour 190 Marietta Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-827-2300 • www.cnn.com/tour
Six Flags Over Georgia 275 Riverside Pkwy SW, Austell, GA 30168, (770) 739-3400 • www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia
Stone Mountain Park 1000 Robert E. Lee Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083, 770-498-5690 • www.stonemountainpark.com
World of Coca Cola 121 Baker Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, 404-676-5151 • www.worldofcoca-cola.com