It’s time to get ready for summer, y’all!
School’s almost out and there are tons of things to do this summer in Atlanta. If you’re looking for something to get you and your kids out of the house — and into fun — we’ve got it!
Here are 65+ things to do this summer in Atlanta, Georgia, with kids.
Things To Do This Summer in Atlanta with Kids
Adventure at a Georgia State Park – Think there’s only hiking at the state’s 60+ parks? Think again! There are so many ways to explore, adventure, and have fun at the parks — including some really great lake beaches, splash pads, and pools.
Atlanta – explore for FREE – Low on funds? (After summer camp payments, we are too!) Here are 50+ FREE things to do in and around the city, including free days at the High Museum of Art and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta.
Atlanta Ice Cream Festival – This fun event at Piedmont Park includes a variety of health and wellness agencies, fitness routines, and much for the entire family. Of course, the feature is ICE CREAM! This year, it’ll be held July 27, 2024.
Backyard Camping – Camping is always a fun option for families. Find the Best Campgrounds in North Georgia, or just campout in your own backyard!
Beach at Don Carter – Spend the afternoon at Georgia’s newest park, taking in the beach, nature trails, and playgrounds. We like the lakeside cottages here too.
Bike the BeltLine – As a kid, a bike gave you freedom. I’m not sure my children feel the same way, but it’s still fun to hop on the Atlanta BeltLine and see where it takes you.
Blairsville – The mountains are cooler in the summer, and there are super waterfalls and fun adventures for families. Bonus: most of it is FREE.
Blueberry Picking – Spring is for strawberries, but summer is for blueberries. My favorite fruit. Take the kids to a pick-your-own farm. Bring them home and make pies, jelly, ice cream, or just eat them as-is. Yum!
Callaway Gardens – Callaway in west Georgia is full of summer fun! Enjoy a cabana on the white sand lake beach before hitting the family-favorite Aqua Island floating obstacle course. Play a round of golf, bike the trails, go fishing, go ziplining through the trees, visit the Butterfly House, explore the gardens, and more.
Center for Civil and Human Rights – The Center for Civil and Human Rights gives you a platform to talk about human rights issues, from the global human rights movement to the American Civil Rights Movement. A visit here is an emotional experience, but one well worth doing.
Center for Puppetry Arts – Catch a puppet show at the amazing Center for Puppetry Arts! Make time to visit the Worlds of Puppetry Museum while you’re there.
Chastain Park Playground – Chastain Park was designed by kids, so you know it’s great. It’s also (primarily) in the shade.
Chattahoochee Nature Center Butterfly Festival – Live butterfly releases, butterfly encounters, arts and crafts, vendors, ice cream, live music…it’s a weekend of fantastic fun. Dates: June 1 – 2, 2024.
Children’s Garden at Atlanta Botanical Gardens – The Children’s Garden has been revamped with exciting new features, a splash pad, and familiar favorites for summer.
Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival at Fox Theatre – I love that summer offers a chance for the general public to experience Fox Theatre for an exceptional price. If you don’t want to bring the littles, this also makes a great summer date event.
College Football Hall of Fame – You don’t even have to be a big college football fan to enjoy this museum! There are lots of interactive elements here, and an indoor field to test your throwing and kicking skills.
Columbus – explore for FREE – We love love love whitewater rafting here. That isn’t free, but you can save your pennies by filling the rest of the weekend with these FREE activities.
Connor Brown Trail at Atlanta History Center – This short trail meanders the garden, passing play houses for the kids and winding in the shade. Explore the Quarry Garden, or take a break inside and check out the Olympic Games exhibit.
Decatur – explore for FREE – There is no other place in Atlanta quite like Decatur. We love window shopping, taking in the restaurants, and having fun at these FREE activities and events.
Downtown Atlanta Staycation – Have you explored everything Downtown Atlanta has to offer? Visit the Georgia Aquarium, or the World of Coca Cola, or take a spin on SkyView Atlanta – the ferris wheel near Centennial Olympic Park. Why not plan a family staycation getaway?
Explore Helen – With two state parks, a double waterfall, museums and delicious eats, Helen is the ideal mountain escape. Outdoor excursions and historical walks back in time can fill an itinerary for a week or more.
Explore Atlanta with ClueTown Books Scavenger Hunts – Try a scavenger hunt! I am a sucker for a good scavenger hunt, and Cluetown Books are a fantastic way to explore specific areas of the city, like the BeltLine or Piedmont Park.
Farmer’s Market – Bring the kids, let them help you pick out some tasty yummies, and then make an afternoon of preparing a great meal together. Fix a veggie pasta, or how about a berry pie? We enjoy the one at Marietta Square because it’s close to us, and it has a great train park and fountain for the kids to play.
Federal Reserve Tour – The Federal Reserve in Midtown Atlanta offers a FREE tour. Watch the bill counter spin through $10s or $20s, see the cash bus that moves bags of money in and out of the vault, and see the shredded money fountain.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History – Visit WildWoods and Fernbank Forest in the morning, and then cool off by going inside the museum to visit the dinosaurs in the afternoon. If your kids still have energy after all that, make sure to stop by the super fun play area on the top floor.
Festival Fun – There are myriad festivals in the city this summer – here are 37+ that we adore, with notes about their family-friendliness.
Fountain Play at Centennial Olympic Park – The heat is on, and Centennial Park is the perfect place to cool off in the fountains. Pack a picnic and head to this downtown green space, or grab a bite at one of the close by restaurants once you get there. Bring some extra clothes, and you could finish the day at SkyView, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca Cola, or The Children’s Museum of Atlanta! They’re all within walking distance, even for short legs.
Fun playground – Find a new playground, or indulge at your usual hotspot. We recommend Haw Creek, which is in the shade, Caney Creek Preserve, Morgan Falls, and Piedmont Park.
Geocache – Teach your kids about the awesome art of real-world scavenger hunts. There are geocaches all over the state, or participate in the Georgia State Parks GeoTour and collect GeoCoins from four different regions.
Grant Park – Grant Park is known as being a hip hangout for foodies and history buffs. You’ll find beautiful homes, walking trails, and it’s home to Zoo Atlanta. Nearby Oakland Cemetery has ornate monuments and the graves of notable Atlantans, like Gone With the Wind author Margaret Mitchell.
Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Festival – Helen is fun by itself, but add dozens of hot air balloons, and watch out! Grab a sandwich at Hofers or the Market at Old Sautee Store, and set up a picnic on the lawn in Helen. Watch the balloons air up and start the race! My son absolutely loved it. Tether rides available.
Hike and Picnic at Big Trees Forest Preserve – The creek that runs through here is clean and crisp. We love taking this hike with a picnic, as the creek has a large clearing near the end of the hike where you can set up “camp” and enjoy the day munching on treats and wading in the water.
Hiking – Love hiking, but want more ideas? Here are 125+ kid-friendly hikes, all under 2 miles.
Hit the Mountains – Want to head into the mountains to cool off? Here are over 120 ways to explore North Georgia!
Hurricane Harbor – Hurricane Harbor is a great mega water park in Atlanta, right inside Six Flags theme park. There is a wave pool, slide towers, thrill rides, a children’s water play area, plus cabanas, food and more!
Jr Ranger Program – We love this program, full of kid’s activities for doing within the parks and at home. There are multiple badges within the Ga State Parks system, and different programs at each National Park, also. At the state parks, the program is FREE.
King of Pops – Check the calendar, see where they will be, and prepare to get your popsicle on! These are the best popsicles in the universe! Save me a mango jalapeno, and my boys say, “Pass the Peach!”
Liberty Bell Swimming Pool at FDR State Park – FDR provides 42 miles of trails, geocaching, star gazing, canoeing, and more. The kids will love taking a dip in the Liberty Bell swimming pool during the summer!
Library Summer Reading Programs – Your local library has a summer reading program for the kids. Most libraries also have regular programs associated with these, like jugglers, magicians and such.
Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands – Enjoy fun slides, relaxing beaches, wakeboarding, and lake adventures. There is a Fun Park, Big Beach, and Sunset Cove. Enjoy Beach Flicks and live music during the summer.
Marietta Fire Museum – Tour the two stories of fire truck paraphernalia and fire trucks. Be sure to ask for a tour, and whatever you do, get your parking validated to save $20. Just a short walk away is a fun train playground and an ice cream shop!
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site – Stop by the Visitor Center, see MLK’s birth home, see Fire Station No. 6, visit the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and go to the King Center to learn more about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Matilda’s Under the Pines – This incredible outdoor music venue in Alpharetta is free for kiddos and is family-friendly!
Mini Golf – Find a mini golf course near you and have a blast! Pirate’s Cove right off I-85 in Duluth was named “Best in Atlanta” by the AJC.
Movies in the Park – There are free outdoor movie locations all over the city. Bring a blanket and some snacks, and enjoy the evening!
Museum of Aviation – Do you have a wannabe pilot in your life? The Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins will elicit a full day’s worth of grins and giggles. It is one of the largest aviation museums in the U.S. See over 90 different aircraft spread over four hangers and 51 acres. The best part? It’s FREE.
National Trails Day – Take a Ranger-led hike, volunteer your time for clean-up, or one of several other events on Trails Day. This year, National Trails Day is June 1, 2024.
Piedmont Park Pool – Spend time splashing in the fountains or riding the lazy river. There is a greystone bathhouse, lap lanes, and much more. It is clean and super family-friendly. Here are more FREE ways to explore Piedmont Park!
Ponce City Market – Your kids will LOVE a day at Skyline Park at Ponce City Market. Play mini-golf and arcade games, slide and ride Heege Tower, and enjoy the amazing views.
Renaissance Festival – Jousting, games, fire jugglers, and so much more. This is a summer festival you can’t miss.
Ride the Atlanta Streetcar –There are 12 stops along a 2.7-mile loop. It would be fun to ride just for the novelty, but consider stops at Centennial Park, Sweet Auburn Market, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, or Woodruff Park.
Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee – This is one of our favorite summer escapes. We love moving back and forth from the pool to the beach, taking out the boat, and enjoying s’mores at night.
Rock Climbing – If you are looking for something your family can all do together Atlanta has several indoor gyms, as well as a few outdoor bouldering locations. Not only is it a fun sport, but rock wall climbing is great exercise for kids and adults.
Rome – explore for FREE – Rome is such a fun and exciting town; here is how to explore for FREE.
Roswell Summer Puppet Series – We’ve been doing this every year since my oldest was two! It gets better each year. I especially love that most puppeteers make themselves (and their puppets) available after the show to the kiddos. Get there early for a close seat, since it is usually filled with camp kids. There are also puppet workshops this year for kids 4 and up.
Sandy Springs – explore for FREE – Playgrounds, heritage greens and so much more.
Shoot the Hooch in Helen – With this hot weather, you know you’re craving the water! This is the place for fun on the Chattahoochee!
Sky Zone Atlanta Trampoline Park – Wear the kids out at Sky Zone indoor trampoline park. They now have several locations throughout the metro area.
Slide the rocks at Poole’s Mill – We love Poole’s Mill for water play. There are wading areas and plenty of mud. If your little one is feeling adventurous, there are also rocks (covered in little algae) that are perfect for sliding down. It will be obvious which ones these are…all the kids congregate there.
For older kids, there is a rope swing across the deeper part of the creek. Prepare for slippery rocks by wearing water shoes, and plan to get wet yourself if your kids are younger…you won’t want to let them walk on the rocks themselves.
Splash Pads – Time to get wet! Head to the nearest splash pad for some splish-splashing good times!
Stone Mountain Laser Show and Geyser Towers –As if you needed an excuse to visit this summer staple! Spend the day at Geyser Towers or riding the tram to the mountaintop. Did you know you can also camp here?
Summer Camp – If your at a loss about what to do, or your kiddos are begging to see their friends, send them to one of the best summer camps in Georgia.
Summer outdoor scavenger hunt at Chattahoochee Nature Center – Take a break from the summer under the shade of the trees along Kingfisher Pond Trail while you complete this scavenger hunt looking high and low for clues about summer in the outdoors.
Swimming Holes – Summer means it’s HOT. Cool off at one of these natural watering holes!
The Painted Pin – Rain on the weekend? No worries. Head here for unusual bowling fun, with other games (and outstanding food and cocktails).
Toddler Takeover – Toddler Takeover at the Alliance Theater is one of the best-run programs in the city, and even though it has “toddler” in the name, my 7 yo adores it too.
Topgolf – If you need a break from the heat or the sun, this is a great way to get some exercise and have a little fun.
Treetop Excursion at Panola Mountain – Beginners climbs, night climbs, there is something for everyone (8 and older).
Treetop Quest Dunwoody – This is a fun ziplining spot that kids and their parents will love. Courses range from beginner to more challenging courses.
Tunes from the Tomb at Oakland Cemetery – This all-day music festival is for the whole family! There are two main stages, and buskers situated around the tombs and monuments. Everything from rock-n-roll to jazz to classical. Food trucks and drinks (including beer and wine) are on-site!
Water play at Blue Heron Nature Preserve – Looking for a place to cool off this summer? Take a short hike to the water at Blue Heron. The nature trail is mostly shaded, and the water here is very shallow. Great for kids of all ages, but especially for the youngest ones. There is also plenty of sand here, so bring a few toys as well!
Waterfall adventures – We adore waterfalls! And what a fun way to cool off in the summer heat. We’ve got a list of waterfalls in Georgia State Parks too.
Zoo Atlanta – Visit the animals, take a ride on the train, and then cool off at the splash pad for a fun-filled summer day at the zoo!
WHERE TO STAY IN ATLANTA
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO GEORGIA
- YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
- ATLANTA: 53+ Things To Do in Atlanta You Should Not Miss (From Locals in the Know)
- GEORGIA AQUARIUM: Atlanta’s Beloved Attraction Lives Up to the Hype
- LAKES: 35 Amazing Lakes in Georgia You Don’t Want To Miss
- BRAVES: Delta SKY360 Club: Why StubHub Is Awesome For Truist Park’s “Expensive” Seats
ATLANTA FAQS
Does Atlanta have a good public transportation system?
Yes! There are lots of ways for people to get around Atlanta without driving a car. The Atlanta Streetcar is a 2.7 mile loop that provides last mile connectivity from Centennial Olympic Park to the King Historic District in Downtown Atlanta. Plus, each neighborhood generally has a shuttle buses, and there are shareable bikes and scooters. Don’t want to drive? No problem!
What are Atlanta’s most visited attractions?
Some of the most visited attractions in Atlanta include: The Georgia Aquarium, The World of Coca-Cola, Stone Mountain Park, and Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
Why are so many movies produced in Atlanta and Georgia?
Many producers choose Atlanta and Georgia because Georgia has a “production-friendly” tax incentive program and as a result, many projects get filmed in the Peach State.
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