Atlanta, Georgia is a fun place to take a short trip from Birmingham, Alabama. Only a 2.5 hour drive down I-20, Georgia’s capital city has so much to do and see for families. Here are a few can’t-miss things to do in Atlanta, Georgia!
Where is Atlanta, Georgia?
Atlanta, Georgia is located 141 miles to the east of Birmingham down I-20. It’s about a 2.5 hour drive to the heart of downtown.
What activities are in Atlanta?
Atlanta is jam-packed with activities for the entire family! Here are a few of our favorites…
Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the country. There is so much to do and see, you can spend an entire day here.
Mom Tip: Be sure to make reservations for both the dolphin and the sea lion shows when you first arrive. And, get to the show early to make sure you get good seats—be aware that the front rows get splashed!
World of Coke
The World of Coke is located right across from the Georgia Aquarium. If you love Coca-Cola, you’ll love learning all about what makes it so special. Our kids enjoyed meeting the Coca-Cola polar bear, watching the 3D movie, and taste-testing different Coke products from around the world!
Braves Game at Truist Stadium
The Atlanta Braves are the reigning World Series Champions and their new stadium is a great place to watch America’s favorite pastime. Head over to the game early to experience lots of great restaurants and shopping outside the stadium. My son enjoyed throwing the baseball with his dad on the plaza before walking into the game. Don’t miss Hope and Will’s Sandlot (Truist Park Kids Zone). It includes carnival games, a rock-climbing wall, a zipline, and more!
Mom Tip: at this stadium, they do not allow you to carry in any bags (except for diaper bags, medical bags, and small clutches). So, if you are like me and need a large bag to carry all of your kids’ stuff, head over to one of the souvenir stores early to buy something cheap (like a bottle of hand sanitizer) and ask them to give you the biggest shopping bag.
Legoland Discovery Center
Located on the 3rd floor of Phipps Plaza, the Legoland Discovery Center is a Lego-enthusiasts dream! Enjoy a 4D Lego movie, Kingdom Quest (a ride where you shoot bad guys and save the princess), Merlin’s Apprentice Ride (a pedal ride that goes around and up and down), a Virtual Reality ride, race and test legos, play and climb on Pirate Adventure Island, and MORE!
Mom Tip: We bought two of the Premium Value Tickets for the kids (the virtual reality is included and you must be six years old to ride alone) and two of the Extra Value Tickets for the two parents (you get a small lego to build with each of these tickets and we knew that was something our kids would enjoy later). The digital photo pass is included in the Premium Value Ticket, and we enjoyed getting our digital photos to keep forever.
Six Flags over Georgia
Many of us grew up going to Six Flags over Georgia as it is one of the largest and closest theme parks in the south. There are tons of roller coasters, family rides, kids rides, Looney Tunes character interactions, live shows, and more!
SkyView Atlanta
While you’re in town, try a visit to SkyView Atlanta– a large ferris wheel right next to Centennial Park! See an amazing view of Atlanta as you enjoy an approximately 10 minute ride in an enclosed gondola.
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is right across from the aquarium and World of Coke, so it would be a great place to visit the same day you will be in that area.
Mom Tip: Tickets must be reserved online. Be sure to buy them at least a day ahead to get the time reservation you want.
Where to Stay
There are tons of hotels and Air BnB’s in Atlanta. Think about what area of town you will be visiting and plan from there.
Mom Tip: We stayed in The Battery Atlanta area to be able to walk to and from the Braves game. It was great not to have to fight for parking and getting out of the game with the crowd.
What to Eat
Southern fare is plentiful in Atlanta! One of the most famous places to eat is The Varsity near the campus of Georgia Tech. Their food is mainly burgers, chili dogs, fries, onion rings, and the famous ‘Varsity Orange’ drink.
You also might enjoy visiting the Chick-fil-A Dwarf House. It offers sit down, counter, and drive-thru service with a typical Chick-fil-A menu, plus specialty items including green beans, fried okra, cornbread, and chicken salad.
Other Activities in Atlanta
- Atlanta Botanical Garden
- College Football Hall of Fame
- Fernbank Museum
- Fox Theatre
- Mercedes Benz Stadium
- Ponce City Market
- Zoo Atlanta
Tell us in the comments below about your favorite things to do in Atlanta!
If you enjoyed this post, check out another great weekend trip from Birmingham:
Experience Huntsville, Alabama :: Quick Getaways from Birmingham
