The Best Kid-Friendly Destinations In Atlanta

As the school year comes to a close, parents everywhere are already thinking (and stressing) about how to pack their kids' summers with meaningful activities. Sure, there are plenty of camps, playdates and vacations on the agenda — but what about those long summer days where there's literally nothing to do?

Well, if you live near the vivacious city of Atlanta, you're in luck! We've come up with an extensive list of activities that are just brimming with excitement — just consider it your ultimate guide to kid-friendly summer adventures. From engaging learning centers and museums to establishments that encourage plenty of playtime, this is the chance for you and the kiddos to see Atlanta in a charming new light.

To help us narrow down our list, we called in mom blogger and owner of Life, Family and Fun, Winona Rogers, to share some of her favorite attractions and destinations in Atlanta for the whole family.

"When I think of family adventures in Atlanta, two things come to mind," says Rogers. "First, I want to visit places that we can all do everything offered. All the activities, rides, food sampling—you name it. Then, to make it the perfect family-friendly activity, each family member can pick something that they want to do and then be able share that experience with everyone else in the family."

Rogers teamed up with our own Patch editors to offer some exciting destinations around Atlanta that will delight both you and the kiddos. Check out our picks, below:

Have Some Fun!

This summer should be all about spending quality time with your kids and inspiring some real fun! Luckily, Atlanta has more than enough exciting attractions to keep everyone entertained. Spend a day at Andretti Karting and Games where kids can take part in several excitement-filled games and activities, or take them to a family-friendly performance at the Center for Puppetry Arts. "There is some seriously true talent here, and kids can make puppets after the show," says Rogers.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta — family entertainment center with an indoor playground, rides, toy displays, 4-D films and more, located in Phipps Plaza in the heart of Buckhead.

Center for Puppetry Arts — organization located in Midtown dedicated to the art form of puppetry offering performances, education and a museum of puppets.

Andretti Karting and Games — indoor karting, bowling, arcade games, laster tag, rides and more excitement-filled activities located in both Marietta and Roswell.

World of Coca-Cola — a museum showcasing the history of the Coca-Cola brand, featuring guided tours, a 4-D theater, a pop culture gallery and many more exhibits.

Medieval Times — jousting, horsemanship and falconry, as well as a 4-course, utensil-free meal served in a castle-like space.

Nourish Their Minds

There's always room for learning when it comes to planning your next adventure. "History is one subject that is important to keep fresh in the minds of kids so we often find ourselves exploring the past and present at the Atlanta History Center," says Rogers. Kids will also love taking a trip to Georgia Aquarium about to learn about fascinating underwater creatures.

Atlanta History Center — a history museum and research center with award-winning exhibitions, historic houses, enchanting gardens, interactive activities and a variety of adult and family programs located in Buckhead.

High Museum of Art — the leading art museum in the Southeast has more than 15,000 works of art in its permanent collection, as well as a recently expanded Greene Family Learning Gallery, located in Midtown.

Georgia Aquarium — a public aquarium home to tens of thousands of animals, located in Downtown Atlanta.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta — a hands-on museum allowing children up to 8 years old to experience the possibility of play through educational programs and exhibits.

Tellus Museum — hands-on science museum located in Cartersville with several galleries, exhibits, a planetarium, an observatory and more.

Spend Some Time In The Great Outdoors

Every child deserves a day of outdoor adventures — and Atlanta has plenty of landscapes that will give them a breathe of fresh air. Head to Stone Mountain Park for hiking, biking, kayaking and more, or explore the enchanting sites at Atlanta Botanical Gardens. You can also check out The Ponce City Market Skyline Park Rooftop Terrace. "It is a really cool outdoor space that everyone in the family will want to visit. They have the Skyline Slide, miniature golf, delicious food and more," says Rogers.

Stone Mountain Park — Georgia's largest campground offers tons of inspiring outdoor adventures and recreation such as kayaking, golf, hiking, biking and more.

Zoo Atlanta — association of zoos and aquariums located in Atlanta's Downtown, connecting people to animals and inspiring conservation action through research, education and engaging experiences.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens— located adjacent to Piedmont Park in Midtown , the botanical garden offers nature-inspired classes, lectures, events and exhibitions.

The Ponce City Market Skyline Park Rooftop Terrace — Downtown Atlanta's premiere rooftop destination boasts panoramic views, an 18-hole mini golf course, boardwalk-style games and more.

Chattahoochee Nature Center— nature destination located in Roswell where you can enjoy wildlife programs, hiking, environmental education, horticulture and more.

Atlanta Beltline— a collection of parks and trails encompassing Atlanta that encourages artsy exploration and urban adventures, as well spots for food and drink, shopping and more.

Shop 'Til You Drop

It's always fun to spoil the kiddies — and a little shopping spree in Atlanta will do just that. Whether you're hoping to deck them out in an adorable new outfit from The Children's Shop or treat them to some books from Little Shop of Stories, your kids will be beaming with joy! "We’re a huge fan of Kazoo Toys," says Rogers. "Not only do I love the fact that it’s locally owned, but it’s also got a wide variety of fun and unique toys as well."

The Children's Shop — traditional and stylish children's boutique located in Peachtree Battle Shopping Center with special occasion clothing and unique gifts.

Treehouse Kid & Craft — a unique kids shop with toys and gifts for babies and toddlers to boys and girls, as well as a creative space for art classes and crafts located in Athens and Decatur.

Little Shop of Stories — children's bookstore featuring multiple reading areas and children story hours, located in Decatur.

Give Them A Sweet Dining Experience

The best part of your day will be indulging in delicious meals with your children. "Eating noodles is so much fun and Doc Chey’s Noodle House combines great taste and big portions for your entire family to enjoy," says Rogers. And if you're looking for an after-dinner treat, Atlanta is filled with several sweet spots like Southern Baked Pie Company and Jake's Ice Cream.

Doc Chey’s Noodle House — neighborhood restaurant that serves guests affordable, delicious pan-Asian food located in Downtown and Midtown.

J. Christopher's — family-friendly lunch and dinner spot featuring traditional house-made favorites, healthy choices and creative menu options in several Atlanta locations.

Freakin Incan— Laid-back Peruvian restaurant featuring authentic food in a quirky, colorful environment with locations in Roswell and Tucker.

OK Cafe — old-fashioned diner with a southern flair, serving Sunday-dinner classics, milkshakes and meatloaf, all complete with a jukebox, located in Buckhead.

H&F Burger — hand-crafted burger joint located in Ponce City Market.

Noble Fin— seafood and steak restaurant with a refined, suburban atmosphere located in Peachtree Corners.

Southern Baked Pie Company — pie shop boasting family recipes, Southern charm and an all-butter pie dough that melts in your mouth, with locations in Alpharetta and Buckhead.

Jake's Ice Cream — dessert-centric eatery serving innovative, hand-crafted ice cream flavors and baked goods located in Irwin Street Market.

Plan An Overnight

Planning an overnight at one of Atlanta's many delightful and kid-friendly hotels is sure to kick things up a notch by turning it into a staycation."Having a stay at Lanier Islands offers so many opportunities," says Rogers. "Stay and camp at the brand new Margaritaville RV Resort or nearby Legacy Lodge and spend the hours on family-friendly activities such as the water park or water sports." If your kids are fans of American Girl dolls, then the Atlanta Marriott is the place for you, as it offers a one-of-a-kind American Girl® Experience.

American Girl® Experience at the Atlanta Marriott — unique experience that allows a stay in Marriott's custom American Girl-themed hotel room.

Great Wolf Lodge — indoor water park and resort with fun family attractions located in LaGrange.

Lanier Islands — resort complex built on a small group of islands located in Buford.

Hotel At Avalon — luxurious Alpharetta hotel offering modern hospitality and Southern charm.