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We're going to Atlanta for a short family trip the 3rd week of October.

Of course we're doing the GA Aquarium! But if y'all could give me any insider's tips, it would be appreciated. What are the "must see" and the "don't waste your time" places?

Free, cheap, paying, we're open to any and all. The only requirement is that they're all kid friendly.

Thank you in advance.

P.S. If anyone wants to meet for coffee/dessert, we might be able to swing that too.

I highly encourage you to go see the Martin Luther King Jr museum/park. The home in which he grew up is also nearby.

To read about him in history books etc is fine, but to go there is a whole other level.

My little sister lives in Atlanta. I'll ask her for some "must see" things to do and see in the area.

[This message edited by GabyBaby at 4:05 PM, September 15th (Sunday)]

World of Coca-Cola is a bit of a waste of money but Zoo Atlanta is nice! Aquarium is great, skip Underground Atlanta. Stone Mountain is nice. .

World of Coca-Cola is a bit of a waste of money

Yeah, I was kinda leaning that way. Don't really have interest in going there anymore, especially since I broke my Coke habit.

I'll check into the Zoo and the MLK museum/park.

Thanks.

I second Stone Mountain. While you're downtown for the Aquarium walk over to Centennial Olympic Park. What part of the city are you staying near?

Don't miss the home of Margaret Mitchell, author of "Gone with the Wind." There's a gift shop there with wonderful southern food cookbooks.

What part of the city are you staying near?

Umm... I dunno yet.

That's something I'm going to be working on tomorrow.

Plan your doings to avoid I-75/85 during the prolonged rush hour...it really is ridiculous.

Aquarium is well worth the money...go early in the day.

The Fernbank Museum is a good stop...we've gone a couple of times.

For lodging, check out tripadvisor if you aren't already a regular.

Have fun!

The GA Aquarium is great- sign up for the dolphin show when you book the tickets there are various showings and sometimes sold out (included in the ticket)! The High Muesum of Art is nice. There is something called the City Pass which includes a pass to all sites for a discount. I don't know what is in bloom but the Atlanta Botanical Gardens are nice and near Piedmont park (popular park) in the city.

If you don't mind the drive outside Atlanta there is the Tellus museum(I think that is the name). Kids enjoy the museum.

There are festivals on the weekends I would check online for that weekend.

Tons of places to eat as well.

Enjoy your trip

Stone Mountain is worth it. See if you can go when there is a laser spectacular at night - probably Friday or Saturday. It's a really great show IMO and I see it several times a year. The kids love it.

And we Love the World of Coca-Cola - its only $15 so it runs on the cheap side.

Also look into the Cyclorama or the Atlanta History Center. Both are a fun look into the past and the kids will learn a lot.

The Sun Dial Restaurant at the Westin Peachtree Plaza is nice. It's a revolving restaurant at the top of the tallest building in Atlanta with a 360* view of the city. Lunch isn't terribly expensive and the desert is fantastic.

Thanks y'all. I scored a sweet deal with the hotel. I'm super stoked about that.

You've given me alot to think about. I only have 4 days down there. I'm getting overwhelmed now!

eh, you can do Centennial Park and the aquarium on one day. Zoo and MLK or Margaret Mitchell house on day 2. Stone Mountain is a full day, it is east of the city. Day 4 is whatever, I forgot about Fernbank- that is good with too. Tellus is a bit outside the city (like an hour) so if you had to pick I would go with Fernbank.

http://www.citypass.com/atlanta

The City Pass is actually a good deal- you get CNN, Coca-cola, aquarium, the zoo OR Atlanta history center (Love the Swan House!) and either Fernbank or the High Museum.

The Margaret Mitchell house is part of the Atlanta History group, I think.

even if you just do the aquarium, the zoo and fernbank you save money.

[This message edited by sadcat at 6:27 PM, September 17th (Tuesday)]

Oh no. We're aquarium nerds and my son is a diehard shark enthusiast. He will be the one kid you see sitting in front of the same tank for 3 hours. And then QS will have to drag me away from the otters and penguins. The aquarium visit is our birthday gift for our son. We'll need a full day there.

Toying with Stone Mountain because of the train thing. My son has never been on a train. Poor child is so sheltered.

Fernbank got the green light from both kids. Dinosaurs for DS, Imax for DD.

Our plans are coming together well. Thank you all for the suggestions!

Well folks, it looks like this is turning into a mini g2g. There's several of us so far, yours truly, sadcat and Dreamboat.

We'll be meeting Aubrie and her family for dinner close to the area where they will be staying.

If you would like to join us then shoot me a pm and I'll give you the deets.

GA Aquarium is good - though I personally feel it's pricey. LOL!

If you're doing a day down there, may as well check out World of Coke too and Centennial Park. I believe they're all within walking distance? It's been a while since I live here. LOL!

The Tellus museum IS totally neat, but it's quite a drive from downtown and not worth a day's trip, IMO. I have taken my kids, but we're about halfway in between with nothing to do in the rain one winter break's day. There's just not enough else to do in the area to warrant the drive up there.

I feel like if you're here, MLK Jr. is a must-see.

Stone Mountain is also totally neat - but it's a bit of a drive and an all day deal.

Zoo is also neat and I believe Cyclorama is RIGHT there too. Fernbank is cool too, but it's been many years since I've been there.

I think an ATL must is one meal at the Varsity - it's not at all healthy, but it's ATL to me. LOL!