I am basically writing this post as an ongoing list of things to do in the Atlanta/Georgia area. I have tons of bookmarks and emails saved with locations and events, but when it comes to finding something I know I have somewhere, it's close to impossible. Therefore, I am creating this post as a central location for me to collect my ideas, but it's also here for you to browse when you're looking for something to do around town. If you know of something I can add, please let me know! Even if you have not been there, but know of its existence, I'd love to add it to my list.
Not all of the listings are places I have been to. I might have a comment or I might just have a link for easy reference.
Georgia State Parks
Click here for Georgia State Parks Website. The state of Georgia has so many great opportunities to be outside exploring the State Parks!
Alpharetta
All Fired Up paint-your-own-pottery
The Matilda Cottages
Athens
UGA State Botanical Gardens Beautiful place to explore, take photos, enjoy the afternoon.
Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail We enjoyed this, but it's not worth the drive if not combined with something else. Reminded me of a super-duper-mini Yellow River Game Ranch.
Georgia Museum of Art
Visit Athens website
World of Wonders Playground
Atlanta
Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Food Truck Park
Atlanta History Center
Atlanta Monetary Musuem
Centennial Olympic Park
Center for Puppetry Arts
Alpharetta
All Fired Up paint-your-own-pottery
The Matilda Cottages
Athens
UGA State Botanical Gardens Beautiful place to explore, take photos, enjoy the afternoon.
Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail We enjoyed this, but it's not worth the drive if not combined with something else. Reminded me of a super-duper-mini Yellow River Game Ranch.
Georgia Museum of Art
Visit Athens website
World of Wonders Playground
Atlanta
Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Food Truck Park
Atlanta History Center
Atlanta Monetary Musuem
Centennial Olympic Park
Center for Puppetry Arts
Children's Museum of Atlanta
CNN Studio Tour 1 1/2 hour walking tour, interesting to see behind-the-scenes of the tv station.
Cyclorama I have not been here. It's right next to the zoo. Learn about the Battle of Atlanta during the American Civil War. Civil War Museum.
CNN Studio Tour 1 1/2 hour walking tour, interesting to see behind-the-scenes of the tv station.
Cyclorama I have not been here. It's right next to the zoo. Learn about the Battle of Atlanta during the American Civil War. Civil War Museum.
The Downwind Restarant at PDK Airport (restaurant) There's a great Playground next to the restaureant, too.
Fernbank Museum of Natural Science I've been here a few times. Lots to explore, a couple of children's exhibits. They run various weekend programs from time to time. IMAX is really neat, but it costs extra.
FLIP Burger (restaurant) This was a fun place with eclectic burger choices and shakes.
Georgia Aquarium This is quite expensive, but it's an awesome aquarium. Hard to find any deals on admission.
Georgia Tech Museum of Papermaking They have various workshops for families.
Hard Rock Cafe (restaurant)
High Museum of Art If you love art, this is an excellent museum to visit.
Margaret Mitchell House & Museum
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site LOTS to learn here. You can spend as little or as much time as you'd like. There are various things you can pay for (the church, home, etc.) but there are things you can see for free (musuem, firehouse, etc.)
Mary Mac's Tea Room (restaurant) Traditional Southern Cooking
Oakland Cemetery
Souper Jenny (restaurant) Cash & checks only. They request to put cell phones away.
Starlight Drive-In
Sun Dial Restaurant (restaurant) We love taking out of towners here. The view of the City is amazing and the restaurant revolves. A great hidden find in the city of Atlanta. Newly remodeled as of August 2013.
The Varsity (restaurant)
World of Coke This was a fun toursit place, but again, I'd combine it with something else.
The Wren's Nest
Zoo Atlanta We enjoyed the zoo...it gets very crowded on weekends!
Austell
Six Flags over Georgia
Ball Ground
Gibbs Gardens
Blairsville (also See Helen)
Brasstown Bald
Braselton
Chateau Elan
Mayfield Dairy They no longer do tours, but there is a gift shop.
Road Atlanta
Buford
Buford Artists Colony
Everland Play Indoor playground near the Mall of Georgia. I've heard a few good things about this place, but I have not been here yet.
Gwinnett Environmental Heritage Center
Lake Lanier Islands
La Madeleine Cafe (restaurant)
Mall of Georgia
Mall of Georgia fountain
P.F. Chang's (restaurant)
The Tannery Row & Artist Colony
Canton
Cagle's Family Farm
Cartersville
Booth Western Art Museum
The Etowah Indian Mounds A friend told my this is a VERY pretty place to see.
Tellus Science Museum Free Bank of Amer. Weekends
Chamblee
57th Fighter Group Restaurant More upscale restaurant overlooking the PDK Airport
The Downwind Restaurant at PDK Airport This is a more low-key grill-type restaurant with outdoor seating overlooking the airport.
Cleveland
Cabbage Patch Kids Baby Land General Hospital
Gold 'n Gem Grubbin
North Georgia Zoo
Dahlonega
Dahlonega Square & Shopping
Gold City Corral and Carriage Company
Dacula
Rancho Alegre Farm This was a fun little tour, but a little over the heads of our toddler/preschoolers that attended. We enjoyed the short hay ride around the farm and feeding the animals. The pony (horse) ride was a neat touch, but a bit overpriced at $5 a child. The cost to tour the farm was $4 per adult, $7 per child. Overall, a neat tour but slightly overpriced in my opinion. They did have a great pavilion for lunch with a playground.
Decatur
City of Decatur
Dekalb International Farmer's Market
Decatur Restaurants
Brick Store Pub (restaurant) This was a fun little restaurant to check out. It's in the heart of downtown Decatur.
Leon's (restaurant)
Duluth
45 on Main
Dave & Busters
Duluth River Tubing
Duluth Town Green
Duluth Town Green fountains
Eye Candy Art Studio (They have paint your own pottery & more.)
Georgia Diner (restaurant) This is our "Pseudo-Sally's" restaurant. It's a coffee shop-type place with a huge menu. Open 24 hours.
Hudgens Center for the Arts
The Melting Pot
Park Cafe (restaurant)
Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf
Red Clay Theater
Ruby Tuesday
Southeastern Railway Museum
Stoney River Legendary Steaks (restaurant)
Sweet Tomatoes (restaurant)
Gainesville
Elachee Nature Center
INK Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, Inc.
Grayson
Hail Mary Pub
Joe's All American Grill
Johnny's Pizza
Marco's Pizza
The Pancake House (not part of the chain restaurant)
Salamandra's (Mexican)
Taco Bell/KFC
Zaxby's
Helen, GA (also See Blairsville)
Anna Ruby Falls LOVED this! An uphill hike to a beautiful waterfall. Definitely a beautiful place to spend the day.
Balloons Over Georgia
Black Forest Bear Park
Charlemagne's Kingdom Railroad
Cool River Tubing
Hoschton
Gilliland's Heritage Alpacas Educational Farm Tours This was a neat little tour, however, I do not recommend this for anyone younger than school-aged children. The highlight was getting to feed the alpacas carrots at the end of the tour, but then again, my child loves feeding animals.
Kennesaw
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History
Lawrenceville
ABC Pottery Art Studio (Inside Sugarloaf Mills Mall)
Aurora Theater
Aurora Children's Playhouse
Bethesda Park Aquatic Center
Blue Rooster on the Square (restaurant)
Buffalo's Cafe
Dave & Buster's
Dominick's Italian on the Square (restaurant)
Fun-A-Thon (indoor playground)
Gwinnett Braves Minor League Baseball
Jumpstreet (indoor trampoline park) Inside Sugarloaf Mills Mall
McCrays on the Square (restaurant)
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament (restaurant)
Mellow Mushroom This location has a train that goes around the ceiling.
Pollo Tropical (restaurant)
Randy's Perennials & Water Gardens
Stars and Strikes Bowling
Sugarloaf Mills Mall
The Flying Machine Restaurant @Briscoe Field (restaurant)
Trolley Tours 1pm Saturdays. Lawrenceville Square, free. Come hear the history of Lawrenceville from Mary Long, our local Historian, resident and author. The tours are first come, first serve.
Urban Air
Lilburn
Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary
Fernbank Museum of Natural Science I've been here a few times. Lots to explore, a couple of children's exhibits. They run various weekend programs from time to time. IMAX is really neat, but it costs extra.
FLIP Burger (restaurant) This was a fun place with eclectic burger choices and shakes.
Georgia Aquarium This is quite expensive, but it's an awesome aquarium. Hard to find any deals on admission.
Georgia Tech Museum of Papermaking They have various workshops for families.
Hard Rock Cafe (restaurant)
High Museum of Art If you love art, this is an excellent museum to visit.
Margaret Mitchell House & Museum
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site LOTS to learn here. You can spend as little or as much time as you'd like. There are various things you can pay for (the church, home, etc.) but there are things you can see for free (musuem, firehouse, etc.)
Mary Mac's Tea Room (restaurant) Traditional Southern Cooking
Oakland Cemetery
Souper Jenny (restaurant) Cash & checks only. They request to put cell phones away.
Starlight Drive-In
Sun Dial Restaurant (restaurant) We love taking out of towners here. The view of the City is amazing and the restaurant revolves. A great hidden find in the city of Atlanta. Newly remodeled as of August 2013.
The Varsity (restaurant)
World of Coke This was a fun toursit place, but again, I'd combine it with something else.
The Wren's Nest
Zoo Atlanta We enjoyed the zoo...it gets very crowded on weekends!
Austell
Six Flags over Georgia
Ball Ground
Gibbs Gardens
Blairsville (also See Helen)
Brasstown Bald
Braselton
Chateau Elan
Mayfield Dairy They no longer do tours, but there is a gift shop.
Road Atlanta
Buford
Buford Artists Colony
Everland Play Indoor playground near the Mall of Georgia. I've heard a few good things about this place, but I have not been here yet.
Gwinnett Environmental Heritage Center
Lake Lanier Islands
La Madeleine Cafe (restaurant)
Mall of Georgia
Mall of Georgia fountain
P.F. Chang's (restaurant)
The Tannery Row & Artist Colony
Canton
Cagle's Family Farm
Cartersville
Booth Western Art Museum
The Etowah Indian Mounds A friend told my this is a VERY pretty place to see.
Tellus Science Museum Free Bank of Amer. Weekends
Chamblee
57th Fighter Group Restaurant More upscale restaurant overlooking the PDK Airport
The Downwind Restaurant at PDK Airport This is a more low-key grill-type restaurant with outdoor seating overlooking the airport.
Cleveland
Cabbage Patch Kids Baby Land General Hospital
Gold 'n Gem Grubbin
North Georgia Zoo
Dahlonega
Dahlonega Square & Shopping
Gold City Corral and Carriage Company
Dacula
Rancho Alegre Farm This was a fun little tour, but a little over the heads of our toddler/preschoolers that attended. We enjoyed the short hay ride around the farm and feeding the animals. The pony (horse) ride was a neat touch, but a bit overpriced at $5 a child. The cost to tour the farm was $4 per adult, $7 per child. Overall, a neat tour but slightly overpriced in my opinion. They did have a great pavilion for lunch with a playground.
Decatur
City of Decatur
Dekalb International Farmer's Market
Decatur Restaurants
Brick Store Pub (restaurant) This was a fun little restaurant to check out. It's in the heart of downtown Decatur.
Leon's (restaurant)
Duluth
45 on Main
Dave & Busters
Duluth River Tubing
Duluth Town Green
Duluth Town Green fountains
Eye Candy Art Studio (They have paint your own pottery & more.)
Georgia Diner (restaurant) This is our "Pseudo-Sally's" restaurant. It's a coffee shop-type place with a huge menu. Open 24 hours.
Hudgens Center for the Arts
The Melting Pot
Park Cafe (restaurant)
Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf
Red Clay Theater
Ruby Tuesday
Southeastern Railway Museum
Stoney River Legendary Steaks (restaurant)
Sweet Tomatoes (restaurant)
Gainesville
Elachee Nature Center
INK Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, Inc.
Grayson
Hail Mary Pub
Joe's All American Grill
Johnny's Pizza
Marco's Pizza
The Pancake House (not part of the chain restaurant)
Salamandra's (Mexican)
Taco Bell/KFC
Zaxby's
Helen, GA (also See Blairsville)
Anna Ruby Falls LOVED this! An uphill hike to a beautiful waterfall. Definitely a beautiful place to spend the day.
Balloons Over Georgia
Black Forest Bear Park
Charlemagne's Kingdom Railroad
Cool River Tubing
Hoschton
Gilliland's Heritage Alpacas Educational Farm Tours This was a neat little tour, however, I do not recommend this for anyone younger than school-aged children. The highlight was getting to feed the alpacas carrots at the end of the tour, but then again, my child loves feeding animals.
Kennesaw
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History
Lawrenceville
ABC Pottery Art Studio (Inside Sugarloaf Mills Mall)
Aurora Theater
Aurora Children's Playhouse
Bethesda Park Aquatic Center
Blue Rooster on the Square (restaurant)
Buffalo's Cafe
Dave & Buster's
Dominick's Italian on the Square (restaurant)
Fun-A-Thon (indoor playground)
Gwinnett Braves Minor League Baseball
Jumpstreet (indoor trampoline park) Inside Sugarloaf Mills Mall
McCrays on the Square (restaurant)
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament (restaurant)
Mellow Mushroom This location has a train that goes around the ceiling.
Pollo Tropical (restaurant)
Randy's Perennials & Water Gardens
Stars and Strikes Bowling
Sugarloaf Mills Mall
The Flying Machine Restaurant @Briscoe Field (restaurant)
Trolley Tours 1pm Saturdays. Lawrenceville Square, free. Come hear the history of Lawrenceville from Mary Long, our local Historian, resident and author. The tours are first come, first serve.
Urban Air
Lilburn
Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary
Locust Grove
Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary
Loganville
Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary
Loganville
Jensen Reserve
Loganville Toddler Park
Ruby Tuesday
Vines Botanical Gardens & Railroad
Washington Farms (Strawberry Picking)
Marietta
Catch Air indoor playground/bounce houses. Fun and their Facebook pages often offer daily discounts with "password" used at checkout.
Gone With the Wind Museum
Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art Link for Toddler Tuesdays ages 1-5
Marietta Fire Museum
Six Flags White Water (outdoor water park/water slides)
Monroe
Loganville Toddler Park
Ruby Tuesday
Vines Botanical Gardens & Railroad
Washington Farms (Strawberry Picking)
Marietta
Catch Air indoor playground/bounce houses. Fun and their Facebook pages often offer daily discounts with "password" used at checkout.
Gone With the Wind Museum
Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art Link for Toddler Tuesdays ages 1-5
Marietta Fire Museum
Six Flags White Water (outdoor water park/water slides)
Monroe
Scoops Ice Cream Shop
Norcross
The City of Norcross website
Chamberlain's Chocolate Factory They do chocolate factory field trips
Cracker Barrel (restaurant)
Lillian Webb Splash Park
Malibu Grand Prix & Buccaneer Cove* water park (*new in 2014)
Norcross Station (restaurant) I have not been here, but it's in the old train station.
Superior Play Systems (This is inside. Free Open Play Wed. & Fridays 10am-1pm)
The Varsity (restaurant)
Pine Mountain
Calloway Gardens. They also hold an annual hot air balloon festival.
Wild Animal Safari We thought this was a lot of fun. We took the bus tour and saw tons of neat animals, fed them, they stuck their heads in the bus...lots of fun. Be prepared for a hot day if you visit in summer.
Restaurants with multiple locations
Fellini's Pizza
Frontera Mex-Mex Mexican
Ippolito's Italian
Mellow Mushroom Pizza
Nancy's Chicago-style Pizza In Midtown and Buckhead.
Provino's Italian
Taco Mac Family-Friendly Sports Grill
Twisted Taco Tex-Mex
Roswell
Chattahoochee Nature Center
PLAY Activity Center
Splash 'n Play at Riverside Park (Sprayground)
Stoney River Legendary Steaks (restaurant)
The Spray Station at East Roswell Park (Sprayground)
Sandy Springs
La Dee Da Studio
Snellville/Lawrenceville
Alexander Park
Bonefish Grill (restaurant)
Cabana Grill (restaurant)
Chili's (restaurant)
Creekwater Alpaca Farm
The City of Norcross website
Chamberlain's Chocolate Factory They do chocolate factory field trips
Cracker Barrel (restaurant)
Lillian Webb Splash Park
Malibu Grand Prix & Buccaneer Cove* water park (*new in 2014)
Norcross Station (restaurant) I have not been here, but it's in the old train station.
Superior Play Systems (This is inside. Free Open Play Wed. & Fridays 10am-1pm)
The Varsity (restaurant)
Pine Mountain
Calloway Gardens. They also hold an annual hot air balloon festival.
Wild Animal Safari We thought this was a lot of fun. We took the bus tour and saw tons of neat animals, fed them, they stuck their heads in the bus...lots of fun. Be prepared for a hot day if you visit in summer.
Restaurants with multiple locations
Fellini's Pizza
Frontera Mex-Mex Mexican
Ippolito's Italian
Mellow Mushroom Pizza
Nancy's Chicago-style Pizza In Midtown and Buckhead.
Provino's Italian
Taco Mac Family-Friendly Sports Grill
Twisted Taco Tex-Mex
Roswell
Chattahoochee Nature Center
PLAY Activity Center
Splash 'n Play at Riverside Park (Sprayground)
Stoney River Legendary Steaks (restaurant)
The Spray Station at East Roswell Park (Sprayground)
Sandy Springs
La Dee Da Studio
Snellville/Lawrenceville
Alexander Park
Bonefish Grill (restaurant)
Cabana Grill (restaurant)
Chili's (restaurant)
Creekwater Alpaca Farm
First Watch (restaurant) Open for Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch only.
Little Mexico (restaurant)
Longhorn (restaurant)
Macaroni Grill (restaurant)
Moe's (restaurant)
Olive Garden (restaurant)
Red Robin (restaurant)
Ted's Montana Grill (restaurant)
Urban Air
Little Mexico (restaurant)
Longhorn (restaurant)
Macaroni Grill (restaurant)
Moe's (restaurant)
Olive Garden (restaurant)
Red Robin (restaurant)
Ted's Montana Grill (restaurant)
Urban Air
Which 'Which (restaurant)
Wild Wing Cafe (restaurant)
Zoe's Kitchen-opening June 2014. (restaurant)
Stone Mountain
Get Air
Stone Mountain Park
Miss Katie's Sideboard (restaurant) We recently discovered it closed!
The Commons (restaurant) This was a standard restaurant, but the view of the mountain is beautiful. There is also a lot of outdoor seating.
Suwanee
Catch Air indoor playground/bounce houses. Fun and their Facebook pages often offer daily discounts with "password" used at checkout.
Cracker Barrel (restaurant)
Five Guys Burgers & Fries (restaurant@Town Center )
Mellow Mushroom (restaurant@Town Center )
Old Atlanta Spray Park Here's a 2nd link for this.
Rita's (ice cream@Town Center )
Suwanee Restaurants (restaurant)
Suwanee Town Center
Suwanee Town Center Big Splash fountains
Ippolito's (restaurant @Town Center)
Winder
Fort Yargo State Park We were here on "free State Park Day" and really enjoyed it. We had no idea there was so much to do here. There were paddle boats, playground, camping/yurts/cottages, trails, fishing, etc. Lots to do!
Websites to find more!
www.atlantaparent.com
www.gasbuddy.com
www.clarkhoward.com money-saving tips
www.kidverturous.com family travel blog
www.gastateparks.org Georgia State Parks
www.drive-ins.com Look for drive-ins when you're travelling.
www.localhikes.com
Atlanta Area Festivals
Yellow Daisy Festival Stone Mountain, Stone Mountain Park, September
Atlanta Ice Cream Festival Atlanta, Piedmont Park, July
Dogwood Festival Atlanta, AprilGrant Park Summer Shade Fest Atlanta, August
Lavendar Festival Roswell, June
Virginia-Highland Summer Fest June
Wild Wing Cafe (restaurant)
Zoe's Kitchen-opening June 2014. (restaurant)
Stone Mountain
Get Air
Stone Mountain Park
The Commons (restaurant) This was a standard restaurant, but the view of the mountain is beautiful. There is also a lot of outdoor seating.
Suwanee
Catch Air indoor playground/bounce houses. Fun and their Facebook pages often offer daily discounts with "password" used at checkout.
Cracker Barrel (restaurant)
Five Guys Burgers & Fries (restaurant
Mellow Mushroom (restaurant
Old Atlanta Spray Park Here's a 2nd link for this.
Rita's (ice cream
Suwanee Restaurants (restaurant)
Suwanee Town Center
Suwanee Town Center Big Splash fountains
Ippolito's (restaurant @Town Center)
Winder
Fort Yargo State Park We were here on "free State Park Day" and really enjoyed it. We had no idea there was so much to do here. There were paddle boats, playground, camping/yurts/cottages, trails, fishing, etc. Lots to do!
Websites to find more!
www.atlantaparent.com
www.gasbuddy.com
www.clarkhoward.com money-saving tips
www.kidverturous.com family travel blog
www.gastateparks.org Georgia State Parks
www.drive-ins.com Look for drive-ins when you're travelling.
www.localhikes.com
Atlanta Area Festivals
Yellow Daisy Festival Stone Mountain, Stone Mountain Park, September
Atlanta Ice Cream Festival Atlanta, Piedmont Park, July
Dogwood Festival Atlanta, AprilGrant Park Summer Shade Fest Atlanta, August
Lavendar Festival Roswell, June
Virginia-Highland Summer Fest June
