FAQs: Atlanta Region

What are the top five activities for your teen near/in Atlanta?

Atlanta offers a diverse range of experiences to spark a teen’s interest. From outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, there’s something for everyone to try. Here are some of our top favorites. 

1. Chattahoochee River Trails: The Chattahoochee River runs from its headwaters near the Appalachian Trail through metro Atlanta and includes 10,000 acres of parks with paved and unpaved trails perfect for hiking, biking, jogging, and more. Try the 3.4-mile East Palisades Trail through a bamboo forest or see Civil War-era ruins along the Victory Creek Trail at Roswell Mill.
2. Stone Mountain Park: This 3,200-acre park is chock-full of attractions and activities like a summit skyride, scenic railroad, a dinotorium, and mini golf course. Go for the day or spend a weekend glamping, camping, or enjoying the pools at the Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort.
3. Shoot the Hooch: Spend a chill afternoon rafting down the Chattahoochee River in an innertube float, enjoying scenery, wildlife, and gentle river currents. A 1.5-mile journey takes about 3-4 hours.
4. Tree Top Quest: About 25 miles outside of Atlanta, Brook Run Park in Dunwoody features this outdoor adventure park with obstacle courses and zip lines for different skill levels and ages.  
5. Krog Street Tunnel: This vibrant street art hub connects the Cabbagetown, Reynoldstown, and Inman Park neighborhoods and showcases murals, graffiti, and artistic expression. The historic passage, part of the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail, stands as a testament to the thriving street art scene.
   

What are the top cultural activities for teens in Atlanta?

Atlanta’s rich history, including its role in the American Civil Rights Movement, has shaped a city brimming with museums and cultural experiences. In addition to public art installations and street art, the city boasts a dynamic performing arts community, including its Grammy-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.  

1. Cabbagetown BeltLine Street Art Tour: This 2.5-hour guided walking tour will show you the history of Atlanta’s street art and the stories behind each mural. You’ll also get to design your own street art during an art salon-style happy hour.
2. Atlanta Market Tour + Biscuit Class: Taste your way through some of Atlanta’s best foods in the city’s oldest market while you learn about Southern cooking and the state’s most famous foods. You’ll get to make your own biscuits, too!
3. Martin Luther King, Jr. Atlanta History Tour: Visit the MLK, Jr. National Historical Park & Preservation District and take a guided or self-guided tour to learn about this civil rights icon and movement. Visit his birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Historic Fire Station Number 6.
4. High Museum of Art: This art institution presents a rich, varied collection of African, American, European, decorative arts and design, folk, and modern/ contemporary art. It also hosts rotating exhibits, educational programs, and community events. 
5. College Football Hall of Fame: This immersive museum celebrates and honors the legends and traditions of college football. See displays featuring legendary players and coaches, learn about the game’s evolution, and test your own football skills in interactive simulations. 
6. Fernbank Museum of Natural History: From towering dinosaur skeletons to the Fernbank Forest’s lush ecosystem, you’ll explore Earth’s history and biodiversity. The museum incorporates interactive elements and educational programs about paleontology, geology, and ecology, connecting you to the wonders of the natural world.
   

What are the best Atlanta outdoor activities for teens?

The city’s urban landscape includes parks and public spaces, nature preserves, rivers, and lakes — plenty of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. This “city in a forest” invites you to bike, hike, skate, jog, and explore nature, have a picnic in Piedmont Park, wander through the Botanical Garden, or climb to the top of Stone Mountain. 

1. Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark: Whether you’re a beginner or advanced skater, you can enjoy the ramps, bowls, and rails at this modern skatepark — perfect for skateboarding, BMX, and rollerblading. 
2. Six Flags Whitewater: Escape the hot Atlanta summer in the area’s biggest waterpark, with plenty of water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers. Whether you like thrill rides or prefer to relax, there’s something for everyone. 
3. Skyline Park at Ponce City Market: Vintage amusements (like Skee-ball), games, minigolf, and plenty of food and games? It’s the perfect place to hang out with friends. The Coney Island-style boardwalk even has a horse derby race and goblet toss, and The Roof has some of the best views of downtown Atlanta.
4. Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta: This motorsports facility, slightly northeast of Atlanta, is famous for its high-speed straights, technical turns, and elevation changes. It hosts many events, including the Petit Le Mans. It also offers driving schools and track days. 
5. Doll’s Head Trail: This trail along Constitution Lakes Park isn’t just a hike — it’s an immersive art experience where you’ll see sculptures and displays created from discarded dolls and other items along the trail. Artist Joel Slayton started the project, which encourages everyone to contribute to the evolving art by arranging found objects along the path.
   

What are the best Atlanta indoor activities for teens?

Whether you want to escape the heat, avoid a downpour, or just aren’t feeling the great outdoors, Atlanta has plenty to offer. Try the Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, play darts at Flight Club Atlanta, or catch a game of pickleball at Painted Pickle. Or try one of these other options.

1. Immersive Gamebox: In this modern take on group gaming, players use their bodies as controllers. Instead of traditional headsets, it uses motion tracking, project mapping, and touch screen technology. Try your hand in a retro arcade-style experience like Angry Birds, or challenge yourself with a digital Squid Game or Floor is Lava.
2. Sparkles Family Fun Center of Smyrna: Love to rollerskate? Check out the rink at Sparkles Family Fun Center (there are three in the Atlanta region). Some include laser tag arenas and video arcades, too. 
3. Battle & Brew: Technically, Battle & Brew is a restaurant, but it’s the first-ever video game restaurant in the country. Play video games, compete in a trivia contest, enjoy a comedy show, play Magic the Gathering, or check out other events on their busy schedule.
4. Beat the Bomb Atlanta: In most escape rooms, if you fail to solve the puzzle in an hour, they unlock the door and you leave. Here, you’ll be blasted with foam, paint, or slime if you fail one of their unique rooms. Don’t want to get messy? You can also compete with friends in an immersive, team-based video game tournament. 
5. Splatter Studio: Let loose and create art in a messy, fun, and stress-free environment. You get paint, canvases, and protective gear. Then it’s time to splatter, drip, and throw paint in a full-body immersive colorful experience.
   

What are the best Atlanta restaurants for teens?

Foodies of all ages will find something to love among the city’s gastric delights, like Kpop BBQ and Bar, the Painted Duck, or The Bando… or some of these other favorites.

1. Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House: A popular seafood restaurant, it’s known for its casual atmosphere and rooftop patio. While the menu features seafood, you can also get tasty pub-style food, too.
2. Firepit Pizza Tavern: Located in Atlanta’s historic Grant Park neighborhood, this restaurant specializes in tasty tavern-style square pizzas using traditional, hand-tossed dough and homemade sauces baked in a brick oven.
3. Little Tart Bakeshop: This French-inspired pastry shop started at local Atlanta farmers’ markets in 2010. It’s known for its croissants and also offers a curated lunch menu inspired by the seasons and what the local farmers, beekeepers, jam makers, cheese makers, and butchers have in season. 
4. Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party: Drop in for a cuppa or reserve a spot for High Tea, which includes an assortment of sandwiches, cakes, quiche, and baked delights. A portion of its sales supports the Learning Tea’s mission to improve the lives of young women scholars in India.
5. My Parents’ Basement: This neighborhood restaurant features good food and a comic book store specializing in new issues, trade paper backs, and rarities. Its three founders’ goal? Introducing the next generation to their love of comic books.

What are the best Atlanta museums for families?

Interactive play-based learning? Check. Dinosaur displays? Check. A giant IMAX theater? Check. Kermit the Frog? Check. Atlanta has tons of great museums and activities for families with children of all ages. 

1. Zoo Atlanta: This Grant Park institution houses over 1,000 animals representing species from around the world. It’s committed to education, providing exhibits and programs highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation. 
2. Georgia Aquarium: One of the largest aquariums, it offers an immersive journey into aquatic life. You’ll meet whale sharks, beluga whales, manta rays, and thousands of other fish and invertebrates. You’ll also learn how the Georgia Aquarium is a powerful advocate for marine conservation and research.
3. Center for Puppetry Arts: This center offers a captivating experience for all, blending education and entertainment for over 40 years since opening its doors in 1978. See performances, take a workshop, attend a special event, and learn all about the world of puppetry.
4. World of Coca-Cola: Take a journey as you learn about the brand’s origins, exploring its advertising campaigns, bottling processes, and global reach. One highlight? The tasting room, where you can sample Coca-Cola products from around the world.
5. Children’s Museum of Atlanta: Best for kids up to age 8, the museum’s interactive exhibits and hands-on activities encourage exploration and imaginative play. In addition to permanent exhibits, an open-concept art studio, and a science bar, the museum has traveling shows like XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness and other events like Superhero Science Night.