(Author's Note: This article was originally written and all photographs were taken before the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic and before mask requirements and social distancing protocols were necessary precautions. Please evaluate your family's situation and be aware that some locations may have closings, different hours, or altered capacities before planning your visit. Stay safe ♥ )
"Life gets busy" is an understatement. With three kids, ages 12, 9 & 7, my husband and don't get much time alone to reconnect. We recently rediscovered our love of attending concerts, which was a big part of our early years together, and decided to take the 6 1/2 hour road trip to Atlanta to take in a concert, explore a city unfamiliar to us, and spend some quality time together-- sans kids. Here are some of this sights we took in:
Centennial Olympic Park - Downtown Atlanta
Centennial Olympic Park - Downtown Atlanta
265 Park Ave W NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Centennial Olympic Park is a must do! This free park was constructed when Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. It features open grassy spaces, statues and monuments, a playground for kids, and a dancing fountain in the shape of the Olympic Rings. Four times daily, the Fountain of Rings erupts with moving water and performs a show coordinated to music. Although this trip was adults only, I could see how my kids would have a great time getting out some energy and enjoying this park, located right next to Downtown Atlanta's main attractions. (Note: as of September 2020, Centennial Olympic Park is closed indefinitely due to COVID-19)
The Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium (CityPASS attraction)
225 Baker St NW,
Atlanta, GA 30313
Two words: whale sharks! It's worth visiting the Georgia Aquarium just to see the whale sharks! The magnificence and size of these gentle giants simply cannot be captured in photos. Just like the whale shark, the Georgia Aquarium is huge. There is so much to see. The aquarium is divided into themed sections, each featuring different species of creatures. We watched piranhas feed, experienced a dolphins performance and got up close and personal with penguins. The penguins exhibit had one of the aquarium's neatest features: a special bubble where guests can crawl in and go face to face with the penguins. What a unique experience! We will definitely be coming back-- and bringing the kids.
World of Coca-Cola
World of Coca-Cola (CityPASS attraction)
121 Baker Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
The World of Coca-Cola is a trip down the history of the sweet, bubbly beverage, from old-fashioned soda fountains to the bottling plant to the staple of many Americans it has become today. We had a chance to able to peek into "the vault" and see pieces of the art and design history of Coca-Cola. Our favorite part (and sure to be the favorite of kids all over): getting to taste it! We were able to sample several current Coco-Cola products as well as sodas from around the world. Sweet!
CNN Studio Tours
CNN Studio Tours (CityPASS attraction)
One CNN Center
Atlanta, GA 30303
The CNN Studio Tour was a fun morning activity and an inside look into how cable news shows are produced. No cameras are allowed on the behind the scenes tour, but we were able to get a birds-eye view of the newsroom and see a real live broadcast in action. We also had a chance to ride the world's longest freestanding escalator. It's the one that leads up to the beginning of the tour. (Note: as of September 2020, CNN Studio Tours are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19)
Center for Civil and Human Rights
Center for Civil and Human Rights (CityPASS attraction)
100 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard
Atlanta, GA 30313
The Center for Civil and Human Rights was the most important and powerful part of our trip. In addition to a plethora of information and history, some I was familiar with, some was new, we listened to oral histories of the Freedom Riders and participated in a simulation of a non-violent lunch counter sit-in. Although this is definitely a place I feel I should (and will) take my kids, I was grateful that on this trip I was able to stop to read and absorb everything at my own pace, especially the documents in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection gallery, and take it all in without interruption. My visit here sparked my desire to continue to learn even more about the history of human rights and the American civil rights movement.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Fernbank Museum of Natural History (CityPASS attraction)
767 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
The Fernbank Museum of Natural History has it all: dinosaur bones, gemstone and rocks, Native American artifacts, an indoor immersive play area, really cool hands-on STEM exhibits (yes, we played with bubbles even without the kids!) and even more that we unfortunately didn't have the time to check out. One thing I found especially interesting was that in the Reflections of Culture exhibit, there was an Atlanta Braves uniform, showing that history is being created right now, in our day to day lives. But wait, there's more! Behind the museum, WildWoods and Fernbank Forest bring the museum outdoors with educational programming, hands-on exhibits, nature trails and some pretty amazing scenery. With so much to see and so much to learn, my kids would LOVE this place (and I did too!)
The Flying Biscuit Cafe
The Flying Biscuit Cafe
1001 Piedmont Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30309
On our last morning before the drive home, we wanted a nice breakfast to fill us up for the road ahead. I searched my phone for "breakfast near me" and was so lucky that The Flying Biscuit was what came up. We visited the Midtown location on Piedmont Ave and it was everything we wanted it to be: a cool place with a fun atmosphere, funky art on the walls, and most importantly, yummy, yummy food. I'm still talking about the creamy dreamy grits and, of course, the biscuits.
A visit to Atlanta is perfect for a weekend getaway or a manageable family road trip. Are we there yet?
I received a complimentary CityPASS for myself and a guest for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received in consideration of this article and all opinions are that of the writer.
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The Atlanta CityPASS® program offers:
Up to 40 percent off regular combined admission prices to the included attractions. 2018 pricing: $76, adults (a savings of $50); $61, children, ages 3-12. 2020 pricing: $77, adults; $63, children, ages 3-12. Prices are tax-exclusive.
Each Atlanta CityPASS ticket booklet includes prepaid admission to:
- Georgia Aquarium
- World of Coca-Cola
- CNN Studio Tours
- Zoo Atlanta OR Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History OR College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience
At some Atlanta CityPASS attractions, CityPASS holders take the VIP route, skipping most main-entrance ticket lines
