VISITING Atlanta · City in a Forest

Visiting Atlanta with toddlers and little kids: the plan.

Downtown is the easy base with little kids. The Children’s Museum and the Georgia Aquarium sit next to Centennial Olympic Park, and Midtown’s Botanical Garden is a short drive north. Zoo Atlanta is in Grant Park, southeast of downtown. Here’s a plan with nap time built in.

Top 2 can’t-miss spots

#1Downtown, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Closed Wednesdays outside summer.
Kids $19.95Adults $21.9511 months and underIndoor
See it in the guide
#2Downtown, 225 Baker St. NW
Georgia Aquarium
Prices change by day and time.
2 and underIndoor
See it in the guide
Nap breaks built in

One day or two in Atlanta

A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.

If you have one day
MORNINGChildren’s Museum of AtlantaOpen at 10am on weekdays · Downtown, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW · $19.95 kids, $21.95 adultsLUNCHPonce City MarketA short drive east · Old Fourth Ward
NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPAtlanta Botanical GardenOpen until 7pm through October · Midtown, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE
If you have two days

Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:

MORNINGZoo AtlantaGo at opening · Grant Park, 800 Cherokee Ave. SE
NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPGeorgia AquariumBook the dolphin show when you arrive · Downtown, 225 Baker St. NW
Where to stay

Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions

Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.

DOWNTOWNCentennial Olympic ParkThe Children’s Museum and the Georgia Aquarium are next to each other here.Near Children’s Museum of Atlanta and Georgia Aquarium
MIDTOWNPiedmont ParkClose to the Botanical Garden and the Center for Puppetry Arts.Near Atlanta Botanical Garden and Center for Puppetry Arts
BUCKHEADPhipps PlazaLEGO Discovery Center is inside Phipps Plaza, north of Midtown.Near LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta
Before you go

Practical tips

Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.

Wednesdays
The Children’s Museum is closed Wednesdays from August through June.
Mondays
The Botanical Garden is closed Mondays.
LEGO last entry
LEGO Discovery Center’s last entry is 3:30pm.
Weekend dinner
Mary Mac’s weekend tables fill quickly, so book ahead.
Visiting in November or December?

Santa and Christmas lights in Atlanta

If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.

Santa in AtlantaBreakfast with Santa, Santa photos and Santa trains, with 2026 pricesChristmas lights in AtlantaDrive-thru and walk-through displays, start times and 2026 prices
On a budget

Free and cheap wins for visitors

Spend less without skipping the good stuff.

Downtown, One Margaret Mitchell SquareCentral LibraryFree.FreeIndoor
All free things to do in Atlanta →
This week

Happening while you’re here

This week’s top events in Atlanta. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.

#1Sat 9am–4pm
Boo at the Zoo
Halloween day at the zoo. Kids follow Trick-or-Treat Lane to about eight candy stations, pick up a treat bag while they last and make Halloween crafts. There are costumed characters and carnival games too. Costumes are welcome, and it runs rain or shine.
Zoo Atlanta · Atlanta
Free with general admission
Hours, food & parking
#210am and 11:30am
Spookhouse Annie at the Center for Puppetry Arts
Annie lives in a haunted house, and her friend Dave comes over for a playdate with a houseful of goofy monsters, including Hagatha the witch and Count Morlock. The show runs about an hour and is recommended for ages 4 and up. Tickets include the puppetry museum.
Center for Puppetry Arts · Atlanta
From $25
Hours, food & parking
#3Fri–Sun, hours vary
Pumpkin Festival at Stone Mountain Park
The last weekend of the park’s fall festival, with storybook characters and a Pumpkin Drone and Light Show at night. The Scenic Railroad is closed for maintenance this year.
Stone Mountain Park · Stone Mountain
Included with a Daily Attraction Ticket or Mountain Membership
Hours, food & parking
#410am–noon
Fall Family Fun at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
Pumpkin Play-Doh, pumpkin bowling and pumpkin rock painting in the Children’s Garden. This is the last weekend for it.
Atlanta Botanical Garden · Atlanta
Free with Garden admission
Hours, food & parking
#5Thu–Sun, hours vary
Día de los Muertos at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta
An interactive Día de los Muertos altar by local artist Natasha McDowell is up on the CMA Stage through Nov 3. Kids can learn about the holiday and make small altars of their own. Included with admission.
Children’s Museum of Atlanta · Atlanta
$19.95 ages 1–18Indoor
Hours, food & parking
See everything this week →
Good questions

Visiting Atlanta with toddlers: the FAQ

Is Atlanta kid-friendly?

For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our Atlanta guide lists 13 places we checked for little kids, plus 1 free place and 6 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 3 easy restaurants near the big stops and free storytimes at 3 library systems. This week’s list has 38 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in Atlanta and this weekend’s list.

How many days do you need in Atlanta with a toddler?

Two: one downtown at the Children’s Museum and the Aquarium, and one at the zoo or the Botanical Garden.

Where should we stay in Atlanta with a toddler?

Downtown by Centennial Olympic Park is easiest for the Aquarium and the Children’s Museum. Midtown is better for the Botanical Garden.

Where can we eat near downtown?

The Varsity on North Avenue is a quick, cheap lunch. It’s open until 8pm, and 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Get the list every Thursday.

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