There's lots of free fun to keep your family busy throughout the year in Atlanta! Included here are some museums and parks that you might not even have known about. Many were new to me. Some are pure fun, some offer great learning opportunities.
Of course many venues/ museums offer occasional free admission, and you will find those special "events" listed in the Macaroni Kid calendar when they happen. This is strictly a list of venues that are always free. Try something new this summer!
Is there something I should add? Comment here and I'll try to do that.
ALWAYS FREE! (In some cases donations are requested)
INDOORS
Anne Frank Exhibit, Sandy Springs
The 600 photograph and more than 8,000 word exhibit tells the story of young Anne Frank, from her days of freedom in the 1930s to her hiding with her family in Amsterdam, to her 1945 death in the Bergen-Belson concentration camp.
David J. Sencer CDC Museum at CDC Headquarters
Ever wonder how CDC scientists merge old-fashioned detective work with high-tech science to crack the cases of mystery diseases? Get the Story!
Of course many venues/ museums offer occasional free admission, and you will find those special "events" listed in the Macaroni Kid calendar when they happen. This is strictly a list of venues that are always free. Try something new this summer!
Is there something I should add? Comment here and I'll try to do that.
ALWAYS FREE! (In some cases donations are requested)
INDOORS
Anne Frank Exhibit, Sandy Springs
The 600 photograph and more than 8,000 word exhibit tells the story of young Anne Frank, from her days of freedom in the 1930s to her hiding with her family in Amsterdam, to her 1945 death in the Bergen-Belson concentration camp.
David J. Sencer CDC Museum at CDC Headquarters
Ever wonder how CDC scientists merge old-fashioned detective work with high-tech science to crack the cases of mystery diseases? Get the Story!
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta- The Monetary Museum
By exploring an exhibit of historical artifacts, you'll discover the fascinating story of money—from barter to modern times. You'll also learn about the turbulent history of banking in America and see examples of rare coins and currency.
Georgia Governor's Mansion Tours
Public tours are conducted throughout the year on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. The tour is a hybrid of a guided and self guided tour.
Georgia State Capitol Tours
The Georgia Capitol offers visitors an opportunity to view first-hand the most important government building in the state.
KSU Museum of History and Holocaust Education
Offers a wide variety of exhibitions and educational topics for 5th grade and older
Marietta Fire Museum
The Marietta Fire Museum has many items on display used by the Marietta Fire Department dating back to the 1800s. The museum has fire service clothing, equipment and antique apparatus.
Martin Luther King National Historic Site
At Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site you will find the places where Dr. King was born, lived, worked, worshipped, and is buried. Hear his story, visit the home of his birth, and where he played as a child. Walk in his footsteps, and hear his voice in the church where he moved hearts and minds.
Museum of Aviation, Warner Robbins (A U.S Air Force Museum)
The Museum of Aviation is the second largest museum in the U.S. Air Force with a collection dating from a replica of an early 1896 glider to modern-era aircraft such as the B-1B bomber, the SR-71 Blackbird, the U-2 Dragon Lady and F-15 Eagle.
Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking
The midtown museum is an internationally renowned resource on the history of paper & paper technology. In addition to more than 2,000 books, the museum features a remarkable collection of over 10,000 watermarks, papers, tools, machines, and manuscripts.
BabyLand General® Hospital, Cleveland, Ga.By exploring an exhibit of historical artifacts, you'll discover the fascinating story of money—from barter to modern times. You'll also learn about the turbulent history of banking in America and see examples of rare coins and currency.
Georgia Governor's Mansion Tours
Public tours are conducted throughout the year on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. The tour is a hybrid of a guided and self guided tour.
Georgia State Capitol Tours
The Georgia Capitol offers visitors an opportunity to view first-hand the most important government building in the state.
KSU Museum of History and Holocaust Education
Offers a wide variety of exhibitions and educational topics for 5th grade and older
Marietta Fire Museum
The Marietta Fire Museum has many items on display used by the Marietta Fire Department dating back to the 1800s. The museum has fire service clothing, equipment and antique apparatus.
Martin Luther King National Historic Site
At Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site you will find the places where Dr. King was born, lived, worked, worshipped, and is buried. Hear his story, visit the home of his birth, and where he played as a child. Walk in his footsteps, and hear his voice in the church where he moved hearts and minds.
Museum of Aviation, Warner Robbins (A U.S Air Force Museum)
The Museum of Aviation is the second largest museum in the U.S. Air Force with a collection dating from a replica of an early 1896 glider to modern-era aircraft such as the B-1B bomber, the SR-71 Blackbird, the U-2 Dragon Lady and F-15 Eagle.
Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking
The midtown museum is an internationally renowned resource on the history of paper & paper technology. In addition to more than 2,000 books, the museum features a remarkable collection of over 10,000 watermarks, papers, tools, machines, and manuscripts.
Pack the ‘Kids™ up for a trip to the new BabyLand General® Hospital in Cleveland, Ga, voted one of the Travel Channel’s Top Ten Toylands. Situated on 650 acres in the North Ga Mountains, this Southern Style home filled with Cabbage Patch Kids will capture the imagination of your entire family.
OUTDOOR FUN & HISTORY
Atlanta Beltline
A 22-mile loop of historic rail corridor has been transformed into a new pedestrian-friendly transit system linking over 1,200 new acres of greenspace and 33-miles of multi-use trail around Atlanta’s downtown core. The Atlanta BeltLine connects 45 different neighborhoods. A variety of tours are available to learn more.
Historic Oakland Cemetery
Less than a mile from the heart of downtown Atlanta, this garden cemetery, founded in 1850, is the final resting place of many of Atlanta's settlers, builders, and most noted citizens like Bobby Jones, Margaret Mitchell, and Maynard Jackson. It is also a showplace of sculpture and architecture, and a botanical preserve with ancient oaks and magnolias.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a 2,965 acre National Battlefield that preserves a Civil War battleground of the Atlanta Campaign.
Kennesaw Skate Park
Georgia’s 40,000 square foot skateboarding nirvana - a completely authentic Street League Pro-Style facility with the very same ramps, obstacles and rails that the pros ride in major competitions.
Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary, Locust Grove
Noah's Ark is a 250 acre sanctuary for abused, unwanted and neglected animals. A beautiful "park like" setting with paved pathways to bring your family and enjoy an afternoon out. See "THE BLT" - Baloo, Leo, & Shere Kha (black bear, African lion, Bengal tiger)
Reynold's Nature Preserve, Morrow
Silver Comet Trail
The Silver Comet Trail is travels west through Cobb, Paulding, and Polk counties. The quiet, non-motorized, paved trail is for walkers, hikers, bicyclists, rollerbladers, horses, dog walkers, and is wheelchair accessible. The trail is 61.5 miles long, and starts at the Mavell Road Trailhead in Smyrna. It ends at the Georgia/Alabama state line.