40+ Things to do in Atlanta with Teens

The Traveling Praters presents Travel Inspired Living.

Are you planning a trip to Atlanta with teens and feel a bit overwhelmed? We’ve been there and wrote this post to be helpful and give readers and idea of things to do in Atlanta with teenagers based on our personal experience.

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The bustling city of Atlanta offers world-class attractions and fun for the entire family, but the options can be overwhelming. This post features 40+ things to do in Atlanta with teens, including iconic diners and roadside attractions, fun movie tours, and where to take the best selfie- because let’s face it- have you really been on vacation if you’ve not Instagrammed and Snapchatted your experience? I’ll let you ponder that question while you continue reading.

40+ Things to do in Atlanta with Teens

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games

Explore speed karting, an extreme rope course, the zipline, a cosmic rock wall, and more at this unique entertainment center. Find more information here. 

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden and explore this incredible collection of gardens and stroll along a 600-foot suspension bridge.

Atlanta History Center

Explore exhibitions, visit historic houses and beautiful gardens, and participate in exciting programs. Find more information and a schedule of events here. Visit Atlanta’s “History Center” and 4 other attractions at a savings of up to 43% with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Atlanta Motor Speedway

Teens seem to have an appreciation for fast cars. At least my boys’ do. At the Atlanta Motor Speedway they can sit in the stands and enjoy a fast paced race.

Atlanta Rocks Indoor Climbing

Get active with the family and enjoy a day of indoor rock climbing with Atlanta Rocks Indoor Climbing.

Atlanta Station

This city-within-a-city, Atlantic Station,  offers shopping, dining, and entertainment in one district. Tour Bodies: the Exhibition, dine at The Burger Join, satisfy your sweet tooth at Kilwans and watch a movie at Regal Cinema 16 or shop till you drop at the many stores and boutiques.

Atlanta Streetcar

Tour the city while enjoying a ride on the Atlanta Streetcar.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Plan a visit to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and experience beautiful music and amazing talent while teaching your teens to appreciate the finer things in life.

ATL Cruisers – Electric Car & Segway Tours

Zoom around Atlanta and explore by open air Electric Car or try out a Segway. Your teens will love the experience!

Big Chicken 

Even those who don’t love KFC should stop and check out the Big Chicken in Marietta. Believe me, you can’t miss it.

Big Trees Forest Preserve

Sometimes you need to explore the outdoors. Visit this beautiful tree, plant, and wildlife sanctuary. Check out the website for more information.

Booth Western Art Museum

The Booth Western Art Museum, a short drive from Atlanta, provides an interesting (and continually rotating) permanent exhibition featuring Western art, Civil War art, Presidential letters and more.

Centennial Olympic Park

Explore downtown and enjoy the Centennial Olympic Park with the beautiful Olympic fountain.

Center For Puppetry Arts Museum

Explore over 2000 puppets and explore the cultural history of puppets at the Center for Puppetry Arts Museum.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area offers a visitor center and hiking trails along the river. This natural area provides a break from the busy city without leaving Atlanta.

Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve

The Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve offers a unique landscape with large areas of exposed granite. You’ll find hiking trails, a bike path and several lizard species if you take a close look at your surroundings.

Delta Flight Museum

Visit the Delta Flight Museum and interact with the hands-on exhibits.

Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site

Families can explore local native history at the Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site, a short drive from the city. 

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Explore the permanent and special exhibits of the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

Fernbank Science Center

Visit the exhibit hall, planetarium, observatory, outdoor gardens, and library to get the full experience of the Fernbank Science Center.

Fox Theatre

You will enjoy visiting and exploring the historical Fox Theatre on Peachtree Street as it is one of Atlanta’s most treasured landmarks and may have a ghost or two.

Georgia Aquarium

Explore the second largest aquarium in the world and visit the exhibits and galleries filled with more than 10 million gallons of fresh and marine water at the Georgia Aquarium. This is a not to miss attraction!

Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta

The Hard Rock Cafe is a musical history filled with memorabilia and sure to be a big hit for your music-loving teens.

High Museum of Art

The High Museum of Art offers a fascinating collection of classic and contemporary art exhibits and see what else this amazing museum of art has to offer.

Hunger Games Unofficial Fan Tours

Fans of the Hunger Games will love walking in the footsteps of their favorite movie characters as they visit movie filming locations, try their hand at archery and experience fun photo ops on the Hunger Games Unofficial Fan Tours.

Inside CNN Studio Tour

Take a tour inside the CNN World Headquarters and ride the world’s longest freestanding escalator.

Jackson Street Bridge

We all know teens love to snap selfies, right? And they’ll get the perfect sunset shot on the Jackson Street Bridge. For free.

Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park

A short drive from Atlanta, Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park features a small Visitors Center and museum, hiking trails, and Kennesaw Mountain where you can view, Atlanta, Buckhead and Stone Mountain on a clear day.

Margaret Mitchell House

If your teens have watched this classic movie, they’ll enjoy a visit to the where Margaret Mitchell lived while she wrote the novel, Gone With the Wind.

Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site

Learn about this tumultuous time in American history and be inspired when you visit the National Historic Site of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

Enjoy the two-hour live jousting tournament complete with horsemanship and falconry and a four-course meal fit for a king at Medieval Times.

Mellow Mushroom

Pizza Fans will enjoy a variety of pizza options- including gluten-free choices in the electically decorated, fun decor of Mellow Mushroom.

National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center

Learn about over 200 years of Military History at this immersive museum.

Oakland Cemetery

Take a stroll through Oakland Cemetery, a showplace of both sculpture and architecture.

Paintball Atlanta

Enjoy the ultimate paintball experience at Paintball Atlanta.

Piedmont Park

Grab your camera and take a stroll or tour through Piedmont Park.

Six Flags Over Georgia

Teens love thrill rides! Explore the rides and attractions at the Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park.

Show off your Muscles with this Roadside Attraction

Teens love to show off how strong they are, so this will be a fun stop. Even if it takes little effort. Spin a 11-ton rock in the middle of bustling Atlanta.

Stone Mountain Park

Experience a variety of fun family attractions at Stone Mountain Park. A walk or gondola ride to the top of the mountain is a must for incredible views of Atlanta- and don’t forget about the laser show. You won’t want to miss it!

The Breman Museum

Learn the history of the Jews and the Holocaust at the Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education.

The Historic Marietta Trolley Co.

Take a trolley tour through Marietta and experience the rich heritage of this historic city and the surrounding areas.

The Sun Dial

Dine in this sky-high restaurant with a 360-degree view of the city skyline and beautiful sunsets.

The Varsity

You can’t visit Atlanta and not stop by perhaps the most iconic restaurant in the city. Visit the Varsity, the World’s Largest Drive-in Restaurant and enjoy this historical and fun experience.

Walking Dead Film Locations

This do-it-yourself walking/driving tour takes you to 13 locations where the Walking Dead has been filmed.

Wild Animal Safari

See over 650 wild animals in this drive-through animal park.

World of Coca-Cola

A must-see tourist attraction in Atlanta. Explore over 125 years of Coca-Cola nostalgia and cultural heritage from around the globe at the World of Coca-Cola.

Zoo Atlanta
Fun for the entire family, a visit to Zoo Atlanta is an experience that you won’t want to miss.

Money Saving Tips:

You’ll find many suggestions that are free or low-cost on this list, but for those that charge CityPASS Atlanta can help you save money. Click on the banner below to learn how you can save up to 43% on tickets to the Georgia Aquarium (with expedited entry and you get to skip most of the lines), Inside CNN Studio Tour, Zoo Atlanta, World of Coca-Cola, the College Football Hall of Fame, Fernbank Museum of Natural History or the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Is your trip spur of the moment? Check out these last minute deals in Atlanta and see how much money you can save!

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Looking for more detail about visiting Atlanta? Read these posts: 

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield
The Big Chicken: Legend, Landmark or Roadside Attraction?

Traveling with teens doesn’t need to be a trial. In 10 Tips to Keeping the Peace when Traveling with Teens, I share tips that have helped my family travel extensively with teens nearly tear and frustration free (nothing’s perfect, right?).

Road trips are one of the most affordable ways to travel. This post shares my top tips to save you even more money on your next road trip.

The Kennesaw National Battlefield Park near Atlanta offers an opportunity to learn a bit of history while getting outdoors and walking some trails.

© 2015 – 2017, Tonya Prater. All rights reserved.