Free Activities in Atlanta for Kids

Atlanta, Georgia's capital and largest city, draws many visitors each year. While most of the attractions and activities in Atlanta require an admission fee, there are several spots that offer free activities and provide a chance for children to enjoy the city without families ever having to open a wallet.

  1. Centennial Olympic Park

    • Created as a gathering spot and concession area for the 1996 Olympic Games, Centennial Olympic Park now offers a range of activities for children and their families.The Children's Garden and Playground is a special area of the park designed just for children. The Fountain of Rings is a water play area offering kids a chance to play in the water during daily fountain shows. The park's visitor center offers restrooms, wireless Internet, a cafe and volunteers to answer any visitor questions. The 21-acre park is open year round from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Parking is available for a fee at many nearby parking garages, or visitors to the park may choose to take the MARTA transportation system, using the west line to Philips Arena/Dome/GWCC Station or the north line to Peachtree Center.

      Centennial Olympic Park
      265 Park Ave West N.W.
      Atlanta, Georgia 30313
      404-223-4412
      centennialpark.com

    Fernbank Science Center

    • Part of the DeKalb County school system, the Fernbank Science Center offers free parking and admission to all children and their families. The center provides both traveling and permanent interactive science exhibits for kids to explore and focuses on the theme of "Where Science Becomes an Adventure." The center also invites children and families to visit its Fernbank Forest and Library. Children who like to stay up late will enjoy visiting the center's free observatory on Thursday and Friday nights. The center also offers planetarium shows for a small fee. As the center is run by the school system hours and availability vary but the center, forest and library are all typically open to visitors most weekdays and on Saturdays.

      Fernbank Science Center
      156 Heaton Park Drive N.E.
      Atlanta, GA 30307
      678-874-7102
      fernbank.edu

    Martin Luther King Jr., National Historic Site

    • The National Parks Service provides free tours of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s home. Ranger-led tours are given daily and last 30 minutes. Tours require free tickets that can be obtained from the King Center's information desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Children between the ages of 9 and 12 are able to become a Junior Ranger after completing an activity booklet about the site. Families looking for a less crowded time to visit the site are encouraged to visit early in the day or on Sunday mornings. The site is open year round, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day and free visitor parking is available.

      Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
      450 Auburn Avenue, NE
      Atlanta, GA 30312
      404-331-5190
      nps.gov

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