Family-friendly attractions to see in Atlanta
By WhereTraveler
The futuristic-looking Atlanta Streetcar was built by Siemens. (Courtesy Atlanta Streetcar)
With the newly operating Atlanta Streetcar, the Capital of the South is one of only 22 cities in the U.S. with an active streetcar route. The modern, blue vehicles electrify more than just their overhead cables—the Streetcar provides a major jolt to Atlanta’s transportation infrastructure, making the city’s tourism district easier to traverse than ever before. Cover the right ground with our guide to the can’t-miss attractions, restaurants, shopping and sites along the new 12-stop, 2.7-mile route.
Pemberton Place
The Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park (©Anthony-Masterson)
The Centennial Olympic Park stop drops you within walking distance of nearly 10 major attractions. There’s nothing like the trifecta of sights at Pemberton Place formed by Georgia Aquarium, the Center for Civil and Human Rights and the World of Coca-Cola. Families with children enjoy The Children’s Museum of Atlanta steps from Pemberton Place, and sports fans find their happy place at the College Football Hall of Fame. (Stop: Centennial Olympic Park)
King Birth Home
Hop off at the King Historic District stop to walk through the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life at the Martin Luther King National Historic Site. Of particular interest is the home where Dr. King was born and raised. National Park Service guides lead tours through the yellow Queen Anne Victorian home and give unbelievable insight into the civil rights leader’s upbringing. (Stop: King Historic District)
The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle (©Anthony-Masterson)
You’ll feel blessed by high-quality acoustics at The Tabernacle. Formerly the Georgia Baptist Medical Center, The Tabernacle became a live music venue when Atlanta hosted the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. Since then, the venue has become a revolving door of nationally acclaimed tours. Take your pick from upcoming shows and check the website for a full schedule. (Stop: Centennial Olympic Park)
Philips Arena
Philips Arena (©Kevin C. Rose/AtlantaPhotos.com)
Find your way to Philips Arena, one of the nation’s best, where headlining concerts, sporting events and shows take center stage. The arena is home court to NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, so basketball fans can always catch a game. Check the website for a full schedule of events. (Stop: Centennial Olympic Park)
Boutique Shops
In 2014, Downtown Atlanta began a pop-up shop program that was so successful many of the shops became permanent storefronts. Shop hop through these one-of-a-kind boutiques that sell everything from loose-leaf teas (Just Add Honey) to handmade goods (The Byrd’s Box) to Judaica (ModernTribe). This quaint strip is the perfect stop for those with travel gift lists. (Stop: Auburn at Piedmont)
(MORE: Find fantastic kid-friendly hotels to stay in Atlanta.)
Rialto Center for the Arts
Rialto Center for the Arts (©Anthony-Masterson)
Georgia State University’s 833-seat Rialto Center for the Arts hosts shows that cover a wide cultural gamut. Don’t miss Dance Canvas’ “Introducing the Next Generation” (Jan. 23-24). This nationally acclaimed performance features world premieres from 10 emerging ballet, modern, jazz and contemporary dance choreographers. (Stop: Luckie at Cone)
Broad Street
Work up an appetite before getting off at the Woodruff Park stop. Here, you’ll find bustling Broad Street with a plethora of fast-casual culinary options that cater to the business people and college students downtown. Our favorites include Dua Vietnamese, NaanStop and Rosa’s Pizza. (Stop: Woodruff Park)
(Author Michelle Khouri Jachim is the Atlanta editor for WhereTraveler.com.)
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