The final cease on our mother-daughter Civil Rights highway journey was Atlanta. While our focus was on Atlanta’s Civil Rights websites, we had been ready to pack as a lot as potential into our 3 days in Atlanta. Of course, we needed to seek out one of the best issues to do in Atlanta with teenagers, particularly one on the finish of a history-packed highway journey, which meant we would have liked to seek out the enjoyable, in addition to the tutorial.
Our three days in Atlanta had been peppered with a little bit of each. Even although Atlanta is a giant metropolis in comparison with our stops in Nashville, Memphis, Birmingham, and Montgomery; everybody we encountered welcomed us with such heat that we actually understood the which means of Southern hospitality.
Where to Stay in Atlanta with Teens
Known because the “capital of the south,” Atlanta is a giant metropolis bustling with individuals and sometimes jam-packed with visitors. While the current pattern has been to convey individuals again into working and dwelling within the metropolis, public transportation nonetheless leaves quite a bit to be desired and it’s nonetheless very a lot a driving metropolis. Add that to the scattered neighborhoods the place you could not wish to stroll round after darkish, selecting the place to remain in Atlanta is vital. For our keep, we picked the centrally-located Loews Atlanta in Midtown.
The Loews Atlanta welcomes not simply households, but additionally pets. We got an especially heat welcome with an improve to a luxurious suite, which was so stunning and enormous that we had been prepared to maneuver proper in.
The lounge provided floor-to-ceiling glass home windows with sweeping views over the town. There was greater than sufficient area to lounge round on the couch and chairs, on the desk, or on the eating desk for 4. It was so comfy we needed to toss our plans for dinner out the window and order room service in our PJs on our final evening. The separate bed room provided much more division of area, with a big king mattress and big toilet. In addition to the soaking tub and double sink self-importance, we loved the spacious walk-in bathe.
We ended up principally taking a Lyft to native sights as an alternative of coping with visitors and parking, however late in our keep I additionally came upon that they provide a lodge automotive. Based on availability, this can be a complimentary service inside a sure radius that may actually prevent cash and is extra handy (and nicer) than hiring a taxi or ride-share service.
See extra of the finest motels in Atlanta or Atlanta leases in case you favor Airbnb.
Where to Eat in Atlanta with Teens
Since consuming is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Atlanta with teenagers, listed below are a few of our favorites:
Mary Mac’s Tea Room
Mary Mac’s is a traditional for Southern eating and a must-visit for first-timers to Atlanta. We had it on our listing, however my good friend Lesli met us for dinner right here and confirmed us what Mary Mac’s (and Southern hospitality) is all about. Put apart any ideas of maintaining a healthy diet, pull in your stretchy pants and dig in. If that is your first time, ask to strive the Pot Likker with Cracklin Bread. I didn’t find it irresistible however Hannah sopped up the entire cup.
You can order particular person entrees or all get the Southern Special household fashion, simply ensure you go hungry as a result of you’ll depart stuffed. We additionally left with a doggie bag stuffed with their scrumptious cinnamon rolls, which served as our breakfast for the subsequent couple of days. Just give your self time to attend as it’s first come, first served (aside from events over eight) and parking is proscribed. 224 Ponce de Leon Ave, Atlanta, GA 30308
South City Kitchen Midtown
If you’re on the lookout for extra fashionable southern delicacies, South City Kitchen in Midtown is inside strolling distance to the Loews Atlanta in a bustling midtown space. Here we met one other Atlanta household and sampled a few of South City’s signature dishes together with the pimento cheese, crab cake, fried inexperienced tomatoes, and their scrumptious fried rooster. 1144 Crescent Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Things to do in Atlanta with Teens
There is a number of floor to cowl in a weekend getaway to Atlanta, so you may’t do every little thing. When I requested my teen her favourite issues that we did in Atlanta, that is what she really helpful. For extra concepts, I’d recommend checking this useful resource of enjoyable issues to do in Atlanta with youngsters.
1. Center for Civil and Human Rights
The Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta is a must-see in case you are visiting Atlanta with teenagers. The highly effective lunch counter exhibit, which I described in my publish about our Civil Rights journey, is just open to these age 13 and up.
The complete museum is a deeply transferring expertise and does a superb job of not simply educating guests on the historical past of the civil rights motion within the United States, but additionally highlighting the continued battle for human rights around the globe.
2. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
As a follow-up to the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the MLK Jr. National Historic Site is the place your teen can study extra in regards to the lifetime of MLK. The website consists of the MLK, Jr.’s delivery house, the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, the King Center with MLK and Coretta’s tombs, and the “I Have a Dream” rose backyard.
3. Georgia Aquarium
The largest aquarium within the Western hemisphere, the Georgia Aquarium appeals to all ages. Of course, if the shark tunnel isn’t thrilling sufficient to your teen, you may all the time schedule an animal encounter, a Behind the Seas tour, or animal interactions. It is the one place on the planet the place you may swim or dive with whale sharks and manta rays.
4. SkyView Atlanta and Centennial Olympic Park
When you go to the Georgia Aquarium and Center for Civil and Human Rights, it’s straightforward so as to add on a go to to Coca-Cola World or spend a while stress-free in Centennial Olympic Park. Even teenagers aren’t too cool for a splash within the fountain or chilling out within the park.
For a view from above, you may take a experience on the SkyView Atlanta Ferris Wheel. Not as massive because the Orlando Eye, the SkyView ticket will get you 4 or 5 laps across the wheel.
5. Atlanta Food Walks
If you’re elevating a foodie, or simply an open-minded eater, your teen will take pleasure in a meals tour from Atlanta Food Walks. The Downtown Food Walk was the proper match for our journey as a result of, along with sampling some scrumptious meals, we additionally realized quite a bit in regards to the historical past of the realm and the Civil Rights motion.
If you are attempting to determine what to do and when, I’d suggest dedicating at some point to the Center for Civil and Human Rights and the sights across the Centennial Olympic Park, together with the Georgia Aquarium.
Your second day is usually a meals tour, adopted up by a go to to the MLK National Historic Site. If you are taking the Downtown Food Walk, the tour ends only a 10-minute stroll away.
Then you could have a 3rd day to take pleasure in issues like biking on the Atlanta BeltLine, procuring in Buckhead, or visiting the Fernbank Museum. If you could have extra time to spend in and round Atlanta, plan on one among these day journeys from Atlanta or strive one among these concepts for having fun with the Georgia Mountains within the fall.
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Note: We obtain a media fee on the Loews Atlanta, discounted meals tour tickets, and free entry to the Georgia Aquarium. All opinions are my very own.
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