Best Family Weekend Destinations in Georgia

Georgia offers an excellent range of family destinations — from world-class Atlanta attractions to mountain adventures and coastal islands.

Atlanta (Georgia Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta)
The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, home to whale sharks, manta rays, beluga whales, and over 100,000 animals. Directly across Centennial Olympic Park, the World of Coca-Cola tells the story of the world's most recognized brand with interactive tastings and exhibits. Zoo Atlanta houses giant pandas (on loan from China), Sumatran orangutans, and Western lowland gorillas. The children's museum and the Center for Civil and Human Rights round out Atlanta's downtown cultural campus.

Stone Mountain Park
A complex 3,200-acre park east of Atlanta built around the massive granite monadnock. The Summit Skyride, a 4D movie experience, a skylift, mini-golf, and a campground make this a multi-day family destination. The laser show on the mountain face on summer evenings is a long-standing tradition.

Callaway Gardens (Pine Mountain)
A botanical garden and resort in southwest Georgia with a butterfly conservatory, beach on Robin Lake (a man-made inland beach), Cecil B. Day butterfly center (largest glass-enclosed butterfly conservatory in North America), and a full resort. The fall season brings spectacular foliage and Chrysanthemum Festival.

Amicalola Falls and Blue Ridge Mountains
The accessible waterfall at Amicalola Falls State Park is a short walk from the car — perfect for families. The mountain town of Blue Ridge has train rides (the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway to McCaysville), apple orchards, and a river tubing operation on the Toccoa River.

Cumberland Island
The ferry from St. Marys to Cumberland Island transports families back in time — no cars, no roads (beyond dirt tracks), wild horses, and 17 miles of pristine beach. The ruins of Dungeness mansion are a highlight. Children's programming in summer focuses on sea turtle nesting season.