CityPass Atlanta debuted in September, 2006 and offers four family-friendly signature attractions: Georgia Aquarium, High Museum of Art, Inside CNN Atlanta Studio Tour, the World of Coca-Cola, and two choices, one between the Fernbank Museum of Natural History or Atlanta Botanical Garden and another between the Atlanta History Center or Zoo Atlanta. The price represents a savings of 50% over individual admission prices. For more information on seasonal events, festivals, and attractions, contact the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (800/ATLANTA).

Great Fun for the Kids

(Toddler to Age 8)

The Wren's Nest
1050 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard
Atlanta, GA 30310
404/753-7735
This is a literary town. You can take your teens to visit the home of "Gone With the Wind" author Margaret Mitchell (404/249-7015 or visit www.gwtw.org), but families with younger children will find more enjoyment at The Wren's Nest. It's the Victorian-era home of Joel Chandler Harris, best known for his folksy Uncle Remus tales. There are guided tours and a museum shop with "Br'er Rabbit" memorabilia.

American Adventures & The Foam Factory
250 Cobb Parkway North
Marietta, GA 30062
770/428-5217
In one of Atlanta's busiest suburbs is Georgia's only amusement park designed especially for families. There are a dozen rides for the entire family. Mini-golf and go-karts are popular for the older children.

Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta
275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive
Atlanta, GA 30313
404/659-5437
For younger kids, this is a terrific playspace primarily designed for age groups of 2- to 8-years-old. There's a lot of things to touch and feel, and comfortable areas for parents who aren't participating to watch.

Fernback Museum of Natural History
767 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30307
404/929-6300
This is the largest natural history museum in the Southeast, and features the world's largest dinosaurs in innovatively designed exhibits. There's a 315-seat IMAX theater to cool off during the steamy summers. Weekends and school holidays there is extensive children's programming each day,as well as hands-on adventures that require advance registration.

Fun for Older Children

(Up to Age 18) 

CNN Studio Tour
One CNN Center
Atlanta, GA 30303
404/827-2300 or 877/4CNNTOUR
For older children, say 6 years and up, this tour of the world's most famous news source is a real eye-opener. Take the escalator, which travels non-stop to the 8th floor, to meet your guides who will explain how a news broadcast is put together and how studio productions work. A tip: instead of waiting in line, make reservations beforehand for the 45-minute tour.

Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30309
404/876-5859
Children of all ages can appreciate this garden, which has a children's section and a place to play. The extensive grounds are wonderful for letting off steam after a day of sightseeing. Kids can dig for fossils at the Dinosaur Garden.

The World of Coca-Cola
121 Baker Street
Atlanta, GA 30313
404/676-5151
The world's largest collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia resides at the newly re-opened and expanded World of Coca-Cola. With materials dating back to 1886, the families will be treated to various displays and activities including: a thrilling 4-D theater, the Pop Culture Gallery featuring works from Andy Warhol and other great artists, as well as a tasting experience of a lifetime in which you will have the opportunity to sample nearly 70 different assortments of Coca-Cola products.

Six Flags Over Georgia
275 Riverside Parkway
Austell, GA 30168
770/739-3400
Perhaps the city's best known tourist stop, at least for families, is the Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park filled with a variety of big coasters. For 2008, Six Flags is adding Thomas Town, a Thomas the Tank Engine themed kids' area with a playground, merchandise store and more.

Fun for the Family

Stone Mountain Park
1000 Robert E. Lee Drive
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
770/498-5690
Popular activities at Georgia's most visited attraction include 3,200 acres of swimming, fishing, tennis, golf and other activities. Attractions include meeting characters such as SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer, plus VeggieTales Bob and Larry. A long-time family favorite, Stone Mountain Park is a steal at $8 for a car load. Visitors can hike up a 1.2-mile-trail to the top of the largest exposed mass of granite in the world, and take in unparalleled views of the city. There's also a five-mile paved path around the base of the mountain. After dark, there's a laser show.

Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker Street
Atlanta, GA 30313
404/581-4000
This is the world's largest collection of fish, where more than 100,000 animals representing 500 species inhabit 8 million gallons of fresh and marine water. The aquarium is already so popular that entrance lines often snake around the bloc; try to order advance tickets online to smooth the way. There's a week-long summer camp for ages 4-14 running place from June to September in 2008 for those traveling with aspiring oceanographers.

Underground Atlanta
50 Upper Alabama Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
404/523-2311
Built under the streets and encompassing six city blocks in the heart of downtown, this cool-in-summer "mall" that has activities for all ages. Families may enjoy the Walking History Tour (given several times per day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) which begins at the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot. Reduced from its grandeur by a 1935 fire, the depot sits at the zero mile mark staked out by railroad builders back in 1833. UA's shops and restaurants occupy historic recreation storefronts on Alabama and other notable streets of the 19th century city.

The High Museum of Art
1280 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
404/733-4536
Art-lovers will be glad to know that the Louvre is also coming to Atlanta. The High Museum of Art, in an unusual partnership with Paris' Musee du Louvre, is bringing in hundreds of works from their collection. Art work on loan will include works by Durer, Rubens and Velasquez.

David Wilkening, a Florida-based journalist, has contributed to Florida Trend, New York Times, Newsweek, Orlando Sentinel, Detroit Free Press, Palm Beach Post-Times, Toronto Sun, AAA magazines and the Wall St. Journal, and to travel trade publications such as Birnbaum's, Travel Agent, Travel Weekly, and Zagat's.

Photos courtesy of Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism.