FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN AT ATLANTA ATTRACTIONS

Atlanta is full of fantastic attractions, parks, events and things to do for the whole family. Slather on some sunscreen and enjoy all the outdoor offerings or take a break from the heat, indoors.

BY MARIA SMITH

Georgia Aquarium

Cool off at Georgia Aquarium while discovering more about the water-loving critters who live there. On July 12, guests ages eight and older can sweat it out with the immersive workout experience, Barre by the Water. www.georgiaaquarium.org

High Museum of Art

From June 2 to Sept. 3, view more than 200 works of ancient Nubian art in the most comprehensive collection outside of Africa. The exhibit, “Ancient Nubia: Art of the 25th Dynasty from the Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston,” includes pottery, gold and silver amulets, jewelry and funerary figurines. www.high.org

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

The newest exhibit “Now Is the Time: Remembering the Legacy of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” commemorates the 60th anniversary of this iconic event. On display through Juneteenth (June 19), the exhibition provides a view into the event that turned Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words into the new American dream. www.civilandhumanrights.org

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum offers photographs and historical memorabilia from the presidency of Jimmy Carter. Don’t miss the surrounding 35-acre wooded grounds with formal gardens, 40 varieties of roses, sculptures and two small lakes. www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov

Illuminarium

An Atlanta adventure is not complete without a visit to Illuminarium. This attraction off of Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail lets visitors step into heart-pounding sound and state-of-the-art technology. www.illuminarium.com/atlanta

Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

Can’t wait until fall to get in the college football spirit? Throw spirals, kick a field goal and experience 94,000 square feet of storied college football tradition. See the new “Art of College Football” exhibit featuring rarely seen artwork from 12 artists, capturing the traditions and pageantry of iconic college football moments. www.cfbhall.com

Atlanta Botanical Garden www.atlantabg.org

Kids will adore the Lou Glenn Children’s Garden as they splash, climb, play and learn. Through Sept. 17, you can experience “Trolls Save the Humans by Thomas Dambo,”: an exhibition featuring Dambo’s enormous troll sculptures built from reclaimed materials and ranging from 16- to 50-feet tall.

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Stone Mountain Park

Get ready for Summer at the Rock, June 10-July 21 at Stone Mountain Park, featuring an all-new Summer Light Show. Fun-filled attractions and unique entertainment make it the perfect destination for families to reconnect while enjoying the outdoors. www.stonemountainpark.com

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Families with children age 8 and younger can explore “Shaun the Sheep: Flock this Way.” This new exhibit builds on problem-solving themes while exhibit components and activities encourage children to solve social/emotional-based problems in a safe and lighthearted way. See it through Sept. 4. www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org

Michael C. Carlos Museum

At Emory University’s Carlos Museum, kids will be fascinated by the ancient Egyptian mummies on display in the permanent collection. They can complete a scavenger hunt with printed artwork on a key ring that they can take home.

“Life and the Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Art from the Senusret Collection” is on view through Aug. 6.

www.carlos.emory.edu

World of Coca-Cola

At World of Coca-Cola, guests can cool off while experiencing the world’s most famous soft drink in a dynamic multimedia indoor attraction. Get closer than ever before to the vault that houses the secret formula for Coca-Cola, check out a behind-the-scenes look at the bottling process and don’t miss Taste It!, everyone’s favorite place to taste CocaCola beverages from around the globe. www.worldofcoca-cola.com

Center for Puppetry Arts

The Worlds of Puppetry Museum at Center for Puppetry Arts features the Jim Henson Collection Gallery with more than 500 puppets, props and costumes honoring his legacy. Don’t miss the pop-up exhibit: The Life & Art Of Jimmy Rowland, May 2-July 30. And, be sure to watch a puppet show while you are there. www.puppet.org

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Experience an immersive exhibition of how unique traits that may be considered disadvantages actually help some animals survive. “Survival of the Slowest,” June 10-Sept. 4, focuses on how being slow, small or weak can have advantages.

www.fernbankmuseum.org

William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum www.thebreman.org

The goal of the Breman Museum is to connect people to Jewish history, culture and arts through its exhibits and events. Look for events featuring poetry, film, music and history to complement the permanent collections commemorating and celebrating the Jewish presence in Georgia.

Atlanta History Center

Take advantage of the indoor and outdoor activities at the 33-acre Atlanta History Center campus in Buckhead. “The Road to Good Taste. The Design Life of Ruby Ross Wood” will open www.atlantahistorycenter.com

June 8. The Midtown campus, which houses the Margaret Mitchell House, is scheduled to reopen this year as well.

Porsche Experience Center www.porschedriving.com/atlanta

Book a tour of the Porsche Experience Center (PEC) or a session in the Simulation Lab (minimum height of 5 feet). The PEC offers a complete brand immersion including a gallery with classic Porsche vehicles on display, a retail shop and dining. Families can relax in the outdoor seating at the Carrera Cafe to see all the action on the tracks and enjoy some light bites.

Zoo Atlanta www.zooatlanta.org

Zoo Atlanta houses more than 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species from around the world. Visit giant pandas, the award-winning Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience, the Ford African Rainforest with one of North America’s largest populations of gorillas and many more fascinating residents.