Avoid Traffic: Explore MARTA With Kids
Riding a MARTA train with kids can be an efficient way to travel around Atlanta and avoid the hassle of driving to well-known attractions, popular events and off-the-beaten path adventures.
Destination: Downtown
There’s so much to do with kids in Downtown Atlanta. See historic sites, enjoy exotic food and feel the energy of a big city. Get off at Five Points station from any of the MARTA lines or one of the other stops in the Downtown area and start exploring.
What to Do
- Walk to the Georgia Aquarium, The Children’s Museum of Atlanta and the CNN Center.
- Check out the ATL play structure and fountain in Woodruff Park or the Fountain of Rings in Centennial Olympic Park.
- Ride the SkyView Ferris Wheel.
- Hop on the Atlanta Streetcar for a quick ride to other tourist sites, including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.
Where to Eat
- Expand your child’s palate at Korean eatery Blossom Tree on Peachtree Street, Dua Vietnamese on Broad Street or Ali Baba’s Mediterranean and Turkish food, also on Broad Street.
- Visit the original Ted’s Montana Grill on Luckie Street or head to Atlanta’s Hard Rock Café on Peachtree Street.
- Ride the streetcar to Sweet Auburn Curb Market. Explore this historic Atlanta site and enjoy incredible food and treats.
To-Do: Decatur
Take an Eastbound train to the Decatur station, and you will emerge into the middle of this fun and vibrant community. With a walkable downtown, dozens of incredible restaurants and a family-friendly vibe, this small town in the city is a perfect place to spend a beautiful day.
What to Do
- Enjoy a shaded playground behind the Decatur Recreation Center.
- Go shopping at HomeGrown, Greene’s Fine Foods, and Little Shop of Stories, which has frequent events and storytimes.
- Plan your trip around one of the many events and festivals in Decatur each year – from the Arts Festival in May to the Summer Beach Party and then the Book Festival in September, there’s almost always something going on.
- Just one stop west from the Downtown Decatur station, get off at the East Lake Station and enjoy nearby food at Wahoo! Grill or Avellino’s, and a sweet treat at Revolution Doughnuts. Browse cute kids toys and books at Treehouse Kid and Craft on Howard Avenue.
Where to Eat
- The kid-friendly patio right downtown makes Raging Burrito an easy choice. If you’re looking for brunch, Sweet Melissa’s on the square or Pastries A-Go-Go on Ponce de Leon Avenue both have delicious fare. The cheeseburgers are tasty and the perfect size for kids at Grindhouse Killer Burgers on McDonough.
- Grab picnic food from Souper Jenny and head to the Decatur Square for a spot to eat. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in a sweet treat: the famous rainbow umbrella of King of Pops is almost a fixture on the Square, or nearby Butter & Cream is fantastic, too.
- The children’s menu at Farm Burger is great, and if you are feeling adventurous, Chai Pani is a great Indian street food choice.
Away We Go: Arts Center
This station is a go-to stop for MARTA-riding families. With easy access to some of our city’s most popular attractions, this train stop is easy to navigate and always busy.
What to Do
- The High Museum of Art, Alliance Theatre, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra are all across the street from the Arts Center MARTA station. The Center for Puppetry Arts is also a very short walk from this station, so look up the next show and go!
- The Museum of Design Atlanta is a great place for kids. This beautiful space has changing exhibits that are sure to interest children with big imaginations.
Where to Eat
- DaVinci’s Pizza on West Peachtree Street is an easy standard, and Highland Bakery, tucked into the side of an office building on Peachtree Street is a tasty spot.
- Several restaurants around Crescent and 12th are fantastic picks for families, including the delicious Bantam and Biddy and the decadent BurgerFi.
– Sherry V. Crawley
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