6 Things To Do in Midtown Atlanta with Kids

A vibrant arts hub, families will encounter world-class shows and art displays in Midtown Atlanta, as well as find many places to play outdoors such as sprawling Piedmont Park and Atlanta Botanical Garden. Here are our reasons to visit:

Places to Play

Midtown is home to Piedmont Park, Atlanta’s version of Central Park, with green space as far as the eye can see. Kids will love running up and down the grassy hills of the lawn, or throwing a ball or frisbee. The best part? The park is home to two playgrounds. Visit The Mayor’s Grove Playground, designed for kids with and without special needs with fun play structures. The Noguchi Playscape is next to the park’s 12th Street gate and looks more like a modern sculpture garden than a playground. Piedmont Park is close to Atlanta BeltLine, with a short bike, walk or rollerblade, includes access to even more of Atlanta’s neighborhoods and play areas.

Abundance of Art

The High Museum of Art, The Alliance Theatre, The Fox Theatre—just to name a few, are a part of the large arts scene in Midtown. Stroll through the exhibits at the High, and make sure to stop at the Greene Family Learning Gallery. See a show at the Alliance Theatre, with fantastic theatrical performances for the very young to adult. The Woodruff Arts Center’s grounds are full of fun sculptures, and in addition to being home to The Alliance Theatre, they are also home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, an awesome opportunity to introduce your kids to classical music. The Fox Theatre always has a few family-friendly traveling shows worked into each season, including popular Broadway hits. Another stop is Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA), to learn how design influences many aspects of life. See our calendar for shows, exhibits and special events.

One Big Garden

Atlanta Botanical Garden is a favorite for many Atlantans, an escape of lush landscape in the middle of the city. Families can travel through the different areas—the Rose Garden, Skyline Garden, Fuqua Orchid Center, Japanese Garden and of course, the Lou Glenn Children’s Garden. The Children’s’ Garden includes a water painting area, a playground shaped like a bird’s nest and more ways for kids to learn about nature. See our calendar for special events.

Shopping at Ponce City Market

Ponce City Market is a fun place to explore with your family. Once a Sears, Roebuck & Co. distribution center, then City Hall East housing government offices, it is now full of delicious eateries and popular shops making it a fully re-vamped mall experience.

Home to Puppets

The Center for Puppetry Arts is a must-see for families, your kids will learn so much about the making of puppets and the art of puppetry after experiencing the newly-renovated space. The Worlds of Puppetry Museum includes the Jim Henson Collection, where visitors can view iconic puppets such as Big Bird, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. The Global Collection explores puppetry traditions from around the world from Asia to Africa and Europe. The Center’s Family Series are a fun and entertaining way to see puppetry first hand, with shows such as “Pete the Cat,” “The Three Little Pigs” and “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer.” All-inclusive tickets include the live performance, Create-A-Puppet Workshop™ or To-Go Kit, and admission to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum. See our calendar for show schedules.

Historical Stops

The Margaret Mitchell House (temporarily closed) is in Midtown, and older kids who have read “Gone With the Wind” will especially appreciate visiting Mitchell’s Atlanta home. You can visit her apartment on your own, or take a guided tour. Both can be purchased through the Atlanta History Center. The Fox Theatre was once a movie theatre in the late ’20s, and you can take tours of the beautifully-decorated building. Don’t miss the Mighty Mo,’ the largest working Moller theatre organ in the world. The “Castle on Peachtree” known as Rhodes Hall was built in 1904, and you can take a tour of this historic mansion, which resembles a Medieval castle (historical tours currently unavailable).

– Teresa Farkas