Best Things to Do in Buckhead with Kids

When we hear “Buckhead,” images of beautiful houses, fancy restaurants and high-end stores immediately come to mind. But while all that is certainly accurate, the fact is that a lot of families live in Buckhead. And because of that, the posh area of town has plenty to offer parents and kids. Here are seven reason we love to play, dine and explore in Buckhead. (Yes, with our kids!)

1. Parks

Even with its high-rises and malls, Buckhead has several green spaces—unique ones too. Chastain Park, for instance, has a huge, fun playground with features like double swings, bumpy slides and a music area. Little Nancy Creek Park in North Buckhead may indeed be little but its playground is big (and looks like a treehouse). There is also a walking trail, community garden and the creek itself.

2. LEGO Discovery Center

Buckhead is also home to one of our favorite Atlanta attractions—LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Phipps Plaza. Kids can have hands-on fun building with Legos and experience cool rides like Kingdom Quest and Space Mission. They also won’t want to miss the MINILAND, which has a replica of Atlanta made from 1.5 million Lego bricks.

3. Family-Friendly Restaurants

It’s not all white table cloths and crystal glasses at Buckhead restaurants. They have plenty of eateries that are family-friendly and even better, lots of local, non-chain offerings. Families love to eat at Treehouse Pub which has a fun, treehouse-esque patio and serves a brunch complete with Belgian waffles. Kids also like the funky, local restaurant R. Thomas Deluxe Grill which features a variety of birds (in cages) as guests enter. Parents like that R. Thomas serves up healthy food like a PBJ with organic PB and fruit-filled smoothies.

Log Cabin at The Atlanta History Center

4. Atlanta History Center

The Atlanta History Center is a Buckhead treasure that entertains families with its exhibits about our city’s history, a cool log cabin and even live reenactments. Kids can also play in the gardens and on the 1860s Smith Family Farm.

5. Kazoo Toys

We go to Buckhead to visit one of our favorite local toy stores, Kazoo Toys. Kids and parents alike go coo coo for this full-service toy store. Owners Joe and Whitney Novak focus on a “trio of children’s fun: imagination, education and activity” and will help their customers find the perfect gift.

6. Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square

Okay, so shopping is definitely one of the things we love about Buckhead. People can actually mall hop as Buckhead is home to two amazing malls—Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square. These sister malls boast high-end stores like Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus and Louis Vuitton (Lenox) as well as Sake Fifth Avenue, Gucci and Jimmy Choo (Phipps). Luckily, both malls have the typical stores where parents feel comfortable taking their kids. (Hello, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Apple Store, and Build-a-Bear, just to name a few).

7. Blue Heron Nature Preserve

This small but scenic preserve in North Buckhead is great for a family stroll. Along the trails, visitors will see wildlife including bee houses, deer and of course, Great Blue Herons. It is also full of eclectic artwork and a peaceful creek. Dogs are big fans of this secluded spot in the city—perhaps because one of the preserve’s many festivals is “Doggie Daze,” held every summer.

-Elsa Simcik