The greatest thing a parent can do is simultaneously feed, entertain and tire out your children all at once--and if it just so happens that the adult can squeak out a morsel of personal enjoyment it's a WIN WIN! Here are some crowd-pleasers for kids and parents to try before school starts back up again:
- Ponce City Market--the rooftop at Ponce is like Coney Island with a view of the Atlanta skyline! Mini-golf, carnival games, fun rides and there's a great snack bar with simple but delicious bites (and adult beverages for mommy and daddy!). If you want to sit down for a meal there is 9 Mile Station right there which is wonderful as well.
- Shake Shack/Willy's/Woody's/Park Tavern are all on the edge of Piedmont Park and just steps from the incredible Noguchi Playscape. This is a playground built in the 70's that is as much an architectural curiosity. Kids will love the colors, shapes and unique
- Atlanta Botanical Gardens--There's an entrance fee but it's a splendid escape right in the heart of the city. There are snack bar options as well as a sit-down restaurant while you explore the indoor/outdoor splendor (including some magnificent Dale Chihuly sculptures that were left behind after his show there in the mid-2000s.
- The Battery--if the Braves are in town, great, get tickets and head to the Battery early for a bevy of fun! But even if the Braves aren't there the Battery is a fantastic spot to roam around
- The Frosty Caboose--this Decatur classic is a perfect little spot to eat ice cream, hot dogs and watch trains come rumbling by.
- Krog Street Market--located right on the beltline, there are fantastic dining options at the number of unique food stalls and sit-down spots which then you can walk off the calories on the Beltline
- The Downwind at PDK--Who doesn't love watching planes take off and land? At this little grill at Peachtree Dekalb Airport you can nosh and let the little ones watch planes or play on the playground that's right off the runway
- 57th Fighter Group--also abutting PDK airport, the 57th Fighter Group is an Atlanta legend to sit, dine and watch the avation
- Avalon--Wonderful mix-used developement up 400 with a multitude of dining choices and open space for the little ones to play
- Top Golf--rent a bay, grab a club and then knock hi-tech golf balls into targets for points. The food is pretty good too!
- Puttshack--like Top-Golf, Puttshack brings technology to the time-honored pastime of indoor mini-golf and also offers food and adult beverages. 21+ are welcome until 8pm.