If you really can't handle an Atlanta heat wave, escape the city and hit the road with Summer Day Trips from Atlanta that families will love. And get even more amazing ideas by accessing our Atlanta Kids Summer Guide!

Keep cool in Puttshack, an elevated indoor mini golf course full of tech-heavy mechanics and an upscale vibe. Photo by Melanie Preis

Atlanta's Coolest Museums & Attractions for Hot Days

During a heat wave, it's all about blessed air conditioning and indoor activities. Take a look at some great Atlanta things to do to survive the grueling heat!

1. Children's Museum of Atlanta - Downtown

Why it's great: The Children's Museum is great for babies, toddlers, and kids up to age 8. There's always fun exhibits, live shows, and age-appropriate activities

2. Georgia Aquarium - Downtown

Why it's great: See the sharks, penguins, seals, and more aquatic animals. For an extra fee, visitors can enjoy personal encounters and interactions with many of the residents of Georgia Aquarium.

3. CAMP Atlanta - Dunwoody

Why it's great: Play, craft and shop at CAMP Store in Dunwoody. It's a hybrid destination — combining retail, entertainment, and wonder. 

RELATED: Best Museums for Kids in Atlanta: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in Atlanta

4. Sloomoo Institute Atlanta - Buckhead

Why it's great: Besides touching all sorts of sticky/goopy/stretchy slime, kids can enjoy the full-body experience with a head-to-toe slime shower and take home a personalized container.

5. Beat the Bomb - West Midtown

Why it's great: This is the ULTIMATE escape room as the race against the clock could lead to an explosion of foam, paint, and fun mess!

6. Activate - Buckhead

Why it's great: Kids become part of a live-action gaming experience in this one-of-a-kind indoor attraction

7. Tin Pin Game Bar - Marietta

Why it's great: This Atlanta arcade specializes in pinball, and it's attached to Tin Lizzy's so everyone will stay full and happy!

8. Monster Mini Golf - Marietta

Why it's great: Cool off with a hole-in-one at this monster-themed indoor mini golf course.

9. Topgolf - Alpharetta, Buford, and Midtown

Why it's great: With climate-controlled bays, enjoy a variety of golf games with microchipped golf balls at Topgolf. 

10. Andretti Indoor Karting & Games - Marietta

Why it's great: You can't go wrong with laser tag, arcades, and of course, go-karts at Andretti.

11. Center Ice Arena - Sandy Springs

Why it's great: Indoor ice skating is a slam dunk during an Atlanta heat wave, and Center Ice Arena is one of the best!

12. Puttshack - Dunwoody and Midtown

Why it's great: With bright colors and a creative mini golf course, Puttshack makes a wonderful reprieve from the hot weather.

13. Altitude Trampoline Park - East Cobb, Austell, Lawrenceville

Why it's great: Trampoline parks let kids jump out all their energy! Altitude is a massive, bouncy attraction that kids can spend the day in.

14. Your 3rd Spot - West Midtown

Why it's great: Enjoy more than 100 games at this amazing entertainment center. Family-friendly hours are on weekends until 6pm.

15. Central Rock Gym - Atlanta

Why it's great: Make use of 28,000 square feet of climbing terrain, with indoor rock walls for all different skill levels and ages. Youth programs available to continue the fun beyond the heat wave.

16. LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta - Buckhead

Why it's great: Kids can build creations from Lego bricks, watch a 4D show, stroll through the Atlanta MiniLand (featuring a mini Centennial Olympic Park), and more. 

17. Urban Air Adventure Park - Multiple Locations

Why it's great: Each adventure park is a little different, but highlights include a ropes course, trampolines, warrior course, climbing walls, and more.

18. Museum of Illusions - Midtown

Why it's great: Enjoy mind-bending reality, with the comfort of air conditioning, at the Museum of Illusions at Atlantic Station.

19. Center for Puppetry Arts - Midtown

Why it's great: Head to one of Atlanta's most beloved, quirkiest attractions for kids. There are always wonderful summer shows, as well as the museum itself and puppet workshops.

20. Painted Pickle - Buckhead

Why it's great: Hop on the pickleball craze with air conditioning at Painted Pickle. Kids are welcome at all times except Friday and Saturday starting at 8pm.

Visit one of Tiny Bubbles' three locations around Atlanta. Photo courtesy Brielle Gaines of Tiny Bubbles Tea Bar

Chill Eats – Kid-Friendly Places With Cold Treats & Cool Vibes in Atlanta

21. Morelli's Ice Cream - Multiple Locations

Why it's great: This ice cream favorite serves tasty flavors including Krispy Kreamier and PBJ Sandwich.

22. The Frosty Caboose - Chamblee

Why it's great: Eating ice cream from a former train caboose just makes the experience so much tastier!

23. Mayfield Dairy - Athens, TN

Why it's great: Head to Mayfield Dairy’s location in Athens, Tennessee -- after the tour, receive a free scoop of ice cream and visit Maggie the Cow. 

24. World of Coca-Cola - Downtown

Why it's great: Tour the 92,000-square-foot World of Coke with exhibits, a 3D movie, and the Coca-Cola polar bear. Near the end, sample icy Coca-Cola beverages.

25. Food Halls

Why they're great: Expand children’s culinary palettes by trying one of these Atlanta food halls. Located indoors, these air-conditioned halls offering everything from lunch and dinner to snacks and desserts.

26. Medieval Times - Lawrenceville

Why it's great: Keep kids engaged during a meal at Medieval Times, featuring knights, damsels in distress, and live duels on horses. 

27. Tiny Bubbles Tea Bar - Marietta and Woodstock

Why it's great: Part boba tea, part retail, Tiny Bubbles also serves sweet treats and desserts.

Cool off with friends at Willis Park pool. Photo by Elsa Simcik

Splash & Play – The Best Splash Pads and Water Features in Atlanta

We've got splash pads in every nook of the city; enough that we rounded up our favorite splash pads across Atlanta in this guide. But if it's a heat wave and you need a destination splash pad or water features where you can spend the whole day, these are our picks.

28. Cumming Aquatic Center- Cumming

Why it's great: This outdoor leisure pool features a water slide, lazy river, and water playground! 

29. Seven Springs Water Park - Powder Springs

Why it's great: Families can hang out at the outdoor swimming pool AND the water park with slides, lazy river, and splash pad.

30. Six Flags White Water - Marietta

Why it's great: This thrilling water park features more than 20 water attractions, including an AquaPlay kids-only playground.

31. Fins Up Water Park at Margaritvaville at Lanier Islands - Buford

Why it's great: Go all out on water slides, an aqua playground, foam parties, wave pool, and an inflatable obstacle course.

32. Atlanta Swimming Lakes and Beaches

There’s nothing more fun than having a picnic, jumping into a lake, and building sandcastles.

33. Swift-Cantrell Park Splashground - Kennesaw

Why it's great: Kids can romp around this 3,200-square-foot splash pad, complete with geysers and more water play elements.

34. Sprayground at Elizabeth Porter Park - Marietta

Why it's great: This 7,900-square-foot water area features sprinklers, jet sprays, and lots of watery fun.

Have an adventure while whitewater rafting in Columbus. Photo by Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

35. Rafting

Why it's great: Get wet while whitewater rafting! Try a two-hour guided rafting trip down Chattooga River for adventurous families.

36. Chattahoochee River

Why it's great: Rent tubes or kayaks from Shoot the Hooch or Nantahala Outdoor Center to float down the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta.

37. Nearby Beaches

Why they're great: Nothing beats a cool ocean breeze and swimming in the surf. Get out of town and head to one of these family-friendly beaches perfect for Georgia families. 

Stay Indoors – Free & Low-Cost Indoor Activities in Atlanta

38. Summer Movie Deals

Why it's great: Cinemark offers Summer Movie Clubhouse with $1.75 movies on certain days through August 7, 2025. During summer break, get $1 Summer Movie Express tickets, through Regal, to the first show on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through August 6, 2025. 

39. North Georgia Mountains

Why it's great: In the alpine town of Helen, Georgia tube right through the middle of town and enjoy cooler temps up north!

40. Popsicle Project

Why it's great: Solve summer boredom AND enjoy a frosty treat by creating a delicious popsicle recipe.

41. Sparkles Family Fun Center - Kennesaw, Smyrna, Lawrenceville

Why it's great: Join the Kids Skate Free allows registered children to roller skate twice per week for free during the Atlanta summer at certain Sparkles skating rinks.

42. Bowling Alleys - Multiple Locations

Why they're great: This summer, kids can enjoy two free bowling games per day through Kids Bowl Free. Look online to find participating bowling alleys near you.

43. Local Libraries

Why they're great: Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, and Henry County library systems kick off their summer reading challenges each year. Activities include in-person storytimes, arts and crafts, and other programs. Check your local library branch for upcoming events.

44. Cumberland Mall - Atlanta

Why it's great: Cumberland Mall has a great, FREE indoor playground located on the lower level.

45. Evening Outdoor Movies

After the sun sets, the high temperatures lower to more enjoyable levels and families can watch a free movie under the stars.

46. North Point Mall - Alpharetta

Why it's great: This OTP indoor playground is free and great for active kids who need air conditioning this summer. Kid-friendly shops and entertainment  include Build-A-Bear, Pop Cult, LEGO, The Slime Factory, Cosmic Mini Golf & Play.