Whenever my son is home on a college break, we like to set aside a day to find new hidden gems or old favorites around town. On the flip side, my husband and daughter, who is in law school, get together frequently for Sunday morning coffee shop dates. It has been fun to discover Atlanta through our kids’ eyes.
Here are a few of our regular haunts around Atlanta, plus new ones that you may like to check out with your teens:
For the Lover of Vintage
- Little Five Points – We love to check out the local thrift stores and pick up new records. Some of our favorites:
- Drug Store Thrift– A great place for retro t-shirts
- Rag o Rama – Buy, sell, or trade clothes to update your teen’s wardrobe\
- Criminal Records – Take a walk down a musical memory lane, and find some new artists as well
- My Parents’ Basement – Everything comic book-related
- Atlanta Vintage Books – Rare, out of print, and used books, letters, postcards, magazines – grab a cat and a cozy chair for an afternoon
For the Outdoor Enthusiast
- Lake Clare Land Trust – The star of the show was the late Big Lou, the emu, but it is still a lovely place to have a picnic and catch up.
- Chattahoochee National Parks – Our go-to trails are Homestead and Wildlife Walk
- Old Fourth Ward Skatepark – A cool facility for every board level
- Shoot the Hooch – What better bonding than being in a boat together?
- Skyline Park – All kinds of outdoor games and entertainment, on the roof of Ponce City Market
- Tree Top Quest – Team-building obstacle courses for all ages
For the Artistic Type
- Instagram Worthy Wall Art and Murals In and Around Atlanta
- Black Art Tour – A kick-start list of beautiful places to view unique points of view
- Splatter Studio– Not your average sit-down and paint situation – let’s just say you’ll need a poncho and lots of energy!
- Tiny Doors – A numbered exhibit of sculptures to capture the spirit of the community
- Videodrome – Atlanta’s only video rental store, with a genre for every film buff
For the Java Junkie
- Dancing Goats – Dog-friendly patio
- Land of a Thousand Hills – We are fans of the Roswell location – cozy and a nice outdoor space
- The Victorian – Grab a coffee and a new plant
- Chrome Yellow Trading Company – One of my daughter’s favorites
- Chattahoochee Coffee – This is my favorite; I spent a lovely morning with my daughter overlooking the water at the Riverside location
For the Curiosity Seeker
- Stranger Things Tour – In case you’ve been living off the grid, this is a Netflix show with a cult following; you can visit many of the filming locations
- Museum of Miniature Chairs – Boasts the Guinness Book of World Records collection of – you guessed it – teeny tiny seating
- Dolls’ Head Trail – A short loop in Constitution State Park that features folksy found objects
- ATL Cruzers tour – Gird your loins and hop on a Segway to see Atlanta in a whole new light!
- Scavenger Hunt – Time to collaborate and learn more about each other while solving clues around town
- Krog Street Tunnel – Ever-changing street art, and you can take a walk on the Beltline after you see it
- Ghost Tour – Grab your walking shoes and a flashlight and get ready for a spooky tale.
For the Foodie
- Grant Park Food Walk – Set aside a few hours to enjoy some Southern fusion tastings
- Cooking classes – Pick your favorite cuisine, and sign up for a class with your budding baker
- Dinner Detective – Be a part of a murder mystery over salmon or chicken
- Big Bang Pizza – The servers are actual robots
- Battle and Brew – First ever gaming restaurant in the U.S.
For the Active Adventurer
- Activate Atlanta – Enter the game where you become the player in the world’s first active gaming facility.
- Breakout Games – Play the top Atlanta escape rooms with a variety of game themes for you and your teen will enjoy
- Adrenaline Climbing – Cheer each other on to the top of the course
- Xtreme Hopp – Release your stress in the smash room, axe throwing, paintball, and more
- Puttshack – A tech-infused mini golf experience, complete with music and savory food
- Roller Skating – Show your teen all those old-school moves
Do you have any places you like to go with your teens around Atlanta? Let us know in the comments below!
Hi Alison! I just read your article about things to do in Atlanta w/your teen (which was super helpful👏👍). So, recently, my 13-year-old daughter informed me that she really wants to go to Atlanta at nighttime to see what the city of Atlanta looks like at night. Do you have any specific recommendations for what to do in Atlanta (December or January-ish) at night with her? Thanks!!!