Keeping teenagers entertained is no small feat! In this guide, we’re sharing 11 of our favorite things to do in Atlanta with teenagers.
These ideas are perfect for spring break, summer, or all year round.
A few of our favorite things to do in Atlanta with teenagers:
Read on for more details on these activities and more.
- Take your teen to an amusement park
- Shop and eat in Little 5 Points, one of Atlanta’s most eclectic neighborhoods
- Take a walking food tour with your aspiring chef or restauranteur teen
- Find a fun volunteer opportunity with your teenager
- Plan a TikTok or Instagram-worthy moment with your teen
In this post, you’ll find:
- Fun activities for teens and tweens in Atlanta
- Ways to keep teens entertained during spring break and summer
- Family-friendly outings for all ages, including teens
- Atlanta teenager ideas for friend groups and families
- Activities for teens who love art, sports, history, food, shopping, gaming, and more
1. Head to the Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark
If you’re the parent of a teenager right now, there’s a good chance you played at least one Tony Hawk game during your own teenage years. Why not relive the fun by taking your teen to check out a skatepark?
Located in the heart of Atlanta, the Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park is a great place to practice your skills or just people-watch. In fact, Tony Hawk himself helped fund this park and even showcased his skills at its opening in 2011! Here, you’ll also find a multi-use athletic field as well as a playground for kids.
This skate park is located along the Atlanta Beltine’s Eastside Trail, so make a day of it! Stroll along the paved Beltline to take in the sights and sounds of intown Atlanta. Several other destinations on this list are located nearby, including Little 5 Points (#2) and Ponce City Market (#6).
2. Shop & Dine in Little 5 Points
Little 5 Points is one of Atlanta’s most eclectic neighborhoods. Here, alternative is mainstream – and the L5P neighborhood is filled with people and shops flaunting their edgy personalities!
A few of our favorite spots in Little 5 Points include:
- The Junkman’s Daughter for unique clothing, tchotchkes, artwork, and more
- Bang-On Tees for custom t-shirts – perfect for school clubs, sports teams, and more
- Psycho Sisters for vintage and thrifted clothing finds as well as costumes
- Criminal Records for vinyl and music-related merch
- Aurora Coffee, to sip at Atlanta’s very first specialty coffee shop
- Cameli’s for thin New York-style pizza, plus pasta and more
Browse more shops and restaurants in Little 5 Points here.
3. Take a Walking Food Tour of Atlanta
Got an aspiring foodie or chef on your hands? Take them on an engaging food and history tour of Atlanta! The Grant Park Past & Future Food Walk includes 8 modern and Southern fusion tastings from 3 locally owned food stops.
During this Unexpected Atlanta group experience, you and your teen will stroll 1.2 miles over 2.5 hours together, while an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide leads the way and answers your questions. The tour goes through Historic Oakland Cemetery, so you’ll get a history lesson along the way between bites.
Menus vary based on seasonality and supply – but a typical Unexpected Atlanta food tour includes:
- Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House: shrimp and grits; fried catfish and okra with cucumber wasabi soy sauce
- Firepit Pizza Tavern: steak and blue cheese pizza; pork belly toast with homemade tomato jam
- Little Tart Bakeshop: seasonal galette; whole wheat chocolate chip cookie
Do you or your teen have dietary restrictions? Let us know! We can accommodate most dietary requests with advance notice.
4. Explore One of Atlanta’s Museums & Cultural Gems
Atlanta has no shortage of museums and cultural institutions for teens to be inspired, educated, and entertained. Whether you’re an Atlanta tourist or a local, these popular spots are a “must” for any Atlanta bucket list!
Some popular Atlanta cultural attractions and museums include:
- Zoo Atlanta
- Georgia Aquarium
- High Museum of Art
- Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
- Center for Puppetry Arts
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Atlanta History Center
- World of Coca-Cola
- Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Atlanta Botanical Garden
5. Get Your Hearts Racing at Six Flags Over Georgia
If your teen is a fearless risk-taker – or if they want to exercise their risk-taking muscles – head to Six Flags Over Georgia!
Enjoy a day filled with roller coasters and other thrill rides, water rides, live shows, and more. You can even relive the fun of Dippin’ Dots, ICEEs, and other favorite amusement park foods with your teen. If you plan to visit frequently, it can be worth it to get a season pass – especially if your teen wants to come back in the fall for Six Flags’ annual Fright Fest!
Planning activities for summer break or other warm-weather seasons? Head to Six Flags White Water, a separate Six Flags water park that typically opens each season in early May.
6. Head to Skyline Park on the Roof of Ponce City Market
Ponce City Market is a hip designation for shopping, dining, and entertainment near the Midtown/Poncey-Highlands area. This trendy Atlanta spot attracts guests of all ages, including families and teenagers.
On the Ponce City Market rooftop, you’ll find a charming nostalgic amusement park called Skyline Park. Play mini golf or skee ball, ride down a giant slide, and enjoy the Coney Island-style boardwalk.
At this spot, you’ll also find some of the best views of Atlanta’s skyline – perfect for a sunny weekend afternoon or a sunset photo op as the nights get longer. Note: while it’s free to visit Ponce City Market (aside from parking), you’ll need to purchase a ticket for rooftop access. Plan ahead – weekend evenings can get busy, but this spot is worth the wait!
7. Create a TikTok-able Roller Skating Moment
Roller skating made a major comeback during the pandemic. Many roller skate companies sold out their skates over and over again as TikTokers created roller skating videos with aesthetic vibes and fun music.
If your teen got into the roller skating craze, take them out to the rink for some fun! Bonus points if you capture a fun video of their skating skills.
Atlanta Roller Skating Rinks
- Cascade Skating (Adamsville area)
- Sparkles Family Fun Center (Smyrna, Lawrenceville, Kennesaw, Hiram)
- Golden Glide (Decatur)
- Skate Towne (College Park)
8. Cheer on the Home Teams with Your Teen at a Sports Game
Nearly all year long, you can find an exciting Atlanta sports game coming up! Atlanta is home to five professional franchises for five major sports teams (listed below, plus the Atlanta Gladiators). Whether your teen is a sports fanatic or has never been to a game, watching your home team play together can be a fun way to bond.
You can also head to the College Football Hall of Fame together, located in downtown Atlanta.
Catch a game with one of Atlanta’s hometown teams:
- Soccer: Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Football: Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Women’s Basketball: Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena
- Men’s Basketball: Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena
- Baseball: Atlanta Braves at Truist Park
- Hockey: Atlanta Gladiators at Gas South Arena
9. Eat at a Gaming or Comic Book-Themed Restaurant
Exploring Atlanta with teens, you’re bound to get hungry along the way!
During your adventures, stop at a gaming or comic book-themed restaurant for refreshments. Two of our favorite options? Battle & Brew in Sandy Springs and My Parents Basement in Avondale Estates.
At Battle & Brew, your teen and their friends can play all kinds of games – from computer games to virtual reality and console games (think: PlayStation, XBox, Nintendo Switch). You’ll also find old-fashioned tabletop games here. For example: Battleship, Risk, Monopoly, and much more. You can play by the hour, either solo or in a group. You can even browse their full game library (and food menu!) ahead of time.
At My Parents Basement, you’ll find a comic book store, pinball arcade, and restaurant in one. If your teen is a vegetarian or vegan, this is a doubly great spot! My Parents Basement offers unique veggie options like a Seitan Reuben and gyro, vegan corn dogs, and more.
10. Hike Through the Great Outdoors Together
If your teen loves the outdoors, why not plan a scenic family hike together? Challenge your child to find a trail using the AllTrails or AtlantaTrails websites. They can filter hikes by difficulty, mileage, and other criteria, to make sure everyone in the family has a fun and comfortable time. Then, task your teen with creating the perfect playlist for the drive.
To make this idea extra-fun, pack an Instagram-worthy picnic to enjoy together on your hike. Try a cooler bag filled with fresh fruit, a baguette, and nuts or trail mix. Depending how hot it is and how far your hike is, you can also pack more temperature-sensitive items, like cold cuts or cheese.
Some of our favorite metro Atlanta hiking spots:
- Sweetwater Creek State Park
- A variety of trails near the Chattahoochee River
- Morningside Nature Preserve
- Stone Mountain Park
- Kennesaw Mountain
Remember, it’s not about how far you hike or whether you get to see a perfect mountain overlook. Instead, focus on the joys of fresh air and free time together.
11. Volunteer with Your Teenager
Put some youthful energy to good use by encouraging your teen to volunteer with friends or family! Volunteering as a teenager can inspire a lifelong love of giving back to your community.
Volunteering can help your teenager learn more about issues that are important to them. Especially if your teen is too young to vote, volunteering can be a fantastic way to show support for an issue or cause.
Through volunteerism, your teen may also make new friends, learn more about responsibility, and experience the joys of being part of a worthy cause. Volunteering is also a great step on the path toward a career with a purpose-built organization.
Check out Hands On Atlanta to browse for volunteer opportunities. Under their Volunteer tab, you can click the “Just for Teens” option, or browse volunteer projects for families.
Looking for more family-friendly Atlanta activities? Check out our guide, 22+ Best Things to Do in Atlanta!
