Before You Go

Coordinates | 33.7490° N, 84.3880° W
Baton Rouge to Atlanta | 524.3 miles
Driving Time | 7 hours, 36 minutes

Why atlanta?

A trip to this Southern metropolitan mecca is a must. The city has so much to offer and more things to do than one could possibly imagine. Whether your family wants to plan a museum day, an outdoorsy excursion in a park, or explore a unique attraction, Atlanta truly has it all.

Where to Eat

The Tree House | 7 Kings Circle | Atlanta, GA 30305
Off the beaten path and nestled into a curve of King’s Circle waits the Treehouse Restaurant and Pub. Surrounded by beautiful old trees and a cozy deck accented by plants, you may actually feel like you are high up in the trees. This hidden gem blends delicious food, a casual atmosphere, and a welcome home attitude that adds up to a place frequented by regulars and neighborhood folks alike. ■ treehouseatlanta.com

JCT Kitchen and Bar | 1198 Howell Mill Road | Atlanta, GA 30318
Check out this updated Southern restaurant in Atlanta’s Westside Market for lunch or a date night. Regulars love JCT’s refined comfort food, like fried chicken, house-made bacon mac and cheese, deviled eggs with country ham, and their famous Angry Mussels. Enjoy the unique setting and even catch some live music. ■ jctkitchen.com

Mary Mac’s Tea Room | 224 Ponce de Leon Ave | Atlanta, GA 30308 
Mary Mac’s Tea Room opened in 1945, and it is the last of 16 tea rooms that once dotted Atlanta in the 1940s. The tea room focuses on serving made-from-scratch true Southern fare served with genuine Southern hospitality. Get your Southern grub on at this time-honored dining room, officially declared as Atlanta’s Dining Room. ■ marymacs.com

What to do

Walk, bike, or run on the Atlanta Beltline. Explore miles of the Atlanta BeltLine by foot or on two wheels. This rails-to-trails connection between neighborhoods and parks is an only-in-Atlanta way to stay active. ■ beltline.org

For the most unique and educational experience in Atlanta, tour Bodies the Exhibition, which offers an intimate and informative view into the human body. Using an innovative preservation process, the Exhibition allows visitors to see the human body’s inner beauty by using over 200 actual human bodies and specimens meticulously dissected and respectfully displayed.  ■ bodiestheexhibition.com

Pay homage to Atlanta’s Olympic legacy as you splash through the Fountain of Rings or play tag in the green fields of Centennial Olympic Park. The Park is a central location for many museums and attractions, so you can relax in between your visits. Groove during a free lunchtime concert series, Music at Noon, that features different types of music performed by local artists. ■ gwcca.org/park

Where can you find 70 amazing habitats, 10 million gallons of water and thousands of species of marine animals? The Georgia Aquarium is your destination. You will marvel at such majestic aquatic animals as whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, beluga whales, sea otters, African penguins, and thousands of species of exotic fish and other animals. ■ georgiaaquarium.org

Experience the history of the world’s most famous soft drink through fascinating exhibits, classic ads, and an imaginative replica of the bottling process at the World of Coca Cola. Tempt your taste buds with more than 100 beverages from around the globe and attempt to mix up your own fizzy drink recipe. ■ worldofcoca-cola.com

Explore world cultures, nature, live animals, the prehistoric Earth, and hands-on science at the Fernbank Natural Museum of Natural History. Come face to face with the world’s largest dinosaurs and play in the 7,000-square-foot children’s exhibition Fernbank NatureQuest. ■ fernbankmuseum.org

The High Museum of Art is the place to go for American, European and African art with its permanent collection of over 11,000 pieces in a breathtaking space. Experience Merry Go Zoo, an interactive installation that creates a playful, 21st-century version of an outdoor public sculpture through November 26. ■ high.org