The 15 Best Museums In Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia, is a city in the United States that is sometimes called the City in a Forest because of all of the trees and greenspaces. The town was once burnt down as an act of war which destroyed the vast majority of it, and only 400 of its building survived. However, when the city rebuilt, it gained its symbol of the Phoenix in remembrance of how it rose again from the ashes.

As you can tell, Atlanta has a pretty interesting history. You can learn even more about it and an abundance of other interesting topics in the different museums in Atlanta. There are quite a few of them and it can be hard to decide which ones you want to visit, which is why we made this guide to explain exactly what each of them is about.

Museum hopper tip: You will be wandering around the city to reach the different museums and won't want to be dragging your suitcases or backpacks around. As well, many museums do not permit visitors to bring in large bags. Drop your belongings at a luggage storage locker in Atlanta and then enjoy the sights!

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History has a pretty impressive collection of exhibits that can teach you all about the natural world. It is a great place for kids to visit but adults will be just as intrigued by the fossil gallery and other attractions.

On site you will find a 3D IMAX theater that is four stories tall and plays some interesting educational films. Outside is the Wildwoods and Fernbank Forest which is complete with 75 acres of walking trails for you to explore. Check out the Fernbank Science Center while here also, to learn about astronomy. Grown ups should attend Fernbank After Dark where live music and cocktails are provided in the museum.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park

As you may have guessed, this museum is dedicated to the important civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. He was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts and the displays in the museum can teach you a lot about him and the civil war.

Exhibits include the very home where he was born, which is complete with original furnishings, as well as his crypt where guests can pay their respects. You can also learn about his wife, Coretta Scott King, and Mahatma Gandhi. This museum will educate you on the civil rights movement and the people who made it possible.

Atlanta History Center

This local museum has become a landmark for the city and a popular spot for locals and visitors to hang out. It is more than a museum but also a cultural center that often puts on community events for its citizens.

The tickets sold for the Atlanta History Center include access to historic homes like the Margaret Mitchell House, the 1928 Swan House, and the Smith Family Farm from the 1860s. The displays inside the museum include topics like military history, decorative arts and more. Outside the venue, you will find gardens and walking trails spanning over 32 acres so you can take a nice stroll after exploring the museum.

High Museum of Art

The High Museum Atlanta is one of the city's great art museums that has a collection of artworks from different genres and time periods. Come here to see Atlanta's largest collection of French art from the nineteenth century and paintings from the early twentieth century as well as works by some of the world's most famous artists.

Paintings by Picasso and other known names are preserved here in the permanent collection, and since the displays are changed regularly you can come back several times and still have more to see. Fun fact; this museum was featured in the Marvel franchise Black Panther film!

College Football Hall of Fame

This is one for sports lovers; the College Football Hall of Fame is one of the newer museums in Atlanta and can teach you a lot about the sport. The exhibits here can be about anything from the history of the game to different training equipment and even changes in helmet design.

This establishment has a lot of interactive exhibits and educational displays but also lets its visitors get in on the action. You can play around in the designated skill zone and try to score a field goal yourself.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, also known as the NCCHR, is centered around the Civil War and looks at it from the past, present and future. The exhibits here make it clear that our work is not done and that the issue of civil rights and equality is still present today.

The building has three permanent exhibits of Civil War art and information that look at the United States as well as the world from a global view. The civil rights museum has an open-air design and is full of some very bold and inspirational displays that capture the feelings and emotions behind the issue.

The World of Coca-Cola

This is the only museum of its kind dedicated to the popular Coca-Cola soft drink which was invented in Atlanta back in 1886. Inside you will find some fun displays including old soda fountains and a pop culture museum.

The museum offers interactive videos and games where you can win prizes. You can even try up to 100 different flavors of drink in the tasting room! Coca-Cola was by far one of the most successful Georgia businesses and this is one of the top museums in Atlanta, GA.

Center for Puppetry Arts

This center is one of the kid friendly museums in Atlanta that has some special exhibits and performances. Puppets will put on shows that both adults and children can enjoy accompanied by great permanent and temporary exhibits. You will have to buy another ticket to see the live performances but it is worth it!

This center gives a once in a lifetime experience and can educate you on all types of puppetry; from shadow boxes and hand puppets to marionettes and stick puppets. If you really take an interest in the topic, consider signing up for one of the workshops and classes that are offered. Come here to spend time with your favorite characters like Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog and Elmo.

Delta Flight Museum

There is no surprise that Atlanta has a museum dedicated to airplanes since it is home to the official Delta headquarters. You can see some hangars in person and learn a lot about their history at the Delta Flight Museum which is located just a few streets away from the longest-reigning world's busiest airport.

Test your own flying skills using a flight simulator and see for yourself how Delta planes have changed over the years. Inside the hangars, you will see 12 restored aircraft, including a Douglas DC-3 and the only Waco 125 propeller plane to ever exist.

David J. Sencer CDC Museum

Come here to learn about the CDC which was created after World War II and has become increasingly relevant in our lives today. The CDC stands for Center for Disease Control and Prevention and it is the perfect museum for any science lovers and healthcare enthusiasts.

You will learn a lot about how the CDC was made and what it has done to prevent and ameliorate the impact of different diseases around the world. Polio, malaria, obesity and now covid-19 are topics talked about in this museum.

Trap Music Museum

T.I., an American rapper, opened this museum in Atlanta back in 2018 right before the release of his tenth album. The establishment is dedicated to the music genre and was designed with some interesting walk-through rooms and exhibits.

Some of the rooms are dedicated towards other popular rappers, like an all pink room, with an old-school Chevy car in reference to 2 Chainz and a kitchen displaying an assortment of drug equipment made for Gucci Mane. The museum also has a replica jail cell with paintings of rappers that have been in jail and an Escape the Trap activity where visitors can try to find their way out of a trap house.

Breman Museum of Jewish Heritage

This museum, which is paired with the Holocaust Museum, highlights and informs its visitors on the struggles and achievements of the local Jewish community. Exhibits focus on Jewish history, information about the Holocaust, and how the community has changed and contributed to the city over the years.

The displays include photographs, letters and personal belongings of people who were affected by the Holocaust and you can learn quite a lot using the gallery guide. If you want to get the most out of your experience you can sign up for a guided tour.

Michael E. Carlos Museum

This museum is unlike any other in Atlanta and is highly recommended. It is one of the oldest art museums in the city as it was founded back in 1919 and houses exhibits of ancient art from the Egyptian times, Roman and Greek galleries as well as artifacts from the Bronze Age.

Their displays usually follow special themes and change frequently with different traveling exhibits that come and go. The whole family will have something exciting to see, with doctoral discussions and film screenings for the adults as well as workshops and story time for the kids.

Museum of Design Atlanta

The Museum of Design Atlanta, or MODA for short, is one of the only of its kind in all of the Southeastern United States. The exhibits will teach you about the design of toys, furniture, artwork, appliances, machines and vehicles.

You will recognize the tall building with glass walls just across the street from the High Museum of Art so you can visit both in one day if you find yourself nearby. The displays are even more interesting than they seem and you can even get inspired to create your own designs.

Children's Museum of Atlanta

This is a top attraction for anyone traveling as a family and is geared mostly towards children under the age of eight, although everyone is welcome. It is a great place for young ones to learn something new while participating in activities that will keep them interested.

Some of the events include collecting eggs from chicken coops, shopping at a grocery store, and launching rockets as well as exploring the surface and center of the earth.

What are the Best Free Museums in Atlanta?

Atlanta History Center

Anyone can visit the Atlanta History Museum for free every day between 9 am and 4 pm except Mondays when they are closed.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

This is one of the city's top history museums that is free to visit! Stop by between 10 am and 5 pm any day.

What are the Best Museums in Downtown Atlanta?

World of Coca-Cola

You will find this museum in the center of Downtown Atlanta near the Georgia Aquarium.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park

This museum and history center is found close to the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in the downtown part of the city.

Are There any Cheap Museums in Atlanta?

Michael E. Carlos Museum

This museum is an affordable place to visit in Atlanta, with admission costing about $8 for adults and around $6 for seniors, students and kids. Entry is free for visitors under five years old.

Trap Music Museum

Entry to the Trap Music Museum is just under $10, but if you want to try the escape room activity you will have to pay about $30.

Our Favorite Museums in Atlanta

There are so many Atlanta museums that it is hard to name them all, and each one offers a different experience. Atlanta's arts district is the place to go for spending time in indoor and outdoor exhibits whereas other museums can teach you about science, history or something specific.

You can check out the Jim Cherry Memorial Planetarium if you want to visit a space museum or see a replica of the White House Oval Office in the President Carter Museum. Sometimes several museums are built in the same area so you can visit more than one in a day.