Gorgeous graffiti, amazing aquarium, and a foodie paradise – we spent the weekend in Georgia! We tested our driving through the night so the boys could sleep. This worked out really well for a quiet ride, but man Mike and I were so exhausted at the end! It was worth it since we got to enjoy a full 3 days down south. Thankfully we had some help from local friends to plan our summer family fun in Atlanta! I was extremely surprised at all you can do out here.

Down in Atlanta…

Our trip was a little impromptu as we haven’t made a lot of vacation plans with several job/ministry things happen. Mike and I knew though that if we didn’t plan something – the summer would get away from us. So with some help from my handy dandy budget planning and the opportunity to visit really close friends of ours we headed out.

The drive was quite extensive from Virginia – a little over eight hours. So if you’re traveling with kids I highly recommend to either go early in the morning or if you’re brave through the night.

Our hotel was amazing! We stayed at the Marriott, which was gorgeous and super fancy. The boys were just excited to be in a hotel, so the fun began as soon as we checked in.

Visit Local Shops

Our first day was spent at a family friendly spray ground in the local area, along with some good eats and time with our friends that night.

Foodies go and EAT!

Our close friends love food just as much as we do! If you’re in Atlanta you MUST check out the incredible food spots that scatter throughout the city and beyond. This is certainly a must summer family fun activity in Atlanta. There are such quirky and quaint local restaurants that I know will peak anyone’s inner foodie.

We went to the Local Wood Fired Grill in Alpharetta, Georgia and I have to say it’s my new favorite spot! Their fresh, savory, and delicious entrees were even loved by the kids. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted brussel sprouts like that… yes brussel sprouts ya’ll.

Hello Georgia Aquarium!

If you do anything while in Atlanta with your family – you have to check out the Georgia Aquarium! I’m pretty sure we were all amazed at the shows, sites, and beautiful animals there. Our visit to the Georgia Aquarium was definitely better than I expected. The kids loved being up close to various animals Mike holds onto his childhood dream of becoming a marine biologist when we visit wildlife haha, so we had our own personal tour guide/Snapple facts during our time.

I can finally say I’ve seen a whale shark. Buck list check! Beyond that there are so many cool opportunities to learn about marine life and the value of investing into the safety of animals. The boys were enamored with how BIG and vast the ocean really is.

Check out local Street Art!

Being able to see some of my favorite murals and artwork during this trip was a dream. The art teacher in me was beyond excited to experience live canvases on buildings and street corners. You can find lots of grafitti and mass pieces of art with this amazing Atlanta Street Art Map. While I directed our journey, Mike helped me locate several works that I’ve been dying to see.

This truly was my favorite part of the trip.  Being able to visit a couple of Greg Mike’s graffiti art pieces right in the city! The picture doesn’t do it justice, but I love his work. The vision and heart behind his pieces always resonate with me. I taught about him this past year in my class, it was a privilege to make the connection for my own kids who enjoyed those lessons too. There were a ton of art pieces to choose from, I encourage you to plan a drive of your own for sure!

I’m so glad we made the time to get away! If you’re ever in Atlanta be sure to check out these summer family fun activities… and if you have a list of your own please share! We definitely plan on coming back.