Things to do in Stone Mountain

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion

World of Coca-Cola

The World of Coca-Cola is located in Pemberton Plaza in downtown Atlanta, sharing the same campus as the Georgia Aquarium. In 1886, pharmacist John Pemberton created Coca-Cola in this city, and the company headquarters remains in Atlanta to this day, making it the birthplace of the brand. The museum presents the brand's journey from a syrup-based soda to a globally renowned name through interactive exhibits. Highlights focus on two themes: "the formula" and "the flavor." The secret formula exhibit tells the story of this closely guarded trade secret—from its creation in 1886 to its relocation to the museum's vault in 2011—alongside legends about the formula and stories of early imitators and competitors. The "Coca-Cola story" exhibit showcases hundreds of artifacts to recount the brand's history, recreating an early 20th-century soda fountain where virtual staff share stories from the archives with visitors. You can also use AI to generate a vintage-style ad starring yourself in front of retro billboards, and posing with a 1939 delivery truck is a popular photo spot. The museum theater screens a approx. 6-min film highlighting joyful moments from around the world. The tasting area is often saved for last, offering samples of over 100 Coca-Cola beverages from across the globe—sweet, spicy, and even salty flavors, many unavailable elsewhere. Italy's bitter Beverly drink has become a legendary "dare challenge." Hands-on visitors can mix their own custom drink at the beverage lab or explore how scent influences taste in the aroma discovery exhibit. Polar bear photo ops are scheduled, so check on-site notices after entry. The museum is fun and relaxed, perfect for family-friendly visits and brand followers alike, and the souvenir shop offers Coca-Cola merchandise before you leave.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is located in downtown Atlanta, USA, and is one of the largest aquariums in the world. Notably, whale sharks—these "giants of the sea"—are extremely difficult to raise in captivity, and only a handful of aquariums worldwide house them, making this one a rare attraction. Many travelers visit Atlanta specifically for this reason. The aquarium features multiple themed zones, including the Ocean Voyager exhibit, Cold Water Quest, Tropical Diver, Sharks! Predators of the Deep, River Scout, Dolphin Coast, and Sea Lion Point, offering a comprehensive view of marine life from deep-sea giants to tropical fish. The centerpiece Ocean Voyager exhibit is a massive tank holding millions of gallons of water, where whale sharks and manta rays glide overhead while various sharks patrol the area. Walking through the underwater tunnel or pausing at the floor-to-ceiling viewing window immerses you in the awe-inspiring sight of swirling fish schools. The Cold Water Quest zone is home to beluga whales, sea otters, African penguins, and giant Pacific octopuses—the snow-white belugas often captivate visitors for extended periods. In the Tropical Diver zone, slow down to spot master camouflagers like weedy sea dragons, while vibrant live corals and schools of reef fish create a mesmerizing display in the large living reef tank. The Sharks! Predators of the Deep zone stars intimidating species like tiger sharks and sand tiger sharks for a thrilling experience. At River Scout, agile small-clawed otters and massive alligator snapping turtles steal the show. Daily bottlenose dolphin shows and California sea lion performances are family favorites, and interactive areas like the touch pool are perfect for children to explore. Pro tip: Dolphin and sea lion shows have limited daily time slots and seating (first-come, first-served), so plan your viewing order early during peak hours. The entirely indoor, seamless route makes the aquarium an ideal choice for rainy or hot days.

Pemberton Place

Pemberton Place is adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park and is an urban cultural plaza covering approx. 20 acres. The plaza is named after John Pemberton, the inventor of Coca-Cola—The Coca-Cola Company acquired this once-neglected city block in the 1990s, first building "Coca-Cola Olympic City" for the 1996 Olympic Games, and subsequently donated the land for the development of urban cultural tourism. Today, it brings together three cultural venues: the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, forming an important cultural tourism hub in downtown Atlanta. The plaza features open green spaces and pedestrian areas, perfect for a short break or a leisurely stroll between visiting the venues.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Gwinnett County

Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain Park is located in Georgia, USA. It is a comprehensive Attraction that combines natural landscapes with historical culture. The core of the park is Stone Mountain, a huge granite boulder that depicts historical figures of the Confederacy. This unique geological wonder attracts many tourists to explore. In addition to admiring Stone Mountain itself, the park offers a variety of outdoor activities suitable for visitors of different ages. Hikers can explore the natural scenery along the mountain trails and enjoy the fresh air and spectacular views. For thrill seekers, the cable car ride provides an opportunity to overlook the entire park and feel the vast view from the top of the mountain. Stone Mountain Park is not only a great place for natural adventures, but also a center for cultural and recreational activities. The park has museums and historical exhibitions, providing rich educational opportunities. In addition, regular laser shows and festivals add extra fun and interactive experiences for visitors.

2026 Americas 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta is located in Grant Park in Atlanta and was founded in 1889. It began when a local businessman purchased the animals of a bankrupt circus and donated them to the city, and it has now been around for more than a century. The park houses over a thousand animals from around the world, covering more than two hundred species. The zoo is known throughout the United States for its care and breeding of western lowland gorillas. Since the Ford African Rain Forest exhibit opened in 1988, more than twenty western lowland gorillas have been born here, giving the zoo one of the leading populations of western lowland gorillas in North America. Willie B., a silverback gorilla who once lived here, was one of the zoo's iconic animals, and a bronze statue commemorating him can still be seen in the park. The African savanna exhibit was completed in 2019 and focuses on African savanna animals such as African elephants, lions, giraffes, white rhinos, ostriches, and warthogs. Scaly and slimy wonders is an exhibit dedicated to amphibians and reptiles, housing more than seventy species of reptiles and amphibians, including rare species such as green anacondas, Gaboon vipers, and Fiji banded iguanas. In the Asian forest exhibit, visitors can see Komodo dragons, red pandas, and Bornean orangutans, and the orangutan learning tree program lets the orangutans play cognitive games and solve puzzles through touchscreens in their habitat, with visitors able to observe the whole process on connected screens. Zoo Atlanta is also one of the few zoos in the United States to exhibit giant pandas. Families with children can also head to the touch area at the Orkin children's zoo to get close to gentle animals such as goats and sheep.

Netherworld Haunted House

Located in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States, Netherworld Haunted House is a well-known immersive horror-themed attraction near Atlanta. Created by film industry professionals, the attraction blends stage theater, cinematic effects, and a walk-through experience. It builds an immersive space filled with a fantastical and thrilling atmosphere using a complete, original storyline, earning long-term attention and affection from many fans. The experience features a self-guided walk-through format, with grand, realistic sets throughout the venue, complemented by elaborate mechanical devices, fog, and strobe lighting to construct diverse, terrifying scenes. Numerous professional actors, complete with expert makeup and costume design, are stationed along the route, utilizing the set design to create unpredictable, interactive encounters, ensuring that every turn may bring unexpected surprises and thrills.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Atlanta

Grant Park

Grant Park is located in Atlanta, United States, and is named after engineer and businessman Lemuel P. Grant. It features lush vegetation and pleasant scenery, where visitors can not only enjoy the natural views but also admire the statues in the park and experience the park's historical and cultural atmosphere.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Atlanta Botanical Garden, located adjacent to Piedmont Park in Midtown, is a comprehensive garden that integrates plant display, conservation research, and interactive experiences, spanning approx. 30 acres. The garden was officially established in 1976 through a citizen-led initiative and has since undergone multiple expansions, gradually developing into one of Atlanta's important green cultural spaces. The garden's highlights are distinct: The Kendeda Canopy Walk is an aerial walkway suspended approx. 12m above the Storza Woods, stretching nearly 180m, where visitors can walk among the treetops and overlook the forest, experiencing a rare forest perspective within the city. The Fuqua Orchid Center features multiple independent climate-controlled spaces that simulate tropical lowland and high-altitude environments, maintaining an impressive collection of orchid species year-round, with rare varieties rotated seasonally. The Fuqua Conservatory recreates tropical rainforest and desert habitats within a 1,500 square meter glass greenhouse and is home to tropical birds, turtles, and poison dart frogs, offering a rare display of plant and animal symbiosis. In addition, the garden features an interactive children's garden, a Japanese garden, a rose garden, and a rooftop garden with views of the city skyline. The overall tour route is rich, with different plant views to explore throughout the seasons.

AMC North Dekalb 16

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary