If you are looking for a place where kids and adults can truly enjoy themselves, Fernbank Natural History Museum is the place for you. Located north of Decatur near a few historic neighborhoods, this is a hidden gem in Atlanta.
If you’ve got kids, you’ll love the super cool indoor playground on the third floor, fun hands-on exhibits on the second floor, and some more grown-up exhibits on the first floor at the Fernbank Natural History Museum.
Fossils and the Giants of the Mesozoic
As you can see in the above photo, this exhibit is called “Giants of the Mesozoic.” Here you will get to experience the actual size of these enormous creatures. Standing between the replicas of these dinosaurs will leave you in AH. As you walk throughout the uncarpeted areas of the museum, you will see fossils throughout the floors, on the stairs and even in the eating area. The fossils are of various different once living organisms such as plants, turtle shells and insects.
I like to think of this spot as a little forest (65 acres) right smack in the city that not many people know about. I use to work at this museum ages ago. When I started working here the Forest wasn’t being utilized at the time. As time went on, the Museum team changed that. This Forest is filled with scenic nature that you can’t help but admire. The stillness of the atmosphere, with the distant sounds of birds as you feel the smoothness of the wind brush across your cheeks will leave you in a tranquil state.
You might even spot some wildlife while you’re wandering the trails. I saw a river otter pop out one of the creeks while working in the Fernbank Forest a few years back which is rare. If you happen to see them, maintain your distance of course.
Wildwoods was still in the process of being structured while I was working at the museum. This area of the outdoor exhibit really turned into an awesome outdoor park that’s fun for kids and adults alike. The wooden tree pods are the main structures in Wildwoods that will leave you amazed. These pods are stunning and really unlike anything I’d probably ever see. You can sit inside the tree pods and also look over the WildWoods area inside the pods as well.
You will see artwork throughout Wildwoods dedicated to nature as you scroll through this area, such as sculptures of plants and various other nature-based exhibits.
Outdoor Playgrounds
When you hit up the outdoor area of Fernbank Natural History Museum, there’s this super cool nature playground for the little ones on one side and a bigger playground for the older kids on the other side. Seriously, the outdoor playgrounds are super cool! With walkable bridges and a small water area, your kids will love these recreational areas.
Indoor Playground (NatureQuest)
This indoor playground is located on the third floor. This is hands down one of the coolest indoor playgrounds I’ve probably ever seen. NatureQuest is a hands-on exploring. Every inch of this playground there is something for kids to investigate, pull, climb, and build. Live animals are also present in NatureQuest such as a snake, turtles and salamanders.
This arena is in my opinion pretty cool. The screen itself is an enormous IMAX screen that will make you feel like you are right inside the movie. The movies shown at this museum are primarily science-based documentaries. Every movie I’ve seen are absolutely unique. Many of these documentaries are 3D, so 3D glasses will be provided upon entry into the arena by a Fernbank employee. You will not be disappointed. Seats in the arena are not assigned, and is first come first serve.
Parking: Coming from someone who has worked at Fernbank Natural History Museum for two years one thing I will tell you, parking is very thick on weekends. It is fine on weekdays, but if you want to visit this facility on the weekends definitely come early. Parking is also free.