It's chilly, or rainy, or sweltering and you've done all the at-home family-friendly amusements you can stand. If the thought of heading out to Chuck E. Cheese's (again!) leaves you cold, there's still hope. Parents in Atlanta can get the whole family out of the house and go someplace the kids will enjoy (and where moms can have a good time, too).
Here are eight Atlanta indoor attractions that will appeal to the whole family:
The Center for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring Street N.W. 404-873-3089
Share a sense of wonder while gazing at puppets galore, including an interactive exhibit of Jim Henson creations and a global collection. Admission for those over two is around $12.50. For a few more bucks, add on the Create-A-Puppet Workshop and take some of that creativity home.
Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Center
Seven locations in Georgia: Sky Zone Kennesaw, Sky Zone Roswell, Sky Zone McDonough, Sky Zone Suwanee Georgia, Sky Zone Macon and Sky Zone Newnan
A tried-and-true cabin fever fighter, Sky Zone indoor trampoline locations include a warehouse full of jumping areas, basketball nets, dodgeball in the air and a game section. Although parents typically drop off kids (once they're old enough), Sky Zone bouncing is great for mom-stress, too. And did we mention they've got a dedicated parents' lounge? A 30-minute session starts at about $11.25, and the attraction offers season pass pricing for those who want to make it a habit. Adults may even get inspired to come back without the kids (or with older teens) for the Skyfit morning classes.
Andretti Indoor Karting and Games
Locations in Roswell and Marietta
Andretti's is an Atlanta attraction both kids and parents can enjoy, with high-speed electric superkarts on a multilevel track, laser tag, rock walls and the Dark Ride Interactive Motion Theater. Zooming around not your thing? Send the kids off for an hour or two while you wait with a nice glass of wine from one of the two full bars at Andretti's.
Dr. Bombay's Underwater Tea Party
1645 McLendon Avenue NE. 404-474-1402
Part of the Candler Park community since 2005, this cozy vintage bookstore will wow your book-loving kid. And then on to tea, in real pots, with appetizers and pastries and ice cream, as you wish. High tea service with Devonshire clotted cream and the works is a perfect, luxurious outing on a gloomy day. Open every afternoon except Monday, with reservations required 24 hours in advance for high tea.
1570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell. 770-552-2772
Putt putt golf is no longer restricted to fine summer evenings. At Putt n' Play, the course comes indoors. Mom, dad and young kids can putter around (pardon the pun) on 18 "holes" of tricky slopes and transportation-themed obstacles. For more fun on the weekend, the whole course turns into a lights-dimmed, neon, glow-in-the-dark zone. This is a low-key outing that ends before the kids get too tired or mom gets cranky.
Bethesda Park Aquatic Center
225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville. 678-277-0880
Enjoy water park fun all year round at public pool prices! This Gwinnett County indoor pool has a giant waterslide and ceiling spray for the kiddos. For everyone else, it also includes hydrotherapy benches, a river channel and an indoor leisure pool with zero-depth entry. Daily admission starts at about $6 for kids and $9 for adults, but prices are lower for Gwinnett residents.
Georgia Aquarium Imagination Nights
225 Baker Street NW. 404-581-4000
Kids (and kids at heart) always love the dolphins, whales and penguins at the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere. But the after-4 p.m. price is something that parents in particular will enjoy: it's 30 percent off, but you still get to see all the exhibits and the special dolphin presentation.
