The best field trips in Atlanta are here! This article highlights two of our favorite places to visit as Homeschoolers, Worldschoolers, and just humans in the world; the High Museum of Art and Alliance Theater.

Atlanta is an amazing city! It was recently voted one of the best travel destinations in the world. With a mild climate most of the year, a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities, and friendly southern folk, Atlanta should be especially high on your list.  Two of our favorite field trips in Atlanta are the Alliance Theater and High Museum of Art.

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Our Atlanta with Kids post is an excellent place to start if you are looking for family friendly destinations.  If you love the outdoors, our Outdoors in Atlanta with Kids post is your best guide.

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This post will highlight one of our favorite indoor field trip in Atlanta spots.  Technically, it’s two separate must-do spots, but in terms of location, its a double whammy! Visiting the Alliance Theater and High Museum of Atlanta Is an exceptional way to spend a day with your family.

Getting to the Alliance Theater & High Museum on your Field Trip in Atlanta

Unfortunately, while Atlanta may be a top travel destination, it is sorely lacking in public transportation. I would not recommend using MARTA, the sad excuse for a subway/metro system. It is not super safe, or clean, and does not stop in many places. Although if you do decide to use MARTA, there is a stop right outside these two spots.

Atlanta is best seen by car.  You can take an Uber, or rent a car through Turo. For your field trip in Atlanta, parking is easy at the Alliance and High Museum. You can park right outside the front entrance of the High Museum in a metered 4-hour street parking spot. If you drive around the back of the building, you will find a public parking deck. $16 will cover your parking for the entire day.  If you plan to visit both attractions, this is worth it.

What To Do At The Alliance Theater Field Trip in Atlanta

The Alliance theater is home to a large variety of adult and family theater options, as well as summer camps.  Our favorite kid friendly theater shows have been at the Alliance.  This field trip in Atlanta spot is not to be missed. Oftentimes you will find your favorite children’s books come to life on the Alliance’s Hertz Stage.  Perfect for ages 3-12 these shows are spectacular! They typically run about 1 hour.  If you have a younger child, ages 5 and under will enjoy the Alliance’s Black Box Theater.  Their arts & craft pre-show offering, plus hands on stage show is a hit every time.

Once You’ve Enjoyed A Show…

Once you have enjoyed your theater experience, grab a coffee at Refuge Coffee Co. just outside the lobby doors.  Play some tunes on the hand painted public piano, and let your child run off some steam in the grassy area between the Alliance and High Museum entrances.  Oftentimes, SCAD (the Savannah College of Art & Design) will install a playable art installation that the kids love to climb and play on.

Feeding Your Kids At the Alliance Theater & High Museum Field Trip in Atlanta

Keep in mind, there is no restaurant that is easily accessible here. I typically bring a packed lunch for the kids and I when we will be spending the whole day here.  We sit out on the lawn or at the variety of tables between the two buildings.  There is a coffee shop between the buildings which has a few croissants available.  An overpriced wine bar restaurant is also on site, but rarely open when we have visited. Another option for your field trip in Atlanta is a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop across the street.

Enjoying the High Museum

The High Museum of Art is one of my favorite spots for special exhibits. We recently spent a day exploring the Oliver Jeffers exhibit, illustrator of the children’s book “The Day The Crayons Quit.”  In the morning, we saw a show at the Alliance Theater based on his book “The Incredible Book Eating Boy,” and then crossed the lawn for this exhibit.

The exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, at the High Museum are simple and excellent. They are easy to get through with your children, yet engaging enough to spend time slowly enjoying.  Here is a link to their exhibitions page.

We recently spent a morning here participating in one of their Homeschool Days. I cannot tell you how excellent it was! We started with a 1 hour hands-on art experience, where the children were introduced to artist Monir Farmanfarmaian and her incredible geometric designs. They made their own interpretation of her art style, before being led through the museum. On our walk through, the docent discussed how to “decode” art by using a variety of clues and taught the children about carbon dating and scanning artwork to learn more about it. The final half hour was spent walking through the Monir Farmanfarmaian exhibit and marveling at her geometric mirror art, sketches, disco balls, and more!

The High Museum also has Toddler Thursdays, Free Fourth Sundays, and Family Weekend Tours.

Getting Some Energy Out on your Field Trip in Atlanta

If your children have had enough of indoor activities, just a short drive away is Old Fourth Ward Park & Playground. Be warned, if it is hot out they usually have their splash fountains on. Be prepared for your kids to get wet!

The playground is built on a rubber ground, has plenty of options for kids under age 10, and has nice enough bathrooms on site.  Street parking is usually easy to find and free.

You can also head over to Piedmont Park for a longer play experience.