What I LEARNED on My Summer Vacation in Atlanta

ATLANTA, July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Only five more weeks of summer remain, but that doesn't mean children still can't learn something new over the summer.  Below are some of Atlanta's best places to bring classroom subjects to life (and kids will have so much fun, they won't even realize they're learning!).

First Period:  Science/Biology

• Zoo Atlanta inspires value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family fun. The Zoo's newest attraction, Trader's Alley: Wildlife's Fading Footprints, featuring the debut of two new sun bears, opened in June 1010.

• The Georgia Aquarium unveiled the newly-renovated Georgia-Pacific Cold Water Quest Gallery featuring redesigned exhibits that provide greater immersion into the habitats of two of the Aquarium's marquee animals: African penguins and the Southern sea otter.

• Fernbank Museum of Natural History invites families to explore the amazing world of geckos – from shadowy nighttime hunters with unbelievable camouflage, to neon-colored nectar eaters that scamper around in daylight – with the exhibit Geckos: Tails to Toepads.

• Families can tiptoe through the treetops at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens on the new Canopy Walk and explore of the city's last remaining urban forests from 40 feet in the air, then tour the Edible Garden and Outdoor Kitchen to learn how food goes from the farm to the table.

Second Period:  English

• The Margaret Mitchell House & Museum allows budding young readers and writers to explore – and be inspired by – the personal journey that led to Mitchell's Pulitzer-Prize winning book.  

• The Wren's Nest House & Museum celebrates the legacy of author Joel Chandler Harris, most well-known as author of the Uncle Remus folktales, with guided tours of the home and grounds. The museum's storytellers – the Wren's Nest Ramblers – bring their favorite Brer Rabbit stories to life on Saturdays at 1 p.m.

Third Period:  History

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site has a permanent Children of Courage exhibit, which is designed to engage and educate the site's younger visitors through the stories of the children of the Civil Rights Movement.

• Jimmy Carter Library & Museum offers a re-designed interactive experience focused on the Carter's humanitarian work. Offering something for everyone in the family, a highlight includes an interactive table that lets visitors take a virtual trip with the Carters around the world to fight disease and promote democracy and human rights.

• The Atlanta History Center has recently added the Connor Brown Discovery Trail through their six historic gardens, featuring interactive stations that include activities and information about the trees, plants and animals that children might encounter along their expedition.

Fourth Period:  Art

• High Museum of Art lets younger visitors to go beyond just looking at important works of art with the help of the museum's Discovery Backpack, borrowed from the Coat Check area, which is filled with art projects, puzzles, books, games, and easy-to-follow instructions.

• The Center for Puppetry Arts celebrates the works of Jim Henson, from The Muppets to Fraggle Rock with three exhibits on permanent display -- Jim Henson: Wonders from His Workshop, Jim Henson: Puppeteer and Jim Henson: a Man and His Frog.

Fifth Period:  Social Studies

• Inside CNN Center Studio Tour features behind-the-scenes demonstrations of the studio that brings news to more than one billion people around the globe, including the ways that weather maps serve as background for newscasts. Kids love being in front of the green screen!

• At Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta children will be on a mission to discover the many ways they can save energy and protect the planet during Conservation Quest.  They will learn about what energy is, where it comes from, and the countless ways they can conserve energy every day. 

• World of Coca-Cola is where children of all ages will be thirsty to learn more about the fascinating history of the popular soft drink and taste 60 varieties of Coca-Cola from around the world.

Sixth Period:  P.E.

• Six Flags Over Georgia is home of "40 Fun Things for Kids to Do," the most comprehensive menu of kid-friendly, mom and dad approved fun activities at the park.

• Or, stop by Six Flags White Water's new attraction, The Wiggles Water World, featuring an interactive family area boasting more than 40,000 square feet of water cannons, telescopes, net climbs, secret crawl-throughs, port-holes and slippery slides.

• Kids ages 3-11 get in free on Fridays at Stone Mountain Park with each full-price paid Adventure pass, which includes new live entertainment and Sky Hike, one of the nation's largest adventure courses.

Seventh Period: Math

Kids can work with their parents to create an itinerary and budget for their excursion, and visit Atlanta.net/summer or Atlanta.net/backyard to find a package that provides the best value!

SOURCE Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau