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FREE or CHEAP & FUN Staycation Ideas

Michelle Schwab, Macaroni Kid Peachtree City-Fayetteville-Newnan

April 10, 2016
There are tons of local activities to keep the kids busy!  Listed below are places you can take the family and not break the bank.  

Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road Northwest  Atlanta
Includes one of the Southeast’s largest history museums. The museum is FREE the first weekend of each month for Bank of America cardholders. All active duty and retired military personnel get free admission for up to two adults.  Military ID required.

Atlanta Zoo
, 800 Cherokee Avenue SE  Atlanta 
Zoo Atlanta maintains a collection of more than 1,000 animals, representing more than 200 species from around the world.  Borrow the Zoo DVD from the library and get a free zoo pass.   The DVD is often checked out, so call the library first to see if it is available.

American Museum of Paper Making, 500 10th St. NW Atlanta,
The Robert C. Williams Paper Museum is an internationally renowned resource on the history of paper and paper technology. In addition to more than 2,000 books, the Museum features a remarkable collection of over 10,000 watermarks, papers, tools, machines, and manuscripts. Admission is free, although a donation is appreciated. 

Booth Western Art Museum, 501 Museum Dr., Cartersville,  GA
Through a variety of programming, tours and activities even the Museum’s youngest visitors will enjoy their visit. Children can learn about art, the West, the Civil War, and the United States Presidents.  Free the first Thursday of every month from 4-8 pm.  Regular admission prices are: Adults - $10.00, Students - $7.00, Children 12 and under – Free.

Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. NW at 18th, Atlanta, GA
Borrow the “passport” for one week from the library. It allows for free museum admission for up to four and qualifies the holder to purchase show tickets at a 25% discount. 

Chick-fil-A, local restaurants and Chick-fil-A Home Office, 5200 Buffington Road, Atlanta, GA
Local Chick-fil-A restaurants offer free tours.  Speak to the manager for details. Also, take a tour of the Home Office and learn the history of the Chick-fil-A founder, Truett Cathy, and the core values of the company.

Children's Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW, Atlanta
The Museum’s permanent collection consists of bright, creative, hands-on exhibits designed to inspire discovery and creative thinking. Admission is free starting at 1 p.m. during each Target Free Second Tuesday of each month.  

David J. Sencer CDC Museum, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta
Ever wonder how CDC scientists merge old-fashioned detective work with high-tech science to crack the cases of mystery diseases? Find out at the David J. Sencer CDC Museum.  The museum is a Smithsonian Institution affiliate. Admission is Free. 

Dixie Wing Museum 1200 Echo Ct., Peachtree City, (678) 364-1110
In addition to the rare flying WWII and Korea warplanes on display at the impressive hangar of the Dixie Wing, there is a room dedicated to the display of artifacts and memorabilia of the Wars of the U.S. in the last century.  Free admission. 

Fernbank Science Center (not the Fernbank Museum of Natural History)
156 Heaton Park Dr., NE Atlanta 
Offers nature exhibits, a 65-acre Fernbank Forest, as well as a planetarium.  The 70-ft diameter planetarium is one of the largest in the United States.  
Admission is Free, Planetarium Shows are $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, 1000 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta
Discover the fascinating story of money—from barter to modern times, and see examples of rare coins and currency. Free admission.

Georgia Governor's Mansion, 391 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta,  GA
See where Georgia's governor and first lady live! Public tours held Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, between 10 and 11:30. 

Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton Street, Athens, GA
This FREE museum’s collection and exhibitions are so diverse, there is sure to be something for everyone.

Georgia State Parks (Library Pass)
The passes are good for free parking or admission at any of the state parks and historic sites for up to seven days.

Go Fish Education Center Family Pass
Borrow the pass for one week from the library. It will admit up to 6 visitors to the Go Fish Education Center in Perry, GA. Explore Georgia’s underwater habitats, see alligators and aquatic wildlife up close, cast for & catch a real fish, and visit the hatchery.

High Museum, 1280 Peachtree Street, NE  Atlanta 
The High has over 12,000 works of art in its permanent collection and offers exhibitions for the whole family to enjoy.  Currently offering Half Price Admission Fridays from 4pm to 9pm.  The museum also is FREE on the first weekend of each month for Bank of America cardholders.

Holiday-Dorsey-Fife House Museum, 140 W. Lanier Ave., Fayetteville 
A house that Doc Holliday once visited, features Gone With the Wind and Civil War memorabilia. Open: Thurs.-Sat. 10am-5pm. Cost: Adults $5, seniors and students $4. 

Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield, 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr, Kennesaw 
 A National Battlefield that preserves remnants of a Civil War battle that took place during the Atlanta Campaign. Admission and parking are free. A shuttle bus ride to the top of the mountain costs $3 for adults and $1.50 for children.

Male Academy Museum - 30 Temple Ave., Newnan
An extensive Civil War museum exhibiting artifacts, weaponry, maps and paintings. Closed on Monday. Cost: Adults $5, students $2.

Martin Luther King National Historic Site, 450 Auburn Avenue, NE, Atlanta
Tour the home that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lived in from birth to age twelve.  Admission is free.

National Infantry Museum, Ft. Benning, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus, GA
The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center boasts a collection of more than 70,000 artifacts from more than 236 years of American military history.  Admission is free, but a $5 per person donation is requested.  There is an extra charge for the IMAX theater and combat simulators (for groups of 11 teens/adults).

Newman Wetlands Center, 2755 Freeman Road, Hampton, GA
Visitors can view various exhibits presented throughout the year, watch informative wetlands videos, or hike the wetlands trail. The entire facility is handicapped accessible.

Noah's Ark, 712 LG Griffin Rd., Locust Grove
Noah’s Ark is an animal rehabilitation center in Locust Grove. You can visit the animal habitats Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are greatly needed.

State Capital Tour and Museum, 214 State Capital, Atlanta 
Free Guided and Self-Guided Tours of the Capitol are available. The Capitol Museum is located on the 4th floor.

Tellus Science Museum, 100 Tellus Drive  Cartersville
The museum is FREE the first weekend of each month for Bank of America cardholders.