On the Road with Pensacola Mom Collective
Sponsored by: KIA AUTOSPORT OF PENSACOLA
We are grateful to our sponsor, KIA AutoSport of Pensacola, for supporting our mission of educating, encouraging, and empowering local moms through the lifelong journey of parenthood.
A five-hour drive from Pensacola, Atlanta is a fun destination for various age groups, with a number of options for inclement weather. There are enough activities that you can create a fun-themed weekend for play, sports, history, or science.
Just like our previous Kia On The Road with PMC: New Orleans, you can return over and over again and never experience the same thing twice. One of my favorite memories with my daughter is a trip taken with PMC Contributor Laura Boyles and her daughter when the girls were still in elementary school. We enjoyed a show at the Fox Theater, took in the World of Coca-Cola, slurped down hot dogs at the world-famous Varsity eatery, and stayed at a hotel near Lenox Square Mall.
Here are some highlights and favorites, but be sure to check out our friends at Atlanta Mom Collective for all the inside scoop from the “locals” on more fun family things to do in the area!
Great Wolf Lodge
If you are looking for an easy, fun-filled, one-stop destination, look no further than The Great Wolf Lodge. While it is not an all-inclusive resort, you can plan and pre-pay for your lodging, activities, and food.
Choose from standard, themed, or premium suites. Dining packages are available from breakfast at $14.99 per person or Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels, saving you $5.00-$30.00 off food credit at the resort.
The biggest attraction at the chain of Great Wolf Lodge resorts is the indoor water park, but know before you go, there are other attractions like bowling, ropes courses, arcades, Build-A-Bear, Mini Golf, and Magi-Quest. With the additional $59.99-$79.99 purchase of Pup, Paw, or Wolf passes, you can add these activities ahead of time.
If you want to experience the waterpark but don’t want to go all-in for an immersive Great Wolf experience, check out the day passes!
Budget slashing idea? Stay at a more affordable hotel nearby and pack a cooler for lunch and snacks (it must be left in your car).
For Great Wolf Lodge Road Trip Music: My 80’s childhood says, “Hungry Like The Wolf,” by Duran Duran, but after listening to the lyrics with my Mom filter on, err, maybe not.
Instead, how about “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers, or “Happy” by Pharrell?
What to Do
Science and Discovery
Legoland Discovery Center (If you’ve been to Legoland in Florida, this may be disappointing, but don’t rule it out if you have a Lego lover or young children. It’s also a great rainy day activity!).
History
Visit the High Museum of Art, where RODIN IN THE UNITED STATES: CONFRONTING THE MODERN runs from October 21 – January 15. Every Thursday is Toddler Thursday, for age-appropriate activities for toddlers.
We also recommend the Martin Luther King National Historic Park.
Sports
Enjoy some family fun at Top Golf
Catch a Falcons game or watch Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
To catch an NBA game on the Atlanta Hawks home court, check out the schedule at State Farm Arena.
Tour the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame (*note the Hall of Fame is only open Thursday-Monday. Check the website for more details).
If you are a baseball fan, plan to tour Truist Park or check out the Atlanta Braves’ schedule during baseball season.
Where to Eat
There are endless options for eating in Atlanta, but one “can’t miss” experience is
The Varsity, where you’ll get a taste of an old greasy spoon, and the kids will love it. We recommend stretchy pants and a roll of Tums. Parking can be tricky, so bring your patience.
Other options are Antico Pizza, Superica or Taqueria Del Sol, Fat Matt’s (live music at night), and lots of mixed-use spaces like Ponce City Market, The Battery, Avalon at Alpharetta (worth the drive), and one of my personal favorite neighborhoods in Atlanta is Virginia-Highlands (VaHi), where you can find great brunch, lunch, and dinner options.
If you’re looking for a place to unwind while the kids are entertained with lawn games, then check out Atlanta Brewing Company or Orpheus Brewing.
Road trip music for Atlanta: “Welcome to Atlanta,” by Jermaine Dupry (don’t forget to pick the Radio Remix because the original has explicit lyrics. Another fun one is “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars (again, pick the radio version!) or “Downtown” by Lady A.
