Whether your kids are interested in art, science, history, or even fire trucks, there's an Atlanta museum to satisfy their curiosity. Looking for more FREE fun? Then, check out our Atlanta Free Things to Do With Kids Guide and sign up for our FREE newsletters!

How to Visit Great Museums Without Spending a Dime

Many Atlanta museums participate in the Museums on Us program, in which Bank of America cardholders receive free admission to participating museums on the first weekend of each month. Also, Georgia library card holders can check out Experience Passes, which include free admission at many museums, parks, and attractions. And don't forget the upcoming Super Museum Sunday on February 8, 2026, when many museums and state historical sites offer free admission in conjunction with the Georgia History Festival.

Tellus Science Museum is about an hour north of Atlanta and offers amazing exhibits. 

When Are the Free Museum Days in Atlanta?

1. Center for Puppetry Arts - Midtown

Free admission when you use the Passport to Puppetry Experience Pass from Georgia Public Libraries. The museum features Jim Henson's lovable characters such as Kermit the Frog and Big Bird, plus a collection of over 5,000 puppets. 
Ages: 4-10 for visiting the museum but certain shows are geared towards younger kids and some are great for teens. 
Why we love it: The towering 12-foot-statue of Kermit the Frog, dressed as Charlie Chaplin's The Little Tramp, is being relocated from Hollywood to this museum!

2. Tellus Science Museum - Cartersville

Free admission for Bank of America cardholders during the first weekend of the month, as part of the Museums on Us program. 
Ages: 4-11
Why we love it: Hands-on opportunities with fossils, minerals, and science-in-motion exhibits. 

3. Atlanta History Center - Buckhead

Free admission for Bank of America cardholders during the first weekend of the month, as part of the Museums on Us program. 
Ages: 2-12+
Why we love it: The new Goizueta Children’s Experience is an awesome, interactive section where younger kids can play and explore. Also, don't miss the amazing Cyclorama, an immersive painting depicting the Battle of Atlanta during The Civil War. 

See it in action: Watch our reel about the Goizueta Children's Experience at Atlanta History Center. 

4. Breman Museum - Midtown

Free admission for four people with the The Georgia Library Experience Pass. 
Ages: 10+ 
Why we love it: Discover Jewish heritage and history through stories, art, and exhibits. 

5. Booth Western Art Museum - Cartersville

Free Family Thursdays occur the second Thursday of each month from 4-8pm. Children 12 and under get free admission every day.
Ages: 6 - teen
Why we love it: See the story of westward expansion through art, photography, and sculptures. 

6. MIMMS Museum of Technology and Art - Roswell

Free admission for four with the The Georgia Library Experience Pass
Ages: 7 - teen 
Why we love it: Lots of interactive exhibits and a cool tribute to technology in films. Our favorite thing though? Showing our kids what technology used to look like (think: cassette tapes, arcade games, and typewriters).

See it in action: Check out our reel about MIMMS Museum of Technology and Art.  

During the High Museum's second Sunday each month, families enjoy special activities. Photo by Alphonso Whitfield Eve

7. High Museum of Art - Midtown

Free admission on the second Sunday of each month with special family-focused programming; free admission with Museums of Us on the first weekend of the month for Bank of America cardholders; always free for 6 and under. 
Ages: All ages
Why we love it: The High may be a prestigious art museum but their kids' programming is fantastic, with toddler Thursdays, teen nights, and of course, FREE UPS Second Sunday at the High. 

8. Michael C. Carlos Museum - Druid Hills

Free admission on Sunday FUNdays, first Sunday of each month during the academic year; can reserve six free passes to the museum through the Georgia Library Experiences Pass; free for children under five. 
Ages: 7 - teen 
Why we love it: History-loving kids get a kick out of the mummies and cool artifacts. Enjoy hands-on activities during Sunday FUNdays. 

What Are the Best Kid-Friendly Always-Free Museums in Atlanta?

9. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site - Downtown

Ages: 8 - teen 
Why we love it: This tribute to the civil rights leader is one of Atlanta's top tourist destinations. The site recently reopened MLK's childhood home to visitors, offering a glimpse into his early life. 

RELATED: 25 Free Things to Do Indoors in Atlanta: Free Places to Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days

10. Fernbank Science Center - Druid Hills

Ages: 4-12
Why we love it: Kids learn about science and astronomy. Cool exhibits include a robot lab and the space capsule from Apollo 6.

11. Atlanta Monetary Museum - Midtown

Ages: 7 - teen
Why we love it: Kids curious about money love seeing cash machines and receiving a souvenir of shredded money. 

12. Georgia Capitol Museum - Downtown

Ages: 6 - 12
Why we love it: Our state capitol offers a museum where kids can learn about Georgia's history and government. For more family fun, download one of the scavenger hunts before your visit. 

13-14. Marietta Fire Museum and Roswell Fire Museum - Marietta, Roswell

Ages: 3 - 8
Why we love it: Fire Trucks! Need we say more?! 

15. Museum of History and Holocaust Education - Kennesaw

Ages: 11 - teen
Why we love it: Located at Kennesaw State University, this important museum presents exhibits and educational resources about World War II and the Holocaust. It's a great way to help families start a dialogue about historical events and how it connects us to present happenings. 

16. Museum of Aviation - Warner Robbins

Ages: 6 - teen
Why we love it: This museum has something for a wide range of ages including aircraft, hangars, and military history. 

17. National Infantry Museum - Columbus

Ages: 8 - teen 
Why we love it: Older kids enjoy combat simulations, immersive exhibits, and films. 

18. Roswell's Historic House Museums - Roswell

Ages: 8 - teen
Why we love it: Tour all three of Roswell's Historic House Museums (Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall, and Smith Plantation) to learn what life was like for early settlers. 

19. Waffle House Museum - Decatur

Ages: 10+ 
Why we love it: Older kids get a kick out of this blast from the past when they step back in time to the very first Waffle House, which opened on this site in 1955. Call ahead to reserve a free guided tour on Wednesdays or check the website for free self-guided tours held specific Saturdays. 

20. David J. Sencer CDC Museum - Emory

Currently closed as of January 2026
Ages: 8 - teen 
Why we love it: While more informative than interactive, this museum is super interesting to budding biologists or healthcare workers. Visitors need to make reservations at least a week in advance to enter. 

Which Free Museums Are Best for Different Ages?

• Toddlers & Preschoolers: We love Center for Puppetry Arts, High Museum of Art, and the fire museums for this age group.
• Elementary Kids: We love Tellus Science Museum, Fernbank Science Center, Atlanta History Center for this age group.
• Tweens & Teens: We love Breman Museum, MIMMS Museum of Technology and Art, Museum of Aviation for this age group.

How To Make the Most of Free Museum Days

• Free museum days are popular so arrive early to avoid long lines.
• Check for kid-friendly programming such as storytimes, performances, and hands-on activities. 
• Combine your visit with a nearby park or playground.
• If kids don't last long at the museum, don't sweat it. It was free! 

Free Museum Days in Atlanta FAQ

Q: What museums are always free in Atlanta?
A: The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, Fernbank Science Center and the Marietta and Roswell Fire Museums are always free. They're so cool, it's amost hard to believe they're free! 

Q: When are free museum days in Atlanta?
A: Some museums offer free days monthly (like the second Sunday at the High and Sunday FUNdays at the MIchael C. Carlos Museum). These free museum days happen frequently enough that they aren't crazy crowded. The first weekend of the month is free for those a part of the Museums on Us program.

Q: Are free museums in Atlanta good for kids?
A: Yes! First of all, it's free so you've got nothing to lose. For younger kids, we recommend museums that are more hands-on while older kids can appreciate visual exhibits. 

Q: Do I need tickets or reservations for free museum days?
A: Sometimes you do. Check the website ahead of time to see if reservations are required. 

Q: What’s the best time to visit free museums with kids?
A: For the places that are always free, try weekday mornings to avoid crowds. 

Unless noted, photos by the author