Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

Rebecca Ruffin Leffler is an LSU grad (Geaux Tigers!), wife, and mom to twin girls in Atlanta. She enjoys writing about parenting, hiking, and travel. Follow her family’s vacation adventures at FindingFamilyAdventures.com.

Latest posts by Rebecca Ruffin

What's Open on Thanksgiving in Atlanta? Family-Friendly Places & Stores

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 11/16/2025 - 11:37am

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights is a great family-friendly activity Thanksgiving night. Photo by Rebecca Leffler

You may find yourself wondering what’s open this Thanksgiving Day in Atlanta. After all, the Thanksgiving meal is just a part of the holiday. Before dessert is finished, most kids are ready for the next activity. To keep everyone entertained, we’ve gathered family-friendly attractions and stores open on Thanksgiving Day.

We’ve included grocery stores open on Thanksgiving in Atlanta for those last-minute items. And you’ll find plenty of kid-friendly activities to do on Thanksgiving, such as ice skating, bowling, seeing holiday lights, and more.

47 Places to Take Pictures with Santa in Atlanta & Picture-Perfect Breakfast with Santa

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 11/14/2025 - 1:11pm

Tell Santa all your wishes at Bass Pro Shops and snap a few photos! Photo courtesy Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's

Take pictures with Santa Claus without having to travel to the North Pole! St. Nick is all over Atlanta to usher in this magical holiday season with photo ops, meet-and-greets, and Santa breakfasts with your little ones. Dress your kids in cute holiday outfits and take pictures with Santa for lasting memories. Capture candid photos with Santa at tree lightings, holiday festivals, or mealtimes; or reserve a professional Santa photo shoot at a local mall. In some instances, you can even bring Fido for a Santa photo!

38 Kid-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Atlanta

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 11/07/2025 - 11:55am

Enjoy the prime rib carving station at Serena Pastificio during the restaurant's Thanksgiving Day buffet. Photo courtesy Serena Pastificio

Check out our list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Atlanta, great for kids, so you don’t wear yourself out or stress about cooking a huge meal! And if you truly want to host a gathering at home, many of these Atlanta restaurants offer pick-up options.

We've included Atlanta restaurants open on Thanksgiving that will accommodate both large and small groups. These Atlanta restaurants offer a variety of foods with Thanksgiving menus and buffets to make the day special. From casual meals to five-course creations, our list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving covers options for every family budget. Book reservations now as slots fill up quickly.

12 Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Atlanta

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 10/26/2025 - 1:54pm

Take a festive ride on the Holiday Express for a memorable train ride experience. Photo courtesy of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Take a holiday train ride to see Santa at the North Pole with hot cocoa and holiday singing! Kick off the magical holiday season with real-life Polar Express and Christmas train rides near Atlanta. Our list includes holiday train rides in neighboring states since most are within three hours of metro Atlanta. You can combine your visit with one of these Atlanta winter day trips to the north Georgia mountains, Chattanooga, or surrounding areas. Bring your camera to take an Instagram-worthy shot of your kids on the train. FYI, Christmas train rides sell out fast, so buy tickets early!

16 Atlanta Must-Do Christmas Events to Book Now Before They Sell Out

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 10/24/2025 - 12:20pm

Get tickets now for Elf the Musical coming to the Fox Theatre December 16-21! Photo by Matt Crockett, courtesy of Brave PR

It may seem far off, but Christmas will be here before you know it! Atlanta is chock-full of exciting holiday events for kids at Christmas, but many of these top events sell out quickly, especially on weekends. Read our list of holiday events for families to start planning now and book tickets for these "can't miss" Atlanta events. If something piques your interest, act quickly -- we don't want you to miss out on Atlanta's top Christmas events with kids!

Things To Do in Atlanta That Everyone Will Love--From Toddlers to Teens (and Parents Too!)

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 10/12/2025 - 1:03pm

Kids of all ages will love exploring the wonders of space at Tellus Science Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

We at Mommy Poppins have created a list of things to do in Atlanta with kids (from toddlers to teens) and their parents, too! Atlanta is teeming with plenty of kid-friendly attractions; however, parents with children of multiple ages know that many places catering to toddlers often do not appeal to teens...and vice versa, making it harder for everyone to enjoy a family outing. Don't despair! Read on for our list of the best things to do in Atlanta with toddlers to teens, and everyone in between!

Best Halloween Events for Toddlers in Atlanta

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 10/10/2025 - 11:10am

Monster Mash is back at the Center for Puppetry Arts this Halloween! Photo courtesy of the center

Toddler Halloween events and activities are tried and true ways for young kids to exercise their creativity by dressing up as anything they can imagine. And these Atlanta toddlers get to score lots of candy in October! We’ve rounded up a list of not-too-scary, toddler Halloween events in Atlanta perfect for younger kids.

To introduce toddlers to Halloween in Atlanta, visit Pumpkin Patches Near Atlanta or check out the Atlanta Halloween Guide for Kids for more Halloween inspiration, craft activities, costume ideas, and much more. And get into the season with our helpful Atlanta Fall Fun Guide!

Scary & Spooky Teen Halloween Events in Atlanta

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 10/05/2025 - 10:11am

Fright Fest at Six Flags Over Georgia is one of the most popular teen Halloween events across Atlanta. Photo courtesy of Six Flags Over Georgia

Many teen Halloween events focus on the blood, guts, and gore of this beloved holiday, as well as Halloween pop-ups, Fright Fest at Six Flags, and cool interactive experiences. So even if they're too old for trick-or-treating, teens can still have a blast this Halloween season. We've found the best teen Halloween events in Atlanta, including lots of haunted houses!

Pay close attention to the recommended age guidelines for these scary Halloween events in Atlanta. Bear in mind the use of theatrical props, music, lighting, and stage makeup create a truly immersive and terrifying experience that some teens (and parents) can’t handle. Also, avoid long lines by going earlier in the season or purchasing fast pass/VIP tickets when offered.

Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

Latest posts by Rebecca Ruffin

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