Museums in Atlanta GA
A Guide to the Many Museums in Atlanta
When you’re looking for things to do, museums might not always be top of mind, but they should be as they’re not “one size fits all.” Atlanta museums cover art, history, government, fashion, and you’ll even find one that pays homage to the great Jim Henson and the Muppets.
Whether you’re a history buff, art lover, or just looking for something fun to do, there’s a venue you’ll love. So, we’ve got you covered with a few top picks – PLUS a pocket guide to 40 museums in Atlanta!
Atlanta Live Theaters and Theater Groups
Four (Very Different) Atlanta Museums You’ll Love
High Museum of Art
Located in the heart of Atlanta and with a collection of over 18,000 works of art, the High Museum of Art connects with audiences worldwide. This museum offers visitors a distinguished group of artworks, special exhibitions, and many community-focused programs.
Some of the works in the High’s collection cover an extensive anthology of 19th and 20th century American fine and decorative arts. You’ll also find photography and self-taught works of artists from the American south, sculptures, African art, European paintings, and other works. There’s modern and contemporary art, including paintings, new media, and design.
Special Events and Admission
Special events cover the Obama portrait tour, Margaret and Terry stent distinguished lecture on American Art, Teen Art Afternoon, Toddler Thursdays, and so much more. So, we recommend you bookmark the museum’s website for an updated schedule.
The High is open six days a week (Tuesdays – Sundays) from 10 am to 5 pm. Sundays are from 12 noon to 5 pm. It’s accessible by cars and buses with a detailed map and schedule on their website. Tickets go for $16.50 (general admission) while members and children under 6 get in for free.
The Center for Civil and Human Rights
This downtown attraction is an ideal destination if you’re a history lover. It opened in 2014 to celebrate the American Civil Rights Movement and the Global Human Rights Movement.
You’ll find that this museum offers exhibits that are sure to pull at your heartstrings. From photos of those who lost their lives in the civil rights movement to spirit-lifting exhibitions like a gallery of the original writings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Past Meets the Present
By leveraging modern technology, the curators of this museum enhance your entire experience with historical images and videos. They also feature unique, community-engaging programs and classes, like Engaging Youth Voters in Democracy.
Operating hours are from 10 am to 5 pm ( Mondays – Saturdays) and 12 noon to 5 pm on Sundays. General admission tickets are $19.99 plus tax. Visit civilandhumanrights.org for special tips and offers as you plan your visit.
Center for Puppetry Arts
This 80,000 square-foot Center for Puppetry Arts isn’t just beloved by children but visitors of all ages. Home to the world’s most impressive collection of Jim Henson artifacts, you can expect to see live shows of beloved characters like Miss Piggy, Big Bird, and Kermit, the Frog.
The Center’s collection also extends to other puppet-centric traditions around the world. So, you’ll find exhibits like leather-bound puppet pieces from Cambodia, Vietnamese water puppets, and puppets used in Native American storytelling. One recent note-worthy exhibit is Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic.
Located in mid-town Atlanta, the Center for Puppetry Arts’ operating hours are from 9 am – 5 pm on Tuesdays to Fridays and 10 am to 5 pm on Saturdays. You can check out their website for tickets and events.
SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion and Film
The only museum of its kind in the entire Southeast, this sophisticated and versatile exhibition space, known as SCAD FASH, is the perfect niche for a fashion and film enthusiast.
This Museum of Fashion and Film features tightly-curated fashion collections with a sharp and intelligent point of view. Some upcoming exhibitions include Robert Wun: Between reality and fantasy, Christian Siriano: People are People, and the new feature film ‘Escalate.’
Hours and Tickets
SCAD FASH museum’s operating hours are from 10 am to 5 pm (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday), 10 am to 8 pm (Thursday), and noon to 5 pm on Sundays. The venue is closed on Mondays.
Ticket prices range from $10 (general admissions) to $20 (family of three or more). And, there are discounts for seniors, SCAD alumni, and military. Visit SCADFASH to read their visitor guidelines as you plan for your visit.
Museums in Atlanta Georgia
| Atlanta Museums | Address | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Amalgam Arts Atlanta | 309 Nelms Ave Ne | http://www.amalgamartsatlanta.com |
| Apex Museum | 135 Auburn Ave Ne | http://www.apexmuseum.org |
| Atlanta History Center | 590 North Ave | https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/ |
| Carlos Michael C Museum At Emory University | 571 S Kilgo Cir Ne | https://carlos.emory.edu |
| Carter Presidential Library | 441 Freedom Pkwy Ne | https://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov |
| Center For Civil And Human Rights | 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd Nw | http://www.civilandhumanrights.org |
| Center for Puppetry Arts | 1404 Spring Street NW at 18th | https://puppet.org/ |
| Children's Museum Of Atlanta | 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr Nw | http://childrensmuseumatlanta.org |
| College Football Hall Of Fame | 250 Marietta St Nw | https://www.cfbhall.com |
| David J. Sencer Cdc Museum | 1600 Clifton Rd Ne | https://www.cdc.gov/museum |
| Fernbank Museum Of Natural History | 767 Clifton Rd Ne | http://www.fernbankmuseum.org |
| Georgia Capitol Museum | 431 State Capitol Sw | https://sos.ga.gov |
| Georgia State Capitol | 214 State Capitol Sw | https://www.libs.uga.edu/capitolmuseum/tours/index.html |
| Hammonds House Museum | 503 Peeples St Sw | https://www.hammondshouse.org |
| High Museum Of Art | 1280 Peachtree St Ne | http://www.high.org |
| Institute Of Paper Science & Technology | 500 10Th St Nw | http://ipst.gatech.edu |
| Madam Cj Walker Museum | 54 Hilliard St Ne | http://www.atlantapreservationcenter.com/event_detail |
| Magazine Museum.Net | 856 Ponce De Leon Ave Ne | http://www.magazinemuseum.net |
| Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site | 450 Auburn Ave Ne | https://www.nps.gov/malu/index.htm |
| Millennium Gate Museum | 395 17Th St Nw | http://www.thegateatlanta.com |
| Mount Wilson Observatory & Museum | 1 Park Place South Se | https://www.mtwilson.edu |
| Museum Of Design Atlanta | 1315 Peachtree St Ne | https://www.museumofdesign.org |
| Premier Exhibition | 1381 Market St Nw | http://www.bodiesatlanta.com |
| Rankin M Smith Sr Imax Theater | 767 Clifton Rd Ne | http://www.fernbankmuseum.org/explore/giant-screen-theatre |
| Rhodes Hall | 1516 Peachtree St Nw | http://www.georgiatrust.org/historic_sites/rhodeshall |
| Robert C. Williams Paper Museum | 500 10Th St Nw | http://ipst.gatech.edu/amp |
| SCAD FASH | 1600 Peachtree Streeet NW | https://www.scadfash.org/ |
| Southeastern Museum Conference | 1860 N Rock Springs Rd Ne Ste 100 | http://www.semcdirect.net |
| Spalding Nix Fine Art | 425 Peachtree Hills Ave Ne Ste 30A | https://spaldingnixfineart.com |
| Spelman College Museum Of Fine Art | 440 Westview Dr Sw | https://museum.spelman.edu |
| Teaching Museum South | 689 North Ave | https://www.fultonschools.org/teachingmuseum |
| The Breman Museum | 1440 Spring St Nw | https://www.thebreman.org |
| The Coca-Cola Company | 1 Coca Cola Plz NW | https://www.coca-colacompany.com |
| The Herndon Home Museum | 587 University Pl Nw | https://www.theherndonfoundation.org/ |
| The King Center | 449 Auburn Ave Ne | http://www.thekingcenter.org |
| The National Center For Civil And Human Rights | 250 Williams St Nw | https://www.civilandhumanrights.org |
| World Of Coca-Cola | 121 Baker St Nw | https://www.worldofcoca-cola.com |
| Wren's Nest House Museum | 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd Sw | http://www.wrensnestonline.com |
| Zucot Gallery | 100 Centennial Olympic Park Dr Sw | http://www.zucotgallery.com |
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Frequently Asked Questions
The High Museum of Art is one of the most impressive in the Atlanta area. It houses a collection of more than 18,000 works of art. Additionally, the High is an excellent venue for classes, workshops, and private events.
Yes. In addition to the Atlanta Children’s Museum, young museum-goers should enjoy quite a few other venues. There’s the Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta History Center, the Mount Wilson Observatory, and the Fernback Museum of Natural History, to name a few.
Some unique museums in the Atlanta area include SCAD FASH, a fashion museum, the World of Coca Cola, the College Football Hall of Fame, the Center for Puppetry Arts, and the Carter Presidential Library.
