
Courtesy of the Atlanta History Center
I’ve been to the Atlanta History Center building numerous times, meeting friends for coffee at Brash. I’ve often peered into the pristine museum while waiting in line at Souper Jenny. My daughter even visited with a friend’s family in the fall, enjoying a picnic on the scenic grounds. But no one in my family had ever been to the museum—until now.
This month, the Goizueta Children’s Experience opened at the History Center, offering a colorful, 5,000-square-foot exhibit targeted at children ages 1 to 8. It is the first in a series of revitalization projects slated in coordination with the Center’s centennial in 2026. Themed “Our Great Big City,” it replaces the “Shaping Traditions” Southern folk-art exhibit that ran for 20 years. “Our Great Big City” is designed to inspire learning about Atlanta’s history and landmarks with interactive areas focused on exploration, storytelling, and play.
“I think of it as bringing Atlanta down to a child’s eye level, making it feel manageable, like something they can have some control over, as opposed to a little kid in a big town,” says Pola Changnon, Atlanta History Center chief content officer.

Courtesy of the Atlanta History Center
My husband and I took our 6- and 8-year-olds to check it out. We entered through what looks and feels like a neon-lit tunnel. There are a number of stations throughout, each labeled with the recommended age range and both English and Spanish instructions. The placards in each area suggest talking points for caregivers—useful for those looking for ways to connect with their children. Not as much so for those like me, who just want to let their kids loose and sit down. (Thankfully, moveable soft seating is strategically staged throughout the space.)
The biggest area, by far, is the Time Machine Climber, an orange double-decker play space with stairs and a slide. It features a time dial on the exterior and shares facts about important dates in Atlanta’s history. My kids fidgeted with it but preferred running through the climbing structure.
Another highlight is the Mini Fox Theater, complete with velvet drapes and a Mighty Mo–inspired “organ.” Children are encouraged to choose costumes and props (ranging from a microphone to a toy rabbit) and use their imaginations to put on skits. They can also set the stage lighting to a variety of colors created by mixing the primaries. During our visit, plenty of staff members were on hand to help children get started.

Courtesy of the Atlanta History Center
My daughter enjoyed rearranging Atlanta landmarks (the Varsity, Oakland Cemetery) on a wall-sized magnetic map to create her ideal city. She also liked inserting plush stuffies such as a guitar (referencing the Atlanta Jazz Festival) and a soccer ball (a nod to the Station Soccer league) into a scanner and learning about how they relate to past local events. A third grader, my son thought he was too cool for most of the exhibit, but he did enjoy cozying up in the Krog Street Tunnel–inspired reading nook.
A large space called the Creator Hub is dedicated to crafts, with ample child-sized tables and chairs, art supplies, and a guided project that changes frequently. During our visit, children were building and decorating houses and ambulances out of paper.
Parents of small children will appreciate the designated stroller parking and the Tiny Toddler Town, a soft area in which ages 1 to 3 can crawl, climb, and explore. Those with sensory needs will receive a backpack with noise-blocking headphones, fidget toys, and other items to enhance their experience.

Photo by Carly Cooper
Overall, the exhibit acts as a nice hook to bring new life to the History Center. Best for younger children, it entertains for 1 to 2 hours. It can get pretty loud in there, impeding your ability to hear some of the exhibit, so it may be best to visit on a weekday. Tickets cost $27 for adults and $24 for children ages 4 and up. Ages 3 and under are free. Tickets include access to the entire museum and grounds.