Photograph courtesy of Fernbank
July 20 marks the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 space mission that landed the first two people, American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, on the moon. Here’s where to celebrate in and around Atlanta—no spacesuit required.
Celebrate The Launch
When: July 13, 7 p.m.
Where: Computer Museum of America
Cost: $150
Details: This event doubles as both an Apollo 11 celebration and the Roswell-based Computer Museum of America’s inaugural fundraiser. Anticipate an evening of interactive entertainment, food stations, music, and NASA astronaut Dr. Sandra Magnus—who’s spent 134 days in space—as the special guest speaker.
Photograph courtesy of Mother
Moon Bar
When: July 14-19, various times
Where: Mother Bar + Kitchen
Cost: Free for Sunday-Wednesday events; $5-$7 entry for Thursday and Friday events
Details: Head to this buzzy Edgewood Avenue watering hole for a week’s worth of lunar celebrations. In honor of the moon landing’s anniversary, Mother’s upstairs will be transformed into an immersive art installation of intergalactic proportions. Events include a zine release party, karaoke night, 2000s-themed dance party, fashion show, and more.
Moon Landing Celebration
When: July 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Great Hall
Cost: $27 for adults, $23 for children, $8 for members
Details: Along with two special screenings of Apollo 11: First Steps Edition, which recounts the historic event through 70mm footage and original audio recordings, Fernbank is offering a slew of interactive activities for this anniversary. Expect to meet members of the National Association of Rocketry (a chartered club for North Georgia model rocket enthusiasts), create edible moon-phase models, peek through the museum’s solarscope and Sun Gun telescope, and create Lego rockets with a master builder.
Moon Landing 50th Anniversary StarLab
When: July 20, 3-4 p.m.
Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center
Cost: $10 for adults, $6 for children, free for members
Details: Grab the family and head to this Roswell nature center to experience the night sky in a whole new way. This special event lets visitors learn about the moon landing, moon phases, and constellations visible in the summer sky, all from CNC’s mobile planetarium.
Space Exploration Day
When: July 20
Where: Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Cost: $17 each for children and adults, free for members
Details: In honor of National Space Exploration Day and mankind’s first walk on the moon, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta is hosting a day of interstellar fun. They’ll be offering games, interactive science experiences, art studio classes, a storytime reading of Hidden Figures: the Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race, a special scavenger hunt, and a live show.
