Step Inside a World of Nature and Wonder at the Fernbank Museum, Georgia’s Best Retreat on a Hot Day

When it comes to visiting a new city, I follow the advice of one of my favorite vloggers and always abide by the "Eum Rule" - the best way to explore a new place is to see its museums! I grew up with New York's American Museum of Natural History being my personal wonderland, and I never get tired of looking at towering dinosaur skeletons, photorealistic dioramas, and ancient artifacts. And if you have kids - or kids at heart - who can't get enough of that, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History is the perfect place to beat the heat during a summer heatwave. This interactive museum in Atlanta is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, and not only does it have an impressive collection of artifacts and exhibits, but it's home to one of the most immersive exhibits in Georgia. There's so much to do here - and it's not all contained within the museum walls - that you might find yourself wanting to come back again and again.

Sometimes, you know a museum is going to be special from the moment you enter - and the Fernbank Museum definitely fits the bill. The dinosaur skeleton that greets you will enthrall little ones, and the dinosaur exhibit deeper in the museum features a large number of skeletons and life-sized figurines. Good luck dislodging the kids quickly!

There's plenty of stuff for the grown-ups, too - including impressive dioramas, and exhibit halls delving into the rich history of human culture. This is one of the largest museums in the southeast, and the Reflections of Culture exhibit is especially acclaimed for its in-depth look into the nature of clothing.

The most unique exhibit at Fernbank is definitely NatureQuest, an interactive and immersive environment for kids to climb, play, and discover. There are even live-animal displays that allow kids to get up close to these fascinating creatures.

The museum website boasts of there being hundreds of things to do in NatureQuest - which means this section of the museum could wind up being the main event for adventurous kids!

If the heat isn't too bad, make sure you don't miss out on the outdoor portion of the museum, which includes Fernbank Forest, a stunning old-growth forest just minutes from the city center. It provides one of the best hikes in Atlanta and some incredible photo opportunities.

Have you gotten to visit the Fernbank Museum of Natural History? Do you know anyone whose little ones - or not-so-little ones - would love it? If so, tell them about this article and plan a visit! You can buy your tickets on the Fernbank Museum website, and the Fernbank Museum Facebook page is the perfect place to see updates on current and upcoming attractions. If you're interested in visiting a different kind of Atlanta history while you're in town, you're only a 15-minute drive from The Colonnade, Atlanta's second-oldest restaurant and home to some of the best fried chicken in the south!