8-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, Washington DC, and Richmond, VA

  • Day 1: Atlanta, GA
    Start your trip off at the Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the world, and home to over 500 species of marine life. Next, take a stroll through Piedmont Park, a scenic park in the heart of Atlanta, with a playground, lake, and plenty of green space. End the day with a visit to World of Coca-Cola, a museum dedicated to the history of the iconic soda brand.

  • Day 2: Charlotte, NC
    Begin with a visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, dedicated to the history of the sport, and offering interactive exhibits and a racing simulator. Next, head to Discovery Place Science, an interactive science museum with hands-on exhibits for all ages. End the day with a stroll through the U.S. National Whitewater Center, an outdoor adventure center with activities like rafting, zip-lining, and hiking.

  • Day 3: Washington DC
    Start with a visit to the National Zoo, home to over 1,500 animals, including giant pandas. Next, head to the National Air and Space Museum, with exhibits on the history of aviation and space travel. End the day with a walk around the Tidal Basin, where you can see the famous cherry blossom trees and several monuments.

  • Day 4: Washington DC
    Spend the day exploring the famous landmarks of the city. Start with a visit to the White House, followed by the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Visit the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Museum of Natural History. End the day at the Washington Nationals Park for a baseball game.

  • Day 5: Richmond, VA
    Begin with a visit to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, home to over 33,000 works of art. Next, head to Maymont Park and Gardens, a beautiful park with a Japanese garden, a petting zoo, and walking trails. End the day with a tour of the Virginia State Capitol, the oldest Capitol building in the country that is still in use.

  • Day 6: Richmond, VA
    Start with a visit to the Science Museum of Virginia, with interactive exhibits on science and technology. Next, head to the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, with exhibits on the history of Virginia from its earliest inhabitants to the present day. End the day with a walk around Belle Isle, a scenic island park with a suspension footbridge and plenty of hiking trails.

  • Day 7: Atlanta, GA
    Back to Atlanta, spend the day shopping at the famous Ponce City Market. Next, head to Atlanta Botanical Garden, with over 30 acres of beautiful gardens and a canopy walk. End the day with a visit to Stone Mountain Park, a stunning park with a giant Confederate Memorial Carving and plenty of outdoor activities.

  • Day 8: Atlanta, GA
    Spend the final day at the Children's Museum of Atlanta, with interactive exhibits and activities for kids. Next, head to Centennial Olympic Park, the heart of the 1996 Summer Olympics, and a popular spot for events and concerts. End the trip with a visit to the Atlanta History Center, with exhibits on the history of Atlanta and a beautiful garden.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Georgia Aquarium (3 hours, $40)
  • Piedmont Park (2 hours, free)
  • World of Coca-Cola (2 hours, $20)
  • NASCAR Hall of Fame (3 hours, $25)
  • Discovery Place Science (2 hours, $18)
  • U.S. National Whitewater Center (4 hours, $60)
  • National Zoo (3 hours, free)
  • National Air and Space Museum (4 hours, free)
  • Tidal Basin (1 hour, free)
  • White House (1 hour, free)
  • Washington Monument (1 hour, free)
  • Lincoln Memorial (1 hour, free)
  • Smithsonian American Art Museum (2 hours, free)
  • National Museum of Natural History (2 hours, free)
  • Washington Nationals Park (4 hours, $30)
  • Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (3 hours, free)
  • Maymont Park and Gardens (2 hours, free)
  • Virginia State Capitol (1 hour, free)
  • Science Museum of Virginia (3 hours, $15)
  • Virginia Museum of History and Culture (2 hours, $10)
  • Belle Isle (2 hours, free)
  • Ponce City Market (2 hours, free)
  • Atlanta Botanical Garden (3 hours, $25)
  • Stone Mountain Park (4 hours, $30)
  • Children's Museum of Atlanta (3 hours, $15)
  • Centennial Olympic Park (1 hour, free)
  • Atlanta History Center (2 hours, $21)

    • Total Estimated Costs: $427

Transportation

Most of these locations are within walking distance or a short drive from each other. If you plan on visiting all of the locations, it may be best to rent a car for the duration of the trip. Average car rental costs are $40-$60 per day. Public transportation is also available in some areas, such as the Metro in Washington DC, which costs $2-$6 per ride. Uber and Lyft are also available in all locations and average $20-$30 per ride depending on the distance.

Useful tips

If you have more time, consider visiting other nearby tourist destinations such as the beaches in Virginia or the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia. On the other hand, if you have less time, prioritize the top attractions and eliminate some of the lesser-known museums or parks. Remember to plan ahead for tickets and reservations as some locations may require them.

Airports

The major airports in the area are Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Virginia State Airport (RIC) in Richmond, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Washington DC. The airports are close to the city center, with ATL being the furthest at 10 miles and DCA being the closest at 4 miles. Travelers can expect to pay an average of $300-$500 for a round-trip flight to one of these airports.

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Itinerary created by AI-assisted, human-reviewed