The city of Atlanta, GA has a wide variety of exciting things to do and places to visit. It is known for the Georgia Aquarium, its local zoo, the Ponce City Market, and more. Along with these attractions, you’ll also find a great selection of free museums in Atlanta as well.
Find a vast array of impressive galleries, amazing landmarks, unique collections, and more within free Atlanta museums that are spread across the city.
1. Kennesaw Mountain Museum
The Kennesaw Mountain National Park covers more than 4.5 square miles of hiking trails and unique monuments. But the park also features an interesting museum where locals and other visitors can learn more about the area and its history. Kids can pick up a Jr. Ranger Book they can take with them around the park and even pick up a few packs of Civil War Trading Cards.
The museum also features historical artifacts and other neat exhibits. Learn more about the military presence that was once in the area as well as the medical experts that served them. As one of the top free museums in Atlanta, guided tours are available every day at 1:00 pm.
- Location: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr, Marietta, GA 30060 (770) 427-4686
2. Michael C. Carlos Museum
Located at Emory University, the Michael C. Carlos Museum invites guests to experience both permanent and temporary exhibits. Some of their most recent exhibitions have included artwork and displays about Indian deities, prints from the Netherlands, cats of Ancient Egypt, 1960s photographs, and many others.
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Permanent collections you’ll always find there include galleries of African art, Art of the Americas, Greek and Roman displays, Works on Paper, and beyond. While there is generally an admission charge, up to six people can get into this popular Atlanta museum for free with the Georgia Public Libraries Family Pass.
- Location: 571 South Kilgo Cir NE, Atlanta, GA 30322 (404) 727-4282
3. Fernbank Science Center
Another fun thing to do for free in Atlanta is to visit the Fernbank Science Center museum. It offers visitors a firsthand look at amazing exhibits including the real Apollo 6 Command Module. This ship was used for the last unmanned flight for Project Apollo and represented the second test flight for the Saturn V launch.
Along with the space side, the science center also features live animal exhibits that include spiders, turtles, frogs, snakes, and more. While most of the exhibits are no charge, if you want to experience the attached Jim Cherry Memorial Planetarium, it’ll cost $7 per adult and $5 for students or senior citizens. Children are free.
- Location: 156 Heaton Park Dr, Atlanta, GA 30307 (678) 874-7102
4. Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum
This political history goldmine does have a cost of $8 for adults but kids under the age of 16 years old are free. And if you don’t want to pay to go inside, you can always simply go for a walk around the grounds.
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Outside the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum, you’ll find beautiful trees, fresh flowers, and interesting statues spread along paved walkways. Near the entrance, there are also multiple water features and small fountains.
- Location: 441 John Lewis Freedom Pkwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 (404) 865-7100
5. Atlanta Monetary Museum
Who isn’t interested in learning more about money? You’ll get that exact opportunity when visiting the Atlanta Monetary Museum. This free landmark in Atlanta educates people about how the Federal Reserve works and how their monetary policies affect the lives of everyday citizens.
Guided tours offer an incredible look at the places where millions of dollars of cash are counted and sorted every day. You can even get a quick peek into the automatic vault and see how they use robots to move and transport funds and other items around the location. Other displays point out details including the history of money as well as how the banking industry reached the point where it is today.
- Location: 1000 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 498-8500
6. Marietta Fire Museum
Among the best free museums in Atlanta, this location gives guests an up-close look at all things related to firefighting. The unique location features both guided group tours as well as self-guided tours. It is interesting to see the variety of equipment used by firefighters over the years.
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Much of the gear you’ll see dates all the way back to the mid-1850s. You’ll also be able to take a look at the five fire trucks they have on display including the:
- 1879 Silsby Steamer
- 1921 American LaFrance Pumper
- 1929 Seagrave Pumper
- 1949 Pirsch Ladder Truck
- 1952 Chevrolet Panel Truck
- Location: Fire Station, 112 Haynes St #51, Marietta, GA 30060 (770) 794-5466
7. David J. Sencer CDC Museum
Established in 1996, this fascinating Atlanta destination was named after David J. Sencer, the longest-serving director of CDC. At this museum, you can get an inside look at how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention works and what it tries to accomplish. They strive to educate visitors about how they promote public health and also combat the spread of disease.
From their history to what they are currently focused on, the CDC Museum offers an educational and interesting experience. Both parking and admission are free on weekdays, giving you the chance to visit at your convenience. Standing as one of the most prestigious free museums in Atlanta, the location hosts about 90,000 visitors each year.
- Location: 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329 (404) 639-0830
8. Georgia Capitol Museum
Opened in 1890, the Georgia Capitol Museum has been giving people a behind-the-scenes look at how the local government works for more than 130 years. Tours will lead visitors past historical artifacts and flags related to Georgia’s past. One of the main goals of this free Atlanta museum is to educate people about how the state of Georgia recovered following the Civil War.
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The outside of the building itself is already impressive before even going inside to learn more. Once you walk through the doors, you’ll see amazing artwork and other items worth a look.
- Location: 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334 (404) 463-4536
9. Museum of History and Holocaust Education
Although it represents one of the most tragic aspects of human history, the Museum of History and Holocaust Education does an incredible job of teaching people about this period of time. The museum can be found on the Kennesaw State University campus, making it a popular spot for students but also attracts people of all ages.
As you make your way through the exhibits, you’ll find educational collections that include written histories, a resource center, and even oral histories of first and second-hand accounts of past events on film.
- Location: 3333 Busbee Dr NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144 (470) 578-2083
10. Macon Museum Pass
If you’re willing to drive for about an hour, one of the best ways to enjoy fun Atlanta museums for free is to rent a Macon Museum Pass. The pass is available at a wide variety of local libraries, providing residents with the chance to experience three separate museums: the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the Museum of Arts and Sciences, and the Tubman Museum.
You can visit all three in one day, only pick one, or spend a few days in Macon to spread out the experience. Whether you want to learn sports history, improve your knowledge of science, or gain some more local history knowledge, these three locations are happy to provide.
Check with your local library to see if they offer access to the Macon Museum Pass.
- Location: 4182 Forsyth Rd, Macon, GA 31210 (478) 477-3232
Map of Free Atlanta Museums
Which Free Museum in Atlanta Will You Visit First?
There are plenty of fun places to visit in Atlanta that you can experience free of charge. From science and geography to money and local background, enjoy whatever piques your interest. Check out any of these free Atlanta museums for a fun day out.
Searching for free museums in Atlanta because you are relocating to the area? Get in touch with our top-rated Atlanta movers to get help with your transition! Give Wirks Moving a call today at (404) 635-6683 or fill out the Request a Quote form on this page for a free moving estimate!
