Fernbank Museum of Natural History
add photos14 Reviews for Fernbank Museum of Natural History
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1 family found this helpful
"Could be great... "
Pluses:
Nice IMAX setup (although the choice put me to sleep)
Good cafe - fresh food, well prepared
Beautiful interior - gorgeous
Very helpful volunteers
Minus:
Science center (Sensing Nature) overrun by preschool kids - this is a section with a bunch of science/physics experiments/hand-on type things. Most of the museum seems to be for preschool kids. Well, the pre-schoolers were running around the experiments and just moving anything they could - while a lot of the parents sat on benches watching them. It got very frustrating for kids of elementary age who really were interested in the items.
Also, while it is a huge space, there isn't a ton to do there. When we were checking in (we had the citypass (citypass.com) and overheard the cashier telling someone that it takes about an hour to see everything... for a $17 dollar ticket that's a bit high in my opinion. And then the IMAX is $13 extra (included in the citypass - which I HIGHLY recommend if you're visiting Atlanta!!).
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0 families found this helpful
"Expected more"
This was our first visit to Fernbank with a three year old and a five year old. Let's start off by saying that it cost almost $100 for a family of four to get into the museum which includes admission and tickets to the Imax movie. Very expensive. You might as well by the year pass which is $150.
I was expecting more of this museum. I thought it would be bigger, have more dinosaurs...which was the whole reason we went, and offer more for the kids. The special exhibit definitely changes the experience. That day the special exhibit was Mystical Creatures. It was advertised as Unicorns, Dragons and Mermaids. These creatures were present, but it was not focused on these items.
While I was left less than impressed, my kids had a great time. They didn't notice the crowds and since everything was new to them, it was all exciting.
On the top floor is a new section of the museum that is very hands on for the kids. Climbing, optical illusions, building, a faux waterfall - the kids would have spent the entire time there. My suggestion - do that part last.
0 families found this helpful
"Less than you expect"
The Fernbank Museum is a fine place to spend time with your family, but it's a lot smaller than you expect before you go. They do have tyrannosaurus skeleton that is a lot of fun, but that's really the only big thing. Otherwise, it's just lots of small educational exhibits.
0 families found this helpful
"Helps to Love Nature"
My five year old daughter enjoyed the exhibits, but my 3 year old was a little bit out of her element and found a few things scary. During our last visit the children's area wasn't open, but we loved the special exhibit (Gekkos). If you have a nature loving child this is perfect.
1 family found this helpful
"Enjoyed it, but not for little ones."
The day we were there, very little interested the youngest in the group (5 year old). This museum seems more appropriate for 8 year olds and above. The exhibits that are there are fine, but there just weren't enough of them. Fine for escaping the heat of summer, but not wonderful.
0 families found this helpful
"Lots of fun, even with little kids"
This place has a lot more for little kids than your typical museum. The room with mini hands-on "experiments" for them to try could take up an hour or two, easy. Then there's a little playroom upstairs for the wee little ones. If they get tired of walking around, there's an IMAX theatre that will keep them pinned in their seats, watching and listening.
When we visit Atlanta, we go to Fernbank with my sister and her children on her annual family pass. I'm not sure how good of a value it would be to pay to get in every time - but she really uses that family pass.
1 family found this helpful
"Very educational trip!"
If you want a fun but educational place to take your kids, this is the place! Take snacks, it's a huge place! Might not be good for really little ones but for a little older kids it's great and there are lots of hands on things for the kids to do. Lots to see and very educational!
0 families found this helpful
"Very Educational"
Fernbank Museum is one of our favorite places to visit. It is very educational, especially the "Walk Through Georgia" section. My kids love seeing the dinosaur bones and all the animals that live in Georgia. When we last went, they had closed the fun kids play area, but they should be reopening it in the next few months as "new and improved". Can't wait to go back! This is great for kids that love hands on activities!
1 family found this helpful
"Air-conditioned entertainment"
We got a family membership for half price through a deal site because it was cheaper than it would have been for us all to go one time without the deal, and we had been wanting to check it out. Our membership began in April, and in the 9 months since then, we have probably been ten times. It's a great place to kill a few hours in Atlanta or to take our out-of-town guests to. We have a four year old and a two year old, so we do a good bit of chasing, but it's air-conditioned, and in Atlanta, sometimes that's all you need.
0 families found this helpful
"Great for Locals"
My kids and I love heading to Fernbank for an afternoon. While not a place I'd take out of town visitors from larger cities, it is a great outing for an afternoon. My kids love "Sensing Nature", and the IMAX is usually a big hit as well. I understand that the new children's activity areas will be opening in Spring 2010. The special events are generally lots of fun as well.
1 family found this helpful
"We love Fernbank!"
The Fernbank Museum is a great family value--especially if you live in the area and can take advantage of the season pass. My daughter (who was probably 3 at the time) loved roaming around--the exhibits are great, the little ones can blow off some steam in the treehouse play area, IMAX is always a winner (but also an extra charge), and the Martinis and IMAX is a great date night out for mom and dad!
1 family found this helpful
"Still one of my favorites in Atlanta."
We never grow tired of Fernbank. The dinosaurs and sculptures never cease to amaze us and the play areas are fun for all ages. I love the fact that the museum added 2 play areas appropriate for toddlers and the older kids. The IMAX is worth the extra money spent as well.
2 families found this helpful
"Great"
Love this place! Interesting for parents and children. Set in a beautiful neighborhood, has an IMAX theatre, regular exhibits and changing exhibits. My daughter always loves to go there. It's not a place you can spend all day at, which can be nice if you don't have a lot of time to spend for a weekend trip. Not many food options right there, but close by. It can be a little difficult to find, especially if you are not familiar with Atlanta, so be sure you have good directions.
3 families found this helpful
"Depends of the Exhibit"
Our family has visited Fernbank Museum many times and the amount of fun we have depends greatly on the exhibits and IMAX movies playing. My little didn't really have fun until he was almost 3, but then he loved the dinosaurs. He would run around acting like they were going to catch him. There are usually 2 choices of IMAX movies playing and it is great to see them. Check the website to see what's playing before you plan your trip. If you go a lot, it would be best to become a member. There is a cafe and a great gift shop there as well.
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