Museums Tours
Learn, Play, Explore, Discover
During our travels, we always take the time to visit different museums. Museums offer something for everyone, from history, hands-on experiences, science experiments, animal encounters, and so much more. Some museums offer a bird’s eye view of the area, while others take you on a storybook adventure throughout the years. Not to mention, museums are a great way to keep cool during those hot months. Here are a few we have visited on our travels that the whole family has enjoyed.
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is an excellent place for children of all ages. They have different areas for the kids to play such as a Doc McStuffins toy hospital, kinetic sand tables, construction area, and more. Kids are more than encouraged to be hands-on and use their imaginations. In the center of the museum is a play area designed to teach children about the solar system. This area allows kids to climb to an “observation area” to view the entire museum. They also have designated areas for babies to play, which are sectioned into smaller locations throughout the museum. My kids like playing in the fishing area and learning about river animals, where they even tried to fish! This museum is terrific for children to use their imagination, work on sensory learning, and learn about different job types. The Children’s Museum also has special events throughout the year which feature various exhibits.
Fernbank
Fernbank is a unique museum that features natural history, geology, nature, and much more. Fernbank is known for its dinosaur displays in the museum’s center; however, there is more than meets the eye when explore the multiple floors. My kids enjoyed the two kids’ areas where they could be completely hands-on. One area is an excellent place for them to try different hands-on experiments, learn about different types of science, and be creative. The other is an indoor play area with tunnels, slides, and a few animals for them to discover. There is also an outdoor garden and walking trail where you can discover native plants, learn about birds, and overlook a small pond. This multi-level museum also has annual exhibits which feature different historical periods. The museum also has weekly classes for children featuring live animals and stories. What I like about Fernbank is the museum has something for everyone of all ages to enjoy.
Coast Guard and WWII Museum
The Coast Guard and WWII museum is located on St. Simons Island and is full of WWII and Georgia history. Although on the smaller side, it was once the housing where those working in the Coast Guard called home while stationed on St. Simons. The museum honors those who worked, were active duty and helped defend the coast of Georgia during a hectic time. The Coast Guard museum has two different buildings to tour. The building in the back shows all the various war efforts such as posters, war bonds and songs, while the main building showcases the men and women who served in the Coast Guard at this particular location. During WWII, German U-boats were just off the Georgia coast, and at night all the residents of St. Simons would help protect the US war ships in the harbor by turning off all the lights so the ships would not cast a shadow in the water. Today, the building is further from the coast due to the island’s changing landscape and population growth since the 1940s. Set aside a few hours to walk through this historic building so you can read this barrier island’s incredible history.
North Charleston Firefighter Museum
The Firefighter Museum in North Charleston brings nostalgia, history, and fun together in one place. This museum features firetrucks from the 1780s to the present. The showroom walks you through the firetruck’s history, design, and evolution based on the different time periods throughout American growth. However, this museum doesn’t just showcase firetrucks. It is an interactive museum where children and adults can witness how quickly a fire spreads, what it is like to lift different firehoses, and how much additional equipment weighs. There is even a firetruck with a simulation screen where kids can pretend they are driving to a working fire. The best part is the kid’s play area in the middle of the museum. This play area has a fire pole, slide, and steps kids can play on during the visit. This museum is a great place to visit on a day that is rainy or warm outside. The kids will have a place to explore and play to release energy while the parents can enjoy some history.
Pirate museum
Pirates, treasure, and maps: what better way to explore and learn about history than visiting a pirate museum? The St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum takes you back in time, where scallywags, treasure hunters, and outlaws of the sea take you on a hunt for treasure while teaching you about pirate customs, traditions, codes of conduct, navigation, and so much more. This museum was one of the most interactive museums we have visited, which meant the kids were fully dedicated to not leaving. The front desk gave up a treasure map to follow on your journey through the museum. At every turn, we learned something new about pirate life at sea, such as what food they would eat, sleeping quarters, when they would try to take over a ship, and the rules they would have to follow. Kids, and adults, can shoot off cannons, learn facts on interactive screens, and try to pick up pirate swords. Towards the end of the hunt, you come across the only surviving pirate treasure chest in such pristine condition. By far, this has been one of our favorite places to visit. Depending on your family, I recommend dedicating two hours to exploring.
