Just outside of Atlanta lies the small, hip city of Decatur. The community is known for its blue-ribbon schools, award-winning restaurants, and high-fashion boutiques; there’s something here for everyone.
People of all ages, from students to seniors, should check out some of the area’s many popular museums.
Here’s a look at the nine best museums in and near Decatur to visit with your grandparents.
History Museums
DeKalb History Center, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur — This historic courthouse is home to the DeKalb History Center, which offers walking tours, a lunch and learn series, and ever-changing exhibits on topics of interest to area residents. Recent exhibits have included Silk & Stitch, a look at embellishments used in women’s fashions, and Deep Roots in DeKalb: The Flat Rock Story of Resilience, a history of one of the oldest African-American communities in Georgia.
Michael C. Carlos Museum, 571 South Kilgo Circle, Atlanta — The Carlos Museum, on the campus of Emory University, houses one of the largest collections of antiquities from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome in the Southeast. For a short time, the collection included a royal mummy. When the mummy was identified as that of Pharaoh Ramesses I, the museum returned it to Egypt, where it is now displayed at the Luxor Museum.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road, Atlanta — Explore the galleries and forest at Fernbank to learn about the different geographic regions of Georgia. Exhibits include a dinosaur gallery, a display of sea shells from the state’s coastal region, and the sights and sounds of the Okefenokee Swamp. There’s also a display of how cultures around the world express themselves through the garments and ornaments they wear.
Fine Art Museums
High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta — Atlanta’s preeminent museum, the High has a vast collection of art, ranging from Southern folk art to European masterworks. The first Wednesday of the month, the museum offers its Musing Together program for seniors in the early stages of dementia.
The Dalton Gallery, 141 E. College Ave., Decatur — This museum, on the campus of Agnes Scott College, features exhibits of fine art and photography by artists from around the world, as well as students from the college.
Planetariums and Observatories
Fernbank Science Center and Planetarium, 156 Heaton Park Drive, Atlanta — The science center is open to the public free of charge, but it’s $7 admission to the planetarium ($5 for students and seniors). Exhibits include the real Apollo 6 command module and a live animal exhibit, which includes poison dart frogs, snakes, turtles, and spiders.
Bradley Observatory, 141 E. College Ave., Decatur — The observatory on the campus of Agnes Scott College in Decatur offers hourlong group tours, which include a planetarium show, a close-up look at the observatory telescope, and a talk about the solar system.
Pop Culture Museums
World of Coca-Cola, 121 Baker St. NW, Atlanta — The history of the world’s biggest soft drink is intertwined with the history of Atlanta. See vintage Coke memorabilia, watch Coke commercials you loved as a kid, and sample soft drinks from around the world.
Waffle House Museum, 2719 E. College Ave., Avondale Estates — The original Waffle House restaurant, located just outside of Decatur in Avondale Estates, is now a museum. After you check it out, head to the Waffle House less than half a mile down the road for lunch.
The proximity to museums like these is one of the things that make the City of Decatur a great place to retire to.
If your parent or grandparent is searching for an assisted living community in Decatur, make sure they check out Arbor Terrace of Decatur. Call 404-292-5910 to schedule a tour.
