Free Things To Do In Atlanta With Tweens

They're still too young to drive anywhere by themselves, but they're just over the age where they can get into most attractions for free. So what do you do with your kids aged 11-12 while vacationing in Atlanta? Parents and tweens agree, these are the best things to do in Atlanta that money can't buy.

Plan a day at Piedmont Park. Not your average community park, Piedmont always has something exciting going on. Perfect for family hikes (or biking excursions), the park features miles of scenic trails to explore. Free guided walking tours are lead by local historians who can help explain the park's rich history to you and your family. Stop by on any given Saturday and see the park come alive with the Green Market, featuring home-grown produce, flowers, baked goods and herbs, accompanied by live musical performances and chef demonstrations. Located at 1320 Monroe Drive NE.

Every January, the country honors the life and times of Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. But in Atlanta, the birthplace of Dr. King, his legacy is celebrated all year round. Bring your young history buffs to The King Center. Free to visit daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., the center hosts exhibits, fundraisers and special events throughout the year. Visitors can also check out MLK's resting place and see his first home. Located at 449 Auburn Avenue NE. For more information, call 404-526-8900.

Check out the Robert C. Williams Paper Museum. Free and open to the public, the paper museum is fascinating to young teens, explaining cool concepts like pop art and clothing made from paper! The museum's permanent collections are focused on the papermaking process, paper mills and watermarks. It houses over 2,000 books and more than 10,000 paper-based artifacts. Definitely the place to take your crafty tweens when visiting Atlanta. Located at 500 10th Street NW.

Visit the Fernbank Science Cente. Not to be confused with the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the Fernbank Science Center is free for families to explore, presenting current exhibits to get kids and young teens excited about the sciences. From astronomy to biology, there's something for everyone at this educational center, even the parental units will learn something new. For a small fee, check out their planetarium. The museum is open Monday-Saturday, and features the Fernbank Forest, Observatory and Library. Located at 156 Heaton Park Drive. For more information, call 678-874-7102.

You're never too old to play in a fountain, and Atlanta is home to one of the most famous! Take your tweens to the Fountain of Rings in Centennial Olympic Park. Kids of all ages love to splash around this completely renovated Georgia landmark. The 2006 overhaul of the fountain wasn't cheap (an estimated $3 million went into the new infrastructure), but today the park's centerpiece is something to marvel at. The Fountain of Rings features free water shows throughout the day, where synchronized water dances to familiar tunes, complete with sound and lighting effects. A great time for all ages. Centennial Olympic Park is located at 265 Park Avenue West NW. For more information, call 404-222-7275.