Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

Latest posts by Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

16 Atlanta Farmers Markets for the Whole Family

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 06/23/2023 - 7:58am

Let the kiddos play while you fill up on greens at the Grant Park Farmers Market.

Atlanta farmers markets are popping up all over the region, helping families embrace farm-to-table cooking and afternoons spent outdoors. Farmers markets in Atlanta allow families to select fresh, locally-grown produce at reasonable prices; support the local economy; teach kids about food; and bring the whole squad together for a day of outdoor fun!

Farmers markets aren’t limited to selling only produce and prepared foods. Today, these produce oases offer an outdoor experience for the entire family—with kid-friendly features like arts and crafts, bounce houses, water play, and much more. Read on for a list of the best Atlanta farmers markets that appeal to kids, as well as parents.

30 Things to Do on Mother's Day 2023 in Atlanta

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 05/07/2023 - 9:45am

Spend the day outdoors amongst the flowers at Atlanta Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of the garden

Don't let Mother's Day fall through the cracks — we’ve rounded up great Atlanta activities that are sure to make mom feel special this Mother’s Day weekend. And moms, if you’re reading this list and see something that you want to do, drop hints to those planning your special day.

When planning the perfect Mother's Day, book reservations for Mother's Day brunch in Atlanta before spots fill up. And check out our Mother's Day gifts that moms *actually* want to show appreciation for the queen of your family.

Meet the Easter Bunny at Bunny Brunches and Easter Bunny Pictures in Atlanta

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 03/19/2023 - 8:52am

Make sure you snag your tickets to Hoppin' Into Halcyon! Photo courtesy of Halcyon

Easter is rapidly approaching on April 9, 2023, as the dogwoods are blooming! Kids will love visiting with the Easter Bunny, so it's time to make reservations for Easter pictures and Easter brunch events in Atlanta. Fortunately, we've got the scoop on where the Easter Bunny will be hopping all over Atlanta this season!

Whether you want to snap casual Easter photos or put on your Easter Sunday best for professional Easter Bunny pictures, we've got you covered. And if you don't want to cook a big Easter meal, check out our list of delectable Easter brunch spots. Ranging from elegant, dining establishments to cozy neighborhood bistros, our Easter brunch list is guaranteed to satisfy everyone in your group.

Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts and The Jim Henson Collection

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 9:28am

See wonderful live puppet performances, like Pete the Cat, at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Photo by Chris Hunt

Head to the Center of Puppetry Arts in Atlanta if you’re looking to spark creativity in your little ones and expose them to an entertaining and ancient art form. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the Center for Puppetry Arts —parents especially enjoy seeing Elmo, Oscar the Grouch, and other favorite Sesame Street characters from their childhoods. And because the museum rotates its collection of 5,000 items, guests often see different puppets and props on subsequent visits.

Visit just the museum or purchase the Family Series Performance ticket, which includes a live puppet performance, a 20-minute puppet-making workshop, and museum admission. Insider tip: Before entering the museum, be sure to ask for the children’s scavenger hunt at the ticket counter. Kids will be asked to find certain objects in the museum and pose for photos with certain puppets. Upon completion, they receive a prize!

3 Days in Atlanta with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 02/10/2023 - 9:19am

Root, root, root for the home team when you're in Atlanta...especially since the Atlanta Braves are, of course, the 2021 World Series champs! Photo by Bill Lefler

Welcome to Atlanta! There are a ton of things to do in Atlanta, the delicious land of peaches, peanuts, and Coca-Cola. You’ll find our city jam-packed with kid-friendly activities sprinkled with large doses of Southern hospitality. From Atlanta museums, sports events, theater performances, and delicious food, our city offers it all!

We’ve put together a three-day itinerary for things to do in Atlanta guaranteed to satisfy everyone in your family. To save money, purchase the Atlanta CityPASS ticket, which bundles five major Atlanta attractions at a discounted price. Also, our Kid-Friendly Hotels in Atlanta will point you in the right direction for accommodations.

Best Coffee Shops in Atlanta to Bring Your Kids When You Need Caffeine

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 01/15/2023 - 8:34am

Cafe Intermezzo's cappuccino will keep parents energized; the sky-high cake slices will keep kids ecstatic.

The best coffee shops in Atlanta provide life for overtired, under-energized parents. Let's be real —parenting is exhausting work, and sometimes caregivers need a caffeine fix to get through the day. Whether it’s from sleepless nights with baby or days schlepping kids all over the city, you deserve a caffeine pick-me-up. But what to do with the kiddos while you're enjoying a steamy mug? We've got you covered!

Don’t rely solely on drive-through spots for coffee when you have the kids in tow. Here's our curated list of the best coffee shops near Atlanta that are kid friendly, ranging from locations with fun, cozy rooms to cavernous spaces and expansive outdoor areas.

Tasty Restaurants Open on Christmas in Atlanta

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 12/16/2022 - 9:09am

The Hard Rock Cafe has something for everyone this Christmas, like the jolly Santa Sangria for parents to the sublime Holiday Brownie for kiddos.

It's obvious that a lot of preparation goes into a successful Christmas. After trimming the tree, sending out holiday cards, wrapping gifts, and setting out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, the last thing many parents want to do is prepare a Christmas meal. Instead, give yourself the ultimate Christmas gift of relaxation by going out to Atlanta restaurants open on Christmas.

Whether you’re looking for a casual breakfast, a fancy dinner, or something in between, our list of restaurants open on Christmas will help you find something to please everyone in the family. Since you're not spending time cooking, enjoy that time to check out Dazzling Holiday and Christmas Lights in Atlanta or just drive around Atlanta neighborhoods with awesome residential holiday lights.

Make sure to confirm plans with restaurants beforehand, especially as some location hours vary. And don’t forget to bring a smile, patience, and a nice tip as labor shortages can cause slower service.

Places to Take Pictures with Santa in Atlanta & Picture-Perfect Breakfast with Santa

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 11/25/2022 - 6:11am

Take pictures with Santa at Phipps Plaza and make memories forever. Photo courtesy Bill Leffler

Christmas is a magical time and what better way to celebrate the season than taking pictures with Santa Claus. Capture these cute-kid moments with Santa pictures and, in some cases, your dogs! Wear those Christmas sweaters and holiday outfits and get ready to say, "Cheese!"

We've created a list of Atlanta places —from tree lightings and festivals to breakfasts and indoor malls— to meet Ol' Saint Nick and take Santa pictures. For locations requiring reservations, don’t delay as slots are expected to book quickly. Although many of the malls encourage but don’t require reservations for Santa photos, book anyway to avoid long lines...and bored, cranky kids.

For more fun events this season, check out our Best Christmas and Holiday Events in Atlanta for Kids, Great Atlanta Holiday Gift and Christmas Markets, and the rest of our Atlanta Holiday Guide.