Giant dinosaurs, a giant screen theater and an old-growth forest near Emory, with Sensory Mornings that open the museum an hour early (lower-volume 2D film, fewer guests) and a social narrative that names quiet places to take a break.
Open daily, 10 am to 5 pm; Fernbank Forest closes at 4:30 pm. Holiday Extended Hours on Fri Nov 27 2026 and Sat Nov 28 2026, 10 am to 9 pm, included in general admission. General admission tickets aren't sold for Thanksgiving Day 2026, Mon Dec 7 2026 or Christmas Day 2026; call 404.929.6300 before planning those days. Sensory Mornings start at 9 am.
“The museum opens an hour early to provide a less-crowded environment that is quieter and calmer for guests to explore the museum, experience the nature trails of WildWoods, and enjoy a sensory-friendly film screening in the Giant Screen Theater.”
“Enjoy a movie screening with modified lighting, lowered volume and no need for 3D glasses.”
“Sensory Mornings are included with General Admission.”
“If I need to take a break, there is also an alcove and a bench at the far end of this exhibit on the opposite side of the balcony from the restrooms.” fernbankmuseum.org (social narrative, Sky High)
Fernbank's social narrative walks through the whole visit, from the dinosaur fountain outside to the Giant Screen Theater, NatureQuest, WildWoods and Fernbank Forest, and points out which places can be loud or busy. Find it on the Accessibility and Sensory Mornings pages.
In the theater, films last 25 to 45 minutes and some need 3D glasses. You pick your film when you arrive and go to the theater entrance in the Star Gallery within 15 minutes of showtime; seats are first come, first served.
For questions or suggestions about accessibility, email Guest.Services@FernbankMuseum.org or call 404.929.6300. A limited number of wheelchairs are available; ask a staff member when you arrive.
Sensory Mornings open the museum at 9 am, an hour early, for a less-crowded, quieter visit; four dates are set for 2027.
The 10:15 am Sensory Morning film is in 2D, with modified lighting and lowered volume, and Sensory Mornings are included with general admission.
The social narrative names the Star Gallery and an alcove in Sky High as places to take a break, and the theater, Fantastic Forces and NatureQuest as places that can be loud.
The Giant Screen 3D Theater (dark and can sometimes be loud, with a lot of people during the movie)not stated
Fantastic Forces (2nd floor) (can be noisy and busy with other guests)not stated
NatureQuest (3rd floor) (sometimes it may be loud, and you may have to wait if the interactive areas are busy)not stated
Quieter, in Fernbank's words
The Star Gallery, a dark room on the 1st floor that is quiet at many times of the dayquiet zone
The alcove and bench at the far end of Sky High (3rd floor), on the opposite side of the balcony from the restroomsquiet zone
Online prices: on most weekdays, adults (13 to 64) $25.95, seniors (65 and up) $24.95, children (3 to 12) $23.95; on weekends, the Friday after Thanksgiving and the days between Christmas and New Year's Day, $27.95, $26.95 and $25.95. Children 2 and under are free with an adult, and members are free. Tickets add sales tax and a processing fee, and tickets bought at the counter or by phone cost $3 more each. A second film is $5. Fernbank is cashless.
Tickets are nonrefundable. Date changes cost $2 per ticket, based on availability, and must be made at least 48 hours before your visit by calling 404.929.6300. Outdoor areas are open rain or shine but may close in dangerous conditions, and there are no refunds for weather.
Discounts: active and retired military, spouses and dependents get $2 off the lowest published general admission price with ID at the Box Office (limit six). Seniors get an extra $1 off on Tuesdays with ID. Georgia foster families can find discounts through the Foster Friendly App (Georgia Kids Belong), and Bobby Dodd Institute families work through their Support Coordinator. Atlanta CityPASS is $106 for adults and $86 for children 3 to 12.
Food: outside food and drinks aren't allowed in the museum, WildWoods or Fernbank Forest. You can eat in the Bean Sprouts Café or in the Great Hall, Terrace or Dinosaur Plaza, and no food or glass containers are allowed in WildWoods or the Forest.
Outdoors, stay on the paths and don't enter the water features, creeks or pond. There are no restrooms or water fountains in Fernbank Forest, and many Forest trails are steep and not ADA-accessible; the WildWoods paths are. Inside, there are restrooms on every floor with changing stations in most, two all-gender single restrooms near the Orkin Discovery Zone, and a private nursing and feeding room on the 3rd floor.
Speakers and other amplified sound aren't allowed; headphones or earbuds are required. Pets and emotional support dogs aren't allowed; service animals are welcome.
Parking is free, but space is limited; more parking is on South Ponce De Leon Avenue, and there is no parking on Clifton Road. On weekends and holidays, allow extra time to park. The MARTA bus stops on Ponce de Leon Ave. stopped running in 2026; MARTA Reach on-demand vans run from Edgewood/Candler Park Station.
