With a flourishing art scene, endless museums to choose from, and an entire state of beautiful nature, if you're planning a weekend (or even week-long trip) to Atlanta, it can be challenging to make room for every experience you're looking to have. Furthermore, when you visit a new city, it can be tough to know which attractions you should make time for and which ones you'd be just as happy skipping.
Whether you're an Atlanta local looking to experience something new in your home city or you're a tourist planning your itinerary for an upcoming trip to Atlanta, one experience you won't want to miss out on is Fernbank After Dark.
Continue reading to learn all about what this event is, what makes it so unique, and how you can save on tickets to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History and some of Atlanta's other top attractions.
What Is Fernbank After Dark?
Fernbank After Dark is an adults-only (age 21 and over) monthly event held at the Fernbank Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. This popular function is held on the second Friday of every month and is dedicated to providing adults with an excuse to get out of the house, listen to live music, drink, eat, and immerse themselves in learning about the scientific world.
The Fernbank Museum After Dark is the perfect experience for grown-ups who are looking for an adult-centered science museum experience or a date night for couples interested in an alternative to the classic Friday night dinner and a movie.
If you're interested in a fun experience centered around delicious drinks, rotating tapas menus, live music, science, and more, you won't want to miss Fernbank After Dark.
Fernbank's Museum Exhibits
One of the best parts about visiting the Fernbank Museum during the After Dark events is that you still have the same access to exhibits that you would have if you visited the museum during the day.
Exhibits that you can visit when you attend Fernbank After Dark include some of the museum's major exhibits, such as:
- A Walk Through Time in Georgia
- Fantastic Forces
- Nature Quest
- Reflections of Culture
- World of Shells
In addition, when seasonally available, you can adventure around the museum's outdoor exhibits or view their rotating curation of temporary exhibits, such as:
- Dinosaur Plaza
- Fernbank Forest
- Survival of the Slowest
- The Nature of Color
- WildWoods
Note: The above exhibits may or may not be available at the Fernbank After Dark event you attend, depending on the time of year you visit and the museum's current selection of exhibitions.
Science Demonstrations
Who said science experiments are just for kids? The After Dark events at the Fernbank Museum are devoted to proving that science for adults can be just as fun. Each month's event is centered around an exclusive theme, such as "Booze and Botanicals" or "Hue Gotta Be Coloring Me!"
Outside of the typical museum exhibits you can attend at Fernbank After Dark, you can experience fun activities, immersive programming, and scientific demonstrations that help explore the theme of that month's event.
Fernbank After Dark is the perfect experience for travelers who happen to be in Atlanta to experience the museum's monthly event, but if you're an Atlanta native, you can afford to be slightly more choosy and wait to attend Fernbank After Dark until you see a theme that stands out to you.
You can sign up for the event's newsletter if you're interested in receiving information on upcoming events, performers, and more.
Cash Bars and Tapas Menus
Not only can you learn all about science and the natural world when you attend Fernbank After Dark, but you can also chow down on delicious tapas food and partake in the museum's full bar.
The event is only available for individuals over the age of 21, which means you and your friends can hire a babysitter, grab some cash, and head to the museum for cocktails, dinner, and fun!
Live Music and Films
If the exhibits, experiences, food, and drinks weren't enough to pique your interest, Fernbank After Dark also promises live musical acts and access to some of the most interesting scientific documentaries and films at the museum's IMAX® and Giant Screen Theaters.
Sing along to some of your favorite songs at a show, or grab a drink and settle in for the latest viewing of the museum's rotating film selection.
Note: You may be required to pay additional fees if you wish to watch a film when you attend Fernbank After Dark.
What Makes Fernbank After Dark Such a Unique Event?
Whether you're a tourist visiting Atlanta for a short weekend trip or you grew up in the city, everyone who attends Fernbank After Dark can embrace the unexpected and lean into their curiosity.
This adults-only event allows you to experience what it's like to be a kid again, immersing yourself in the event's monthly theme and extensive exhibits, enjoying the lively atmosphere created when you mix weird science with live music, craft cocktails, and tapas.
Fernbank After Dark is one of the coolest events in Atlanta, and whether you choose to go with your partner, your friends, or your family (so long as they're of legal drinking age), you're sure to have a fantastic time!
Gain Admission to Fernbank and More With CityPASS Tickets
If you're planning a trip to Atlanta, you won't have a hard time finding things to do. With beautiful natural areas to explore, a vibrant art scene to immerse yourself in, and an extensive nightlife to make the most of, it's no wonder this southern city is such a tourist mecca.
However, making the most of your upcoming trip can also mean spending money to have all the experiences you're looking for. When you purchase Atlanta CityPASS® tickets, you can save more than 40% on some of Atlanta's biggest attractions, including:
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Zoo Atlanta
- Georgia Aquarium
- World of Coca-Cola
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Lodging in Atlanta
To get the most out of your stay in Atlanta, we recommend finding lodging near Atlanta's top attractions. Use this map to find the right lodging for you:
Booking.comHeader Image Courtesy of Fernbank Museum of Natural History