Georgia Road Trip with Kids: Engines, Echoes, and Extra Company (Day 3)
Region: North-Central Georgia & Atlanta Metro
Welcome to Day 3
If you’re reading along with Ethan and Oliver, today’s journey brings trains, battlefields, and ballgames — plus a little extra fun with cousins in tow. From the story of a daring Civil War locomotive chase, to a mountain ridge echoing with history, to cheering in a stadium divided by team colors, it’s a day where family rivalry and unity go hand in hand.
Itinerary Overview
Route: Kennesaw → Kennesaw Mountain → Atlanta, GA
Total Drive Time: ~1.5 hours (with city driving)
Activity Time: 7–8 hours
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Stop 1: The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History – Kennesaw, GA
What to Expect
Home to The General, the steam locomotive at the center of the 1862 Great Locomotive Chase, this Smithsonian-affiliated museum brings Civil War rail history to life. Visitors can see original artifacts, a recreated railroad workshop, and hands-on exhibits like a working telegraph where you can tap out messages in Morse code. It’s an engaging mix of technology, strategy, and personal stories from the rails.
Educational Tie-In
- The Great Locomotive Chase of 1862
- Railroads in the Civil War
- Morse code and 19th-century communication
Notebook/Conversation Prompt
If you could send one message by telegraph during the Civil War, what would it say — and who would you send it to?
Faith Connection
Proverbs 25:11 — “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
Stop 2: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park – Kennesaw, GA
What to Expect
This preserved Civil War battlefield offers hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and historical markers detailing the June 1864 battle — part of Sherman’s campaign toward Atlanta. The visitor center features maps, artifacts, and a short film that sets the stage before you walk the ridge where Confederate forces held the high ground.
NPS Stamp: Yes — don’t forget your passport book!
Educational Tie-In
- Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign
- Battlefield geography and tactics
- The human side of war — soldiers’ experiences on both sides
Notebook/Conversation Prompt
Imagine camping on Kennesaw Mountain the night before the battle. What would you see, hear, and feel? Write or draw what that night might have been like.
Faith Connection
John 15:13 — “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Stop 3: Atlanta Braves Game at Truist Park – Atlanta, GA
What to Expect
Cheer for the home team — or be the away team’s loudest fan — in this state-of-the-art ballpark. Truist Park blends modern amenities with classic baseball traditions, making it a great place for families. Between innings, explore The Battery Atlanta for food, games, and entertainment.
Educational Tie-In
- History of Major League Baseball in Georgia
- Sportsmanship and family traditions
- How stadiums are designed for both players and fans
Notebook/Conversation Prompt
How can sports bring people together even when they’re on opposite sides? Write or draw a moment when competition still built connection.
Faith Connection
Psalm 133:1 — “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”
What We Learned Today
From the whistle of a Civil War locomotive to the roar of a modern baseball crowd, today proved that history is more than dates and places — it’s action, connection, and shared experience. Whether standing on a ridge where soldiers once waited, tapping out Morse code, or swapping foam fingers with cousins, we saw how stories live on in both quiet reflection and loud celebration.
State Symbols We Spotted
No new state symbols today — but plenty of Georgia pride at the ballpark!
Plan It Yourself
You can map this exact route — and customize it for your own family’s adventure — using Roadtrippers Plus. It’s our favorite trip-planning tool for finding kid-friendly stops, tracking drive times, and keeping everything in one place.
View our full trip on Roadtrippers: Ethan & Oliver Adventures Georgia’s On My Mind Road Trip Map
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Unless otherwise noted, all destinations, attractions, and resources mentioned here are places we’ve personally chosen to visit and recommend. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by these locations — including Roadtrippers. We simply use and enjoy their trip-planning tool and share it as a resource for fellow travelers.
