Looking for a hidden gem in Atlanta? The Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University is an Atlanta museum that you don’t want to miss. This fascinating Georgia museum, dedicated to ancient history, offers an affordable and enriching experience for homeschool families, Atlanta field trips, and history buffs alike. As the only Egyptian museum in Atlanta, this ancient history museum is perfect for a family field trip that blends education with adventure. With so much to explore in Georgia, make sure the Carlos Museum is on your list for a memorable and engaging experience with the past!
What are the Carlos Museum Exhibits?
Emory’s Carlos Museum is a fabulous, small museum full of ancient history that can’t be found anywhere else in Atlanta (or even Georgia!). Visit the diverse Emory University museum galleries: Egyptian, Nubian, Near East, Grecian, Roman, Ancient Americas, African, and Asian, These artifact-full rooms cover ancient cultures from around the world.
- Visit Egyptian with large display of mummies, sarcophagi, and relics.
- See Grecian pottery, Mayan artifacts, and Sumerian cuneiform.
- Inspect coins from Roman civilization, Native American vessels, and Roman sculptures.
- Step into history with interactive displays of reconstructed ruins.
- Travel to Asia in the Buddhist and Hindu art gallery. Open the drawers for smaller artifacts!
- Walk down a display of tribal masks and statues from Ancient Africa.
- Don’t forget to check online for the current Carlos Museum exhibitions on display.
Carlos Museum Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Carlos Museum?
The Michael C. Carlos museum is located on the campus of Emory University in the Druid Hills area of Atlanta, about 15 minutes east from downtown.
How much are Carlos Museum tickets?
Atlanta’s Carlos Museum is inexpensive compared to so many other museums. Check out these 2024 Carlos Museum admission prices: adults $10, seniors $8, youth (6-17) $8. Additionally, this museum is free for Emory University and Emory Healthcare students and staff. If you’re a university student, bring your ID and get in free!
What are the Carlos Museum hours?
Tuesday-Friday 10 AM – 4 PM; Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM; Sunday 12 PM – 5 PM
How much time do I need to visit the Carlos Museum?
This ancient history museum is small, but it’s packed with treasures. Plan to spend 2 to 4 hours at the Carlos Museum. Depending on your and the kids’ attention span, you could read all the plaques or just hit the highlights.
Can I take food into the Carlos Museum?
Plan to eat an on-campus picnic after visiting the Carlos Museum. Leave your food in your car, and get it afterward to eat a picnic on the grounds of the Emory Campus. There is a big, shaded, grassy area right outside the main entrance to the museum. If you just need a snack, check out the coffee shop in the museum.
For a full college experience, you could take the kids over to check out some on campus options. Also, Emory Village is right off the campus and offers some chain and local restaurant options.
Where is the Carlos Museum parking?
Parking for the Carlos Museum is the biggest pain to me. Even with a Carlos Museum membership, you still have to pay for parking every visit unless it’s the weekend and the campus doesn’t have students. As there is not a parking lot right next to the museum, you will park and walk over to the museum.
- Fishburne Deck and Oxford Road Visitor’s Deck are your best options for parking at the Carlos Museum; both of these are paid by the hour. A four hour visit will cost you $12.
- Parking at the above is free on weekends when Emory doesn’t have students in class.
- Allow for 15 minutes to find the parking garage and walk over to the museum if you have a scheduled time to meet.
How Can I Save Money at the Carlos Museum?
There are many different levels of Carlos Museum memberships. For our family, I upgraded to the Doric level to get reciprocity for free reciprocity to 1000s of museums across the country who are under the NARM, ROAM, and SEC memberships. If you travel, this higher level of membership more than makes up for the higher price.
There are even Carlos Museum free days! Check online for the calendar and free Sunday FunDays which happen on the first Sunday afternoon at the month. Additionally, ask at your local library about the Georgia Public Libraries Family Pass for free admission to the Carlos Museum.
~~~> Wondering about how to save money with museum memberships? Check out: “Museum Memberships: How to Save Money on Family Travel. Getting a museum pass has gotten us free admission to museums across the United States.
Is the Carlos Museum a good field trip?
If you’re looking for a world history museum in Atlanta, the Carlos Museum is your place. If you’re a Classical Conversations family (read about our CC journey here!) or a history teacher or even looking for an adult day trip for groups, the Carlos Museum is guaranteed to show you something you’ve never seen before. We learn something every time we are there. Here are some top Carlos Museum tips to make the most of your visit.
- Schedule an in-person or remote tour; head here for information about public tours, teacher resources, and online activities.
- While most of the museum is part of the permanent collection, check online for information of their current visiting exhibit.
- Ask about renting an audio guide for only $2. These are free to members.
- Bring a narrow stroller to allow for easier maneuvering through the exhibits.
- Pencil sketching is permitted, but make sure it’s in a small bag.
- Don’t leave without checking out the Carlos Museum bookshop for a large selection of gifts and books. You can even order books through their store online and see suggestions for children’s books that they think would make a great follow up to your museum membership.
~~~> Are you a homeschool family? Check out my super-detailed “Homeschool: Unlock the Freedom of Family Learning” post with all related homeschool posts from across the Reclaiming Wonders website.
Can I Take Kids to the Carlos Museum?
Yes! I believe any museum is appropriate for kids of all ages – and the younger they are when they start, the better. They’ll be used to museum field trips at a young age if they’ve been doing it their whole life. However, here are some things you might want to know before your Carlos Museum trip.
- While I always advocate taking kids of all ages to museums, Atlanta’s Carlos Museum has priceless Greek busts and Egyptian vases out on pedestals – aka “don’t bring your three year old for his first museum experience”.
- For families, ask about a smARTy pack or family guide to do at home. These are amazing big flip packs with replica photo graphs that would be great for some at home learning and reading.
- Parent bags or diapers bags aren’t allowed; I was even asked to put my crossbody bag in a locker (for free) behind the main desk.
- Check out the Carlos Museum bookstore! Sometimes they even offer reading lists for kids to drive deeper into their learning.
- Visit their collection on their website to make a scavenger hunt or introduce artifacts before your visit.
~~~> Are you nervous about taking kids to a museum for the first time? Check Out: How to Survive Museums with Kids.
What is There to Do Near the Carlos Museum?
If you’re on a Georgia road trip or exploring Atlanta on a day trip, head over to “The Best of Georgia” for a full wrap-up of all my must-see Georgia museums, historical sites, and nature.
- While visiting Emory University and the Carlos Museum, many of the buildings on campus will be off limits, but it’s a lovely campus to explore from the outside..
- Take time to walk over to an Emory Village restaurant or the Emory Barnes and Noble bookstore on campus.
- Enjoy an afternoon at Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse (20 minutes away), explore the natural world at Fernbank Museum of Natural History (8 minutes away), or go visit the whale sharks at my favorite Atlanta aquarium (30 minutes away).
- If you want some outdoor time, it’s hard to beat the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
Thanks for stopping by my little corner! Here’s to your next adventure.
I’m Bobbie. As transplants from Texas, my family of six is on a mission to discover all of Georgia’s amazing places, experience amazing road trips across the United States, and create a homeschool life along the way.
Want to adventure like me? Reach out! I’d love to chat. Stop by my Instagram or Pinterest page to discover more of our adventures.
Want to work with me? I’d love to work with your destination and tourism board to help other family travelers see all you have to offer.
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