On the steps of Atlanta’s Federal Reserve bank & Monetary Museum (white building on the right side of the picture)

We had a lot of fun exploring Atlanta’s Federal Reserve Bank and Monetary Museum on one of our recent trips to Atlanta, Georgia.  The kids didn’t believe us at first when we told them that we were going to a bank to learn about money.  Although the more we talked about it the more interested they became.

In order to go into Atlanta’s Federal Reserve Bank and Monetary Museum all adults must present a valid ID such as a driver’s license or passport.  You cannot carry any electronics, phones, cameras, purses, or other devices into the museum.  They do have lockers next to the restrooms to put your items into if you need them.  We just put my id in Jake’s wallet and that is the only thing we brought into the museum so he could carry everything we needed.  The admission and self guided tour is completely free.  The only thing we had to pay for was parking since it is near downtown Atlanta and there was not any free parking available at the time (it was just a couple of dollars for parking so it wasn’t too bad).

It would have been really neat to be able to get some pictures of the museum and some of the items we saw while there, but no photography is allowed.  The employees were really nice and helpful.  The kids learned some cool history about money.

Probably the kids favorite part was the robots toting the containers of money back and forth between the various rooms.  It was fascinating to watch them carry the bins full or partially filled with money from one place to another.  In some of the bins there may have been a million dollar or more in cash!  Did you know that they shred about 10 million dollars of cash every day?  These are bills that have been crumpled, destroyed, or otherwise deemed as unusable.  You could see people physically counting the bundles of money as they came in as well which was interesting to watch.

The kids had a little “quiz” or worksheet they filled out as we explored.  It was a neat learning activity and the kids loved it.  At the end we picked up a bag of shredded money to take home (which the kids thought was awesome)!

We did get some pictures on the outside of the Federal Reserve Bank though to help us remember our adventure that windy day in Atlanta.  You can locate the Atlanta’s Federal Reserve Bank and Monetary Museum at 1000 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30309.  If you are already at the Federal Reserve Bank you should check out the rock spinner is directly across the street from the Federal Reserve Bank.

Across the street from the Federal Reserve Bank was the Zachary Coffin’s Rock Spinner (pictures below) which fascinated the kids as well. As we were waiting for the stoplight to turn so we could walk across the street I happened to read the description on the rock spinner and mentioned for the kids to come over to see if they could move the huge boulder.  They of course thought it was so cool they could spin such a massive rock!

 Large Federal Reserve Building in Atlanta

Where’s Waldo…I mean Karlie, Brina, and I outside the building?  If you look for the specks in front of the statue that looks like spots of “Red, White, and Blue” that’s us!

 Our family visiting the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta

 Zachary Coffin’s Rock Spinner!  Once the girls starting spinning the rock other kids stopped to try it out too!

Zachary Coffin’s Rock Spinner – is a kinetic sculpture that helps you understand about the transformation of one’s relationship to mass.  This particular boulder weighs 22,000 pounds and would normally be considered immovable, however, with a little art and engineering this huge boulder becomes something fun to move and play with (both for kids and adults).  There is a plague next to it saying  “Take it for a spin!”  YES, you can spin it, stop it from moving, and switch directions, but no climbing is allowed on the boulder (for obvious reasons).

 Making is move…

Brina and Karlie trying to see how fast they can get it to move

 Who knew that a spinning boulder could provide so much entertainment!?  If you are already in the area it is something neat to check out – Zachary Coffin’s Rock Spinner  The kids thought it was neat!

The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!