Cee Approved Date: Fernbank After Dark

People from Atlanta know all about Fernbank Museum. It was a tried and true field trip solution for many local school systems. Kids were able to skip out on traditional classroom instruction for the day while being surrounded by their peers. Sure, it was a little loud due to the excited shrieks and shrills, but it was the youth experience in a nutshell. At nighttime, however, the air is different. The lights are dimmed. Apple juice boxes are swapped out for craft cocktails. The typical clientele, over-eager school age children, has been replaced by over-eager big (21+) kids - no chaperone in sight. At night, Fernbank After Dark gives new life to a childhood staple we may have forgotten about.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History is open daily from 10AM-5PM

This past September I asked someone on a date to Fernbank After Dark (FAD): Night at the Science Fair. Each month’s theme is different - whereas September featured various science fair-related activities, October tackled forensics and November will explore how senses help us perceive the world. $15 gives you exclusive after-hours access to the museum and includes all current exhibits and special activities. For an additional fee, you can watch an IMAX film on the giant screens: Flight of the Butterflies 3D and Earthflight 3D are the current options.

Dinosaurs, cocktails, and beautiful people galore inside the museum

As you walk into the museum, you are greeted by the skeletal remains of two dinosaurs. Inside the main doors: a live band, more fossilized dinos, and a few scientific demonstrations. We got to watch experts attempt to explain complex concepts to common folk like me. I can’t say I’m an expert microbiologist now, but I can say I’m at least one step closer than I was.

Another thing I enjoyed was the unmitigated access to Fernbank Forest, a 65-acre old-growth forest. The trail, a little more than 2 miles, has no artificial light, so it’s only you and the grizzly bears (jk). It’s a great place to stroll, get lost, and reflect on all the cool artifacts you saw on the inside. Some of the features, like the treetop ropes course, are made for children 12 and under, but rules are often meant to be broken.

A happy Cee Will after another successful date

Point blank, take your nerdy/curious bae to Fernbank After Dark. It’s great for a first, second, and third date because you will never run out of things to marvel over and discuss, which is important when you are just beginning to know someone. You can teach them a few things and then maybe they will kiss you as a thank you.

The next Fernbank After Dark event is November 9. Tickets can be purchased here.

Address:

767 Clifton Rd

Atlanta, GA 30307