Learning about money at FRB Atlanta

If you are local, you have probably driven past this building many times driving around Peachtree St and never thought to enter. Mainly because it looks like a sinister mansion with tall walls and no windows - and rightfully so. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta wouldn't exactly pop up as a tourist attraction or a place you'd want to visit but it is free and open to the public - well, at least the museum part of it. The Visitors Center and Monetary Museum has exhibits to teach you about the Federal Reserve system and its role in the economy. Might sound like a good school field trip but it actually does have a lot of interesting information relayed in interactive formats. If the economy is something you like learning more about then you could spend a few hours in here. I happen dot have very little time to spare so could only do a quick walk around of the space. They do have a parking deck but parking on the street or other public decks in the area is easy. You will have to do a security check at the entrance and cannot take into the museum space any large bags and purses, or other carry-on items. You are allowed to keep your phone on you but cannot take calls or pictures. The museum itself has a nice flow to it and begins with an introduction to the US central banking systems and how monetary policy works. Each room gradually leads into the other so keeping track of the story flow is easy. The cash corridor talks about currency, notes, gold and coins. They also have an interactive money game to show you the flow of the economy. There is a short video you can view as well but the most exciting part for me, as well it will be for others I am guessing, was the room at the very end where you could view cash-processing. You can see employees and machines working to count and sort cash and screen for counterfeits. All that machinery is pretty impressive. And while at it, look upward at the ceiling and notice the number of cameras there - talk about a no-pressure job! This location is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks in the country to make up the central bank. If this sort of thing interests you then make sure you have at least an hour or two to spare. There are no restaurants here or gift shops. They do have restroom facilities though. I paired my visit here with my visit to the Margaret Mitchell House and lunch at Cafe Agora nearby.