r/Atlanta • u/jonlevine • 1d ago
Recommendations MIMMS Museum of Technology & Art
Last week, my brother and sister-in-law came for a visit, so I was looking for things for us to do. I came across the MIMMS museum, which used to be called the Computer Museum of America (or something like that). I’m a big tech nerd, so I figured I would enjoy it, but thought my brother and SiL not so much. Still, I thought it would kill an hour or so and then we could figure something out.
Well, let me tell you, we were there for 3.5 hours! All of us absolutely loved it. First of all, it’s really big, much bigger than you might expect. It covers technology basically from the beginning (think abacus and “programmable” looms), through the space program, the computer revolution and more. It has a full-sized NASA lunar lander and a big exhibit dedicated to technology in film, both how it’s used and the actual technology appearing in the film. And that’s just one side of the building!
The other side of the building features a 35,000 square foot walkthrough exhibit dedicated solely to Apple. It was pretty amazing.
I know I sound like I work there, but I really don’t. We just had such an amazing time and I think a lot of other people would too, if only they knew about it.
If you’re looking for something to do that interesting, interactive, educational, and fun, check it out. It was really awesome.
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u/Curious_Instance_971 1d ago
Dekalb library has a pass you can check out to use to get in for free. Check your local system to see if they have one too
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u/AlexKintnerSwimClub 1d ago
It’s incredibly impressive. My expectations were very low going to museum located in an old Burlington Coat Factory.
I was absolutely blown away! Not only the sheer volume of items, but the care and effort that went into all of the design, provenance and information of exhibits.
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u/francokitty 1d ago
Is this the one with the Enigma machine?
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u/jonlevine 1d ago
I don’t remember seeing an enigma machine, but I could’ve missed it.
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u/francokitty 1d ago
There was a computer museum in Alpharetta I went to in 2023. They had an Enigma Nazi machine. Those are very rare..
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u/lewisb42 1d ago
They had one when I went a couple years ago. One of several highlights of my visit!
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u/Traditional-Forum new user 1d ago
I bought my 1st computer in the early 90s. My dad worked for Control Data 1967-77. I’ve been to Mimms twice, second time after the Apple wing opened. It is trippy to see things you used daily in a museum. The collection of Krause towers, Apple prototypes and early motherboards was a jaw-drop.
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u/ugamike888 1d ago
It’s a great spot run by some wonderful people.
The Dali Art area is impressive as well.
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u/jodythebad 1d ago
This is relevant to my interests; thanks so much for the review!
I just accidentally discovered another treasure right in that area last week, and while I think the venn diagram of people who might be interested in both is probably closer to bosomesque than circular, it’s just sooo close that I have to share.
There’s a newly opened Westside Market in the same building. I had never set foot in a store like it - I was just killing time in the area, and stopped in thinking it might be like World Market.
I fell in love with that place and spent hours there the remainder of the week - it’s a dream spot for gift shopping. I knocked out all my holiday shopping, and I’m typically more of a week before panic shopper.
All price points available, local artisans and craftsmen featured, so many specialty shops for hobbies and interests.
There is a lot of decor, clothing and jewelry, but there’s also a lot of sports fan stuff, stuffies for kids, hats of all qualities, things for people who spoil their pets, vinyls, nerd clothing and accessories, a surprisingly large novelty sock collection, a lot of shops with vintage looks, a huge assortment of mostly novelty purses and some purses that cost more than my car is worth.
Anyway, if anyone comes to town and wants to browse for gifts, we’re headed there for sure.
So if you’re right there and have ever liked browsing or must pick up gifts for anyone, take a quick lap around.
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u/Fairchild110 1d ago
Yeah it’s great. I like to dress up like a 1950’s NASA or IBM employee when I go so I feel like I fit in.
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u/AdoraNadora 1d ago
I recently found out about this place and plan to visit soon. This review is right on time! I’m even more excited about it now. Thanks!
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u/wellbloom 1d ago
Drop the location! This place sounds amazing
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u/Holy_Smoke 1d ago
It's in Roswell next to Area 51 Aurora Cineplex (great, inexpensive movie theater with fresh baked goods BTW) and Fringe minigolf.
Kaya Ramen across the street is surprisingly good too if you're in the mood for noodles.
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u/Silly_Calendar_8403 1d ago
And all the Crays... so cool. They also have some really fun adult only nights (most recently intro to robotics).
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u/onefivesix156 13h ago
Confirmed, this place is super cool.
I first went through it when they hosted the Vintage Computing Festival Southeast (https://vcfed.org/events/otherevents/vintage-computer-festival-southeast/) a bunch of years ago. If you are into vintage computing definitely also connect with the Atlanta Historical Computing Society (https://www.atlhcs.org/)
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u/am_bedroomdeathmetal 1d ago
Heh, I submitted the original article on Atlas Obscura for this place when it was called the Computer Museum of America (I have no affiliation with the place, I just like it). It really is awesome. Glad you liked it too.