re: weekend trip to Atlanta in late July

Its already been somewhat mentioned, but Ponce City Market and the Belt Line. If its not too hot or you are getting an early start. Rent bikes at Piedmont park, ride around the park, then the belt line over to PCM and get some good food

College football HOF is great for boys, lots of interactive games targeted to kids. CFHOF, World of Coke and Aquarium are all wrapped around Centennial park. Splash pad there for kids in the summer. CNN is across the street as well

Stone mountain for the hike to the top if you are up for it, otherwise maybe just a laser show

I would find away to ride the MARTA train around town somehow. Kids love it

High Museum can be cool for some kids

there is a lego land at phipps, maybe the wife could shop while you do that

The big ferris wheel is cool for out of towners, also on centennial park

There is a railroad museum in Johns creek somewhere, if he is into those

A lot of other stuff to do but outside of town, guessing yall want to stay in the city. Botanical gardens and childrens museum would probably be a bore for a 7 yo boy