>My advice...don't leave the airport. There isn't anything really close in ATL and if you leave, you have to go back through security, which can take lots of time. It's been quite a while since I've flown through ATL so I can't comment on shops/restaurants there.

Yes, good advice, I had an issue when I left San Francisco's airport a couple of years ago, strangely enough, I had no issues with security thou, it was a police incident on the train I took downtown, but you are right, better stay inside to avoid complications, specially when travelling with family.