10+ Things to Know About Medieval Times

Medieval Times in Lawrenceville close to Atlanta is dinner, a show and a history lesson all in one! Families visiting to celebrate special occasions or experience the days of castles and kings can enjoy animal performances, a knight jousting tournament and a multi-course meal, with a twist.  If your kids are fans of the Renaissance Festival, they’ll want to “come hither.” Here are some things to know when bringing young masters and mistresses back in time.

The Show is Interactive

During your time in the castle, you’ll encounter lords and ladies, knights and a friendly king. You’ll be sorted into teams, and will cheer on the knight that wears your team’s color as he participates in jousting battles. Like a sporting event, loud cheers are welcome in the arena. In other words, kids can use their outside voices!

Eat with Your Hands

You’ll eat with your hands here, just like people did before the invention of silverware. The multi-course meal includes soup (to be slurped from your bowl) and bread, roast chicken, vegetables, drinks and dessert. Vegetarian options are available, too. Kids are thrilled to get hands-on messy! Not to worry, servers provide wet wipes. But if you’re really in a jam, you can request for a fork to magically appear from a future year.

Animals Perform

Birds of prey swoop and loop above the audience’s heads as The Master Falconer shows off his flock. The beautiful Andalusian stallions perform choreographed routines of dressage during the evening, which includes leaps and ballet-like movements. They look like they’re dancing!

Kids are King

After the show, your family can mingle with cast members and collect autographs. Birthday parties are celebrated at nearly every show, and the King can congratulate your birthday child by name – a thrilling moment! On select summer dates, kids can participate in Junior Knight Training to learn the basics of jousting from inside the arena. This activity is included with children’s admission, but has limited availability offered on a first come, first served basis.

Save on Tickets

Check the website for monthly specials and discounts. Children three and younger can get in free if they sit on an adult’s lap and share their meal. Tip: if you bring a toddler who will sit separately, bring a booster seat to ensure they have a good view.

– Dalia Faupel

New Show

From our January 2019 issue

The Queen is in charge in the new Medieval Times show, and her reign is a lot of fun for families. The jousting tournament and horsemanship are as superb as when the King reigned and the tournament came about because the King was fighting off a challenger from another realm.

In the new version, the Queen has succeeded her late father and she holds a tournament to find the best knight in the land. When one knight challenges her authority, drama ensues.

Our kids, Kaitlyn, 11, and Caleb, 5, loved the show. Caleb exclaimed at one point, “Look, Mommy, the horse is dancing!”

Explore the Renaissance: Yes, no time travel is required to see jousting of knights, experience the feeling of nobles in the 11th Century and enjoy eating a Royal Feast with your hands. It is also a fun way for children to learn about swords, knights, chivalry and rivalry. You’ll see knights fight with swords, lances, mace and alabarda.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry: The Royal Feast is delicious, with a menu of garlic bread, a bowl of soup, a half roasted chicken, corn on the cob, russet potatoes and a slice of lemon pound cake. Coffee and two non-alcoholic drinks are included. Vegetarian meals include humas, pita bread, carrot and celery sticks, three-bean stew and brown rice and fruit or Italian ice. It’s all served by wenches in corsets and skirts and serfs in tights and tunics.

The Flight of the Falcon: Watching the bird soar and dive is one of the highlights of the show. Guests can visit the castle’s mews before the show to see falcons up close and talk with the falconer to learn more about the birds and falconry.

The Royal Treatment: Start your adventure with a royal announcement for your big day, your troop’s visit or for corporate events with purchase of special packages that make you a VIP and include a souvenir photo. Caleb had just celebrated his birthday, so we paid an additional $25 to upgrade our place on the royal guest list. They announced his birthday and we received a cake, and we posed for a souvenir photo with the duke. These special touches are a fun way to personalize your adventure.

Become a Part of the Story: Everyone is invited to be guests for the games and experience of flight of the royal falcon. Cheer for the knight of your kingdom, who surely is the bravest and best of them all, but don’t worry – each kingdom has an opportunity to win.

Insider’s Tips: Doors open 75 minutes before the show begins, and seating is on a first-come basis, except for the VIP section, so arrive early for the best seating. Also, plan to visit the Museum of Torture and see falcons in the castle mews before the show; knighting ceremonies are also performed preshow. Be sure to sign up for email updates with special offers and look for coupons to lower the costs.

Know Before You Go: Plan to arrive early; seating is first come, first served and to obtain the best seats in efficiently and safely.

Hours: Show times vary, but usually 7 p.m. Thu.-Sat., with matinees on Sat. and Sun.

Admission: Adults, $56.95; ages 3-12, $36.95; children younger than age 3 admitted free if they sit in a parent’s lap and dine from a parent’s plate. VIP packages for additional fees.

– Patrice Little