Stay and Play in Georgia
Rock City
Georgia is such a special state! There is so much to see and do beyond Atlanta. Try some of Atlanta Parent’s ideas for a summer family road trip or overnight experience.
North Georgia
Anna Ruby Falls. Helen. Located in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, this is a rare double waterfall. An easy 0.8-mile round-trip paved trail leads to viewing areas at the base of the falls.
Atlanta Safari Park. Commerce. Animals roam free on this 156-acre park, situated in the foothills of the Appalachians. You’ll see everything from llamas to ostriches on the two-mile Drive-Thru Safari, and feed giraffes, visit the aviary, and stop by the petting area.
BabyLand General Hospital. Cleveland. Tour the birthplace of the Cabbage Patch Kids, where Mother Cabbage lives beneath the branches of the Magic Crystal Tree. Find your perfect match to take home.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Blue Ridge. Travel the old-fashioned way with a nostalgic journey through the Appalachian foothills of North Georgia. Take a two- or four-hour, 26-mile round-trip journey along the Toccoa River.
Brasstown Bald. Hiawassee. The highest point in the state, Brasstown Bald boasts incredible views. The observation deck offers a 360-degree view, where you might see four states and the skyline of Atlanta.
Cloudland Canyon State Park. Rising Fawn. One of Georgia’s most scenic parks, explore deep canyons, sandstone cliffs, wild caves, waterfalls, creeks, woodland and wildlife. The Overlook Trail offers a family-friendly hike, and the park also has disc golf, a fishing pond and picnic areas.
Consolidated Gold Mining Company
Consolidated Gold Mining Company. Dahlonega. Join a real gold mining experience with this underground adventure. Go on a tour, dig to find gems, or try your hand at panning for gold.
Dahlonega Gold Museum. Dahlonega. Visit the site of America’s first major gold rush, where more than $6 million in gold was coined, and see rare coins and artifacts.
Lake Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge. Much of this lake’s shoreline is part of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The Day Use Area offers a nice view of the lake, a boat ramp, trails and a wheelchair-accessible picnic area. The Morganton Point Area has a lakefront beach, boat ramp and kayak and paddleboard rentals.
Lake Hartwell Wildlife Safari. Hartwell. Located about 90 minutes from Atlanta, this park has bison, ostriches, camels, buffaloes, wildebeests, parakeets and more. After the drive-through, visit the Safari Walkabout, Tortoise Lane, Petting Zoo and Budgie Experience.
Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park
Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park. Rossville. This year, the park is celebrating 100 years of entertaining. Try the family, kiddie or thrill rides, and the five-acre SOAKya Water Park features a Crazy River, waterslides, play areas and more.
Minnehaha Falls. Tallulah Falls. This multitiered waterfall cascades at the end of the .4-mile Minnehaha Trails, for an especially kid-friendly hike. explorerabun.com
North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park. Cleveland. Visit the Wildlife Park to see wolves, kangaroos, sloths, lemurs and more, while the Safari Drive Thru includes viewing camels, zebras and bison from the comfort of your car. Add-on experiences include a behind-the-scenes look or meeting or feeding certain animals.
Paradise Garden. Summerville. This display features self-taught artist Howard Finster’s works, including tools, curiosities, paintings and more, along with the captivating Mirror House.
Rock City. Lookout Mountain. Kids will love Fairyland Caverns and Mother’s Goose Village, depicting scenes from fairy tales and childhood stories. On a clear day, you can spot seven different states at Seven States Flag Court.
The Rock Garden. Calhoun. Explore this folk art-inspired garden with miniature buildings crafted from tiny stones, pebbles, shells, glass and more. A one-mile trail leads up a small hill for a fantastic view of the creek.
State Botanical Garden of Georgia
State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Athens. The Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden includes themed gardens, edible landscapes, hands-on garden plots, a treehouse and more. Explore the beautiful grounds with nature trails, plants, flowers and butterflies.
Tallulah Gorge State Park. Tallulah Falls. This spectacular canyon is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Hike rim trails to several overlooks for views of the river and waterfalls, and a paved path follows an old railroad bed for a stroller-friendly walk.
Toccoa River Swinging Bridge. Blue Ridge. At 270 feet long, this is the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi. Hike the Benton MacKaye Trail, or paddle along the Toccoa River Canoe Trail.
Tunnel Hill Heritage Center and Museum. Tunnel Hill. Explore railroad and Civil War history at the site of the Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel, the first major railroad tunnel in the South. See where the Civil War’s “Great Locomotive Chase” came through in 1862.
Coca-Cola Space Science Center
Central Georgia
Augusta Canal National Heritage Area. Augusta. Float through history on a guided tour on a replica canal cargo boat. Built in 1845, you’ll see 18th-century textile mills and canal-side structures leading to the heyday of the Industrial Revolution.
The Center for Wildlife Education and The Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center. Statesboro. Get up close to reptiles, eagles and more. Learn about native species, Georgia’s habitats and birds of prey, and walk the Children’s Discovery Trail to see snake skins, turtle shells, the kid’s eagle nest and a wingspan display.
Coca-Cola Space Science Center. Columbus. This out-of-this-world center features sky tours and planetarium shows in the Omnisphere Theater, a collection of NASA Space Shuttle artifacts, interactive piloting and driving exhibits and more.
Columbus Botanical Garden
Columbus Botanical Garden. Columbus. Walk through this greenspace with a historic farmhouse and gin house, gardens, a one-mile trail, interactive games for families and more. In July, visit for the “Enchanted Garden” exhibit featuring fairy and creature homes.
High Falls Water Park. Jackson. Slip and slide into summer at this water park with a pirate ship play area, huge waterslides, a family pool and lounge chairs with umbrellas for relaxing.
Lake Sinclair. Milledgeville. Lake Sinclair encompasses 15,300 acres of winding coves and open water. Rent a boat or jet ski, go fishing, enjoy beach play and more.
Lane Southern Orchards. Fort Valley. This 11,000-acre orchard has grown peaches and pecans since 1908. Along with fresh produce, shop jellies, syrups, pastries and more, and enjoy Southern cuisine at The PeachTree Café. Kids will love the farm-themed playground featuring real tractors.
Museum of Arts and Sciences. Macon. Exhibits explore art, science, the humanities, animals and more. View a planetarium show, and learn about wildlife with Live Animal Shows.
Museum of Aviation. Warner Robins. Take a flight through history at this hands-on, interactive experience. View aircraft from WWII fighters to modern jets, and discover heroic pilots with the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.
National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center. Columbus. See a collection of artifacts from the last 240 years of American military history. Watch a film or documentary on the Giant Screen Theater, and visit the virtual reality center for an interactive journey.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park. Macon. Learn more about history at this prehistoric American Indian site with park trails, a museum and more.
Pasaquan. Buena Vista. Created by artist Eddie Owens Martin, this fascinating seven-acre art environment boasts six structures with intricate mandala murals and walls elaborately painted in African, Mexican and Native American symbols.
Providence Canyon State Park. Lumpkin. Walk the rim trail to view scenic pink, orange, red and purple canyons. Visit in July or August to see the rare Plumleaf Azalea, which grows only in this region.
Rigby’s Water World
Rigby’s Water World. Warner Robins. Plan a day trip for water-based attractions, including lazy rivers, a kid-friendly splash zone and water playground Paradise Island. Rigby’s Entertainment Complex has roller skating, go karts, mini golf, arcade games and laser tag.
Tubman African American Museum. Macon. Discover the rich heritage and contributions of African American culture with exhibits focused on arts, history and more.
Wild Animal Safari. Pine Mountain. Go on a drive-thru safari to see more than 400 animals, and the Walkabout Adventure Zoo features exciting animal exhibits and a petting zoo. For more fun, book an animal encounter.
Okefenokee Swamp Park and Okefenokee Adventures
South Georgia
Andersonville National Historic Site. Andersonville. Almost 13,000 Union soldiers died on these grounds, and the site pays tribute to them. The National Prisoner of War Museum serves as a memorial to all American prisoners of war.
Chehaw Park & Zoo. Albany. Home to more than 70 species, see cheetahs, black rhinos, bears, alligators and more. Relax under the shaded structures while your kids burn off energy at the Play & Splash Park.
Flint RiverQuarium Environmental Education Center. Albany. View fish, turtles, alligators and other creatures at the 22-foot-deep Blue Hole Spring. View freshwater and saltwater tanks, visit the Cypress Creek Aviary, learn about water management practices and more.
Georgia Museum of Agriculture
Georgia Museum of Agriculture. Tifton. Explore the agrarian and cultural traditions of the 19th century with hands-on learning. Visit the historic village, view the steam train, see a blacksmith operating hand forge and more.
Okefenokee Swamp Park and Okefenokee Adventures. Waycross and Folkston. Georgia is home to some incredible ecosystems, including this swamp, which is considered the headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Marys Rivers. Habitats provide for threatened and endangered species. Explore the area with a boat or train tour.
Wild Adventures. Valdosta. Spend all day on a wild adventure at this theme park, waterpark and animal park all in one. Check out the rides for unlimited thrills, visit Splash Island Water Park for a chilling good time on a hot day, and view goats, snakes, turtles, birds and more.
Savannah Children’s Museum/Coastal Heritage Society
Coastal Georgia
Coastal Heritage Society. Savannah. This collection of six museums explores history, art and more with historic railcars, musket firing demonstrations, an outdoor maze, historical interpreters, a glimpse into Gullah-Geechee culture and more.
Cumberland Island. St. Marys. Ride the ferry to Cumberland Island and explore 17 miles of undeveloped beaches, go on a guided tour, and see historic sites and ruins. On the mainland, the Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum has historical items and exhibits, the Waterfront Park has a playground for kids, and the Aquatic Center features a waterslide, a lazy river and a splash pad.
Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Jekyll Island. This sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility offers learning about sea turtles with interactive exhibits and experiences.
St. Marys Submarine Museum. St. Marys. Explore a fascinating collection of pictures, war patrol reports, artifacts, uniforms and exhibits, with about 99% of all WWII submarine combat war patrol reports housed here.
St. Simons Island Lighthouse
St. Simons Island Lighthouse. St. Simons Island. Climb 129 steps to the top of this lighthouse to see as far as Jekyll Island, Brunswick and the south end of the island. The St. Simons Lighthouse Museum is located in the Keeper’s Dwelling and features the history of Coastal Georgia with artifacts, photographs and interactive experiences.
Summer Waves Water Park. Jekyll Island. This refreshing spot has tons of ways to cool off, from lazy laps around Turtle Creek to thrilling dives down Pirate’s Passage.
Tybee Island Light Station and Museum. Tybee Island. Visit Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse. Go on a self-guided walking tour to explore Black history and Fort Screven.
Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Tybee Island. Experience marine science and nature-based programs with exhibits on the beach, in the marsh or in the Open-Air Classroom. The Coastal Galleries feature live animals, interactive stations, life-size animal replicas, fossils and a pirate ship-themed playground.
White Oak Pastures
Distinctive Accommodations
Add some fun to your overnight stay at these out-of-the-box experiences.
Nacoochee Adventures. Helen. Relax and enjoy the serenity of the forest in a gypsy wagon, pioneer covered wagon or a cozy tree house.
Wild Mustang Ranch. Lyons. The three-bedroom lodge at this wild mustang sanctuary offers a chance to relax and recharge in a beautiful setting.
Historic Banning Mills. Whitesburg. Choose from a variety of adventure lodging options at this scenic resort, from single- and double-decker tree houses to a cabin with a stunning overlook view of Snake Creek Gorge.
Little Raccoon Key. Jekyll Island. Stay on your own private island with this vacation that includes a solar-powered luxury canvas tent.
Georgia Safari Conservation Park. Madison. Enjoy a true safari experience and see animals roaming the savanna when you stay in a luxury safari tent or giraffe suite.
Unicoi State Park & Lodge. Helen. Bring your hammock or a sleeping bag for a night under the stars at Squirrels Nest covered camping platform. This site also has rustic barrel cabins and glamping options.
Harry Potter Adventures
Harry Potter Adventures. Chickamauga. Be immersed in the world of Harry Potter by staying in a themed “Dorm Room” guest suite, “Gamekeeper Hut” cabin or “The Burrow” home.
White Oak Pastures. Bluffton. Experience life on a real working farm, where you can stay in an agritourism cabin. Enjoy the scenery, explore the farm, and dine at The Farmers Table restaurant.
Southern Belle Houseboat. Bainbridge. Enjoy the scenery of Lake Seminole, fish from the back porch or just relax in this cozy houseboat that sleeps up to six people.
Southern Cross Guest Ranch. Madison. At this all-inclusive, 225-acre dude ranch, guests can help care for the horses, ride the trails, fish, swim or relax in a luxury suite.
Timberline Glamping. Eight locations. Glamp in style and comfort in a safari tent, bell tent or retro RV. All have air conditioning and real beds.
The Inn at Serenbe. Chattahoochee Hills. Set on a 36-acre farm, this inn offers luxurious accommodations, including a bed and breakfast experience, cottages, a lake house and more.
-Emily Webb and Mary Williams
