A-Z Things to Do Around and About Alpharetta

Veterans Park at the Atlanta History Center is dedicated to all of the men and women who have served – and continue to serve – the United States of America.  The Park was designed not as a traditional veterans’ memorial, but as a unique gathering place encouraging reflection, personal connections to veterans, and a celebration of the lives of those who have sacrificed to secure our freedom.

The Atlanta History Center offers a behind the scenes tour of the Swan House with displays of props and photo opportunities with recreated scenes from the movie The Hunger Games.  Admission also includes all History Center exhibitions, interactive experiences, explorations at Smith Family Farm and Swan House, and twenty-two acres of gardens and trails.  The History Center includes one of the Southeast’s largest history museums.

Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center

Check out their Children’s Classes and Workshops, Cooking and Crafts, After School Explorer and more!
Preserve Hours: Mon-Sun, 8a-Dusk
Visitor Center Hours: Tue-Sat, 10a-4p, Sun, 12p-4p & Mon closed

Center for Puppetry Arts

When a secretary stays at work after hours, her lonely corner of the office becomes the setting for an imaginary world of old-school glamour and romance. Soon, the line blurs between reality and fantasy, and her romantic tale becomes a hilarious, Hitchcockian nightmare. Yael Rasooly, a one-woman tour de force from Tel Aviv, Israel, created and stars in the internationally acclaimed, adult show. Paper Cut has been performed at 40 festivals in 15 countries and will play the Center for Puppetry Arts Downstairs Theater for one weekend only, June 21-24.

Paper Cut is presented as part of the New Directions Series for Adults and Teens. Age recommendations vary with each production. Premiering with Paper Cut, the 2018-19 season includes five New Directions Series productions, as part of a larger initiative to offer more programming for adult audiences, which will continue with the after-hours Puppet Party Series beginning in August.

Paper Cut presented by Yael Rasooly of Tel Aviv, Israel
Audiences ages 15 and up are invited to explore the obsessions and dangers of romantic fantasies

June 21–24
Show times are as follows:
Thursday-Saturday: 8 p.m.
Sunday: 5 p.m.

Ticket prices:
Thursday and Sunday: $22 (Members) and $30 (nonmembers) plus sales tax
Friday and Saturday: $25 (Members) and $35 (nonmembers) plus sales tax
Tickets include admission to the performance and the Worlds of PuppetryMuseum (with the largest collection of Jim Henson puppets and artifacts in the world as well as a Global Gallery). Beer and wine bar open one hour before the performance. Tickets are available online at www.puppet.org or by calling 404.873.3391. Paper Cut is sponsored in part by the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast.

June 12-July 29:  Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is bringing barnyard chaos and hilarity to the Center for Puppetry Arts. Based on the award-winning children’s book and adapted for the puppet stage by Jon Ludwig and Jason Hines, the show illustrates what happens when cows learn to type and chickens go on strike.

Families are invited to “moooove” over to the Center for Puppetry Arts during the production of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type! Based on the book by Doreen Cronin with illustrations by Betsy Lewin, “Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type” is a New York Times bestseller and a 2001 Caldecott Honoree that tells the story of what happens when Farmer Brown’s cows learn to type and go on strike. The book was adapted for the puppet stage by the Center’s Artistic Director Jon Ludwig and Resident Puppet Builder Jason Hines.

Recommended for ages 4 and up, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type features rod and marionette puppetry styles performed by puppeteers Brian Harrison, Mandy Mitchell, Amy Sweeney and Tim Sweeney, with live music by Dolph Amick. The witty production is the Center for Puppetry Arts’ first mainstage Family Series show of the 2018-19 season, kicking off the 40^th anniversary year.

The Center for Puppetry Arts is continuing its dedication to programming for patrons with Autism Spectrum Disorder on Sunday, June 24 with sensory-friendly modifications to the 1 p.m. performance as well as in the Museum and in the Create-A-Puppet Workshops™. The Center will also provide a quiet room, social stories, noise-reducing headphones and fidget toys for guests wishing to use those resources. For details, visit puppet.org/asd.

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type will be presented in the Mainstage Theater, June 12 – July 29. The production is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Regular show times are:
Tuesday – Friday: 10 a.m. and noon
Saturday: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

All-inclusive tickets are $9.75 (Members) and $19.50 (nonmembers) and include entrance to the Create-A Puppet Workshop™, where guests can make, decorate and perform with their own Click, Clack, Cow Hand Puppet, as well as admission to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum, featuring the largest collection of Jim Henson puppets in the world as well as a global gallery.  Tickets can be purchased online at puppet.org or by calling 404.873.3391.

Xperimental Puppetry Theater (XPT)
XPT is driven by experimentation, which results in performances that are bold, creative, inventive and mature in nature. This year, the Center will host five live performances, five short films and one art installation. Highlights of  the 2018 line-up include the story of a traveler and his beloved ship; the history of opals; correspondence from the afterlife; and the tale of friendship between a monkey and a kernel of popcorn.

Adult programming will also be extended beyond shows with the introduction of the Puppet Party Series. The new series will offer three special events for guests 21 and over who want to experience the Worlds of Puppetry Museum in a child-free environment after regular Museum hours. Puppets and Pints, Galentine’s Day and Puppets and Pinot will include live music, light bites, bar games, beer and wine cash bar and, of course, puppets! Guests can also look forward to a Fizz and Foam brunch-style event where attendees can create their own foam mouth puppet while enjoying light bites and mimosas.

Finally, the Worlds of Puppetry Museum will offer events a variety of events for guests of all ages! Patrons can view a variety of films and documentaries, celebrate Jim Henson’s birthday, check out the puppets from the popular show “Mystery Science Theater 3000” on display in the Global Collection and more! Little ones can look forward to the return of Toddler Tuesdays: Museum Takeover and Scout Days to earn all four STEM patches, while adult audiences can participate in one of nearly a dozen Explore Puppetry Series workshops or experience another side of the Museum during the special Haunted Histories & Puppet Pasts tours.

Chattahoochee Nature Center

Sundays on the River returns! Sunday concerts at CNC: July 8 (Adron), August 12 (Electromatics), September 9 (Ben Sollee and Kentucky Native)

• • Doors open at 6pm each evening (CNC Grounds are available to enjoy until the show starts)
  • Cash Bar Available (no outside alcoholic beverages are permitted, bags will be checked at entrance)
  • Dine at the show with your own picnic; bring your own table settings
  • For Lawn Seating bring your own seating

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

The Amazing Castle Exhibit June 9 – September 9:  Children’s Museum of Atlanta will bring new extraordinary hands-on adventures to life with The Amazing Castlewhere visitors will be transported to a magical place and time. Inside the castle’s stone walls, lies a happy and peaceful little community where every citizen has a special job to do. Children can don costumes and engage in role-play, become lords and ladies, castle villagers or even “HiJinx the Jester.” Families can try their hands in the Royal Workshops with “Trim the Tailor” or “Gable the Carpenter.” After picking vegetables in the garden, kids can tote them to the Great Hall to cook up a royal meal or visit the tower to wake “Herald” the sleeping dragon!

Exhibit Entry and Big Book
From the moment visitors walk through the entrance to The Amazing Castle, they are transported to a magical time and place—and the fantasy begins! “Lord Ben” and “Lady Evolent” welcome children and adults and make sure the castle is a safe and healthy place to live. Visitors can begin their adventure by reading the story of The Amazing Castle, which introduces the castle citizens and depicts the interconnectedness of those living in the castle.

The Keep
The Keep is a fortress sure to be enjoyed by the youngest royals. Toddlers can create a miniature, magical community in a castle-inspired dollhouse, build their own fortress out of “stone” blocks and play with a castle busy wall.

The Great Hall and Garden
Friends and family can take a seat at the royal table while children prepare a wonderful, magical meal with “Kipper the Cook.” They can put on an apron and select ingredients from a larder stocked with bread, fruits, and choose a main course! Or they can put on a garden smock and join “Posey the Gardener” in the royal garden, where visitors can pick and plant vegetables and gather eggs from a hen in the garden shed. To prepare and cook the meal, children can use wooden bowls, cooking utensils and a fireplace complete with a glowing fire, spit and cauldron.

Royal Puppet Theatre
Children and adults will become castle entertainers when they visit “HiJinx the Jester” in the Royal Puppet Theatre to present a puppet show using castle character puppets. Little ones have the option to pick out a fancy robe, pull up a throne and become the Lord or Lady, or don the jester’s costume and entertain the Lord and Lady.

The Royal Workshops
In the Tailor Shop, families can try their hand at repairing and making clothing for all of the castle citizens with “Trim the Tailor.” Guests play a game and design costumes, from sensible to ridiculous, by mixing and matching puzzle pieces. Children can also create their own outfits and discover how silly their costumes appear when they look at themselves in a distorted mirror!

The Dragon Tower
The Dragon Tower is home to “Herald the Dragon,” who announces important information to the citizens of The Amazing Castle. But Herald keeps falling asleep and needs to be awakened frequently. Visitors can wake Herald, who rises from the top of the tower, by matching each of the six electronic castle character puzzle pieces with his or her appropriate tool or symbol.

Celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Saturday, June 16
Eid al-Fitr is a holiday that celebrates the Islamic festival of fast-breaking marked by the end of Ramadan. Children’s Museum of Atlanta invites families to celebrate the holiday’s themes of light and phases of the moon with special crafts and events that highlight the rich culture and traditions of Eid al-Fitr. Throughout the day, visitors can learn about the holiday through special activities, including story time featuring “It’s Ramadan, Curious George.” In addition, little guests can participate in a traditional Eid Mela carnival with cultural dress-up, regional games and a henna station! Families are encouraged to sign up for classes in the Art Studio for moon lantern making or test cooking skills in a special class to make the traditional holiday drink mango lasi.

Father’s Day Celebration
Sunday, June 17
Join Children’s Museum of Atlanta to celebrate Dad! Kids can make the day special by visiting the Children’s Museum of Atlanta stage to learn about how families all around the world celebrate Father’s Day. In honor of the holiday, little ones are invited to craft tie holders in the Build It Lab or visit the Art Studio to decorate an “all about dad” poster, detailing their favorite things about their father or father-figure. During the special Father’s Day visit, dads can sharpen their cooking skills alongside their little ones during a special Eat a Georgia Rainbow cooking class.

As an extra special treat, dads will receive FREE admission on Sunday, June 17 by visiting the Welcome Center and saying “I love being a dad!”

Mini-Musical: “Hawthor’s Dragon” adapted by Heather Burkett
Weekdays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sundays at noon and 2 p.m.
Kids are invited to be a part of the valiant quest in the Imaginators’ Mini-Musical “Hawthor’s Dragon.” Kasey will journey into the mystical land of Hawthor to encourage its citizen to accept and celebrate the friendly village dragon, Earhart, for all of his differences.

Story Time
Weekdays 3 p.m.; Saturdays 3 p.m.; Sundays 1 p.m.
Grab a spot around the Children’s Museum of Atlanta stage and listen to the Imaginators read a specially themed story.

Music & Movement
Weekdays 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.; Saturdays 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m.
Little ones can move, groove and sing to Medieval sounds with the Imaginators.

Super Spectacular Science Show
Weekdays noon; Saturdays noon; Sundays  4 p.m.
Professor Labcoat and her assistants will lead a mesmerizing science demonstration for the entire Museum. Kids are invited to see what kind of fun she and her assistants have cooked up! Questions are encouraged at the end of the show.

Eat A Georgia Rainbow
Sundays at 3 p.m.
Children will embark on a scavenger hunt and cold cooking activity with the Imaginators to learn more about fruits and veggies harvested in Georgia throughout the year.

Sewing Thursdays
Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Little ones can learn the basics of sewing through guided instruction from the Children’s Museum of Atlanta team.

Art Studio
Weekdays 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturdays 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sundays 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Little artists will have the opportunity to craft stained glass paintings to hang in their own castles.

Build It Lab
Every day 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.  
Children can put their woodworking and creative tools to the test in this supervised space where they have access to real tools and materials. Encouraging inventions, Build It Lab sparks creativity by allowing young innovators to build various items.

Science Bar
Weekdays 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturdays 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Science is everywhere, especially on the mezzanine at the Museum! Step Up to Science is the STEM exhibit area and features interactive exhibits about light, robotics and how the human body works! Families can saddle up to the science bar for a full menu of fun activities, knowledge and have their questions turned into answers by one of the STEM educators.

Consolidated Gold Mine  Dahlonega 

Dave & Busters Alpharetta

Come and play at Dave & Buster’s newest location in Alpharetta ~ the one and only place you can enjoy great food and play hundreds of awesome arcade games! Conveniently located across from North Point Mall, Dave & Buster’s offers fun for the whole family!  The restaurant’s mouth-watering, chef-crafted menu and beverage items, combined with the latest games and attractions provide the perfect setting for kids parties, corporate and group events.  Guests can play more than 150 of the latest games including the Walking Dead, Tailgate Toss and Justice League!
Hours and Location:
6500 North Point Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30022
678-256-1100
Directions:
Sun – Thur 11:00 a.m. – Midnight
Fri – Sat  11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
View our article HEREon Dave & Busters weekly specials to save $$!!

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

June 9 – August 26: FOOD: Our Global Kitchen: Visitors will satisfy their intellectual appetite on this topic through seeing, touching, smelling and tasting in the new special exhibit FOOD: Our Global Kitchen, on view from June 9 through August 26, 2018 at Fernbank Museum of Natural History.FOOD: Our Global Kitchenshowcases how food is grown and distributed around the world and how it reflects culture and diversity. It also works to explore how humans have transformed food across countries and centuries, as well as the differences in how we experience flavor.
Highlights of the exhibit include:
-A life-size re-creation of a 16th-century Aztec marketplace
-Food Ships, an interactive game that demonstrates the challenges associated with transporting items like bananas, apples, tuna, and lamb around the world
-A “waste sculpture” containing the amount of food a U.S. family of four wastes per year: 1,656 pounds
-Signature dishes from around the world and how these have evolved through generations, from Korean kimchi to Moroccan tagine
-Smelling stations featuring scents such as lemon, lavender, thyme, and fennel, vital ingredients used in everything from candies to fish dishes to potent absinthe
-Utensils and cookware from around the globe, in addition to a selection of historic, classic, and even humorous cookbooks
-An interactive cooking table, where visitors “make” famous dishes eaten around the world
Through August 2  Backyard Wilderness:  Just in time for spring, Fernbank Museum will open Backyard Wilderness, a Giant Screen Movie that offers explorers of all ages tools and inspiration to discover the wonders of nature at their fingertips. Backyard Wilderness shows us that you don’t need to travel to the Alaskan tundra or the African plains to experience nature, but that—if you look closely—you can see its beauty from right outside your door. The film will open Friday, March 23 in Fernbank’s four-story Giant Screen Theater.Created by Emmy Award-winning and Oscar^® nominated filmmakers Andrew Young and Susan Todd, Backyard Wilderness will surprise and entertain viewers with the unexpected delights of nature found in our own neighborhoods and communities. Spanning a seasonal year around a suburban home, the film displays a stunning array of unique wildlife imagery and behavior—all captured by cameras mounted inside dens and nests and along forest floors and pond bottoms. The film reveals the animal inhabitants in rare and breathtaking detail.

We follow Katie, a young girl, and her family who are absorbed by an array of electronic devices and, at first, oblivious to the natural world outside their home. Katie gradually discovers the intricate secrets nature has hidden outside and we experience the joy she finds in her interactions with this newly uncovered world. The film reminds us that Wi-Fi is not the only connection that matters and that, sometimes in ordinary places, you can uncover extraordinary things—all it takes is one step outside.

For exact show times and to watch the trailer, visit Fernbank’s website at www.fernbankmuseum.org. Giant Screen Theater tickets are $13 for adults, $12 for seniors, $11 for children and $8 for Museum members, which are also available at a discount with the purchase of a combination Value Pass, and can be purchased online at fernbankmuseum.org or by calling 404.929.6400.

Fox Theatre

Paw Patrol Live! All paws on deck! Nickelodeon and VStar Entertainment Group present PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” an all-new action-packed, music-filled production based on the top-rated animated preschool series PAW Patrol produced by Spin Master Entertainment. The new live stage show follows the heroic pups as they embark on a pirate-themed adventure to uncover hidden treasure. June 30 @10 am and 2 pm. July 1 @10am and 2 pm.

Seating Office at (404) 881-2127 or visit FoxTheatre.org

Georgia Aquarium

Ways to Save:
11am – 4pm – Buy Online and Save: When you purchase your General Admission tickets online in advance, you’ll save over 10% off our walk-up pricing. Click here to purchase.
After 4pm – Imagination Nights: Enjoy Georgia Aquarium by night at a special ticket price! Visit the Aquarium after 4pm every day of the week to save over 30% off full priced admission. You’ll enjoy full access to the entire Aquarium! Restrictions apply.

Toddler Time:  10-11:30 a.m. on select dates
Event Fee:  Each adult and child must have a paid ticket to attend. Cost does not include Aquarium Admission.
$16 ($8 per person) – Member
$20 ($10 per person) – Non-Member
Upcoming Dates:

• • • September 10, 2018 – Beluga Palooza
    • October 1, 2018 – Jelly Jam
    • November 5, 2018 – Give Thanks
    • December 3, 2018 – Happy Holidays

  Please note:

  • • A paid adult must accompany child(ren).
    • Advance registration required. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
    • All adults and all children must have a paid ticket to this event to attend.
    • Intended for children ages 0-3 years.
    • Cost does not include Aquarium Admission.
    • Access to Toddler Time via Oceans Ballroom Entrance on first floor of the parking garage ONLY.

  **Refunds are not available for Toddler Time. A date may be changed free of charge if the change is made more than 10 days in advance of the original date of your visit. If the change is made less than 10 days prior to the original date of your visit, a $5 change fee per ticket will be charged. Cancellations and no-shows will not be refunded or rescheduled. To change your reservation, please contact the Georgia Aquarium Call Center at 404.581.4000.

  **The largest aquarium in the United States is getting bigger. Georgia Aquarium revealed expansion plans today for a new gallery featuring sharks—one of the most misunderstood species in the ocean—to open in late fall of 2020. An extension of the Aquarium’s conservation and education efforts, the new experience will help guests have a deeper appreciation for the important role sharks serve in the oceans and inspire them to join conservation efforts to protect our oceans.  The project, Expansion 2020, is a major addition to the Western hemisphere’s largest aquarium featuring a shark habitat and redesigned entry.

  Georgia Ensemble Theatre

  

• Ring of Fire ~ The Music of Johnny Cash July 12 – 28!
• Contact: GET.org | 770.641.1260  Location:  Roswell Cultural Arts Center 950 Forrest Street    Roswell, GA  30075
  

  High Museum of Art

  Every Second Sunday of the Month enjoy FREE admission from 12 –5pm for all visitors.  Enjoy special family friendly programming from 1-4pm.
  Every Thursday from 4-8 pm enjoy 1/2 priced admission. Toddler Thursdays: Bring your tot Thursdays from  11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a new way of looking at the High’s collection through letters, numbers, colors, and shapes.  Check link for dates. No registration required. Free with museum admission. Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Weekend Family Tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm.
  The High Museum of Art is part of the Woodruff Arts Center.

  Home Depot Free Kid Clinics

  First Saturday of Each Month between 9 a.m. – 12:00 pm.  FREE hands-on workshops designed for children ages 5 – 12 at all Home Depot stores.  Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment.  All kids get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement.

  Legoland Discovery Center Atlanta

  An all-new LEGO® Ninjago 4D short movie launched at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Atlanta! In LEGO NINJAGO – Master of the 4^th Dimension, the ninjas will show off their awesome LEGO® Ninjago moves in a super-cool and explosive 4D adventure. Enter the Dojo with Master Wu and train with the ninjas to learn the teachings of the Scroll of the 4^th Dimension. Guests will experience the totally-awesome world of Ninjago as they’ve never seen, smelled or felt it before.

  The LEGO® Ninjago Training Camp is making its return to LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Atlanta! Families can put their ninja skills to the test to see if they have what it takes to become a true LEGO ninja and defeat the bad guys in this fun, action-packed play-zone. Children can test their agility in the laser maze and master their building skills at the Ninjago build table to go on a LEGO adventure that’s bigger and better than they can do at home.

  Library Events

  See Holiday Activity Guide! Click HEREfor AMO’s article on local library events that are FREE. Events range from infant to teenagers and adult!

  Lowe’s Build and Grow

  Free Kids Clinics offered 1-2x per month on Saturdays year round from 10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m..

  Medieval Times 

  Medieval Times is a thrilling, family-friendly dinner attraction inspired by an 11th century feast and tournament. Guests are served a four-course banquet and cheer for one of six Knights competing in the joust and other tests of skill.See AMO’s post here with more detail on this fun entertainment for the family.
  

  Six Flags Over Georgia

  Now Open on Weekends! The Thrill Capital of the South— with heart-pounding, innovative roller coaster experiences and a special name change for a fan favorite ride.

  Guests can experience the massive drops, twists and unsuspecting turns of The Great American Scream Machine — Backward.  When the historic wooden roller coaster debuted in 1973, it was the longest, fastest and tallest wooden roller coaster in the world. This season, the coaster celebrates its 45^thanniversary and will feature:

  • A suspenseful 105-foot climb while staring straight down at the ground—backward;
  • The exhilarating drop down nearly 10 stories—backward;
  • Speeds of 57 miles per hour around tight curves—backward; and
  • More than 3,800 feet of track racing along the banks of the Chattahoochee River—all while facing backward.

  In honor of the park’s friendly wager with Alabama Splash Adventure, the steel stand up roller coaster—Georgia Scorcher—will temporarily become the Alabama Scorcher for the weekend, to celebrate the University of Alabama’s national championship

  

  Six Flags Atlanta
  Photo by: Craig T. Mathew/Mathew Imaging

  Then, later this spring, one of the country’s most anticipated new rides of 2018—Twisted Cyclone, makes its debut as the region’s first hybrid coaster, combining steel and wood for a smoother and more exciting ride than ever before. Park guests will get an up-close view of the construction progress and amazing transformation of this thrilling roller coaster set to open Memorial Day weekend.

  www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.

  Southeastern Railway Museum

  SRM has about 90 different cars, including Pullman cars, classic steam locomotives, and antique diesel-electric trains. Ride in restored cabooses and learn about the famous trains that made history! Special admission price of $7 and free train rides for home-schooled kids and their families! Learn about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad through arts and crafts, special exhibits, and scavenger hunts.   3595 Buford Hwy Duluth

  Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History

  Southern Museum offers a Mommy & ME preschool program every Thursday 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 am. Designed for preschool age children ages three to five-years-old and their caregivers, the Museum’s history, themes and exhibits provide a fun and exciting starting point for educational activities. Free with museum admission. No reservations required.

  The Southern Museum, in association with the Smithsonian Institution, is a premier metro Atlanta museum, featuring exhibits on Civil War and locomotive history. The Southern Museum is home to the General locomotive, stolen during the Civil War’s Great Locomotive Chase; a reproduction of the locomotive assembly line from the Glover Machine Works; weapons, uniforms and every day items of Civil War soldiers; and the Jolley Education Center that features train history, hands-on activities for children and Georgia’s French Gratitude Train.  Kennessaw

  Stone Mountain Park

  Celebrate the beauty of spring with a visit to Atlanta’s favorite natural wonderland. Discover a prehistoric creature collection at Dinosaur Explore, trek through the treetops on SkyHike®, and soar to the top of the mountain on Summit Skyride… the adventures are endless!

  Challenge yourself on SkyHike®, the nation’s largest family adventure course, cool off and play in the spray on Geyser Towers® or soar to the top of the mountain on the Summit Skyride…the adventures are endless!

  Be sure to check out the extended fireworks finale, and the Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision® with all-new breathtaking fire effects. Three flame cannons add a punch to the show by sending a trio of flames nearly one-hundred feet into the air.  Plus, special new fireworks spray multi-colored bursts and dance on the water at the base of the mountain.

  Treetop Quest

  Are you looking for something adventurous AND nature-oriented? Treetop Quest is an aerial adventure park which means ziplines and obstcles in the trees!  2 locations in Gwinnett and Dunwoody. Great family fun for ages 4 and up!  Come swing in our trees with us!

  Treetop Quest is a self-guided activity comprised of treetop obstacles and zip-lines. Our courses range in difficulty from easy to very challenging, so the entire family will have a blast!  Once you are equipped, we will teach you how to operate your equipment and you will be good to swing through each course as many times as you want, for 2.5 hours (according to age limit as indicated below).

  Waterfalls/Hiking

  10 Waterfalls Worthy of a Trip by Explore Georgia! 

  Amicalola Falls at Amicalola Falls State Park which is Cherokee for “tumbling waters,” boasts seven cascades at Amicalola Falls State Park. At 729 feet, it is the tallest waterfall in the state. Located in the Northeast Georgia Mountains north of Dawsonville, the park and falls are a perfect family destination for the adventure set. Plan to spend the day hiking the trails near the waterfalls, ranging from short journeys to an eight-mile approach trail that will lead you to Springer Mountain, the southern end of the Appalachian Trail. When you’re ready to rest, options range from camping, to a more hotel-style mountain-top lodge, to the Len Foote Hike Inn, Georgia’s only backcountry lodge, reachable by a 5-mile hike.

  Tallulah Falls in Tallulah Gorge State Park is a series of six falls cascading through the 1,000-foot-deep Tallulah Gorge. Snap a photo of your view from the suspension bridge swaying 80 feet above the gorge floor.  An easily accessible pathway leads to Toccoa Falls, a 186-foot, free-falling waterfall on the campus of Toccoa Falls College.  Anna Ruby Falls, formed by Curtis and York creeks, are local favorites in Helen. Hike the easy-to-moderate half-mile trail from the parking lot to the foot of the falls, and you just might agree.

  Angel Falls Trail in Rabun offers two waterfall gems. Hike about a half-mile to view Panther Creek Falls and then continue on, passing by rhododendron, mountain laurel and American holly, to Angel Falls. Holcomb Creek Falls in Clayton is yet another hike that rewards your effort with double waterfalls. First, find the 120-foot drop of Holcomb Creek Falls and then continue to the viewing deck at the foot of Ammons Falls.  To see Raven Cliff Falls, near Helen, is about a five-mile round-trip hike. Savor the beautiful views of Dodd Creek as you make your way to the 90-foot drop of the main attraction.

  The 100-foot, stair-stepping falls of Minnehaha Falls in Tallulah Falls inspire many a photo op, particularly in spring when the surrounding forest puts on a display of blooms.  DeSoto Falls, near Cleveland, is named after the Spanish explorer Hernando Desoto, who traveled through the region in the 16th century. It’s located in the Chattahoochee National Forest.  If you’re visiting Vogel State Park, make a pit stop at Helton Creek Falls, to see these family-friendly falls. In the summer, wear your swimsuits and splash around in the pool at the bottom of the falls.

  Also, the Vickery Creek Trail (also known as Big Creek) in Roswell is a pretty 2 mile hike with a beautiful waterfall. The hike starts just off Riverside Road in Roswell, climbs over a series of short ridges and then descends to a man-made waterfall that was once the site of an old mill. The Vickery Creek Trail explores the historic Roswell Mill and the surrounding rolling forest on the banks of Big Creek, also known as Vickery Creek, near Roswell, Georgia. It’s one of the best hikes in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area parks near Atlanta, though its trails don’t follow the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Instead, this hike explores the historic remains of Roswell Mill and visits the mill’s spillway dam waterfall on a Chattahoochee River tributary. The 5+ mile Vickery Creek trail network hikes through beautiful, rolling forest and catches views of the rushing dam waterfall from a steep rock bluff.  The hike crosses a wood bridge at 2.5 miles, the sound of falling water echoing through the forest. The hike visits the southern bank of the Roswell Mill waterfall from a tall bluff alongside its rushing, tumbling waters.  The hike reaches a covered bridge at 3 miles. The view from the bridge upstream is beautiful, as Vickery Creek cascades over a rock creek bed. Reaching the end of the covered bridge, the hike hangs a right, following the trail eastbound and passing a historic brick machine shop. The trail reaches the ruins of the old Roswell Mill, looping around the mill, the old rusted mill chase, and catching an up-close view of the dam waterfall and spillway waterfall from Vickery Creek’s northern bank.

  Yellow River Game Ranch

  Yellow River Game Ranch is a popular destination to encounter, feed and pet animals.  Located 2 1/2 miles east of Stone Mtn on Hwy 78, it offers a chance to meet wildlife on a close and personal basis. Stroll along a mile-long trail on 24 wooded acres and encounter white-tailed deer, bunnies, buffalo, sheep, kid goats, black bears and more!

  Woodruff Arts Center

  Every Sunday from 1:00–4:00 p.m., visit the Woodruff Arts Centerfor FREE family activities, including art-making workshops, ASO backstage tours, intera

  The Woodruff Arts Center Atlanta, Georgia is one of the only arts venues in the United States to offer both visual and performing arts on a single campus. The Woodruff produces outstanding theatre, music and exhibitions for over 800,000 patrons each year.

  The Woodruff Arts Center serves over 200,000 students annually and is proud to be recognized as Georgia’s largest arts educator.  Whether it’s summer camps for middle school students or theatre made for the youngest audiences, families with children of all ages will be able to explore, play, learn and create art in an interactive environment.

  World of Coca-Cola

  World of Coca-Cola offers more than 100 drinks from around the world in its one-of-a-kind Taste It! Beverage Lounge. From delicious classics to your new favorite that you probably didn’t even know existed, you can sample and savor them all. Plus, sip on some of the latest and greatest Coke products at the lounge’s Sampling Bar. Thirsty yet?

  As Atlanta brings the heat this summer, World of Coca-Cola brings the cool with refreshing moments of fun. From a new exhibit about a classic Coca-Cola character to a global tasting experience, you will discover summertime entertainment for families and friends of all ages.

  1. 1. Beat the Heat – The moment you step in from the sun, World of
        Coca-Cola welcomes you with an ice-cold beverage to sip as you explore. Coca-Cola’s rich, 132-year history pops in each exhibit – from the Vault of the Secret Formula, where you can discover the myths and legends surrounding the famous Coca-Cola recipe, toMilestones of Refreshment, a trip down memory lane.
     2. Blast from the Past – Ever heard of Sprite Boy? You may be surprised to learn he has nothing to do with the popular lemon-lime flavored soft drink. Die-hard Coca-Cola fans might remember the elfin cartoon from the 40s and 50s – and now you can meet him for yourself in a fun photo op experience. The Story of Sprite Boy is a new exhibit on display through spring 2019 in the Pop Culture Gallery. The pixie-like Coca-Cola character comes to life through original oil paintings, print ads, artifacts and photos from around the world.
     3. Savor the Summer – After exploring the exhibits, pop over to the Taste It! Beverage Lounge, where over 100 familiar and exotic beverages will spice up your summer. You can sample fountain beverages from around the globe as well as recently released, limited-time offerings at the Sampling Bar. Find a new favorite flavor or simply savor the classics!
     4. Drink in the Deals – If you are in search of hot summer deals, look no further than the Atlanta CityPASS, which gets you into five top Atlanta attractions – including World of Coca-Cola – over a nine-day period. Adult tickets cost $76, helping you save a sweet 40 percent on admission. You can purchase CityPASS tickets at World of Coca-Cola ticket windows or online at www.worldofcoca-cola.com.
     5. Coca-Cola Red, White and Blue – Just in time for our nation’s birthday, the Coca-Cola Store at World of Coca-Cola is releasing a new Americana-themed assortment. Fans can rep both Coca-Cola and America the Beautiful with patriotic T-shirts, salt and pepper shakers, wooden signs, kitchen towels and aprons. Items in the collection feature the classic combination of Coca-Cola, stars and stripes.

  Article updated weekly. Information provided by the specific venue. Enjoy!