A-Z Things to Do Around and About Alpharetta

Viewers will follow the Alucia, OceanX’s research vessel, on a global odyssey from Antarctica to Egypt in the discovery of never-before-captured footage like deep seafloor methane volcanoes, a close-up of an octopus’ body armor and the clever tusk fish’s cracking of clams.  Oceans: Our Blue Planet 3D will show daily at Fernbank Museum’s Giant Screen Theater from June 22 through Nov. 1, 2018. Giant Screen Theater tickets are $13 for adults, $12 for seniors, $11 for children and $8 for Museum members. Save on movies with the purchase of a Value Pass combination ticket, offering the movie and museum admission for $21-$25.

Fernbank Museum Invites Viewers to Sit Back and Soar with Earthflight 3D Movie: Through Dec 3

Earthflight 3D is coming in for a landing at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Giant Screen Theater, where it will take audiences on an incredible 40-minute flight around the world on the wings of birds. “Earthflight 3D is as much a film about the sensation of flying as it is about the remarkable behavior and migrations of birds,” said Neil Nightingale, Executive Producer of Earthflight 3D.

Earthflight 3D journeys across four continents and 11 different countries, all from the point of view of the many birds soaring overhead, including geese, vultures, and eagles. Earthflight 3D will show daily at Fernbank Museum’s Giant Screen Theater until Dec. 13, 2018.

Fox Theatre

Might Mo & More  December 17:  Come one, come all! The Fox Theatre invites the community to the 13th Annual Mighty Mo & More – a FREE holiday event on Monday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. Presented by Georgia Natural Gas, this event will honor the Fox Theatre’s historic 1929 grand opening with a musical prelude on the beloved Mighty Mo by Ken Double, president of the American Theatre Organ Society, followed by a special screening of “Elf.”  Atlanta’s own soul musician, Cody Matlock, will grace the Fox stage this year with renditions of some of your favorite Holiday classics!

Tickets are FREE and available now for reservation. Please reserve tickets at the Fox Theatre ticket office or at FoxTheatre.org. There is a limit of six (6) tickets per person and everyone must have a ticket, including infants. Tickets for the Marquee Club presented by Lexus are available for purchase for $40 at FoxTheatre.org.

The holidays are the season of giving, and the Fox Theatre invites ticketed guests to donate a pair of new adult athletic socks for Project Live Love’s THREE-OH-WE-GO! program. For nights with below freezing temperatures, the GO volunteer teams will hit the streets to deliver much-needed supplies, such as hand warmers, blankets, socks and other winter items.

Details and exciting offerings for the 13^th Annual Might Mo & More holiday event include:

• Free event open to the entire family
• Doors open at 6 p.m.
• 100 percent chance of snow on Peachtree Street
• On-site family photo opportunities with Santa Claus
• Christmas Carols Sing-A-Long led by the famous “Mighty Mo” organ, one of the largest Mollër theatre organs in the world, and the Cody Matlock Band
• The evening of fun will be hosted by hometown entertainment guru Wendell Scott

Holiday Tours
Guests will be merry and bright during the Fox Theatre’s annual Holiday Tours – a special treat for patrons who want to explore the theatre’s storied history and create a holiday memory that lasts a lifetime. Reservations are available now. Tours will occur every Monday, Thursday and Saturday at regularly scheduled times. Guests will explore the garland-lined hallways, as they take an up-close look at the Fox’s distinct holiday décor, delight in the famous Mighty Mo up close and complete the journey with complimentary warm cider or hot chocolate under the starry-skied auditorium. Tours run for approximately 60 minutes.

Georgia Aquarium

Festival of the SEAson transforms Georgia Aquarium’s plaza, galleries and exhibits into a winter wonderland, including appearances by Santa and SCUBA Claus, a holiday edition of our live entertainment experience, tree-lighting ceremonies, and Santa Claus events.

Holidays Events:*

• A Symphony of Snow
• Wake Up Santa
• Breakfast with Santa
• Toddler Time – Holiday Theme
• Visit with Santa Claus
• SCUBA Claus
• THE POLAR EXPRESS™ 4-D Experience
• Tree Lightings

*All events are subject to change at any time without notice.

Georgia Aquarium is an entertaining, intriguing and educational experience for guests of all ages. While promoting a fun and enjoyable learning experience, the Aquarium instills in its guests a new appreciation for the world’s aquatic biodiversity.  One of the Georgia Aquarium’s major goals is to be the leading facility for aquatic animal conservation and research.

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:

• December 3, 2018 – Happy Holidays

Workout by the Water
Break a sweat at the most unique and inspiring fitness studio Atlanta has to offer – Georgia Aquarium! Workout by the Water offers yoga, pilates and boot camp classes led by local fitness instructors. Classes are designed to challenge students of all experience levels. Workouts take place in our magnificent Oceans Ballroom, offering incredible views of manta rays and whale sharks guaranteed to motivate you to become a healthier, and happier, YOU!
Each class is just $10 and takes place from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM on the dates listed below. All proceeds from Workout by the Water benefit Georgia Aquarium’s research and conservation initiatives.  Dec 4

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.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.

Horizon Theatre

Horizon Theatre is kicking off a new holiday tradition with the world premiere of Waffle Palace Christmas, November 16-December 30. Inspired by real events at Waffle House restaurants, the sequel to the smash hit includes familiar faces as well as new, charming cast members dishing up heartfelt southern humor — scattered, smothered and covered in a spicy holiday sauce.

Ice Skating

AlpharettaMoms has a comprehensive list of ice skating rinks open over the holiday season. There are several indoor rinks listed that are open year-round.

Legoland Discovery Center Atlanta

Phipps Plaza attraction kicks off Holiday Bricktacular with annual Big Tree Build December 1 and 2 and continues festivities on weekends throughout the month!

Library Events

Click HERE for 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.

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands

New details were announced today surrounding the much-anticipated winter attraction arriving to Margaritaville at Lanier Islands – License to Chill Snow Island – as developers issued a call for temporary employees to fill a variety of seasonal positions. Safe Harbor Development is set to open the new winter wonderland on November 16 with a more than $5.5-milion investment, including the nation’s fastest snow tubing hill, winter-themed rides and additional holiday festivities.

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands will be transformed for the winter with real snow, courtesy of six, state-of-the-art snow-making machines. A diverse entertainment complex set for all kinds of wintertainment, License to Chill Snow Island will feature:

• The fastest snow-tubing hill in North America at 400 ft long with 10 lanes
• A four-lane snow-tubing slide on Paradise Beach
• A snowball fight area at LandShark Landing, complete with throwing targets along the lake
• A snow-clad beach bar
• Snow play areas for children throughout the destination
• 13 winter-themed carnival rides such as bumper cars, a Ferris Wheel and more
• An ice-skating rink
• Santa’s Surf Shack at LandShark Landing, where children can meet with St. Nick and take a photo to capture the memory
• Sleigh rides down Paradise Beach
• Firepits for roasting marshmallows and making s’mores

License to Chill Snow Island will be open November 16 through February 24, 2019, and guests can experience all the holiday fun with Winter Chill Season Passes. Ranging from $89.99 to $149.99, these all-access passes include admission to License to Chill Snow Island and Margaritaville’s Magical Night of Lights in addition to exclusive discounts, offers and merchandise. Daily tickets are also available for purchase beginning at $24.99.

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands is now seeking seasonal workers with a high level of service, attention to detail and fun. The destination is accepting in-person and online applications and conducting interviews for more than 150 temporary positions in areas such as ice rink attendant, snow groomer, retail, cashier, food and beverage, and entertainment.

For more information on tickets and hours of operation, visit MargaritavilleAtLanierIslands.com. To apply for seasonal positions, visit CareersMargaritavilleAtLanierIslands.com or apply in person Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 7650 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford, GA 30518.

Santa Sightings Around and About Alpharetta

Visit Santa at breakfast, in malls, at outdoor venues and more. AlpharettaMoms has a comprehensive list for you to take the kiddos to see Santa!

Six Flags Over Georgia

Holiday in the Park^®, selected a premier winter celebration in Georgia for the second year in a row, returns to Six Flags Over Georgia—the Thrill Capital of the South. Celebrating its 5^th anniversary season, this holiday wonderland is more spectacular than ever with 16 intricately themed areas, 30-holiday rides, dazzling live shows, and festive seasonal food, all combining to make Holiday in the Park the most magical time of the year.  November 17-January 6

“Holiday in the Park is Atlanta’s leading destination to enjoy the magic of the season with family and friends,” said Park President Dale Kaetzel. “The sensational world-class holiday experience transforms the park into a breathtaking, immersive, one-of-a-kind holiday extravaganza, featuring nine world-class roller coasters, more than one million LED lights, exciting, new entertainment and mouthwatering holiday treats for guests of all ages.”

Holiday in the Park features the return of guest-favorite holiday thrills and enchanting, new offerings including:

• New for 2018, Twisted Cyclone will send riders head-over-heels at 50 miles per hour through the magical lights in S’mores Village;
• Bad Bob Humbug, an all-new slapstick comedy show, stuffed with holiday hijinks that will leave the entire family laughing together;
• The magical A Main Street Christmas park entrance with a 165,000 twinkling light canopy and artificial snow;

• All-aboard the North Pole Express to see Santa at the North Pole;
• A spectacular state-of-the-art choreographed light show, Magic of the Season; and
• The iconic highlight of the event—the historic 1908 Riverview Carousel at Candlelight Carousel featuring more than 100,000 lights and 250 luminary candles..

Holiday in the Park operates on select days November 17 through January 6, 2019. For more information, visit sixflags.com/overgeorgia.

Six Flags Over Georgia 2019 Season Passes are on sale now and provide unlimited visits to Holiday in the Park and all of 2019. For a limited time during the park’s Cyber Week Sale November 19 through November 26, Guests who purchase four or more Season Passes, receive free admission to both Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags White Water, along with a free parking pass and unlimited visits to any Six Flags theme park in 2019.

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.  Kennesaw

Stone Mountain Park

With the installation of over 2 million LED lights, a daily production of over 360 tons of snow, the lighting of a 275-foot tall tree and plenty of Christmas spirit, Stone Mountain Park—Georgia’s most visited attraction—will once again transform into the ultimate wintery playland for families.

A Stone Mountain Christmas, a favorite holiday tradition in the Southeast, opens Nov. 10 through Jan. 6 every weekend and all school holidays. Guests may wander through more than 2 million dazzling lights, meet and take photos with Santa, Rudolph and Clarice, enjoy live holiday shows including Christmas in the City and more. New this year is the nightly Enchanted Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Santa’s high flying entrance, and back by popular demand is the Polar Express 4-D movie experience.

Returning for an exciting 11th season Nov. 17 until Feb. 24, Snow Mountainfeatures 18 lanes of daytime tubing fun. Guests zip down a 400-foot hill on real snow in family-sized tubes or race their friends down multiple lanes in a single rider tube. And back for a second season, Galactic Snow Tubing after dark has more lights, more lasers and more music. Ticketed time slots for tubing also include all-day access to the Snow Zone, an open snow play area with smaller slides for kids, activities and periodic “snow falls.”

Tickets for both Stone Mountain Christmas and Snow Mountain are available online at stonemountainpark.com. An All-Attractions Pass includes access to the Crossroads area of the park, with all the Stone Mountain Christmas attractions. Snow Mountain tickets include a two-hour tubing session and an all-day snow play access. Galactic Snow Tubing sessions begin at 5:30 p.m. on Snow Mountain operating days. Space is limited and advanced reservations are strongly recommended.

More About Stone Mountain Christmas

The holidays come to life during Stone Mountain Christmas, with more than 2 million LED lights adorning the park, including a 275-foot light tree at the mountain’s summit. Families can gather after dark for a nightly tree lighting ceremony. After, they can help the Snow Angel make it snow in the park and view nightly fireworks.

Stone Mountain Christmas is known for its wonderful live holiday shows, a 4D theatre movie experience featuring Polar Express 4D, and train rides around the mountain featuring a very special show called “The Gift.” Rudolph, Bumble and Clarice are available for photo opportunities along with a cast of other holiday characters including Santa to listen to children’s wishes through Dec. 24.

More About Snow Mountain

Situated on what is commonly known as the “Laser Lawn” throughout warmer months, Georgia’s largest snow park features several feet of actual snow sculpted into 14 single or double rider lanes, plus four family tube lanes that can now accommodate as many as eight passengers in giant 10-foot tubes. Guests 36 inches and taller can scream their way down the Avalanche Alley family tube ride, while those 42 inches and taller can take on a single tube lane.  The Snow Zone area is open for younger kids to tube, make the ultimate snowmen and snow angels, or throw snowballs in a snowball shooting gallery.

Listed in Frommer’s 500 Places to Visit with Your Kids Before They Grow Up and cited by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of “35 Natural Wonders in Georgia You Must See,” Stone Mountain Park is located 16 miles east of downtown Atlanta.  To get to the park, take I-285 to Exit 39B, Hwy. 78 East.  Stone Mountain Park is at Exit No. 8 on Hwy. 78. More information and ticketing options regarding Stone Mountain Park attractions and hours of operation are available by phone at 800-401-2407 or online at www.stonemountainpark.com.

Treetop Quest

Are you looking for something adventurous AND nature-oriented? Treetop Quest is an aerial adventure park which means ziplines and obstacles 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