Summer is almost here! What are you going to do with your kids? Atlanta is full of great places to take the kids, but after you go to the zoo, Imagine It, the aquarium, the World of Coke and the Botanical Gardens, what’s next? Here are a few suggestions you may not have discovered yet. Please feel free to comment and share some of your own “hidden” treasures in the Atlanta area.
Wild Animal Safari
http://www.animalsafari.com/Georgia/
Who doesn’t want to see a real Liger?! You can drive your own car through or rent a van there. Animals such as yaks, ostriches, and zedonks will come eat out of your window.
Webb Bridge Park
http://www.alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=219
The website doesn’t do this park justice. It’s the best park for children that I’ve been to. There’s a manmade creek that runs through the play area shallow enough for kids to splash in and the perfect spot for them to get water to take back to the sandbox area. The sandbox is huge and covered so it’s always in the shade. There are also two separate playgrounds. One suitable for little kids and one for older kids.
Ink
The perfect place for your child’s imagination to run free. The space is divided into rooms, each with their own theme. Let your child be the doctor at the doctor’s office, or be the shopper or cashier at the grocery store, don’t forget to stop by the “bank” first and let them get money from the “ATM” to pay for their food.
They also have an arts and crafts room.
Ink also has a real fire engine, plane and police car to explore and you can receive $2 off on Sundays.
Dekalb Airport
http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/pdkairport/index.asp
It’s exciting for kids to hear a plane and look up and see it high in the sky, so imagine the joy of seeing planes take off and land. Plan a picnic and play at the playground near the runways or eat at the 57th Fighter Group restaurant. They will be having an airshow May 12.
Chattahoochee River Recreation Area
http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/unitdirections.htm
It amazes me how many people I talk to that have never been to a Chattahoochee park! They are beautiful with a north Georgia feel but conveniently close to the city. Perfect for going on hikes and some parks have bike trails. Bring your dog too and they will love splashing in the river. Make sure to have a leash and waste bags or the Rangers will get ya.
Yellow River Game Ranch
http://www.yellowrivergameranch.com/index.htm
A giant petting farm with shaded paved trails make it easy for strollers. One can feed deer, bunnies, goats and other animals out of your hand. The deer are not behind fences they just roam the park.
Train museum
http://www.srmduluth.org/default.shtml
Tons of old train cars that kids can walk through and explore; from old dining cars to sleeper cars. Trains are outside so in the hot months I recommend going early in the day. There are also train rides around the property. Make sure you check the website as train and caboose ride days change monthly. There are different events throughout the summer, notably: August 4-5 Trains, Trucks and Tractors.
Lake Lanier
http://www.lakelanier.com/activities/swimming/
Lake Lanier is not just for boating. Pick a beach without a boat ramp and a swimming area and you are likely also to find a quiet sandy beach with gradual entry sandy floored lake perfect for young kids who can’t go deep and just like to wade. The area also will have picnic tables, a playground and restrooms. But if you want to enjoy real lakes with beautiful white sandy beaches, plan your summer vacation to Michigan (wink, wink).