Zoos are a great place for families to visit any time of year and offer an unforgettable learning experience about our world’s amazing wildlife. Listed alphabetically, the following 10 zoos are among the best on the East Coast of the USA. Visit one of these for a memorable encounter that will inspire future generations with wonder and respect for the natural world.

Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo in New York is the biggest urban zoo in the world

At 265 acres, the Bronx Zoo in New York is the biggest urban zoo in the world. Their naturalistic habitats are home to over 600 species of creatures in fantastic exhibits including Tiger Mountain, JungleWorld, the Congo Gorilla Forest, African Plains, Madagascar! and the Baboon Reserve. Their award-winning Children’s Zoo boasts three acres of hands-on activities that help children learn all about animals and their habitats and includes a petting zoo. The zoo also features a Bug Carousel, camel rides, a Zoo Shuttle with unlimited rides per ticket, a 4-D Theater, and the Wild Asia Monorail that takes visitors on a guided tour where elephants, rhinos, tigers and other wildlife frolic in the forests, riverbanks and pastures of their habitats. Daily animal feedings and training demonstrations offer unforgettable encounters as well. The Bronx Zoo is located at Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Road in Bronx, New York 10470. For more information visit www.bronxzoo.com

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Safari tours at Disney's Animal Kingdom are a wonderful way to view many of the animals at the park, like this elephant

As part of the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Disney’s Animal Kingdom encompasses 500 lush acres and over 1,700 animals from 250 species. There are seven themed areas surrounding the park’s Tree of Life - a 14-story sculpted thematic park centerpiece –  with exhibits, expeditions and safaris that offer close encounters with the animals. Pulsating entertainment includes musical stage performances, parades, and fantastic shows like Flights of Wonder that features 20 bird species including macaws, hawks and eagles. Several rides whirl guests through themed adventures like the Kali River Rapids rafts, the Expedition Everest coaster, the TriceraTop Spin, the Wildlife Express Train and more. A shaded petting zoo lets children learn more about a variety of animals including llamas, sheep, goats and chickens. Kids can also run, climb, slide or dig for fossils at the playground with a shaded dig site called The Boneyard. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is located at 2901 Osceola Parkway in Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830. For more information visit www.disneyworld.disney.go.com (under “Parks” tab at top)

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Train rides are one of the delights featured at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

With over 1,800 exotic animals and 1,000 diverse plants, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida offers families an exciting wildlife adventure. Some of the many naturalistic exhibits are the Great Apes, the Plains of East Africa, the River Valley Aviary, the Giraffe Overlook, Wild Florida, and the Range of the Jaguar that is home to one of the nation’s largest collections of these gorgeous cats. Its botanical gardens are a passionate testament to nature’s beauty, and a sanctuary for strolling. The zoo offers behind-the-scenes tours, lush garden tours, keeper talks, bird watching, train rides, and a delightful wildlife carousel. A play park with splash ground lets children run, jump, climb and play through mazes and a variety of nature-themed apparatus. They can also pet animals such as pygmy goats in the animal care contact yard, explore several tree houses, do arts and crafts and other activities in the Discovery Building, and much more. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is located at 370 Zoo Parkway in Jacksonville, Florida 32218. For more information visit www.jacksonvillezoo.org

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Guests can feed the giraffes for a nominal fee at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

With its opening in 1876, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Maryland is the third oldest zoo in the nation, and is home to over 2,000 animals. African Journey is the zoo’s largest area with numerous exhibits where animals indigenous to Africa can be seen. Watch cheetahs, gazelle, warthogs, elephants, rhinos, zebras, lions and more in naturalistic habitats. Go on camel rides or feed giraffes at the feeding station for a nominal fee. In Polar Bear Watch, guests can explore the tundra setting with arctic foxes, snowy owls, ravens and polar bears with a large underwater viewing area to see the bears swim. The Maryland Wilderness featuring The Children’s Zoo boasts many interactive exhibits that inspire children to crawl, climb and jump like the animals displayed – all native to Maryland – and includes a walk-through aviary, cave, petting area with farmyard critters, and much more. The zoo also has a few carnival-style rides, a train, a carousel, a variety of tours, animal encounters and educational keeper talks. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is located at 1876 Mansion House Drive in Baltimore, Maryland 21217. For more information visit www.marylandzoo.org

Philadelphia Zoo

State-of-the-art exhibits at the Philadelphia Zoo let visitors see many animals like this very regal lion up close through tall windows

The Philadelphia Zoo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the nation’s first and oldest zoo, having opened after the American Civil War. Over 1,300 animals – many of them rare and endangered – live on the 42-acres in habitats that allow visitors to see and experience the animals up close.  Get face-to-face with big cats from around the world including tigers, lions, leopards and jaguars through tall glass windows rather than across deep moats. Watch gorillas as they meander through stunning lush gardens. There are bears, birds, bugs, reptiles, aquatic animals and so much more. Children will love the variety of rides and activities such as the Amazon Rainforest Carousel, camel and pony rides, swan boats, train rides, hand-feeding lorikeets, and the Channel 6 Zooballoon that offers panoramic views at a soaring 400 feet. The Children’s Zoo allows kids to pet and feed familiar furry and feathered farm friends, and get a closer look at creepy crawlies at Backyard Bugs, while they learn about the many creatures that share our planet. The Philadelphia Zoo is located at 3400 West Girard Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104. For more information visit www.philadelphiazoo.org

Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium

These sea lions and over 4,000 animals live at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

With its fantastic combination of zoo and aquarium, the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania features 77 acres with over 4,000 animals.  Guests can see lions, elephants, zebras and ostriches roam among the plains and animals of the African Savanna exhibits. There are over 90 primates in the indoor/outdoor Tropical Forest complex. The Asian Forest is home to snow leopards, tigers, a Komodo dragon and other fascinating creatures. Visitors can get a close look at polar bears, sea otters and sand tiger sharks in the Water’s Edge exhibit with its two underwater tunnels. The PPG Aquarium boasts over 4,000 exotic fish, an open ocean tank, coral reef, stingray tunnel and more. Children will love exploring the Kid’s Kingdom with its petting zoo, animal encounters, playful sea lion shows, reptile house, playground and many interactive exhibits where they can learn all about the animals. Train and carousel rides (Memorial Day through Labor day – weather permitting) top off an exciting visit here. The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is located at 1 Wild Place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206. For more information visit www.pittsburghzoo.org

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

Pretty penguins frolicking at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

Over 2,000 animals live at Columbia, South Carolina’s 170-acre Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, while its lush exotic and native plants – including perennials, vines, fragrant flowers and more – are all enchantingly displayed among waterfalls, scenic river views and tranquil pathways that inspire a wonder for nature. Some of the animal exhibits include the African Plains with giraffes, zebras and ostriches; Large Mammals with lions, tigers, bears and baboons; Australian Animals with koalas, a walk-through lorikeet aviary, kangaroos and wallabies; and the Ndoki Forest with elephants, monkeys, gorillas and meerkats. The award-winning Aquarium Reptile Complex features fish, amphibians, invertebrates and reptiles along with daily diving presentations. The popular Riverbanks Farm lets children get a closer look at farm animals while learning about farm life. This wonderful zoo also offers pony rides, an Endangered Species Carousel, and a 3-D Adventure Theater with exciting shows. They are located at 500 Wildlife Parkway in Columbia, South Carolina 29210. For more information visit www.riverbanks.org

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Graceful cheetahs lounging at the National Zoo

Founded in 1889, the National Zoological Park in Washington, DC is one of the oldest zoos in the USA. There are about 2,000 animals from 400 species including its popular giant pandas (one of only four such centers housing giant pandas in the USA), Asian elephants, great apes, big cats, birds, small mammals, aquatic animals, amphibians, reptiles, insects and a host of endangered species which comprise about a quarter of the animals there. Exciting daily programs include feeding demonstrations, animal training, and keeper presentations where visitors can learn more about the fascinating animals, what they eat, and how they behave. The Kids’ Farm engages children with hands-on activities and a petting barn where they can learn about a variety of animals including goats, hogs, cows, alpacas and donkeys. There is also a playground area and Pizza Garden where they can discover the origins of ingredients that make a pizza. The National Zoo offers free admission and is located at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW in Washington, DC 20008. For more information visit www.nationalzoo.si.edu

Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta is one of only four zoos in the nation with giant pandas

Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia is home to more than 1,300 animals representative of over 220 species residing in about 40 lush acres of realistic wildlife habitats. Like the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, it too was founded in 1889 and is Atlanta’s oldest cultural venue. Some of the exhibit highlights include the Asian Forest and the Ford African Rain Forest with the nation’s biggest zoological collection of orangutans and gorillas, a giant panda conservation, and the African Plains and Mzima Springs where black rhinos, giraffe, lions, zebras, meerkats, ostriches and other animals roam a five-acre savanna like the African plains. Children will be delighted with KIDZone where they can explore the children’s zoo with spacious petting zoo and outback station, ride the Endangered Species Carousel, scale the Rock Climber wall, embark on educational train rides, and romp around in the outdoor and indoor play areas. The zoo also features live shows, presentations and feedings, including friendly parakeet feedings by guests. Zoo Atlanta is located at 800 Cherokee Avenue SE in Atlanta, Georgia 30315. For more information visit www.zooatlanta.org

Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami has camel rides among its many enticements

The Zoo Miami in Miami, Florida is the only tropical zoo in the continental United States, and one of the country’s largest zoos with over 300 developed acres. It has more than 100 exhibits with over 2,000 animals living in spacious naturalistic habitats among lush tropical landscaping. The exhibits feature animals native to Africa, Asia, the Amazon and Australia with everything from tigers and tortoises to lions and leopards, to anacondas, anteaters and much more. The large amphitheater features exciting wildlife shows, while keeper talks and feedings can be seen throughout the park. The air-conditioned Zoofari Monorail provides guests with great views and narrated tours about the animals. The Children’s Zoo offers up-close and personal interaction with many smaller animals. Familiar barnyard animals like goats, sheep and horses await children at the Wacky Barn. Kids can also take camel rides or enjoy the Wildlife Carousel with its assortment of endangered animals. Zoo Miami is located at 1 Zoo Boulevard in Miami, Florida 33177. For more information visit www.miamimetrozoo.com

1. Callaway Gardens, GA

2. Niagara Falls Family Trip

3. Disney World Orlando Florida

4. Amicalola Falls State Park, GA
A beautiful, sunny July Saturday found us on a drive to the North Georgia Mountains and Chattahoochee National Forest, to trek up to see the Amicalola falls. The trip to the aptly named Falls (Amicalola is a Cherokee Indian name for Tumbling Waters), was rejuvenating to say the least.

5. Ocoee River, Centennial Olympic White Water Rafting Venue
A place where unstoppable thrill coexists with calm surroundings – we got an up-close look at this Olympic rafting venue, and vowed to come back to conquer the waters in a few years.  Discover more about out trip at Ocoee River, Tennessee – An Olympic Getaway

6. Six Flags White Water Theme Park, Atlanta

7. Atlanta Botanical Gardens

8. Wilkesboro, North Carolina

9. Traveling Southern India

2010 was a year of many memorable trips, some a few miles away, some to places across the globe and a few that transcended time, even…and I’m truly thankful for every minute of it all. Thank you, Tots and  Travel for the opportunity to share my recollections from these travels and thank you, dear reader, for indulging me. May 2011 be the year your travel dreams come true!

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Another example of the backyard variety – the Botanical Gardens in Atlanta are right next door to Piedmont Park and while we’ve visited the latter several times, somehow we never got around to stopping by the Gardens. Until last October. Usually, Fall in Atlanta isn’t much to write home about, but there couldn’t have been a more perfect time to visit the Botanical Gardens. (Except maybe spring…which we’ll have to wait and see!)

From rose gardens to cascading waterfalls to glass pumpkins and a greenhouse teeming with exotic plants – an afternoon here can work wonders for your inspiration and refresh you in wonderful ways.

Six Flags White Water Theme Park

Although we live just a few miles from Six Flags White Water in Atlanta, it’s taken us over 2 years to actually visit. Sometimes, the coolest attractions are in your backyard, but it takes you a while to get there.

250 Cobb Pkwy N # 100
Marietta, GA 30060
(770) 424-9283

This is one of my favorite places to visit around Atlanta. In the summer, my family likes to go here for the many activities it has to offer including boating, biking, bird shows and more. In the winter, it features one of the most spectacular holiday light displays I’ve ever seen. It’s surprisingly affordable and entrance is actually free during some times of the year. We made multiple trips during various seasons, including one in Feb when entrance was Free!

For a more detailed account visit my post on Callaway Gardens Georgia.

We drank our soda fill at Atlanta’s World of Coca Cola.

That’s the World of Coca Cola, the well known tourist spot that we hit straight from the airport, having been lured by plush white polar bears wearing Coca Cola insignia scarves into Coke’s airport satellite gift store. The Coca Cola museum enthuses that it’s the “only place you can explore the complete story of the world’s best known brand…” and I’m sure that’s true. For kids the twelve hundred plus artifacts of Coca Cola advertising, toys, art work, and culture are just plain fun. If your children are old enough to taste test, there are over sixty different sweet beverages ranging from the obscure to the foreign to the old fashioned (Tab) to chose from at a tasting center in the heart of the museum. We spent the most time here, experimenting with, abandoning, and championing different soda tastes. It might not have been the most nutritious beverage experience around, but it was certainly a lot of fun.  

We also enjoyed the 4-D theater and the pop art gallery. A caveat: it took us thirty minutes waiting in line to get into the museum, and we were told that’s not an uncommon occurrence at peak times.  

Although we’d had our fill of sugary sodas, we were still hungry for lunch, and a great, homey southern stop is, Mary Mac’s Tea Room, open since 1945. We found plenty of options for our wide variety of family diets including delicious sweet potatoes and collard greens. The Southern Special is an all you can eat feast with choices of meats and sides, including a rich and delightfully gooey macaroni and cheese and desert. The banana pudding was amazing, and I’m not a big pudding fan. Kids ten and under can gorge at half the adult price.  

If you can stagger out of the restaurant without stopping for a nap and your kids are old enough to appreciate the experience, take the CNN Studio Tour. Running just under an hour, this guided walking tour offers a glimpse into the working life at CNN studios.  

For younger children, why not choose the unique, beautifully curated Center of Puppetry Arts. The center offers delightful puppet shows, brief enough for the smallest child’s attention span, as well as a museum that explores the craft of puppetry and puppet making. Check the Center of Puppetry Arts website for details, as the center often offers a make your own puppet workshop for a one of a kind souvenir.  

Kid Friendly Hotels 

There’s no lack of chain hotels and motels in Atlanta, and the Marriott Residence Inn Atlanta Midtown and Marriott Residence Inn Atlanta Kennesaw both have the advantage of kitchens, a feature we love. However, for our brief stay in this Southern urban center, we chose the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, with its mammoth multi-storied atrium and prime location around the corner from the hugely popular Georgia Aquarium. Along with exciting exhibits, the Aquarium is a renowned facility for aquatic animal conservation and research; the only combination aquarium and veterinarian teaching hospital in the country. 

The enormously appealing fish at the Atlanta Aquarium kept us occupied for most of an afternoon.

But your kids will care more that the Aquarium is beautifully designed and divided into five major sections that depict different aquatic life forms: Cold Water Quest exhibits include beluga whales sea otters and penguins. The penguin exhibit is an expansive one with a well thought out viewing space that brings you close up with the penguins. With whale sharks and manta rays, Ocean Voyager’s enormous exhibit displays giant whale sharks in 6.3 million gallons of water in a thirty- foot-deep indoor tank. The huge IMAX sized viewing window is riveting. The Georgia Explorer section provides several touch tanks along with nice exhibits of turtles and lion fish. In the River Scout section, African, Asian and Georgian river creatures are on display. And in the Tropical Diver section you’ll find jelly fish and plenty of colorful tropical fish.  

After spending the better part of a day in the Aquarium, we walked over to Centennial Olympic Park, a good grassy space to let off a little steam. There are also some exhibits that honor the Olympic athletes for whom the park was built during the 1996 Olympic games held here. 

There’s more history to be found at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site which offers a moving summary of the civil rights leader’s life as well as a ranger-led tour of his birthplace and Ebeneezer Baptist Church where he preached. This is a site best appreciated by older children, but it is stroller accessible and even the youngest will enjoy the quiet reflective space around King’s tomb. Our children also enjoyed The Peace Plaza area outside the visitor’s center that includes the lovely “I Have a Dream” World Peace Rose Garden and a pretty fountain.  

Fascinating for all ages is The Atlanta Cyclorama. Created in 1893, this impressive painting in the round reveals the Civil War’s Battle of Atlanta in a rotating theater. Old fashioned in design and approach, with a diorama added in “modern” times – 1936 – this is riveting even in today’s high tech era, and the art work and motion will keep your kids involved in the exhibit.  

Before we headed back to the airport, we stopped at a local favorite, The Varsity Restaurant, for a snack. This seventy-nine year old Atlanta based chain offers a tasty treat called the Frosted Orange, a thick beverage that’s almost a desert. Having begun our Atlanta stay at the World of Coca Cola, we thought it fitting to conclude it with the taste of a beverage alternative. Also on the menu, decadent fried pies and crispy onion rings filling enough to last the length of almost any plane ride.

Helen Georgia Alpine Village

About 70 miles north of Atlanta lies Helen Georgia, a Bavarian-inspired town where traces of Cherokee Indian culture, horse-drawn carriages, a beautiful river walk, historic streets, restaurants, horseback-riding, tubing, golf and a host of other entertainment options welcome you. If these don’t sound inviting enough, maybe a hot air balloon race, a Winefest or an Oktoberfest touted to be the South’s longest will. Helen offers these and much more – for a day, a weekend or as long as you choose to get away.

This mountain town exudes Bavarian charm and offers an optimum blend of outdoor activity and southern hospitality. I highly recommend it for couples and families with children of any age. I’ve been there during summer but I’m sure it would make a great fall and winter destination as well.

First stop – Anna Ruby Falls

Helen Georgia Anna Ruby Falls

But, if you do head there in warm weather, be sure to stop by Anna Ruby Falls, first. Take the 0.4 mile long moderate trail and hike up to the base of these twin falls for a great photo op and view of the gorgeous falls. You’ll get to see many of the trees and shrubs making up the Chattahoochee National Forest as you walk along the Chattahoochee river – gushing forward in some places and a gentle trickle in others. However, if you’re looking to enjoy a splash in the cool waters, this is not the place for you – you are advised to stay out of the water on this trail. Signs put up throughout the trail explain the names and facts associated with the many species of trees and plants growing here – be sure to share them with your children. The Smith Creek trail is 4.6 mile and supposed to be more challenging – if you’re particularly looking for some uphill fun. We took the easier route and am glad we did. Having experienced the Niagara Falls, I guess most others pale in comparison, especially since there’s so little to do once you get to the base, besides snap a few pictures and catch your breath before heading back down. So, for me, the real fun began when we got back from the hike and got into a tube. 

Get wet – Go tubing

If there’s one experience you just shouldn’t miss in Helen, it’s tubing in the Chattahoochee. It’s relaxing, refreshing and stimulating offering you a chance to explore the river at your pace. Several tubing companies offer the service, picking you up and dropping you off at various starting points and dropping you back at the end of your tubing trip. We chose the Cool River Tubing and it was a great experience from start to finish. You get to choose from two different lengths of rides, the duration ranging from an hour to two. If it’s your first time, and you have young kids, the former may give you a chance to explore tubing without being too overwhelming an experience.  You have the option of going solo or linking your tubes together. While linking tubes may seem like a good way to keep your family or group together, remember that linked tubes are way more difficult to maneuver around rocks. On the flip side, if you choose solo tubes, there’s every chance that you will get separated from your group somewhere along the way and probably end up meeting them at the finishing point. Either way, you’re assured at least an hour of super-water-fun and don’t let anything dilute that for you. If I were you, I would remember to leave all non-water-proof valuables, wallet and gadgets behind in the tubing company’s office. I speak from experience. Though we came back with great memories, we bid adieu to our beloved camera at the end of that memorable tubing trip.

If like us, you enjoy ‘walking towns’, you will have plenty to explore in Helen. Enjoy the Cobblestone streets and specialty shops of this recreated Alpine village at a leisurely pace. Stop by a glass blowing shop, watch a candle being made or buy a hand-crafted cuckoo clock before you settle down for a traditional Southern meal or relish a Bavarian delicacy. Enjoy a romantic horse-carriage ride with your loved one or a fun family ride that’s sure to be a treat for the little ones.

Not many places can pull off mixing history, romance and outdoor fun in one splendid package. Incredibly, Helen, Georgia does.

Location, location, location 

Centennial Olympic Park holds a special place in Atlantans’ heart for many reasons. For one, its location is unbeatable. Situated smack in the middle of Atlanta’s hot spot, right next to CNN, The World of Coca Cola, Philips Arena, Georgia Aquarium and other attractions, the park is a hub of activity throughout the day and year. There’s hardly a season or month when the park isn’t hosting a concert, a festival, family fun day or some other event. 

Activities Gallore 

The park hosts weekly ‘Music at Noon’ events and concerts featuring all various genres of music ranging from jazz to contemporary. International festivals such as Diwali (from India) are also celebrated at the park with cultural events, games and food stalls attracting people from all communities.   

But, it’s not just what happens there that makes it special.  It’s one of those places you could go to without any rhyme or reason and even when nothing’s going on, there’s always plenty to keep you entertained. 

In-house Entertainment – On the house 

Take its Fountain of Rings for example – a huge hit with kids through the summer months. Atlanta experiences scorching summers and an afternoon splashing around in Centennial Olympic Park’s fountains is sure to offer a cool, refreshing respite to anyone who ventures in.  Of course, the fountain’s ‘timed performances’ are not to be missed. Nothing as fancy as Bellagio, perhaps, but hey, this is a warm and welcoming Southern version. 

Fountain of Rings where the kids can splash and play in the heat!

When your kids are done splashing (which won’t be any time soon), enjoy refreshing beverages and a snack at the café just across from it before exploring more of the park. Concerts and family fests take place at the entrance near the Philips Arena parking lot. The first Saturday of every month, families get to enjoy a day of activities, crafts and games designed around a certain theme. At zero cost. I  remember, the theme was once ‘Sports’ and my then 2-year old got to make a pompom, swing a baseball bat and even scored her first slam dunk in a baby basket. 

The other three weekends when there’s no family fun-fest are no less fun though. Centennial Olympic Park has a great children’s play area safe and suitable for babies, toddlers and older kids. Swings, slides and monkey bars coexist with educational centers such as an interactive space-rocket board and a musical notes corner.  The park is great for walking, and very child-friendly. Several interesting features greet you throughout the park, such as the Gateway of Dreams (a monument built in honor of the father of modern Olympics which displays the Olympic rings), Centennial Plaza and others. 

Centennial Olympic Park also houses the city’s most popular and only outdoor ice skating rink – a huge crowd-puller during the winter months. Speaking of winter, do not miss holiday lights at the park if you’re in town. There’s something magical about the park that the holidays seem to bring out – its musical, multicolored fountain, the enormous Christmas tree, the charming horse-driven carriage rides and the fact you can experience both the spirit of downtown Atlanta and Southern warmth in one place. 

Around the Park 

It’s not just what you can do in the park that makes it so special, but all the cool attractions around it too. Visitors to Atlanta definitely want to check out a few places and The World of Coca Cola, CNN Center and Georgia Aquarium have got to be among them. After all, it’s not every day that you get to tour the world headquarters of two phenomenally well-known brands and an aquarium that is touted to be ‘the world’s largest’. Having Centennial Park right next door makes it a convenient meeting point for families, a rest stop and just a place where you can relax and catch your breath before heading off to the next tour. 

The Park’s Olympic Facelift  

Centennial Olympic Park wasn’t always this popular or this inviting, of course. The 1996 Olympics changed the fate of the park, which, until that point was just a part of town people ignored, even avoided.  Many considered it an eyesore in the heart of Atlanta. However, the Olympics changed all that and this 21 acre park in its current form was conceived as a ‘gathering point’ for visitors and residents to enjoy during the games and afterward. One of the distinctive aspects of this park is its brick-floor – over 800,000  bricks make up this park, almost 500,000 of which are inscribed with the names of donors and benefactors. 

If you visited the park today, you’d hardly believe its humble origins or insignificant history. And that’s all the more reason to include it in your itinerary the next time you’re in the area.  

A trip to Stone Mountain Park will solve the mystery, revealing the many adventures and attractions the giant rock and its surrounding areas have to offer.

Stone Mountain Carving

Spread over 3000 acres, Stone Mountain Park is counted among the most popular family attractions in Georgia – which isn’t surprising considering that people of all ages and from all walks of life are likely to find something of interest here.

The first thing you notice about the park is the Confederate Memorial Carving on the rock that features Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis. This enormous carving is both the physical, historic and symbolic center of Stone Mountain around which many of the other attractions of the park revolve.

There’s plenty to do and see in this park, and the first stop for many visitors is the Skyride.

The Summit Skyride:  Enjoy a thrilling ride in this cable car as it swings and climbs to the top of the stone. Keep your eyes open for a great view of the Confederate Carving and the other park attractions. Once you land on the mountain top, enjoy a 360 degree view of Atlanta, its skyline, the Appalachian mountains and more. After all, it’s not every day that you get the chance to stand on top of one of the world’s largest single rocks! An ice cream, a beverage, popcorn or a snack from the mountain top café is sure to enhance the experience.  This is a great spot for photographs and I’ve even heard of a wedding proposal or two being made here.  What better place to give a gal her rock, eh?! You can also trek up to the top via one of the many trails around it.

The Sky Hike: You don’t have to be Tarzan to trek through treetops.  Stone Mountain’s Sky Hike is one of the most popular attractions of the park and I’ve seen wait lines as long as 2 hours on earlier visits. The fact that you can choose your path and difficulty level attracts amateurs, children and advanced hikers. This is considered one of America’s largest family adventure hikes, its trails ranging from 12 feet to 40 feet in height include ropes, net bridges, wooden slats and suspended bridges.

Scenic Train Ride: Children will love this 25 minute train ride around the mountain in open-air cars, with sing-alongs, live shows, stories about the mountain and commentaries to keep them entertained.  The train is a big hit throughout the year, but, the lines are unbelievably long during holiday season when the train is transformed into a sing-along Christmas train with holiday lights.

River Boat Cruise, Ride the Ducks: If you’re looking for some water fun, check out these two rides. If you have time for only one, without a doubt, climb on a Duck.  Little ones will actually get to steer the buses(err…boats) and are sure to have a whale of a time.

Crossroads: If you enjoy a leisurely afternoon stroll you won’t have to walk too far. At Stone Mountain’s Crossroads, you can watch demonstrating crafters make beautiful, hand-crafted glass collectibles and other items. From personalized park souvenirs to attractive boxes of candy, take your pick of gifts on your shopping trip down Stone Mountain’s Crossroads.

The Great Barn: Hours of fun and activities await families with young children ( ages 5-12) at the barn.  Slides, trampoline floors, climbing structures and more promise an action-packed afternoon for the family. A great indoor attraction to keep kids entertained when it’s raining or snowing.

Speaking of snow… just 2 years ago, Stone Mountain Park added its latest, coolest, whitest attraction in the form of Snow Mountain.   

Who says kids growing up in the South have to miss out on making snowmen or having snow fights? Nope, not with Snow Mountain around.  Atlantans now enjoy their own ‘mountain’ of snow from Dec to March. Whether you want to go snow tubing with your friends, make snow angels with your kids or just enjoy the feel of snow in your palms, a trip to Snow Mountain should take care of that. Of course, it’s not really a mountain and some folks used to living in colder coordinates who shovel buckets of snow out of their driveways every winter turn up their noses at Atlanta’s latest pride. Also, the past 2 years, Atlanta has actually seen a reasonable amount of real snow…so spending an extra $20 and driving over to see something that’s falling right at your doorstep may not make much sense to everyone.  It is however a winter experience worth spending on if creating ‘snow memories’ with kids is important to you.

Stone Mountain Park’s attractions are many and varied. Between mini golf and the Crossroads, restaurants and shops, 4-D movies and seasonal festivals, you’re sure to lose track of time during the day.

To experience the park’s crown jewel – the most spectacular, most popular attraction – however, you will have to stay until dark.  

Stone Mountain’s Laser Show Spectacular attracts over 20 million visitors every year and is said to be the world’s longest running laser show.  It runs for 45 minutes, featuring popular tunes and themes such as sports, Georgia artists, everyday heroes and American history – all presented…(where else?) on the huge stone in the center of the park! The massing carvings come to life as the themes, stories and songs play out on and around them. Crowds begin to assemble on the lawns near the stone from late afternoon and although there’s plenty of room for everyone, if you arrive too late, you had better be prepared for a spot that’s way back or where your view is blocked by tree branches or rows of people in front of you! Like all good things, the laser show is actually free – all you have to do is pay for parking. But if you don’t arrive early…you’ll have a REALLY long walk ahead of you. We’ve had to park miles away for the show on some occasions and it’s not easy to maneuver your way out of the crowds and to your car a few miles away at 10 pm, especially with tired, sleepy kids.  So, your best bet would probably be to arrive earlier in the day, park inside in the main parking lot and stay in the park for the laser show after you’ve toured all the attractions.

No matter which aspect of the park you enjoy, one thing is for sure – once you’ve been to Atlanta’s Stone Mountain Park, you will never look at the giant rock in the middle of the city in same way again.

Call it a retreat, a park, a beach or a family getaway and you won’t be wrong. The best part of visiting Callaway Gardens, at least for us, is that you can choose your level of activity or lack of it for the day and still have plenty of options no matter which kind of day you prefer.

Value Vacation
For a place that has so much to offer – from biking trails to its own beach, from a butterfly conservatory to botanical gardens – Callaway Gardens is a surprisingly affordable destination.  The last time we went was about a year ago and the prices were just $15 per person!  In fact, for the entire month of February, entrance was actually free, which, if you knew how much Callaway Gardens has to offer, you just wouldn’t believe!

Discover At Your Own Pace
We usually like to start our day at Callaway Gardens with a picnic by the lakeside deck, at the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center. The Discovery Café is conveniently located here so you can get hungry stomachs out of the way before you begin touring the place.  If you would like to bike through the trails of Callaway Gardens, this is where you start. The bike rentals are located right behind the Discovery Center.  Friendly staff helps you find the right bike, with an optional child carrier and helmet. Rates start at about $10 per hour per bike plus a deposit fee.  They have bikes to cater to amateurs, seasoned riders and children, so spend a few minutes picking out the bike that you will enjoy riding the most.  You could alternatively bring your own bike, of course.

Butterfly Center
Our daughter just turned 4, so the first place we like to head to is the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center. This is the highlight of the day for us as she loves to try to catch the butterflies inside the glass conservatory. The place also features exotic plants and birds and all that green is a welcome respite for anyone who is tired of city skyscrapers and busy roads.  There is a live display of the various stages between a caterpillar and a butterfly just outside, and this never fails to attract kids’ attention. After spending about an hour inside the conservatory, we usually head outside to the lawns and enjoy a snack and some fresh air. No matter what the season, the butterfly conservatory is bound to be warmer than it is outside, so I’ve found it better to dress in layers, so you can strip off a layer or two if needed.

The Butterfly Center is by no means the last stop, of course and there’s still a lot more to check out.  Depending on your interest in nature, golf, boating and other activities, you can take your pick as you proceed to enjoy the rest of the day. If you’d like to continue biking or hiking, there are plenty of trails to choose from.  All of them offer gorgeous views of the gardens and the lake. The 10-mile-long Discovery Bike Trail may be your best bet if you want to make the most of your trip, as it takes you through the best spots and viewpoints.

A Sensory Treat for Nature Lovers
Plan to spend at least a few minutes exploring the John A. Sibley Horticultural Center and Mr. Cason’s ‘demonstration’ Vegetable Garden.  The former features stunning landscapes and a sculpture garden while the latter is a home gardener’s paradise.  After a relaxing afternoon, if you’re ready for some action, more options await you.

Head to the amphitheater for the popular Birds of Prey show and let eagles, owls, hawks, falcons and vultures thrill you as they swoop overhead, demonstrating their speed, eyesight and power.  Though interesting, the show may be a little overwhelming and scary for very young children.

Tee Time, Me Time, Family Time
You can’t let the birds enjoy all the action, while you remain a spectator, can you? The Mountain View Course and Lake View Course should keep avid golfers busy for most of the day. Don’t worry about your family missing you because it’s likely they’ll hardly notice your absence!

The most popular attraction inside Callaway Gardens is probably Robin Lake Beach. This mile-long stretch of sandy beach offers the perfect summer getaway for families with young children who can’t make it to a real beach.  Warm, shallow waters, water slides, inflatables, fountains, paddle boats and other attractions make Robin Beach a crowd-puller.  To be honest, at first we couldn’t believe this was included as part of the entrance package and that it didn’t require a separate fee.  If you have young kids, plan to spend at least a couple of hours here.  From sun bathing and swimming to table tennis, mini-golf and circus shows, you won’t run out of things to do.

Come Back and Visit Us…Again!
Callaway Gardens is one place worth visiting over and over because they offer different kinds of activities and attractions every season. Holiday season for example is a great time to visit the park for its Fantasy in Lights display. Drive through the park (be prepared to arrive early in the evening and drive really slowly!!) and enjoy a dazzling display of lights and holiday visuals. Though beautiful, I thought this experience was overpriced at around $25 per car (2009). Besides it’s a really long wait, as the entire South-east seems to head here during the holidays.  So, unless you have young children or are sure to enjoy a tour of holiday lights yourself, think twice before you drive a 100 miles (or more) just for this. One event I would like to experience and haven’t had a chance to yet is the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival that happens over Labor Day Weekend every year. Other popular, family-friendly events at Callaway Gardens include the 4^th of July Surf and Sand Spectacular, Masters Water Ski and Skateboard Tournament and Easter Eggstravaganza.

It’s hard to imagine a place so serene, beautiful and close to nature just outside of a city notorious for its traffic. And yet, there it is – Callaway Gardens a ‘half tank of gas’ away as its commercial says.