As anyone who has been to Georgia during the summer can attest, it gets hot. One of the favorite ways for residents and tourists to beat the heat is to visit one of the state's numerous and large water parks. Two excellent water parks are located in the greater-Atlanta area, while another can be found on an island along the Atlantic Coast.
Six Flags White Water-–Atlanta bills itself as the largest water park in the South. The park, named one of the country's top 10 water parks by the Travel Channel, is located in the northern suburbs of Atlanta in Marietta. It has 50 attractions, including one of the world's largest free fall rides. Some of its more well known rides are Cliffhanger, Tornado and Little Squirt's Islands. A large wave pool is another popular feature. In addition to the rides, the park has play areas for children, 12 sites that serve food, and family and seasonal events and festivals. The Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park is located nearby.
Six Flags White Water-–Atlanta
250 Cobb Parkway N #100
Marietta, GA 30062
770-424-9283
sixflags.com
A big attraction at the Lake Lanier Islands Resort, approximately 50 minutes northeast of Atlanta, is the Chattahoochee Rapids Beach & WaterPark. The water park has the largest wave pool in Georgia and multiple water slides. Its Kiddie Lagoon and Wiggle Waves are designed for small children. The water park is located along a sandy white beach that is half a mile long. Guests at the 1,100-acre resort can stay in a lodge that has 287 rooms and 16 suites, on houseboats docked in the lake, or at a campsite that accommodates RVs and tents. Additional features are a boat ramp, a fishing pier, a camp store, a golf course, a full-service spa and an equestrian center. The resort is also known for its Magical Nights of Lights holiday celebration that runs from Nov. 21 until Dec. 30.
Lake Lanier Islands Resort
7000 Holiday Road
Lake Lanier Islands, GA 30518
1-800-840-5253
lakelanierislands.com
The Summer Waves Water Park is on Jekyll Island, a scenic barrier island off the southern part of Georgia's Atlantic coast not far from the Florida state line. Spread out over 11 acres, the water park has more than 1 million gallons of water flowing through rides, a large wave pool, a children's pool and a huge dumping bucket. Turtle Creek, the Frantic Atlantic and Pirate's Passage tube ride are some of the park's popular features, along with a lazy river, the Nature's Revenge body slides and Force 3 tube rides. The park is open from May through September. To reach Jekyll Island, visitors must cross a six-mile causeway from the mainland.
Summer Waves Water Park
210 South Riverview Drive
Jekyll Island, GA 31527
912-635-2074
jekyllisland.com
