The Georgia Mountains in the northeast corner of the state offer a variety of activities to entertain your family. During your stay, you can take a drive to enjoy the beautiful landscape, go for a quiet hike or an exciting whitewater rafting trip, shop for one-of-a-kind arts and crafts by local artists, and listen to music performances. But if you're looking for adventures that are not so typical, the mountains have those too.
The Northeast Georgia Mountain Travel Association maintains a website with detailed information about the region at georgiamountains.org/.
Only 50 minutes north of Atlanta, in Dawsonville, Georgia is Kangaroo Conservation Center, the largest group of kangaroos outside of Australia. Take your family on a ranger-guided tour through the park, watch wildlife shows and go for a walk on one of the trails. Children have to be at least 5 years old to enter the center.
Kangaroo Conservation Center
222 Bailey-Waters Rd
Dawsonville, GA 30534
706-265-6100
kangaroocenter.com/
This is the home of the highest waterfall in the southeastern United States. It tumbles 729 feet down through wild rhododendron, mountain laurel and azaleas. Participate in one of the park's nature programs to learn about the local environment. Amicalola Falls State Park is near Dawsonville, a 50-minute drive from Atlanta.
Amicalola Falls State Park
418 Amicalola State Park Rd.
Dawsonville, GA 30534-1003
706-265-4703
amicalolafalls.com/
In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake Sidney Lanier is 45 minutes north of Atlanta. The United States Army Corps of Engineers operates 46 parks around the lake. If you visit, you'll find picnic areas, boat ramps, swimming areas and campgrounds. At Lake Lanier, your family can hike, bike, fish or simply play without a plan.
Lake Sidney Lanier
117 Jesse Jewell Parkway
Gainesville, GA 30503
770-536-5209
lanier.sam.usace.army.mil/
This is where they make the dolls known as Cabbage Patch Kids. LPNs (Licensed Patch Nurses) give your kids adoption consultations if they want to take one of the dolls home. Your family can also go on a free self-guided tour to see the "birth" of a Cabbage Patch Kid. The hospital is in the town of Cleveland, 70 miles north of Atlanta.
BabyLand General Hospital
300 NOK Drive
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-865-2171
cabbagepatchkids.com/Cart_Pages/brochure-1.html
Funopolis is an amusement park for all ages. It sits on 5 acres and has outdoor and indoor activities. These include an arcade, bumper boats crossing waterfalls (have a towel waiting for you), a climbing wall, laser tag and other games and rides. The park is 60 miles from Atlanta.
Funopolis Family Fun Center
40155 Highway 441 South
Commerce, GA 30529
706-335-3866
funopolisfamilyfuncenter.com
