The main vacation areas in Georgia during spring break are the mountains in the northern part of the state and the coastal region in the southeastern part of the state. The city of Atlanta, located between these two areas, is also a popular destination. While the more rowdy Florida beaches may draw college-aged coeds, Georgia provides a nice respite from the typical spring break madness for families with kids.
Head to the north Georgia town of Helen for a kid-friendly mountain excursion. Built to resemble a Bavarian village and set along the banks of a swift-flowing mountain stream, Helen feels more like a theme park than an actual town. The best ride in town is provided by Mother Nature in the form of an inner-tube trip down the Chattahoochee; this is known as "shooting the Hooch" in the local parlance. You can also hop on the man-made rides at the Alpine Amusement Park. Kids also get a kick out of strolling the shopping areas in town, with costumed shopkeepers, snack vendors and street performers to keep families entertained.
For laid-back beach fun, plan a spring-break trip to Tybee Island, an easily accessible barrier island on the Atlantic Ocean and near the city of Savannah. Tybee Island has enough to keep kids and adults happy with its three-mile stretch of beach, a long fishing pier that juts into the Atlantic and a variety of beachfront accommodations and eateries. This is relaxing, unpretentious beach life at its finest. The tall, historic lighthouse on the north end of the island is a beauty, and kids usually want to get to the top as soon as they see it. There is no elevator, so be prepared to expend a lot of energy by climbing the long staircase to see a great view of the island. Nearby Fort Pulaski, pockmarked by cannonball blasts from the Civil War, is also intriguing to kids.
Plan your trip so you can make a stop at one of the most kid-friendly places in Atlanta--Centennial Olympic Park in downtown. A trip here can fill an entire day and extend into the night. Built for the 1996 Summer Olympics that were held in the city, the park is home to the popular Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola Museum. These two attractions are conveniently located facing each other in the north end of the park. Don't miss the dancing waters of the Olympic Ring fountain. Kids of all ages are welcome to splash around in the fountain--day and night--and it comes complete with its own music and light show. Don't forget to wear a swimsuit under your clothes, as there are no changing rooms in the park.
