Strap on your ice skates and get ready to have a good time ice skating at in the Olde Town Pavilion (icedays.com). The rink is open from November through February. Pay a nominal fee for one visit or buy a season pass; skate rentals are also available. Special packages for birthdays and special occasions are available. During the holidays, Santa makes an appearance. The pavilion is located centrally in downtown Conyers, and seven restaurants are within walking distance, making it easy to grab a meal after skating.
The Georgia International Horse Park (georgiahorsepark.com) is an appealing family destination near Conyers. Used for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, the sprawling 1,400-acre horse park hosts a variety of activities throughout the year, including regular horse shows and a 4th of July festival. The annual Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival held each spring features entertainment, food, crafts and plenty of activities for kids. The park is also home to the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center, where you can go canoeing, hiking and mountain biking. To learn a little about plants, check out the 37 species that grow in the 5-acre arboretum maintained by the Rockdale Master Gardeners.
At the interactive Walk of Heroes Veterans War Memorial (walkofheroes.org), you can stroll through the outdoor exhibit and learn about veterans and the wars in which they served, from World War I through the Persian Gulf War. The memorial features an entry court, walkway and memorial. A self-guided tour through its parklike setting is a fun and educational way to spend a few hours.
The Monastery of the Holy Spirit (trappist.net) is a Trappist monastery founded in 1944. Set on 2,000 green and wooded acres, the monastery is a peaceful place to spend an afternoon. Children can learn about the history of the monks at the Visitor Center and learn about how to create and care for bonsai trees in the Bonsai Nursery.
