The Silver Comet Trail runs along a former railroad track, with access points in Hiram, Dallas and Braswell. Families can take bicycles, roller blades or just plain feet to navigate the paved route. Aside from the novelty of passing through old railroad tunnels, some as long as 800 feet, you're likely to see plenty of wildlife and plants.
Paulding County runs a wide range of children's programs. Mom and dad can relax for a couple of hours, since the programs cover everything from toddlers to teens. On offer are guitar lessons, structured gym classes for toddlers and even a bike safety class, the bike rodeo. The county also runs art programs, day camps, sports programs and dance.
For children old enough to appreciate "neat old stuff," the Paulding County Historical Society museum is housed in an old schoolhouse in Dallas. While tours are mainly for school classes, docents are on hand to answer question and, as of early 2011, a family will get in for less than $10. The museum's stated goal is to introduce young people to history, and it encourages their visits.
In 1927, the Dallas Theater started its life as a movie theater. Now, it hosts classes, movies and plays, some of which are put on especially for children--past productions include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The theater also has programs for children: there's a children's production in the fall, a summer drama camp and field trips. Week-long summer drama camps each cover a different age group, ranging from 7 to 15 years. Kids can get a taste for dance and drama and make friends at this venue.
Paulding County has several parks with sports facilities, ponds and picnic tables. Dallas parks are city owned and operated, while others are county parks. Even a babe-in-arms can be part of a family picnic here. For example, Homer Leggett Park in Hiram offers a playground and walking trail, Taylor Farm Park in Powder Springs has tennis courts and a half-acre lake, and White Oak Park in Dallas has a fitness trail, picnic pavilions, playgrounds and disc golf.
Pickett's Mill Battlefield Historic Site lets your kids explore a bona fide Civil War battlefield. The state park offers original roads, earthworks and the places where war was waged. This is a 765-acre park with picnic tables, hiking trails and a visitor center. It's more suited to older children, who might appreciate a behind-the-scenes tour or one of the periodic special exhibitions Take them here, start a conversation, and let them see where history happened.
