Stone Mountain Park Offers Adventures in the Atlanta Area
By Elaine Allen
If you’re from Atlanta, you’re probably very familiar with all the options for fun at Stone Mountain Park. And if Atlanta is your vacation destination, you’ll definitely want to plan a day or two to explore all that’s available there.
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Located just a short drive out US Highway 78 from almost anywhere (exit 39B off of I-285), you’ll find an oasis, if that’s what you’re looking for, with trees, a lake, and 3200 acres of natural beauty. There are 15 miles of hiking and nature trails.
Stone Mountain Park offers full-service resorts like the Marriott Stone Mountain Inn and the Evergreen Marriott as well as Georgia’s largest campground. Various ticket packages are available, from a simple one-day daily parking pass to tickets including all the attractions and rides. There are even special Lasershow options from unlimited popcorn to full buffet dinners.
Now there’s even an Adventure Pass Meal Deal, which you must purchase online. Along with your Adventure Pass, you also get a free meal and unlimited drink refills.
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And if you’re especially dedicated, there’s a Mountain Membership, which offers year-round access to Stone Mountain Park attractions with 10% off food and merchandise and other special savings all year long.
For the true enthusiasts, there’s a Mountain Membership PLUS, which includes everything in the regular membership package as well as admission to Snow Mountain and Ride the Ducks, free parking, and 20% off food and merchandise and other specials all year long.
Attractions include the Summit Skyride, a high-speed Swiss cable car that takes you to the top of Stone Mountain. There’s the new “Rio: The 4-D Experience,” an animated adventure taking you through Rio de Janerio.
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The Museum at Memorial Hall offers history of the mountain and the surrounding areas. And the Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard offers a collections of original buildings built between 1783 and 1876 and moved from various locations around the state of Georgia.
Summer at the Rock offers special summer entertainment for all ages. Along with the nightly Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision, there are several new adventures. There’s a new Georgia Justice Wild West Train Show on the Scenic Railroad, as well as the Celebrate America Parade and Magic Time with Matt.
SkyHike, one of the nation’s largest family adventure courses, includes suspended wooden bridges, climbing ropes and other adventures from 12 feet high up to 40 feet in the air. Then there’s Geyser Towers, featuring multiple levels of suspended rope bridges and net tunnels overlooking a gushing geyser.
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If something a little calmer is your preference, be sure to visit The Great Barn, where families can enjoy super slides, a trampoline floor, climbing structures, and over 65 interactive games. And be sure to check out the Great Locomotive Chase Adventure Golf, 18 holes of history-inspired miniature golf.
There are special shows and activities for younger children including Summer at the Rock Sandbox, Splash and Friends Summer Bash, Kids Karaoke, and WaterWorks, a show where kids can get into the act and help repair a water leak.
Most events and rides are included with the Adventure Pass, but some separate admission tickets are available. Special savings are available when you purchase online tickets.
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If all that seems a bit much for your taste, there are two championship golf courses, the original walk-up trail to the top of Stone Mountain, hiking trails, picnic areas, fishing, and walking, jogging and bike trails.
The campground offers special summer fun including an Ice Cream Social every Saturday, VeggieTales Day Camp Tuesdays through Fridays, Bingo, rowboat rentals, morning Coffee and Danish Socials, and non-denominational Christian Church services on Sundays.
Special packages are available for the campgrounds as well as the hotels. So if you want a getaway that’s not far from the city, think about Stone Mountain. There’s plenty to choose from for every member of your family!
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