12 minute read
Best Places to Swim and Splash
Get Wet Guide
Cool off with these fun ways to play in the water. Jump through a fountain or splash pad, soar down a waterslide or head to the beach.
Call or check websites before visiting for COVID-19 safety precautions.
Big Splash Interactive Fountain at Town Center Park
Fountains
l Duluth Town Green Fountain
In the middle of the Town Green, this fountain sprays water two stories in the air. Where: 3167 Main St., Duluth. 770-476-3434. duluthga.net Cost: Free.
This fountain features 43 jets and uses up to 1,400 gallons of recycled water per minute. Opening July 1. Where: 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee. 770-945-8996. suwanee.com Cost: Free.
l Village Park at North Henry
Cool off in this interactive fountain, play on the playground, and work out at the outdoor fitness circuit. Where: 750 Fairview Rd., Ellenwood. 770-288-7300. visithenrycountygeorgia.com Cost: Free.
This splash pad is part of the first solar-powered park in the city and features spray jets, stationary water cannons and more. Where: 213 Haygood Ave., Atlanta. 404-546-6788. beltline.org Cost: Free.
l East Roswell Sprayground
Kids and toddlers will love the water features at this sprayground. Opening May 29. Where: 9000 Fouts Rd., Roswell. 770-594-6188. roswellgov.com Cost: $2.
l Historic Fourth Ward Park
This 17-acre park’s splash pad has jets that stream water from all directions. Where: 702 Ralph McGill Blvd., Atlanta. 404-546-6788. beltline.org Cost: Free.
l Laurel Park Sprayground
Run through numerous sprinklers and water sprayers. Opening May 29. Where: 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy., Gainesville. 770-535-8280. hallcounty.org Cost: $2.
l Lillian Webb Park
Features an interactive splash pad with fountains. Where: 5 College St., Norcross. 678-421-2010. norcrossga.net Cost: Free.
l McBrayer Park
Cool off with the fountains and water features; this park also has a playground. Opening May 31. Where: Central Ave., Hampton. 770-946-4306. hamptonga.gov Cost: $0-$5.
l Old Atlanta Park
This 34-acre park also has a playground. Opening May 29. Where: 810 Nichols Rd., Suwanee. 770-205-4646. parks.forsythco.com Cost: $2.
East Roswell Sprayground
Laurel Park Sprayground
l Perkerson Park
Frolic in this splash pad featuring granite sculptures. Where: 770 Deckner Ave. SW, Atlanta. 404-546-6788. beltline.org Cost: Free.
l Riverside Sprayground
Play beneath a spinning mushroom and cool off with the in-ground spray jets. Opening May 29. Where: 575 Riverside Rd., Roswell. 770-594-6158. roswellgov.com Cost: $2.
l Sewell Park Pool
This pool has a splash pad and a fountain with a palm tree. Opening May 29. Where: 2051 Lower Roswell Rd., Marietta. 770-509-2741. cobbcounty.org Cost: $4.50-$6.75; ages 3-17, $3.50-$5.25; ages 2 and younger, free.
Sprayground at Elizabeth Porter Park This splash pad includes water blasters, spray tunnels and a water-pouring bucket. Opening May 29. Where: 1620 Delowe Dr. SW, Atlanta. 404-756-1827. atlantaga.gov Cost: $5.
l Splash Park at Sugar Hill
Play around in the light-up fountain and water jets. Where: 5039 W. Broad St., Sugar Hill. 770-945-6716. cityofsugarhill.com Cost: Free
l Sprayground at Elizabeth Porter Park
Water jets and sprinklers will lead to hours of laughter and play. Where: 370 Montgomery St. NE, Marietta. 770-794-5708. mariettaga.gov Cost: $2-$3.
l Swift-Cantrell Park Splash Pad
This 3,200-square-foot splash pad has water play options controlled by motion sensors, including a fountain, ground geyser, jet stream, magic mist and sea silhouettes. Opening May 31. Where: 3140 Old 41 Hwy., Kennesaw. 770-422-9714. kennesaw-ga.gov Cost: $2.
l Waleska Splash Pad
Cool off under the water spray features at this splash pad; the park also has a playground, horse shoe pit, track and tennis and basketball courts. Where: 704 Bartow St., Waleska. 678-880-4760. playcherokee.org Cost: $1-$2.
Cherokee County Aquatic Center
Pools & Waterparks On the Cheap:
l Best Friend Park Pool
Play in the outdoor leisure pool, giant waterslide and water play structures. Opening May 29. Where: 6224 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross. 678-277-0224. gwinnettcounty.com Cost: $5.50-$10.50; ages 4-10, $4.25-$8.25; ages 3 and younger, $3.25-$6.25. l Bethesda Park Aquatic Center
Features include an indoor leisure pool, a giant waterslide, a river channel, water play structures and more. Opening May 29. Where: 225 Bethesda Church Rd., Lawrenceville. 678-277-0880. gwinnettcounty.com Cost: $5.50-$10.50; ages 4-10, $4.25-$8.25; ages 3 and younger, $3.25-$6.25. l Bogan Park Aquatic Center
Slide down the giant waterslide and cool off with the water play structures. Opening May 29. Where: 2723 N. Bogan Rd., Buford. 678277-0853. gwinnettcounty.com Cost: $5.50-$10.50; ages 4-10, $4.25$8.25; ages 3 and younger, $3.25-$6.25.
The Oasis, the outdoor leisure pool, features beach entry, two waterslides, a water playground and water play features. Opening May 29. Where: 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton. 678-880-4760. playcherokee.org Cost: $7; ages 2-13, $6; ages 1 and younger, free.
l Collins Hill Park Aquatic Center
Features include an indoor swimming/diving competition pool, an outdoor leisure pool with a river channel, waterslides and water play structures. Opening May 29. Where: 2200 Collins Hill Rd., Lawrenceville. 770-237-5647. gwinnettcounty.com Cost: $5.50-$10.50; ages 4-10, $4.25-$8.25; ages 3 and younger, $3.25-$6.25.
l Cumming Aquatic Center
Enjoy lap swimming, open swim and adult swim at this facility. Where: 201 Aquatic Cir., Cumming. 770-781-1781. cummingaquaticcenter.com Cost: $7; ages 2-17, $6; ages 1 and younger, free.
l Dacula Park Pool
Swim in the outdoor pool, and try diving. Opening May 29. Where: 205 Dacula Rd., Dacula. 770-822-5409. gwinnettcounty.com Cost: $5.50-$10.50; ages 4-10, $4.25-$8.25; ages 3 and younger, $3.25-$6.25.
Cont’d on next page Lenora Park Pool
Annual Passes!
Starting
As low as $16999
Includes The Following for the Summer/Winter Seasons:
• Park Admission • Front Gate Access • Beach Access • F&B Discounts • Full Moon Party Access • Rental Discounts •Bring-a-Friend for 50% OFF Days • And More!
Purchase in the park or online @ MargaritavilleAtLanierIslands.com
Outdoor & Indoor Seating • Reservations Available Kid Friendly • Good for Groups • Takeout • Parking
ALL KIDS’ MEALS $5.25
Kids can enjoy:
Meatloaf with Mashed potatoes & green beans Mac & Cheese with green beans & fries Hamburger & fries Cheeseburger & fries Grilled Cheese & fries Chicken Fingers & fries Pizza Rolls & fries
*Includes soft drink. May substitute fruit for fries.
4006 Lavista Rd. • Tucker 30084 770-491-1570 • blueribbongrill.com
For the Best Family Calendar of Events go to atlantaparent.com
Rhodes Jordan Park Pool
l Frances Meadows Aquatic Center
This aquatic facility features a seasonal outdoor water park with a splash zone. Opening May 29. Where: 1545 Community Way NE, Gainesville. 770-533-5850. gainesville.org Cost: $7-$9; ages 2 and younger, free.
l Lenora Park Pool
Splash around in the outdoor leisure pool, giant waterslide, river channel and water play structures. Opening May 29. Where: 4315 Lenora Church Rd., Snellville. 770-982-5309. gwinnettcounty.com Cost: $5.50-$10.50; ages 4-10, $4.25-$8.25; ages 3 and younger, $3.25-$6.25.
l Mountain Park Aquatic Center
The outdoor leisure pool has zero-depth entry, waterslides, a river channel, bubble bench and more. Opening May 29. Where: 1063 Rockbridge Rd., Stone Mountain. 678-277-0870. gwinnettcounty.com Cost: $5.50-$10.50; ages 4-10, $4.25-$8.25; ages 3 and younger, $3.25-$6.25.
l Piedmont Park Aquatic Center
Enjoy beach entry with a current channel for floating and go swimming at this aquatic center. Opening May 29. Where: Monroe Dr. NE, Atlanta. 404-875-7275. piedmontpark.org Cost: $5.
l Rhodes Jordan Park Pool
Splash around in the outdoor leisure pool featuring a waterslide, river channel and water play structures. Opening May 29. Where: 100 E. Crogan St., Lawrenceville. 678-277-0892. gwinnettcounty.com Cost: $5.50-$10.50; ages 4-10, $4.25-$8.25; ages 3 and younger, $3.25-$6.25.
This water park features two waterslides, a lazy river and a splash pad. Opening May 29. Where: 3820 Macedonia Rd., Powder Springs. 770-528-4035. cobbcounty.org Cost: $6-$9; ages 3-17, $4-$6; ages 2 and younger, free.
l South Cobb Aquatic Center
Splash down spiraling waterslides or float along the lazy river. Where: 875 Riverside Pkwy., Austell. 770-739-3180. cobbcounty.org Cost: $4.50-$6.75; ages 2-17, $3.50-$5.25; ages 1 and younger, free.
l West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Center
This outdoor leisure pool has zero-depth entry, two waterslides, a river channel, bubble bench, spray bar and more. Opening May 29. Where: 4488 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Berkeley Lake. 678-407-8801. gwinnettcounty.com Cost: $5.50-$10.50; ages 4-10, $4.25-$8.25; ages 3 and younger, $3.25-$6.25.
l Wills Park Pool
Cool off in a leisure pool, enjoy interactive play stations, and more. Opening May 31. Where: 11925 Wills Rd., Alpharetta. 678-297-6108. willspark.com Cost: $5-$8; ages 3 and younger, free.
Cont’d on next page Seven Springs Water Park at Wild Horse Creek Park
FIND YOUR WORK-LIFE LAKE-LIFE BALANCE
It’s not a stretch to say that days spent outside with family are the best days. Come to the beach, bike, or play, then fi ll everyone’s tummies at one of our local farm-to-table restaurants. These are memories you can only make in Acworth.
VISITACWORTH.COM
Acworth is just 35 miles northwest of Atlanta, minutes off I-75 from Exit 278.
Summer Splurge: l Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
Cool off in Georgia’s largest wave pool, or race down a waterslide, while younger kids enjoy the Family Fun Zone with mini waterslides, sprinklers and a beach. Where: 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford. 470-323-3440. margaritavilleresorts.com Cost: $49.99; kids under 48 inches, $34.99; parking, $15.
l Six Flags White Water
Float as a family on the Bahama Bob Slide and other family rides, satisfy your need for thrills with the waterslides, and kids can play in the splash area, Buccaneer Bay, at this 69-acre water park. Where: 250 Cobb Pkwy. N, Marietta. 770-590-4067. sixflags.com/whitewater Cost: $24.99; parking, $25.
l Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
Part of the Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park, race down Bonzai Pipelines, test your bravery on Tsunami Surge, or catch a wave in the 38,000-square-foot Calypso Bay. Where: 275 Riverside Pkwy., Austell. 770-739-3400. sixflags.com/overgeorgia Cost: $39.99; parking, $25.
l Great Wolf Lodge
This water park features waterslides, attractions and areas for all ages and thrill levels. Where: 150 Tom Hall Pkwy., LaGrange. 844-473-9653. greatwolf.com/georgia Cost: Day Pass, $56 and up; ages 2 and younger, free. Nightly rates start at $299.99.
Six Flags White Water
Put these Fun Places to Go on your Summer BUCKET LIST!
Atlanta Braves braves.com Center for Puppetry Arts puppet.org Chattahoochee Nature Center chattnaturecenter.org Cool River Tubing coolrivertubing.com Historic Acworth visitacworth.com Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands lanierislands.com/margaritaville Roswell Summer Puppet Series Roswell Cultural Arts Center roswellcac.com Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History southernmuseum.org Stars and Strikes Starsandstrikes.com
Zoo Atlanta zooaltanta.org
Beaches
l Acworth Beach at Cauble Park
This park features a white sand beach and an area for swimming. Where: 4425 Beach St. NW, Acworth. 770-9171234. acworth.com Cost: Free; parking, $10.
Relax on the beach, go swimming, play volleyball or watersports, and stop at waterfront restaurants and bars for cocktails, delicious eats and sweets. Where: 7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford. 770-945-8787. lanierislands.com Cost: $9.99-$14.99; parking, $15.
Paradise Beach at Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands
l Robin Lake Beach at Callaway Gardens
Enjoy the white sand beach and lake activities, as well as biking, ziplining, hiking, mini golf and more. Where: 17800 US Hwy. 27, Pine Mountain. 800-852-3810. callawaygardens.com Cost: $19.95-$24.95; ages 6-12, $19.95-$21.95; ages 5 and younger, free. l The Swimming Beach at Red Top Mountain State Park
Enjoy the swimming sand beach nestled in a cove and surrounded by trees for cooling off. The beach is closed for renovation until mid-June. Where: 50 Lodge Rd. SE, Acworth. 770-975-0055. gastateparks.org/redtopmountain Cost: Free; parking, $5.
Tubing and Rafting A trip down the Chattahoochee River is a relaxing way to cool off.
l Appalachian Outfitters
Float down the Lower Chestatee River Trip or the Yahoola Creek River Trip at the Dahlonega Outpost. You can also rent canoes or kayaks. Opening May 29. Where: 1182 Golden Ave., Dahlonega. 706-867-7116. canoegeorgia.com Cost: $6.
l Chattahoochee River Tubing
A shuttle will take and pick you up from the river for this four-hour ride down the Chattahoochee. Opening May 27. Where: 4349 Abbotts Bridge Rd., Duluth. 678-349-6880. rivertubing.com Cost: $23.
l Cool River Tubing
Enjoy a leisurely one- or two-hour trip down the Chattahoochee River, and get adventurous with the zipline and climbing wall. Opening May 29. Where: 590 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen. 706-878-2665. coolrivertubing.com Cost: $10-$16; Adventure Park activities, extra.
Cool River Tubing
l Helen Waterpark
Go tubing on this 2.5-hour ride before enjoying waterslides and activities at the water park. Opening May 28. Where: 222 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen. 706-878-7465. helenwaterpark.com Cost: $12-$16; Waterpark, $12.99-$24.99.
l Nantahala Outdoor Center
Enjoy the river with tubing trips, kayak rentals, canoes, rafts or paddleboards. Where: Outposts at Powers Island, Johnson Ferry and Roswell. 828-785-4966. noc.com Cost: $25 and up.
Nantahala Outdoor Center
l Shoot the Hooch
Enjoy a tube or kayak trip down the Chattahoochee River in 2.5-3.5 hours from Power Island Park NPS to Paces Mill NPS. Where: 3444 Cobb Pkwy., Atlanta. 770-650-1008. shootthehooch.com Cost: $25 and up.
l Toccoa River Tubing
Enjoy a scenic float down the Toccoa River in the North Georgia Mountains. Where: 340 Toccoa Ave., McCaysville. 706-492-5280. toccoatubing.com Cost: $15.
