Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

See a Baseball Game, Ride a Roller Coaster, and Experience History in Cobb County, GA

Ready to explore Cobb County, GA? Get ready to cheer on the Atlanta Braves, ride thrilling coasters, learn about history, and eat delicious food with a fun, family trip to Cobb County, Georgia, less than three hours from the Upstate, SC. We’ve got all the info on how to plan a fun family trip to Cobb County to see the Braves plus where to eat and play.

Thank you to Cobb Travel & Tourism for inviting us to enjoy their beautiful county and providing accommodations and tickets!

Cobb County spans the Northwest part of the Atlanta Metro area and packs quite a punch when it comes to enjoying a lot of family fun. From restaurants to playgrounds to museums and state parks, we’ll tell you all the cool stuff to do to plan a trip with your family.

About Cobb County

Where to Play

Where to Eat

Where to Stay

Use the map below to discover great lodging options in Cobb County.
Through an affiliate relationship with Stay22, Kidding Around earns when you book through this map.

About Cobb County, Georgia

Cobb County is located in the Northwestern part of the Atlanta metro area and includes the towns of Marietta, Smyrna, Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Mableton, and Powder Springs. The founding of Cobb County goes all the way back to 1832. The county is home to several important Civil War battles, including the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in July 1864. Cobb County’s current population is 766,149, according to the 2020 Census.

Fun fact about Cobb County is that host two of Atlanta’s professional sports league teams: the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta United.

Cobb County is referred to as “Atlanta’s Sweet Spot” because it’s not only easy to reach from major interstates, but has a diverse mix of everything you could imagine from outdoor activities like hiking and biking to history to restaurants to sports. There is truly something for everyone. The county is about a two-and-a-half hour drive from the Upstate but be sure to leave some time for traffic because Atlanta is huge.

Where to Play & Explore

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

This national historic site is a fascinating and beautiful spot. A decisive battle at the end of the Civil War, the battle at Kennesaw Mountain was a long and drawn-out event, starting in late June 1894. The North was led by General Sherman and the South was led by General Johnston. This was essentially the last mountain between Sherman and Atlanta.

Kennesaw Battlefield National Park — Kennesaw Battlefield Visitors Center

The Visitors Center has an excellent museum you walk through to see the timeline of events, main characters, and even old Confederate and Union military uniforms. There are 22 miles of trails, including one up to the top of the mountain and others to see the old trenches used during the battle. We got about halfway up to the top and then turned to try to find the trenches but ran out of time. Be sure to watch the 35-minute video about the battle and get the free Junior Ranger books for your kids.

Parking is $5 unless you have the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass.

900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw, GA
Visitors Center is open daily 9 am – 5 pm
Trails are open 6:30 am – 6:30 pm (November-March) and 6:30 am – 8:30 pm (March – November)

See the Atlanta Braves play

If you’re going to Cobb County, you need to see the Braves play. The game is just electric! The entire atmosphere is electric, with everything from eating and hanging at The Battery beforehand to cheering on the Braves during the game, to even walking back to the hotel with all the other fans. It was an amazing experience and perfect for families. Read our full review for all the details.

755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA

Glover Park

Glover Park is the very center of Marietta, the town square where there’s an adorable little train playground, beautiful gazebo, fountain, and stage. There are plenty of benches to relax at and seasonal events. There are several local businesses all around the square to explore and it’s a great place to grab ice cream and sit while the kids play.

50 N Park Square NE, Marietta, GA
Open 6 am – 3:45 am daily

Windy Cindy Community Center Playground

This inclusive playground is huge and has lots of slides, a ninja course, and shaded benches for caregivers to sit and relax. There is a ramp that allows kids in wheelchairs to get on a moving platform at the playground. Besides the shaded areas over the benches, there is not really much else that is shaded so it’s best to go here early in the morning or later in the evening on warm days.

1885 Roswell Street SE, Smyrna, GA

Six Flags Over America

This massive theme park is located in Cobb County and has lots of fast, fun roller coasters, places to eat, and a day full of adventure. Get there when the park opens because the lines just get longer as the day goes by. Read our full review for all the info.

275 Riverside Parkway SW, Austell, GA
See Six Flags website for hours.

Marietta History Center

I had no idea there was so much history in this town! The Marietta History Center is amazing in how they lay out what happened here – everything from how families were told to save electricity during the Great Depression to uniforms worn by the women in the military to Civil War battles to the history and culture of African Americans to the history of Scouting.

Plus, they have items of historical and military clothing to dress up with. We were there during one of their free Saturday events, which worked out perfectly since they had some extra arts and crafts to do (plus free admission) – you can find that schedule here.

1 Depot Street, Marietta, GA
Open 10 am – 4 pm Tuesdays-Saturdays
Admission is $10/adults, $7/students

Where to Eat

Food in Cobb County — From L-R – Piu Bella, French Toast at the Marietta Diner, Marietta Diner

Marietta Square Market

The Marietta Square Market is a massive food court with almost any kind of cuisine imaginable: Greek, Italian, Chinese, Korean, American, you name it. There are so many options that I promise you it will be hard to choose. My kids got burgers and I got a bulgogi chicken bowl that was delicious. We ended up going on trivia night, which means I got to show off my mad 90s trivia knowledge in front of my kids. It was awesome.

You’ll have to pay to park but make good use of the time and walk on over to the beautiful town square of Marietta, where there’s a beautiful fountain gazebo, and super cool train playground for smaller kids.

68 North Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA
Open Sunday – Thursday 11 am – 9 pm and Friday-Saturday from 11 am – 10 pm

Marietta Diner

This place is exactly what you would likely picture as an authentic, shiny, neon-covered diner. The Marietta Diner is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and has an extensive, delicious menu. When you walk in, I dare you not to salivate over one of the giant cheesecake slices behind the glass counter. We had pancakes, French Toast, and oatmeal for breakfast and weren’t even hungry until after 2 pm. The portions are huge. This place was made famous when it was featured on Food Network’s “Diner, Drive-ins and Dives.”

306 Cobb Pkwy SE South, Marietta, GA
Open 24/7

Piu Bella

Pizza is my favorite food so I was more than excited to try Piu Bella. It was delicious and the staff were just the sweetest. They also have an array of salads, calzones, and hoagies. The pizza is New York style and came pretty close to what I grew up eating in the Northeast. Definitely recommend.

2014 Powers Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA

Goldberg’s Fine Foods

Goldberg’s is an authentic Jewish deli with bagels made in-house, black & white cookies, and a delicious array of breakfast and lunch items. They have a couple locations in the Cobb County area but we went to the one at The Battery since it was within walking distance to our hotel.

Marietta Square Farmers Market

This was one of the best Farmers Markets I have been to due to its vast size and variety of options. There were jewelry makers, florists selling gorgeous flowers, bakers selling cookies and sweets, farms selling produce and meat, local honey, and elderberry, and my favorite, a German bakery! I spent a ridiculous amount of money on pretzels and a chocolate croissant but it was worth it!

41 Mill Street, Marietta, GA
Saturdays 9 am – Noon, year-round

Where to Stay

Cobb County hosted us at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria, just a short walk from Truist Park where the Braves play.

This hotel is in an ideal location, especially if you’re going to see the Braves play. No traffic or jostling for parking – just walk, take the hotel shuttle, or hire a pedicab. It’s easy and fun! This was one of the best reasons for staying here, especially if your trip centers around going to the Braves game. It was so easy to get back to the hotel and not deal with traffic.

While the hotel doesn’t have free breakfast, they do have an adjacent restaurant, Rocks Restaurant & Bar, where you can get breakfast if you don’t feel like heading out to a nearby restaurant. There’s also a beautiful fitness room and outdoor pool. The staff were all so kind and helpful because, once again, one of my kids forgot their toothbrush. Our regular readers know this is a common occurrence! I was grateful the hotel could help us out.

There is a charge for overnight parking per night but there is free WiFi.

200 Interstate N Pkwy, Atlanta, GA

Ready to explore Cobb County?

If you’re ready to explore Cobb County, you can do most of the activities we suggested here in a few days but there are many, more fun things to do that we weren’t able to get to! Also, the Cobb Tourism & Travel website is a great resource. Be sure to check their calendar because the event scene in Cobb County is fantastic.

If you go, we’d love to hear how your trip was!

Cobb Tourism & Travel
Cobb Tourism & Travel Website | Facebook | Instagram

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Discover more than 15 things to do with kids in Atlanta, GA!

Georgia Aquarium Review: Awe Inspiring Day Trip to the Largest Aquarium in the US!

Have you experienced the overwhelming wonder of the Atlanta Georgia Aquarium? It is truly awe-inspiring, being the largest aquarium in the US! We were able to visit with the Georgia Aquarium Residence Pass, however, you can visit any time by purchasing a day pass. Find everything you need, including Georgia Aquarium reviews, photos, and even parking and hotel information, so you can make your trip an epic adventure.

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia

Where to Stay Near the Georgia Aquarium

Planning an overnight trip? Use the map below to find the perfect lodging near the Georgia Aquarium.
Through an affiliate relationship with Stay22, Kidding Around earns when booking through the map and links in this section.

During a previous visit, we stayed at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel, which we recommended because of the hotel’s great location and comfort. Another great option is Home 2 Suites Midtown. The CNN Tower, World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Park, the Peachtree Center and a new Ferris wheel attraction are all located within easy walking distance of both of these hotels.

Watch! Our Visit to the Biggest Aquarium in the US!

Our Day Trip to Georgia Aquarium

For our day trip to the Georgia Aquarium, we brought along our five-year-old and two-year-old, because we knew this would be a fantastic memory for them. We purchased our tickets ahead of time with our residence pass, but you can purchase tickets in advance for cheaper than same day tickets through the online portal! Ticket prices for pre-booked dates start at $39.99, but ticket prices fluctuate depending on the day you want to attend, if it’s a holiday or weekend, or if they anticipate large crowds, so keep that in mind!

We also made reservations for the dolphin show and the sea lion show on the same day as our visit. If you are looking to do these two free shows or any backstage events, make sure to pencil those in when figuring out how long you want to stay at the aquarium!

What is at the Georgia Aquarium?

Being the largest aquarium in the US means there is A LOT to explore. You’ll want to carve out at least two to three hours of your day to experience everything, but you could honestly spend longer here. When you arrive at the aquarium, you first will be asked to take a photo by staff that you can later purchase as a souvenir. Then, you’ll immediately follow a quarridore that is lined with a wall of glowing jellyfish! My kids were just ecstatic to see them glowing purple, bouncing around the elongated tank. It was the perfect start to our visit. Finally, you’ll have your tickets scanned at the entrance of the large atrium.

Entrance of the Georgia Aquaruim: Jellyfish wall.

Galleries and Exhibits: Georgia Aquarium

Now, the hard part is usually figuring out what you want to see first! There are 8 major galleries at the Georgia Aquarium, and each is sectioned by theme. So, what animals can you see at the Georgia Aquarium? Over 500 species and over 1 million animals to explore! They have sharks, penguins, beluga whales, dolphins, and even massive whale sharks. It’s not just another aquarium. It’s like stepping into another world. And if you think that sounds melodramatic, consider some of these stats:

With more than 600,000 square feet and 10 million gallons of fresh and salt water, the Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the United States.
The Ocean Voyager exhibit is the largest indoor fish habitat in the United States. It measures 284 feet long by 126 feet wide by 30 feet deep. It contains 6.3 million gallons of water.
The viewing window into the whale shark exhibit measures 60 feet long by 27 feet high.

Hammerhead shark swimming by at the Predators of the Deep exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia

When we arrived in the huge atrium, we decided to work our way clockwise through the galleries so we wouldn’t miss anything. We started at SHARKS! Predators of the Deep, which was my daughter’s absolute favorite. There were tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks, silvertip sharks, and a sand tiger shark that swam around the 1.2 million gallon tank and through the circling false pilchard fishes. We even saw a hammerhead shark going into the circling and trying to catch one, which we were told was because of electromagnetic signals being released from one of the false pilchards that was older or sick.

Before our scheduled show at Dolphin Coast, We worked our way through the several exhibits on the bottom floor, which took us a little over an hour. You’ll want extended time at the Ocean Voyager Built by Home Depot exhibit. Here, you can ride down a conveyor belt under a 100-foot tunnel. This part is exciting, but make sure little feet stay off the edges of the belt so they do not fall. You can choose to walk beside it as well, which is nice if you want to stop and take a closer look at the rays and fish swimming overhead.

Gulper the whale shark at the Georgia Aquarium.

Dad and daughter sitting at the Ocean Voyager large aquarium at the Georgia Aquarium

The epic part of Ocean Voyager is the large seating area you’ll find toward the end of the gallery. You can lounge on the stairs under the glow of the huge aquarium, watching the whale sharks swim by. This is a great place to park it for a little bit after a long day of walking around. We sat here for almost 20 minutes listening to the presenter give us facts about what is inside the tank, while also playing a game of who could spot Gulper.

Child at the coral reef exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium

Here is a full list of the exhibits and key features at the Georgia Aquarium, so you can decide where to start!

Aquanaut Adventure– Newer exhibit with alligators, lizards, eels, and a Discovery Zone touch pool
Cold Water Quest – Home to beluga whales, sea otters, African penguins, Pacific octopus, and more.
Dolphin Coast – Dolphins (including the theatre), spoonbill, spiny lobster, and scarlet ibis.
Ocean Voyager– The largest exhibit, offers whale sharks, rays, sharks, tons of fish, and a place to relax.
Predators of the Deep– A variety of sharks with large glass walls to observe from different angles.
Southern Company River Scout– Only freshwater gallery at the Aquarium
Tropical Diver– Coral reef exhibit and gorgeous marine life display.
Truist Peer 225– Arcade, animatronics, and the sea lion show!

Live Shows

Georgia Aquarium Dolphin Show and Sea Lion Presentation

One wonderful thing about the aquarium is that you can get up close and personal with many of the animals, all included in your admission ticket! We had such a fun time at the dolphin and sea lion shows, which are free and run at various times throughout the day.

My 5-year-old and I opted to sit in the splash seats for both shows, and we were giggling the entire time waiting to get splashed, especially when the dolphins sent a wave of water right at us. But don’t worry, the majority of the seats are out of the splash zone.

During both shows, we learned about how they train the animals and what the animals are like in the wild, and we saw a spectacular showcase of their skills. During the sea lion show, we sat closest to Katie, the oldest sea lion resident and watched her and her trainer show off their dancing skills and tricks. My two-year-old was squealing when each sea lion showed off how loud they could be, it was hilarious!

Both the dolphin show and the sea lion show take about 15-20 minutes each, so make sure your little ones go to the bathroom ahead of time so you do not lose your seats. You will also want to arrive about 10 minutes early to get the best seats, they fill up very quickly!

You will want to make reservations the day of to confirm seats for the Dolphin Coast dolphin show and the sea lion show, though they are free to attend.

Quick Facts: Things to Know Before Your Visit

Hours of Operation

The Georgia Aquarium is open year-round, but hours do vary. Visit the aquarium website for specific hours on the day you plan to visit. You are welcome to leave the aquarium after you enter, just make sure you get your arm stamped at the customer service counter before you leave.

Georgia Aquarium Tickets

Ticket Prices

The aquarium uses a timed ticketing system, which means you will be given a time at which you can enter the aquarium. This keeps the facility from becoming overcrowded.
Tickets cost more at peak times like weekends and holidays. Be sure to check the website for the date you plan to visit.

General Admission Tickets

When you purchase tickets ahead of time, you get a discount, so remember that! Ticket prices vary by the day you want to attend with the lowest, least busy days having $39.99 admission tickets. You can purchase most Plan Ahead and Save tickets for $39.99, or purchase Anytime General Admission tickets for $64.99. We recommend purchasing ahead of time and looking at their booking calendar to get the best price. You can also purchase an annual membership if you plan to visit more than once.

If you want to do special animal encounters or events, you can purchase tickets to those ahead of time. They do sell out sometimes because of limited ticket availability, so book early. Prices for animal encounters start at $80 per person, and there are age restrictions.

Georgia Aquarium Parking

Parking is available in the attached parking deck and costs $20 per day. The World of Coca-Cola and CNN Tower are within walking distance, so you could plan an entire day of attractions for one parking price. There’s also a nice playground area in Centennial Olympic Park if the kids just need some downtime.

Coastline Cafe: Cafe at the Aquarium

On the second floor you’ll find the new Coastline Cafe, where you can dine in. Most of the food is American food, like chicken nuggets and burgers. It can be pretty expensive to dine here, so we chose to bring along sandwiches to enjoy during our break outdoors on the grass between World of Coca-Cola and the aquarium.

Wheelchairs, Strollers, and Babies

The entire aquarium is wheelchair and stroller accessible. However, strollers are NOT permitted in the Dolphin Coast theater. There is a “stroller parking” area available for use during the show.

You’ll find a private nursing pod for mothers available on the second floor.

Sensory bags are also available at Guest Services if you would like them for you or your child.

Restaurants near the Georgia Aquarium

You are able to leave the aquarium and come back, so why not check out some of the best restaurants near the Georgia Aquarium that are within walking distance? The Atlanta Breakfast Club is just down the street, and has some of the best Southern breakfast food around! Have a kid who will only eat pizza? Then Head to Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria. They have delicious pizza, plus vegetarian and vegan options. You will not want to miss out on the crispy chicken and fries from Rocks!

Sea dragons at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia

Tips for visiting the Georgia Aquarium

Bring a stroller or carrier if you have little ones, because there is a lot of walking involved.
Be sure to reserve a dolphin show or sea lion show, it is worth it and great for younger kids.
Pack your lunch and leave it in a cooler in the car to save some money.
If you want to leave and come back to the aquarium, be sure to get your hand stamped.
Don’t forget to use your Georgia Aquarium military discount on their Military Free Days to get free entry and 30% off for your family!
The gift shop has some great stuff, and you have to exit through it, so make sure to budget for a souvenir. Pro gift shop tip: Collect something small from gift shops you visit throughout all your travels like a magnet, postcard, or Christmas Tree ornament. Everyone in your family will know they are on the hunt for the perfect item to add to that collection and you’ll stay far away from the expensive toys, stuffed animals, and apparel.

My Honest Opinion of the Georgia Aquarium: Review

The Georgia Aquarium as a mom of two young kids is so worth it! There is so much to do and see that the trip is absolutely a core memory maker. There are animals at the Georgia Aquarium that you will most likely never see in your lifetime. Plus, the vast amount of scientific research and conservation efforts that is conducted is helping us learn more about these animals to aid in reversing their wild population decline. My kids were in awe, and so was I.

The aquarium staff are friendly and helpful, and we had zero issues throughout the entire day there. It’s a great family vacation idea, because the city of Atlanta has so much to offer. It is worth the 2.5-hour drive from Greenville, SC, and makes the perfect day trip!

Plan your own visit!

Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
404.581.4000

What was your family’s favorite part of the Georgia Aquarium?

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A Full Day of Excitement Awaits at Six Flags Over Georgia

Do you have a family adventure to Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta, GA planned for this summer? We checked it out to create this Six Flags Over Georgia review, and we have all the information you need to have a fun day there with your family. Complimentary tickets were provided for this review.

Six Flags Over Georgia is one of the few theme parks not far from Greenville, SC that provides thrilling rides with heart-pounding excitement mixed with more gentle rides for smaller kids, concessions, events, and shows. Here’s what you need to know when planning a trip there with your family. This review is a compilation of two trips to Six Flags Over Georgia.

Parking at Six Flags Georgia

How to Plan Your Rides at Six Flags

Dining at Six Flags Over Georiga

Rides: Six Flags Over Georgia

Water Park at Six Flags

Parent Tips: Plan a Great Trip to Six Flags

WATCH! Six Flags Over Georgia

Stay Near Six Flags Over Georgia

Use the map below to find great lodging near Six Flags Over Georgia.
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Watch! The sights & sounds of Six Flags Over Georgia

About Six Flags Over Georgia

The theme park is located a little less than three hours from the Upstate, depending on traffic, in the Atlanta metro area. It’s a massive park with 40+ rides. Hurricane Harbor is the water park inside of Six Flags Over Georgia that opens Memorial Day weekend.

Like other theme parks, Six Flags Over Georgia offers a Flash Pass, a way to get to do more rides without waiting in lines. These are add-ons to your one-day ticket and start at $60.

Getting to Six Flags Over Georgia

The first thing to remember about Six Flags Over Georgia is that it is basically in Atlanta, which means traffic. We suggest getting there a little before the park opens so you have enough time to get on the rides on you want. If you’re doing this as a day trip, you need to allow around 3-3.5 hours to get there.

We followed the directions from the Six Flags site; and they recommend taking 85S to 285W, then 20W, which takes you right to the park. Make use of your GSP though in case of backups and look at alternate routes. And bring your patience.

Parking at Six Flag Over Georgia

Parking was a breeze. There are multiple ticket booths where you can have your parking pass scanned or purchase parking. We recommend purchasing parking beforehand just to save time. They do offer Speedy Parking and Preferred Parking for an extra fee. The lot is large but there is zero shade so be sure to bring one of those reflector things for your car if you don’t want to open an oven when you get back. And pay attention to where you park so you can find your car after a long day of coasters.

There are also three tram pick-up locations in the parking lots that will shuttle you to the front entrance. We walked from Lot 1 and were to the entrance before people that we saw waiting for the tram. De[ending on where you park, it’s not a long walk.

Be sure to have your tickets ready to be scanned for easy entrance. It is a thousand times easier to buy tickets beforehand and have them on your phone than it is to wait in the Will Call/Ticket line. We went in the early afternoon and the line took a really long time, almost 30 minutes.

Plan of Attack for Rides at Six Flags Over Georgia

We recommend downloading the Six Flags Over Georgia app because it’s awesome. You can easily pull up locations of rides, shopping, and dining options. You can see how tall you must be to ride the rides and the wait times for each ride. There’s also a really handy map, which had a blue dot so you can see where you are in relation to where you want to be.

If you have more than a few people in your family, look at the app before you go or the Six Flags website to figure out what rides you want to ride on and height requirements and make a list of the ones you really want to do and go to those first. We found that the longer we were at Six Flags, the longer the wait times were. There are also screens around the park to check the wait times.

Also, look at a map beforehand because you’ll need it when you try to figure out which rides to go on and where they are in relation to the other rides you don’t want to miss. Also, check out the app to see if any rides are closed.

The Food at Six Flags Over Georgia

Six Flags offers different Dining Passes that you can add onto your tickets, which I honestly love. I think these are just good options when it comes to planning out your day if its in your budget. The 2024 Dining Pass options are: One Meal/One Snack/One Beverage is $20.99/person and the Unlimited All Day Dining Deal where you get one meal of your choice every 90 minutes and get an All Day Drink Bottle is $44.99/person.

They also offer a one day drink bottle with unlimited refills for $19.99/each. If you want to do this option, go right when the park opens or you get there otherwise you could end up waiting in long lines or wandering around for a long time trying to find someplace that isn’t sold out of them. Honestly, this is the clincher because Georgia summers are dreadfully hot and we saw no water fountains. I even brought refillable water bottles in my tiny bag for that purpose but didn’t see anywhere were I could fill them. That refillable day bottle is worth it.

There are a lot of different options for dining like taverns, cheesesteaks, burgers, BBQ, a even a diner. Try to go on off times, like not right at Noon or 1pm for lunch because lines are long. And look at the festivals they offer every year where you can try different food, like Brews & Bites every weekend April 20-May 19, 2024.

Also, try to plan your food adventures around your most thrilling rides. For example, maybe do the more heart-pounding in the morning before you go eat a chili cheese dog for lunch. Just a thought.

If you want to bring a lunch to eat in your car to save money, you can definitely do that. Be sure to get a re-entry wristband on your way out so you can get back in.

Rides at Six Flags Over Georgia

I have one more adventurous daughter and another more timid one when it comes to roller coasters, which certainly made the day challenging. We ended up riding a fun, smaller roller coaster, the Dahlonega Mine Train. It’s a good intro into the faster rides and is perfect for younger kids who are not quite ready to try the big ones, and has a height requirement of 42 inches.

We also rode the country cars, which I let my youngest drive. Of course, driving any car for kids is going to be fun. There are so many fantastic roller coasters that I wanted to really get in on the scream fest but will have to wait for another time!

I’m a complete adrenaline junkie when it comes to roller coasters and have not met a roller coaster I didn’t love. The ones I really wanted to try were: Goliath, Superman, Georgia Scorcher, Batman, and Twisted Cyclone. Most of these had long, long waits – around 60 minutes at minimum – by the afternoon on a Saturday. This is why you need to plan what you want to really want to ride on and go there first unless you can swing a Flash Pass.

There are lots of great kid-focused rides like smaller Ferris Wheel-types, swings, and a beautiful carousel. Monster Mansion is a great one because the dark boat ride is a nice break out of the heat.

Water Park at Six Flags Over Georgia

At Hurricane Harbor, the water park found inside Six Flags Over Georgia, we rented a large locker. There are small, large, and jumbo, with the bigger the locker, the higher the cost. Then we headed for the wave pool to cool off. There are plenty of life jackets for kids that may need them and they have multiple sizes. My son had a great time in the wave pool, but the large Paradise Island structure was calling his name, and we went there to watch him play.

Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Over Georgia

Now, anyone that has lived around this area for a while knows that the weather is very unpredictable in the early evening hours. And while the entire day had been virtually cloudless to this point, all of a sudden a thunderstorm came through. The water park was immediately shut down, so we changed back into our regular clothes.

Unfortunately, in the time, we were changing a severe storm warning was issued, and all of the rides in the park were turned off. We quickly left the water park area and stopped in a t-shirt shop for about 15 minutes. When the weather broke, we took off again, and got ice cream while the rain started again.

Ultimately it was getting rather on into the evening, with no indication that rides would start up again anytime soon. From the time they shut down the water park at 5 pm, and we got back to our car at 6:30 pm, no rides were running. It was a nice cool down, though.

Six Flags Over Georgia’s rain policy according to their website is: “There are still a ton of activities that are amazingly fun in any kind of weather––including indoor shows, restaurants, shops, games, and arcades. If rain, wind, or electrical storms force us to close certain rides for your safety, they will re-open as soon as safe operations can be assured. Refunds or rain checks for inclement weather are not offered.”

So, our day was cut somewhat short. We had a great time prior to the storm, and my son said he really liked Six Flags a lot. I think we will probably wait until he’s a bit older to go again, however, as the biggest attractions at Six Flags Over Georgia are the roller coasters. There are a lot of them.

Parent Tips: Six Flags Over Georgia

While we mentioned many tips in this story, here are a few others:

Bring/ear sun protection. It’s hot and you’ll get sunburned if you don’t have sunscreen or rain protection.

Download the Six Flags Over Georgia app for helpful info on rides, wait times, and a map.

The park is huge so plan which rides you want to go on and do them first. If you can afford it, get a FLASH Pass so you can enjoy even more rides.

Get the refillable water bottle. Dehydration is not fun.

While the park does have a lot of kid and family-focused rides, I think it’s best for kids closer to age 10 and up who love adventure and roller coasters. For most of more moderately intense rides, kids need to be at 48 inches for the medium coasters and 54 inches for the bigger ones.

Go early! Plan to spend the day there if it’s a day trip and leave the Upstate early.

If your kid wants to see some Looney Tunes characters, be sure to check the schedule of appearances when you get there.

Get tickets ahead of time online. You’ll save both time and money.

Look at the dress code before you go, especially for the waterpark: “All guests must wear proper attire, such as bathing suits or board shorts. Thongs, G-strings, or transparent swimwear are not permitted.”

You can bring bags and small backpacks into the park but not on the rides. You can either get a locker for a fee or leave them on the platform.

Roller Coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia

Visit Six Flags Over Georgia

Tickets start at $42 online (or $79.99 at the gate) and change depending on the date you want to go. It’s absolutely better to get the tickets online versus when you go. You can purchase a refillable water bottle, FLASH passes, and parking ($35+) online as well when you purchase your ticket.

Season passes start at $49/person. If you go more than once, a season pass is certainly a good deal, especially if you purchase the Platinum Level ($95/person), which includes parking.

275 Riverside Parkway SW, Austell, GA
770.739.3400
Six Flags Over Georgia

See Six Flags website for days and hours of operation.

Has your family ever visited Six Flags Over Georgia?

Planning a trip to Georgia? We’ve got your Ultimate Guide to Family Trips to Georgia.

Get Blown Away by Amazing Balloon Museum Pop-Up Art Exhibit in Atlanta, GA

For a totally unique experience, the pop-up art exhibit at the Balloon Museum: Let’s Fly in Atlanta should be a must-see with your whole family!

Thank you to the Balloon Museum for providing media tickets for this review. All opinions are those of the author.

The Balloon Museum: Let’s Fly is a pop-up art exhibit with lots of interactive elements that make for a really unique experience for kids – and adults – of all ages. Here’s what you need to know and why we thought this exhibit was just so surprising, fun, and whimsical!

Balloon Museum ball pit — Balloon Museum’s massive ball pit

About the Balloon Museum: Let’s Fly

There are only a couple of other Balloon Museum exhibits in the world besides the one in Atlanta so it’s a very unique experience and one you won’t find anywhere else in the country.

The art exhibit opened in February 2024 and will close June 9, 2024. It’s located in Pullman Yards near downtown Atlanta.

There are several installations in the museum itself that are interactive – think falling into a ginormous ball pit, trying to pop bubbles, pushing giant balls on swings, and a mirrored hallway. Other installations you cannot touch but are very neat to look at.

The entire exhibit really seeks to push the boundaries of art as you know it and guides you as you step into the unknown. Prepare to be wowed.

Our Favorite Exhibits

It’s hard to choose which exhibits were our favorite but definitely at the top of the list was the ginormous ball pit. This ball pit was just huge, bigger than a large swimming pool at a resort, and while you couldn’t jump in, you could get in and walk around or trust fall into it. It was so much fun! At the end of the session, there is a show that lights up the ball pit and includes background videos and balls that slide down from the ceiling. It was amazing.

We also really loved the mirrored entranceway. I actually had no idea which way to go. It was like a cool illusion.

There were giant swinging balls to push around and characters in a space fluorescent room that you could push over that shot right back up. There was a fun room at the end for selfies with different balloon-themed areas. We loved it.

There is also a bubble installation where the room goes dark for a second and then lights up near the ceiling. The bubbles are then shot out and into the crowd of people.

There is a Virtual Reality show as well, which is really fun and interesting. A neat exhibit is of a huge balloon that is bounced around a room and makes art as it goes. There is charcoal on it so you may get your hands a little dirty but it’s totally worth it.

Best Ages for the Balloon Museum

Literally, any age is going to love the Balloon Museum. When we went, there were adults and kids of all ages and we were all totally enamored by the experience.

We all loved walking around in the ball pit and being awed by the immensity of it. The bubbles were such a hit and the balls that hung from the ceiling that you had to push brought out the inner child in all the adults.

This is probably the thing I loved about the Balloon Museum: that it was all a total, immersive, whimsical surprise around every corner. I forgot about everything else in my life for a while and just enjoyed the quirky, off-the-wall exhibits.

There are no strollers allowed so if you do have a smaller child, you’ll have to carry them.

Need to Know about the Balloon Museum

Here are some tips on how to best enjoy the Balloon Museum: Let’s Fly in Atlanta:

The exhibit closes June 9, 2024, so you’ll need to go before then.
No strollers or large bags are allowed. There is an area for coat check and a place to leave your stroller.
There is no shade when you’re in line to get into the museum so bring a hat and wear sunscreen.
Parking is paid. It’s $7/hour and weekends and $6/hour on weekdays.
You have to purchase your ticket online and they are timed tickets.
There are some parts of the exhibit that have warnings for those with epilepsy. You can skip those sections if needed.

Visiting the Balloon Museum

Tickets to the Balloon Museum are $39/adults, $29/ages 4-12, and free for kids ages 3 and under. If you sign up for their email newsletter, you’ll likely get a discount code.

Allow for a little over an hour to go through the museum. You can take as many photos and videos as you like but the employees will be moving you through the exhibits so you cannot just hang out at any specific one.

Stay Near the Balloon Museum

Use the map below to find lodging options near the Balloon Museum.
Kidding Around earns when you book through these links through an affiliate relationship with Stay22.

Balloon Museum: Let’s Fly
225 Rogers Street, NE, Atlanta, GA
Balloon Museum Website

See more things to do in Atlanta, GA!

Atlanta Braves: Experience a Major League Baseball Game near Greenville, SC

Are you wondering what it’s like to go to an Atlanta Braves Game? The Atlanta Braves, in Atlanta, GA, are the closest Major League Baseball team to Greenville, SC – and boy is it worth the experience of going to a game there! We were invited to an Atlanta Braves game and are here to tell you all about how to experience the thrill of a MLB game at Truist Park with your family.

Thank you to Cobb Tourism & Travel for inviting us to an Atlanta Braves game and arranging the trip!

I had grown up going to Philadelphia Phillies games with my family and they were always a lot of fun because of the excitement of going to a big game in a big city in a big stadium. The closest MLB team we have nearest us in Greenville, SC are the Atlanta Braves. I could not have been more excited to take my own kids to experience some of that same excitement I felt as a kid at a Major League Baseball game.

The Battery at Truist Park — Game day photo!

Atlanta Braves: Truist Park

The Braves play at Truist Park, a 41,000-seat stadium with four levels, dozens of restaurants, and a play area for kids with a zipline, climbing wall, and batting cage.

Tickets can be purchased through the MLB website, which is linked to Ticketmaster. Getting the MLB app and the Ticketmaster app before you make your purchase can help make things go smoother. You’ll need to show your tickets on your phone to get in as paper tickets are not accepted. The venue is also cashless.

One cool thing that I wish I knew about beforehand is the Truist Park Tour, a guided 90-minute tour of the stadium. The Atlanta Braves is the longest, continuously operative franchise in Major League Baseball so they have an extensive and fascinating history, which you’ll learn about on this tour. Plus, you get to visit places in the stadium you wouldn’t otherwise get to see, like the dugout (on game days, you have to take earlier tours to see the dugout), and without thousands of other fans with you. You have to reserve these tickets online and they happen almost every day. Tickets are $32/adult and $20/kids.

Atlanta Braves: The Battery

The Battery is like a tiny town in and of itself outside of Truist Park. There’s an entertainment facility, lots of restaurants, places to shop, a big green space and stage for live entertainment, parking, and a hotel.

We went over to Goldberg’s for breakfast the morning of the game to check it out and I ended up participating in an awesome, free workout by Amy by Bodyfit. I didn’t know who she was until I looked her up later (turns out she is crazy popular) but the workout was a blast! But during the time before the game, the place is packed with people getting cocktails and beer, the kids playing in the splash pad, people eating dinner, promoters giving away free stuff, drummers playing on their five-gallon overturned buckets, mascots taking photos with fans, and just an overall fun and exciting vibe happening.

We had no idea where to turn first when we got there. We ended up taking the hotel shuttle over to The Battery and went in search of dinner but got easily distracted by all the fun things happening around us. It was recommended to us to eat at PH’EAST, a Far East food hall on the outskirts of The Battery and a little less crowded than the restaurants nearest the stadium. That was an excellent recommendation but my kids decided they wanted something a little more American. The food looked amazing though and they had bathrooms.

We ended up eating at a food truck right outside one of the stadium gates that served fries, burgers, and hot dogs. It was actually pretty good, much to my surprise. There really isn’t anywhere there that serves cheap eats but there are lots of excellent options like tacos, nachos, a beer garden, a pizza place, and a burger joint. After looking at several of the menus while walking around, I don’t think you can go wrong with any option.

Just be sure to decide if you want to eat at The Battery or not before going into the stadium because once they scan your tickets, you can’t leave and reenter.

Atlanta Braves: Watching the Game

The game itself was so exciting and a lot of fun. The music, the energy, and the fans were engaging and lively.

When the pitcher struck out a player of the opposing team, fireworks went off. The race of the Home Depot tools (people dressed up as a paintbrush, hammer, etc.) were hilarious. We were dying laughing along with everyone else. All the fans sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th Inning stretch and the ax chop, typical of the Braves fans, happened several times. It was quite the sight.

On Friday nights during home games, the team shoots off fireworks after the game. There were so many families at the game; it was a delight to see. This was truly a family-friendly activity and we immensely enjoyed the experience. It was totally different than any other MLB game I’ve attended. The fans were totally into the game and the innings seemed to fly by. My daughters said it was the best part of our whole trip.

If you get to the stadium a little early, you can buy tokens for your kids to have some fun at the Hope & Will’s Sandlot. There is a zipline, climbing wall, batting cage, arcade game and photo opportunities. This is located at Sections 152-155 and tokens are $1 each.

Atlanta Braves: Parking

Like anywhere in Atlanta, parking is expensive and a challenge. My best piece of advice is to stay where we did at the Atlanta North Marriott, a 10-15 minute walk from the stadium, so you don’t need to worry about parking.

But if you need a place to park, the stadium offers multiple lots that are anywhere from right next to the stadium to a 15-minute walk away. They recommend you purchase parking ahead of time. You can do that and see the map of where the official lots are located on the ballpark website.

Prices range anywhere from $17 up to $52 + Ticketmaster fees for the various lots. There are other places you can find that are unofficial Atlanta Braves parking lots, including the hotel where we stayed. Parking was $30 at the time of this writing. Of course, always be prudent wherever you park and lock valuables out of sight or just don’t take them in your car.

Atlanta Braves: Where to Stay

Cobb County hosted us at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria, a 10-15 minute walk from Truist Park, which absolutely came in handy when the game ended close to 10 pm and thousands of people exited the stadium at the same time and drove home.

I would one thousand percent stay here again if we were going to a Braves game for that reason. While it is a beautiful and comfortable hotel, the convenience of staying at this Marriott was worth the hassle and stress of trying to find parking and driving with thousands of other people after the game.

Use the map below to explore lodging options near Truist Park!
Kidding Around earns when you book through this nap through an affiliate relationship with Stay22.

Atlanta Braves: Tips

Here are some things to know before you go:

The Battery is packed before game time. If you plan to eat before the game, get there a couple hours early. There are a lot of restaurants to choose from but there are also thousands of people.
Bags aren’t allowed in the stadium. The exceptions are medical bags no larger than what is required to transport necessary medical equipment, breast pumps for nursing mothers and other bags required for guests with ADA needs, diaper bags for guests accompanied by infant(s) and/or toddler(s), small, single compartment clutches no larger than 5 x 9 inches, small, single compartment clear bags no larger than 5 x 9 inches.
You can bring outside food into the stadium but it must be in a gallon-sized plastic bag. A single, sealed bottle of water can also be carried inside. This is a great way to save money on food and water because it is very costly. A bottle of water inside the stadium is $5.

Ready to see the Braves in Action?

If you’re ready to book your tickets, you can get Braves tickets online, which I recommend. Heading to a Braves game is super popular activity and depending on the game, you may not have a lot of options of where to sit due to sections being sold out.

Tickets range widely in price but the upper levels start around $11 depending on the game.

I’d absolutely recommend this experience for families. You don’t even need to know much about baseball to enjoy it! It’s just really exciting to see a major league team, especially one as good as the Braves, play and enjoy all the festivities and make those memories with your family.

Atlanta Braves
755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA
MLB website

See more things to do in Atlanta, GA!

37+ Amazing Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids

Looking for things to do in Atlanta with kids? As someone who grew up in Atlanta, my heartbeat is strong for this Southern city. There’s so much to do for every age and every person. And as a family with kids? You’ll never get bored in Atlanta, GA.

So whether you’re a native Atlantan or someone looking to visit the ATL, we’ve rounded up all the best things you can do in Atlanta with kids. Consider this your ultimate guide to visiting Atlanta with your family.

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Idyllic Treehouse is the Romantic Getaway You Didn’t Know You Needed

Are you looking for a place to get away for a weekend as a couple? Life is busy! And you both need a little time to reconnect, no distractions. We totally get it and you are in luck because we have found the most idyllic and romantic treehouse for your escape! The Old Soul Treehouse on Lake Greenwood is nothing short of completely stunning in every way. It’s one of a kind, nothing like it, completely magnificent and we’re going to tell you all about the magic we found in our stay!

Thank you to Old Soul Treehouse owner, Kristen, for providing us with a two-night stay so we could bring this review to our readers.

Watch the Video Tour

About the Treehouse

A true work of art, this treehouse is stunning and very special. Built with beautiful, unique, reclaimed, and restored pieces that are flawlessly incorporated into animaginative design, we’ve never seen anything like this treehouse. And we have stayed in a lot of vacation rentals.

The home’s guest book of information shares the history of these reclaimed components, including the gorgeous French doors in the tree house that opens to the deck and the view of Lake Greenwood. They are restored, fully functional, and came all the way from Turkey. I loved these doors. I think I probably took nearly a thousand pictures of them. Which, I realize sounds so silly. “What did you do on vacation?” “I took pictures of doors!” But they are that pretty. And, they work beautifully. The craftsmanship in this home does not disappoint.

Is a treehouse complete without a bridge and spiral stairs?
Probably not.
The property’s cast iron spiral staircase came from Bob Jones University, according to the home’s guest book. They date to the early 1900s and were located in the study of Bob Jones himself.

If you take the spiral staircase down to the ground, you’ll arrive at a beautiful deck under the treehouse. Lit with a strand of lights and a pretty chandelier, there’s a swinging bed to relax with a view of the lake plus two cozy wicker chairs. My husband and I enjoyed snacks, wine, and quite a few rounds of our favorite board games here.

Back up the spiral stairs, you can return to the house or turn and cross the bridge to the other deck which is round with little trees growing right through it, in true treehouse fashion. There’s a table for dining and a hot tub that lights up at night.

Heading back across the bridge is my other favorite part of this home. There’s a vintage window that opens out from the interior kitchen to an outdoor breakfast bar with two stools. We enjoyed lunch and breakfast at this little cozy outdoor nook.

Inside the treehouse

The interior of the treehouse is small but so airy and beautiful. We loved the kitchen with the vintage farmhouse feel, especially the soapstone sink! The smaller appliances are so cute, new but made to look vintage. We didn’t cook here and opted for a charcuterie one night and Doordash the next, but the home is fully equipped to cook a meal. You’ll find all the cooking things including pots and pans, cookie sheets, cutting boards, dishes, silverware, and the like. Everything you need!

There’s a pretty king-size bed that looks like it might have come from a Disney princess movie, and a full bathroom with a clawfoot tub. Don’t miss the totally gorgeous stained glass window above the tub, another beautifully incorporated treasure. The details in this treehouse are tremendous.

The treehouse book on the table has restaurant recommendations, information on where to get groceries, things to do, and everything you could possibly think of is there. You really don’t have to plan much at all before you arrive!

Spending Time at the Treehouse

You won’t find a television at the treehouse and that is intentional. Kristen, the treehouse owner, wants this place to be where couples come to connect. You’ll find board games and a record player with a wide selection of records. My husband and I loved having the record player. Listening to records is actually one of our favorite things to do at home and it was so neat to discover in a vacation rental. Very rare!

The home also has a cute lantern Bluetooth speaker so you can play any music you like from your device and even bring the speaker outside. There is wifi available. We brought it out to the hot tub on both nights of our stay and were so happy to have it.

The treehouse also has a private dock in Lake Greenwood that you can access with just a short path through the woods from the treehouse. There you’ll find two comfortable Adirondack chairs to enjoy the view. This is a good place to enjoy a beverage or a snack and good conversation.

You may notice a small building beside the dock in our photos and video. That is an old fishing cottage on the property. The owners hope to someday restore it but it is not currently in use by anyone. The dock is private just for you!

You can swim from the dock, fish with poles provided at the house (fishing license is required according to SCDNR and the owner warns that they do cruise around on a boat and check from time to time), or even rent a boat.

My husband and I brought our own inflatable paddle boards and we enjoyed several paddles on the lake. We went out to a railroad trestle crossing the lake and saw hawks nesting on the trestle top, several Herons, ducks, and other birds. Usually, when we head out to paddle we are keeping tabs on kids, so this was such a lovely change!

Speaking of kids, no one under 18 is allowed on the property. This is a kid-free space designed for adults to spend quality time with each other. After 4 kids and 18 years of marriage, we’ve learned that time for each other is a rare and precious thing, and we so appreciate it.

I love my kids, I really do, don’t get me wrong. But, to have a conversation without the possibility of being interrupted by our kids was so nice. It really took pounds off our mental load so we could just relax and communicate. And the kids were spending some quality time with their aunt, so it was really a win for us all.

Treehouse French door close up — Is this door not completely gorgeous?

Want to go?

We really can’t say enough wonderful things about this special property. We know you’ll want to visit for yourself.

Now for the best part! Ready to plan your little escape together? Just visit the Old Soul Treehouse on Airbnb and book it!

The Old Soul Treehouse
Waterloo, SC, on Lake Greenwood

Orlando, FL: Enjoy Nature’s Theme Park at the Beautiful Natural Springs at Kings Landing

If you’re heading to Disney and all the sights of Central Florida for your family trip, don’t miss the opportunity to trade out the crowds for the natural beauty of the Rock Springs Run at Kings Landing just outside the Magic Kingdom.

I love the outdoors and enjoying all that nature has in store for us because it’s almost always better than I could have imagined. And with hot days and crowds around Orlando, escaping to Kings Landing is an awesome idea if you’re in the area. I was completely blown away by these gorgeous springs.

You’ll feel like you’re in another world here – nature’s very own theme park – and never want to leave.

Rock Springs Run FL — Paddleboarding at the springs

About Kings Landing and Rock Springs Run

Kings Landing is in Apopka, Florida, a suburb of Orlando and only about 40 minutes from Disney World. It feels a lot further away. Kings Landing is a privately owned entrance point into Rock Springs, where you can access the incredible Emerald Cut or the Wekiva River.

This area of water is a designated National Wild and Scenic River and once you’re out there, it’s easy to see why. The calm, crystal clear water under the shade of huge jungle-like trees is stunning and peaceful.

This is the Florida a lot of people overlook. I grew up going to Florida often to visit my family that lived there and somehow we never took in these natural springs. I only discovered them as an adult and was swept away by their beauty. The natural springs are just amazing because their crystal clear water is filtered through limestone caves and is a constant 70 or so degrees year round.

Manatees congregate at many of these springs during the cooler months. One we visited, Blue Spring State Park, allows swimming during the summer when the manatees are gone. Another one, Ichetucknee Springs and Blue Hole Spring, is an easy day trip from St. Augustine and even Orlando.

Most of the Florida springs allow swimming but you need to be watchful because alligators are common. More on that in a bit.

At Kings Landing, they allow you to rent clear canoes, paddleboards, and kayaks. You can also bring your own and drop in at their site. They also offer camping on their property or you can paddle to a boat-in campsite that you have to reserve through Wekiwa State Park. Group camping is also available next to Kings Landing at Kelly Park’s Camp Joy.

Stay Near Kings Landing

Paddle Trips at Kings Landing, FL

There are a few options for paddling from Kings Landing, from an hour or two to an all day adventure.

We did the paddling trip out to Emerald Cut, which is just a stunningly beautiful paddle through the clear water upstream for a mile. The water isn’t deep in most spots and the bottom is sandy and soft. There are spots to stop and swim and of course, take photos. There is a really cool tree that you can climb and jump from into a small swimming hole. The river is fairly narrow so you have to pay attention to the other paddlers and watch for wildlife.

Paddling at Kings Landing FL — Paddleboarding at the springs

You’ll go upstream the way out and then downstream on the way back. My daughters and I are fairly experienced paddlers as we have our own paddleboards and go out often during the summer but we had never paddled on a river, which was a little harder due to the current. It took us less than half the time downstream as it did to go upstream. I wish we would have stayed and swam a little more though because the trip back was too fast.

We were told to watch for wildlife and not to approach any animals. We only saw a really cool bird up close but kept our distance. We were just about to the end of the run when a family coming downstream told us a gator was just ahead. We made a prudent decision and turned back. Typically, the staff told us, the gators hang out more on the darker water side, but they absolutely can show up on Rock Springs.

That trip took us a little over two hours.

If you go the other way on the river, you can go as far as 8.5 miles downstream and be picked up and taken back to your car by the Kings Landing shuttle. You have a much higher chance of seeing wildlife there, which we really didn’t want to see. To do the shuttle run, Kings Landing asks that paddlers be experienced since it is about a 4.5 hour trip.

Making Your Paddling Reservation

You don’t need any paddling experience to do the run we did. Paddling a kayak or canoe isn’t hard and you’ll get instruction from the staff. They also offer guided tours if you want to be sure you’re in good hands.

If you choose to rent a vessel, you’ll have four hours total, which is enough time to paddle both the river (not the 8.5 mile trip) and Emerald Cut. Rentals are priced from $49 up to $69. The canoe can fit three people max. You can also select a kayak, double kayak or paddleboard.

If you have your own kayak or paddleboard, the cost is $10/adult and $5/kids. No children ages 2 and under are permitted.

Kings Landing FL — Paddleboarding at the springs

Know Before You Go

Here are a few tips on your trip to Kings Landing:

No pets allowed.
No children under 2 years old allowed.
Pay attention to your surroundings. This isn’t a controlled environment and wildlife exist.
If you’re bringing your own paddleboard or kayak, you must have a life vest and whistle. If you don’t have one, you can rent one.
The crystal clear emerald water will often turn a tea-colored brown after heavy rains due to the tannins in the fallen leaves. We went in April and the water was just like you see in photos.
You must make a reservation. Weekdays are less busy than weekends but reservations are required at any time.
Bring sunscreen, water, and bug spray.
All Leave No Trace principles must be followed.
No glass, styrofoam, or alcohol is permitted.

Rock Springs Run kings Landing — Just hanging out at the springs

Ready to Paddle?

If you’re ready to get away to a jungle oasis and see the wild part of Florida, make your reservation at King’s Landing online.

Kings Landing is open daily 8 am – 5 pm. All boats must be back to the dock by 4:30 pm.

Looking for other adventures in Florida? Check out our Florida Travel Guide.

Kings Landing
5722 Baptist Camp Road, Apopka, FL 32712
King’s Landing Website | King’s Landing Facebook

Zoos, Nature Centers, & Aquariums Within 2.5 Hours of Greenville

Looking for an aquariaum or zoo near Greenville, SC? What kid doesn’t love getting up close and personal with a gray wolf, black bear, a giant shark, or a creepy tarantula? Which is why you might be thinking, “where are all the zoos and aquariums near me?” If you live near Upstate, SC, you’ve found the list you’re looking for.

Families can check out all of those animals and more with the many zoos, nature centers, and aquariums all within a two-and-a-half-hour drive or less from Greenville, SC. This list includes zoos and aquariums in Greenville, SC, Columbia, SC, Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, and Western North Carolina.

Check out all these educational things to do near Greenville, SC!

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10 Amazing Weekend and Daytrips from Spartanburg, SC

Are you searching for daytrips from Spartanburg, SC where you can have a fun time exploring somewhere new? You can drive to all these locations in 8 hours or less saving the price of airline tickets. Keep reading to find out which places are less than a day’s drive from Spartanburg.

Weekend and day trip ideas from Spartanburg, South Carolina

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Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

About Cobb County, Georgia

Where to Play & Explore

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

See the Atlanta Braves play

Glover Park

Windy Cindy Community Center Playground

Six Flags Over America

Marietta History Center

Where to Eat

Marietta Square Market

Marietta Diner

Piu Bella

Goldberg’s Fine Foods

Marietta Square Farmers Market

Where to Stay

Ready to explore Cobb County?

Where to Stay Near the Georgia Aquarium

Watch! Our Visit to the Biggest Aquarium in the US!

Our Day Trip to Georgia Aquarium

What is at the Georgia Aquarium?

Galleries and Exhibits: Georgia Aquarium

Live Shows

Georgia Aquarium Dolphin Show and Sea Lion Presentation

Quick Facts: Things to Know Before Your Visit

Hours of Operation

Georgia Aquarium Tickets

Ticket Prices

General Admission Tickets

Georgia Aquarium Parking

Coastline Cafe: Cafe at the Aquarium

Wheelchairs, Strollers, and Babies

Restaurants near the Georgia Aquarium

Tips for visiting the Georgia Aquarium

My Honest Opinion of the Georgia Aquarium: Review

Plan your own visit!

Stay Near Six Flags Over Georgia

Watch! The sights & sounds of Six Flags Over Georgia

About Six Flags Over Georgia

Getting to Six Flags Over Georgia

Parking at Six Flag Over Georgia

Plan of Attack for Rides at Six Flags Over Georgia

The Food at Six Flags Over Georgia

Rides at Six Flags Over Georgia

Water Park at Six Flags Over Georgia

Parent Tips: Six Flags Over Georgia

Visit Six Flags Over Georgia

About the Balloon Museum: Let’s Fly

Our Favorite Exhibits

Best Ages for the Balloon Museum

Need to Know about the Balloon Museum

Visiting the Balloon Museum

Stay Near the Balloon Museum

Atlanta Braves: Truist Park

Atlanta Braves: The Battery

Atlanta Braves: Watching the Game

Atlanta Braves: Parking

Atlanta Braves: Where to Stay

Atlanta Braves: Tips

Ready to see the Braves in Action?

Watch the Video Tour

About the Treehouse

Inside the treehouse

Spending Time at the Treehouse

Want to go?

About Kings Landing and Rock Springs Run

Stay Near Kings Landing

Paddle Trips at Kings Landing, FL

Making Your Paddling Reservation

Know Before You Go

Ready to Paddle?

Greenville Guides

Family Fun in Greenville, SC