Stone Mountain Park is one place in Atlanta that my family and friends have visited on countless occasions. Over the years, we have brought many visitors to bike around and hike up or ride the high-speed Swiss gondola to the summit. The natural beauty and the view of the city skyline and surrounding Atlanta metro area are breathtaking. It's also the perfect place to train for endurance events. Atlanta hills are no joke! :-)
We enjoy exploring some of Stone Mountain Park's classic and newest family-friendly entertainment with our daughter. Families can easily spend the entire day at Stone Mountain Park and top the evening off with the laser show. There are so many fun adventures for families to discover, explore, and enjoy. If you're interested in learning more about the history of the Confederate Memorial Carving, check out Memorial Hall.
With an All-Attractions Pass, we have explored indoor/outdoor challenge courses, 4D shows, local entertainers like the GA Bubbleman and talented performers from the show "America's Got Talent", festivals, the laser show, and so much more. It's hard to see everything in one day at Stone Mountain Park. Here are our favorite spots and some tips for your visit.
Summit Skyride is a quick and fun ride. A high-speed cable car takes you more than 825 feet from the ground up to the top, and then back down. My daughter likes to get to the front window of the gondola for an up-close view. There are snack shops, souvenirs, and restrooms available at the top. Don't forget your camera to capture the views!
My daughter's favorite areas of Stone Mountain Park are the fun adventure obstacle courses. Get your kids to test their balance and agility on outdoor courses like SkyHike®, Camp Highland Outpost, and AirRacer, an inflatable course. SkyHike® is the largest family adventure course with suspended wooden bridges and vertical rope obstacles. Closed-toed shoes are required and participants must be 44" tall. The staff is well trained and always willing to help climbers with the jitters. Camp Highland Outpost is a low ropes course for younger participants and also requires closed-toed shoes.
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Geyser Tower is another splashing outdoor adventure area featuring multi-level rope and net tunnels with water spraying from various corners and platforms overlooking a geyser that gushes water from below. Prepare to get soaked! Geiser Tower allows kids to play barefooted on the ground level with the spray fountains. Closed-toed shoes are also required before climbing the suspended rope bridges and net tunnels.
Take a break from the heat and explore inside Dinotorium, a four-level jungle gym for adventure and fun games. The kids have a blast chasing each other, collecting and shooting foam balls at each other, and swirling down the multi-level slides. It's not brightly lit inside and it can get a little loud.
The seasonal exhibits are surprisingly impressive. Currently, displayed on the Adventure Encounter is MEGABUGS! Does anyone remember the movie, "Honey, I shrunk the kids"? Well, imagine walking thru an outdoor trail exhibit and coming face-to-face with giant spiders, ants, bumblebees, scorpions, or millipedes. There are about 70 larger than life insects to explore. Look and listen closely or you'll miss the sound and movements from some of the bugs. Be prepared for lots of pictures and curious questions from your little ones.
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Another way to beat the heat while exploring the park is to take a break on the Scenic Railroad ride around the base of the mountain or check out a show at the 4D Theater - it's air-conditioned! Currently showing in the 4D Theater is Ice Age: No Time for Nuts. Don't miss the traveling performers from "America's Got Talent" like ZuZu Acrobats from Kenya.
Top off your day with the Lasershow Spectacular in the evening. It's known as an Atlanta tradition! It's not just laser animations projected on the face of the mountain timed to iconic songs. The show has fireworks, choreographed drone flights, and North America's largest fire wheel!
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TIPS
- Check the Stone Mountain Park website and Facebook page for ticket deals, show schedules, and closings (See below for a Macaroni Kid discount offer).
- Bring hats, sunglasses, bug spray and sunscreen. Don't forget to reapply!
- Bring wet gear and a change of clothes for the wet zones like Geyser Tower.
- There are plenty of dining options available at the park. You can also bring your own food/drinks inside. We also like to pack some healthier snacks because park food can be limited for those with special diets.
- You can bring chairs and a picnic blanket to enjoy the evening laser show on Memorial Lawn.
- No alcohol, glass containers, or grills on the lawn.
MACARONI KID DISCOUNT OFFER
Click HERE and enter the discount code MACKID for a $10 savings on All-Attractions passes ($5 child) or a $20 savings on annual memberships ($15 child).
Make some family memories this summer and head over to Stone Mountain Park for Summer at the Rock!
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*The writer received complimentary tickets to Stone Mountain Park, but all opinions in the review are her own.
