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Things to Do in Summer in Atlanta

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Lake Clara Meer in Piedmont Park. Photo courtesy of Daniel Mayer.

Lake Clara Meer in Piedmont Park. Photo courtesy of Daniel Mayer.

Summer is a great time to visit Atlanta. While temperatures can reach the high 90s Fahrenheit (mid 30s Celsius), the atmosphere is sunny and cheerful, with many outdoor attractions, festivals and water experiences to explore. To help you plan your summer itinerary in the city, here are some suggestions.

Explore the outdoors

Atlanta is full of beautiful parks and rivers offering outdoor recreation during the summer. Best of all, these places are usually part of Atlanta’s free attractions. Piedmont Park is one such place, with 211 acres (85 hectares) of scenic walking trails, cycling paths, bocce courts, peaceful greens, the beautiful Lake Clara Meer and a 30-acre (12-hectare) botanical garden with canopy walk. Bird-watchers especially love Piedmont Park, as there are over 175 identified species in the bird, like the Great Blue Heron, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Thrasher and the Killdeer.

There’s also Stone Mountain Park which features an array of outdoor experiences. Home to the world’s largest piece of exposed granite rock, the park encompasses 3,200 acres (1,295 hectares) of natural beauty and entertainment. Picture wooded parkland, lakes, covered bridges, quarries and the impressive 1,683-foot (513-meter) Stone Mountain which offers views of the city, Appalachian Mountains and beyond for 60 miles (97 kilometers). To reach the top, visitors can hike one mile (1.6 kilometers) or take the Skyride cable car. Other notable outdoor activities include exploring the 15 miles (24 kilometers) of hiking trails, trekking through the treetops on Sky Hike, golfing, camping, a quarry exhibit and the Confederate Memorial Carving — the largest high relief sculpture in the world.

For a fun day on the water, head to Chattahoochee River for some rafting, canoeing, kayaking or pedal boating. More information on exploring the natural side of the city can be found in Outdoor Activities Near Atlanta.

Summer festivals

There are an array of fun summer festivals in Atlanta to take part in. While the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival brings local ice cream vendors, national ice cream brands and live music to Piedmont Park, the Flying Colors Butterfly Festival immerses attendees in a beautiful world of winged creatures with parades, butterfly releases, educational exhibits and the chance to feed more than 250 free-flying butterflies. There is also live music, food, arts and crafts and face painting. Some other fun summer festivals in Atlanta include the Peachtree Road Race, the National Black Arts Festival, Asian Cultural Experience, 4th of July at Centennial Olympic Park and the Virginia Highland Summerfest.

Theme park thrills

What better way to enjoy a beautiful sunny day than at an outdoor theme park? Six Flags Over Georgia is full of thrill rides, carnival games, entertainment and family fun. Roller coaster enthusiasts especially have much to choose from. Ride the Mind Bender, a three-loop roller coaster; the Georgia Scorcher, an 11-story, 3,000-foot (914-meter) long, 54-mile-per-hour (914-kilometer-per-hour) standup roller coaster; and the Ninja, a spiraling swinging side-to-side steel coaster. Additionally, this summer 2013 a brand new ride is coming to the theme park, the SkyScreamer. The attraction swings riders at 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour) at a height of 24 stories, making it the tallest attraction at Six Flags Over Georgia.

To beat the heat, ride some of the theme park’s water rides or head to nearby Six Flags White Water, which has rides like the Tidal Wave, a refreshing body flume experience; Black River Falls, which features 400-foot (122-meter) shaft water slides; and Dragon’s Tail, a thrilling 250-foot (76-meter) triple drop.

First time in Atlanta? Check out How to Get Around in Atlanta for crucial transportation tips.

-Jessica Festa

The post Things to Do in Summer in Atlanta appeared first on Atlanta Things To Do.


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