educational trips in or near GA

Ok, you are in my neck of the woods, a N GA girl myself.  There is the typical, Ga Aquarium, Atl Zoo (we can get free tickets through our library, you may want to check on that when it isn’t so cold!) Center of Puppetry Arts (fantastic, dd 6months sat through the whole thing intrigued!)  

Now for off the map.  Cabbage patch land is in Cleveland, GA and is OK, but be prepared to spend money (lots of CP dolls to choose from) or say no we’ll go to walmart.

 Helen, GA is just a little further than Cabbage Patch land.  It is a Alpine Town, lots of food, and stores.  Just 5 mintues from that is Unicoi State Park, which has Anna Ruby Falls.  The hike to the falls isn’t that far.  

The gold mining town of Dahlonega has actually gold mining and mine tour, where you go down in the mile for a tour.  In Dawsonville, there is Amicalola Falls, a long hike to the top, lots of strenous steps!!

 Chattanooga, TN is pretty neat.  It is about 2 hours from Atanta.  It has Ruby Falls, an underground water fall that you take an elevator down to see.  There is also Lookout Mtn there and lots of sites where the Civil War was fought.  That could take 2 days to see all of it and enjoy it.  

South of Atlanta is Callaway Gardens, great in the spring when the azaleas are blooming.  They also have some educational shows, like birds of prey.  And they have bike trails.

I would definately recommend Sonrise Plantarium, in Fairmount.  It is run by an 80 year old couple.  They started it in the 70s and created it for field trips with school.  Because everything is based on Christianty, schools aren’t allowed there anymore.  They have an actual plantarium, train ride, and hike with the older lady where she points out plants to the kids.  I’m not sure if they do indiviual trips, I went last spring with a big group.  They only asked for donation ( I wished I had brought more than $10 for them).  It was a blessing, they presented the gospel at least 3 times. Very sweet and calming place.  They also have primitive cabins you can stay in.

I’m leaving out lots, but I’m drawing a blank at the moment.  What part are you in, we’re in Dawsonville.

Ok just remembered.  Tallulah Falls in Raburn Cty and Foxfire Museum in Raburn.  Foxfire has houses, and shops from old Appalachia.  Sometimes they have demonstrations.  This was one of the few trips none of the kids complained on.  Caution, there is some hiking around involved.  They recommend you using the trails through the woods to get the full effect of Appalachian life.  And it is on the side of a mountain.

I know that’s a lot, I tried to remember the ones the kids actually liked and didn’t beg to go home.

Paula

Notgrass used to print a field trip guide for Georgia. Looks like they no longer publish it, but you can download the 200-page book free on their site. It’s from 2003, but may give you some more ideas that you can then double check online.

I like Providence Canyon State Park. Where else can you go see a large canyon where its beginning and age are fully eye-witness documented?

Awesome!  Just bookmarked this to my “travel ideas” since we are moving back to GA in a couple months.  When we lived there last time our two (at the time) boys were very little and we didn’t travel much.  We are looking forward to getting out and about the state a LOT more this time! 

If you’re ever in the middle GA region, Macon has a lot of museums that are small but easily digestible, esp. for kids.  Ocmulgee National Monument is pretty cool.  http://www.maconga.org/things-to-do/tours-sightseeing/ 

If you have anyone who likes aviation history, the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins http://www.museumofaviation.org/  is awesome.  It’s free admission too.  It’s a favorite of ours and right down the road, so if anyone ever wants to check it out after March, let me know and we can make it a group field trip. 😉

~Nicole

Blah–I’ve tried editing and can’t get the links to work right.  Sorry about that.