Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

Family Beaches With Fun Things to Do: Carolina Beach, NC

If you are looking for a family beach that also has a lot of fun things to do, Carolina Beach in North Carolina is an excellent choice! KAG contributor Jennifer and her family checked out Carolina Beach at Pleasure Island and found it to be the perfect mix of family entertainment and beach fun. Then in 2026, Maria brought her teenage kids for a trip to explore Carolina Beach (and beyond).

Read all about what made this beach town a hit for their families and why your own may want to visit soon!

What makes Carolina Beach special?

My family recently headed up the North Carolina coast and discovered Carolina Beach. Located approximately five hours from the Upstate, Carolina Beach makes the perfect beach destination for summer vacations.

This popular NC beach is an excellent choice if you are looking for a family-friendly beach. How you choose to take a beach trip is a personal preference. Some families like to go to beaches like Myrtle Beach, with many entertainment options and crowds, whereas others prefer quieter beaches with fewer entertainment options.

This beach fits right in the middle of these categories. It has plenty of things to do with the whole family, such as the Boardwalk amusement park; however, it is not as crowded as other beach destinations. Plus, with tons of vacation rentals, you can choose to stay closer to the Boardwalk where the action happens, or you can stay further away from the crowds.

The Boardwalk at Carolina Beach, NC

The standout feature of Carolina Beach is the Boardwalk. It is one of the few true boardwalks on the East Coast. And I don’t mean just a simple pier. This is a true boardwalk with amusement park rides, a Ferris wheel, shops, restaurants, and entertainment. The boardwalk comes alive in the evenings, so be prepared to spend lots of time there after lounging on the beach daily.

The Boardwalk at Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

Carolina Beach Has A Family-Friendly Shoreline

Another big plus for Carolina Beach is its family-friendly shoreline. Unlike more isolated beaches, the beach has several lifeguard stands along its three miles of shoreline. With ever-changing currents and hesitant swimmers, I always feel safer knowing there are lifeguards nearby.

Additionally, Carolina Beach is wheelchair accessible. Directly off the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, there are walkways making it accessible to those in wheelchairs or families with an extra set of wheels.

The shoreline of Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

Worthwhile Things to Do: Carolina Beach

On top of the fun standard beach attractions, such as mini golf, my family absolutely loved visiting the nearby North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Fort Fisher State Recreation Site is only ten minutes from Carolina Beach, and visiting the aquarium is a must! The North Carolina Aquarium has several hands-on exhibits, plenty of marine life to observe, and even a fantastic playground. Note: The aquarium will close May 25th, 2026 for a significant construction project and will be closed for the foreseeable future.

The playground at Carolina Beach in North Carolina.

Outdoor Adventures

While you are visiting the aquarium at Fort Fisher, be sure to check out the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, where you can hike, explore the dunes, and maybe even see Loggerhead turtles nesting (from a distance, of course!)

You can also head south to the Fort Fisher State Historic Site at Kure Beach, a civil war site that makes a great educational lesson while you’re vacationing. There are guided tours to take, exhibits to view, and an impressive fort.

If you’re feeling up to an outdoor adventure during your beach trip, check out Carolina Beach State Park, where your family can hike, bike, and even camp if you’re up for it! Fun fact: the state park is home to the Venus Flytrap, so you can teach your kids about this near-carnivorous plant while you venture through the coastal park. There is also a 50-foot sand dune, Sugarloaf Dune, that will have them in awe.

If you’re wanting to stay close to town, the Carolina Beach Lake Park is a wonderful lake to spend an afternoon kayaking, have a picnic, or let your kids burn off some energy at the playground. There are also free outdoor movies on Sunday evenings, perfect after a long day on the beach.

More Things to Do in Carolina Beach (especially with teens)

On another recent visit to the area, Maria and her teenage kids got to explore Carolina Beach. Here’s what they’re adding to the “Things to Do in Carolina Beach” list.

Biking: We rented bikes from Tony Silvagni Surf School and pedaled around Carolina Beach Lake Park and the Island Greenway.

Kayaking: We did a guided kayak trip with Kayak Carolina to Zeke’s Island, an uninhabited island full of shore birds and wildlife. Get the whole story on it: Our Kayak Trip With Kayak Carolina

Mini-golf: And then there was Surf’s Up Mini Golf, which has got to be one of the most fun mini-golf courses we’ve ever played.

Delicious Eats Near the Beach

Of course, we couldn’t spend time exploring Carolina Beach without sampling some of the most popular restaurants. We tried out Hang Ten Grill after hearing about its popularity. After eating there for lunch, we understood why so many people headed in that direction! Hang Ten Grill is a typical beach restaurant with surfboards decorating the walls – and even the ceilings.

The menu has plenty of seafood and grilled favorites. I had a shrimp burger, and it was delicious! But, it was the kid’s menu that sold it. My son had a hamburger, and my daughter had nachos – and each came with an ice cream sundae!

The restaurant regularly has live music, food and drink specials, and events like yoga and coffee. Check out the Hang Ten Grill Facebook page to see what events are happening while visiting the area.

Some additional restaurants you may like to check out with stellar reviews include SeaWitch Cafe and Tiki Bar for live music, Cape Fear Boil Company to satiate your seafood craving, and Kate’s Pancake House for a delicious breakfast! If you are into craft brews, Good Hops Brewery is a highly recommended local brewery that is located in the heart of this beach city!

The Hang Ten Grill in Carolina Beach, NC.

More restaurants in Carolina Beach (We loved them on our 2026 trip)

We had dinner at Seaworthy Kitchen & Bar, a beautiful restaurant with excellent food. I enjoyed a super fresh poke bowl, while the kids had salads and smokehouse mac and cheese customized with chicken and shrimp.

For breakfast, we had a couple of spots we LOVED.

Southerly Biscuit has giant, delicious biscuits. You can go simple with a biscuit and jam (like one of my kids), or all in with fried chicken, sriracha mayo, and hot sauce.
Drift Coffee and Kitchen is a full-service breakfast spot with great coffee and lots of options. Great breakfast sandwich.
For coffee, stop at Crush and Grind near the boardwalk. It has a super fun vibe and lots of specialty drinks.

Poke Bowl at Seaworthy Kitchen in Carolina Beach — Drift

For those families looking for a quintessentially beachy beach, then head to Carolina Beach. With the lively boardwalk, the beautiful shoreline, and pastel-colored beach houses, it screams “Summertime Fun!”

If you’re headed to the Carolina Beach area, make sure to read over our story on our 2026 weekend at the beach and in Wilmington. It’s just a short drive from Carolina Beach, and there are so many wonderful things to do!

Love the Beach?

Here are 20 of the Best Beaches in the Southeastern United States!

You Don’t Need a Passport: A Weekend of World Culture, Only Two Hours from Greenville

Looking for things to do in Gwinnett, Georgia? You’ll find authentic Korean BBQ, one of the most extraordinary temples in the United States, massive international markets, and a whole lot more – all just a two-hour drive from Greenville.

Thank you to Explore Gwinnett for hosting our visit. All opinions are our own.

If you’re looking for a unique day trip or weekend getaway from Greenville, Gwinnett County, Georgia, belongs on your list. The things to do in Gwinnett, Georgia, alone make it worth the drive – authentic Korean BBQ, one of the most extraordinary temples in the United States, massive international markets, and a whole lot more, all just two hours away.

Here’s what’s waiting for you in Gwinnett County

Skip the passport – Gwinnett County packs Korean BBQ, Hindu temples, Japanese markets, and Caribbean street food into one two-hour drive
Every meal is an adventure – Charcoal-grilled meats, Asian pastries, temple café curry, and fresh coconut opened by machete
A hidden bucket list landmark – The BAPS Mandir is the second-largest Hindu temple outside India, and it’s free
Fun for every age – Massive markets, splash pads, quirky candy shops, and some of the best fried chicken you’ve ever had

Visiting Gwinnett County Georgia with family

Things to do in Gwinnett, Georgia

International travel for children is incredible, but it’s also expensive, logistically complicated, and not always realistic. So when we learned that Gwinnett County, Georgia, is considered the Seoul of the South™, we put together a trip itinerary that was as close to using a passport as you can without leaving the Southeast.

What I found was one of the most culturally rich weekends my family has had in years, and you can easily duplicate our experience on a weekend or day trip with just a tank of gas.

Gwinnett County sits just northeast of Atlanta and is famous for its enormous Korean-American population. But it’s not just Korean culture. Over the course of one weekend, we ate Mediterranean food, drank coconut milk straight from a coconut that was opened in front of us with a machete, explored a Hindu temple that belongs on any list of architectural wonders in the United States, and shopped at massive stores filled with Asian foods & products.

Here’s our itinerary plus some bonus ideas.

Korean BBQ at 9292

We started the trip the right way: dinner at 9292 Korean BBQ in Duluth. For our family, this was our first Korean BBQ experience, and now we are spoiled.

Korean BBQ is a communal dining experience where the food is cooked right at your table over a grill built into the surface. At 9292, they use actual charcoal rather than gas, which makes a noticeable difference, as the smokiness that comes from a real charcoal fire isn’t something you can replicate. Your server handles the cooking, so you’re not hovering over raw meat, figuring out timing. You’re just eating, talking, and watching the meal come together in front of you.

The meal format includes choosing your table meats and then eating them with an all-you-can-eat spread of banchan, the small Korean side dishes that come before and alongside the main meal. Think kimchi, rice, pickled vegetables, japchae noodles, tteokbokki. We barely knew what most of it was going in, but got our chopsticks out and started taste testing. Our server gave great advice on how to pair the meats, sauces, and banchan.

Greenville does have Korean BBQ options, but nothing quite like this that includes the charcoal format, table spread, and cooking.

9292 Korean BBQ
3360 Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA
Open daily 11 am – 12 am (Friday – Saturday until 2 am)

The Asian Bakeries: Sweet Hut and Mozart

Both Sweet Hut Bakery & Cafe and Mozart Bakery are within a few minutes of each other on Pleasant Hill Road. We hit both, and they’re worth back-to-back visits if you have time.

Holding bakery items at Mozart Bakery in Duluth, Georgia

These aren’t American-style bakeries. The display cases are full of Asian breads and pastries: soft buns filled with red bean or custard, fruit tarts, pistachio tarts, and layered cakes. We got boba tea, and we tried as many types of pastries as we could eat. The quality was excellent, and the prices were reasonable. If your kids have never had red bean anything, this is a good place to start.

Sweet Hut Bakery & Cafe
2180 Pleasant Hill Road, Ste. 18, Duluth, GA

Mozart Bakery
2131 Pleasant Hill Road, Ste. 148, Duluth, GA

bb.q Chicken- Duluth

Korean fried chicken is its own category, and bb.q Chicken in Duluth is a good place to find out why. The cooking method, double-fried for extra crunch, produces something noticeably different from what you’d get at any American fried chicken spot, and the sauces and flavor options are the real draw. We ordered a few plates to share, which is the right way to do it because the portions are large and it’s fun to try different flavors.

My teens went for one of the spicy flavors (not the hottest on the menu, to be clear), and it was legitimately spicy, so factor that in if you’re ordering for younger kids or even adventurous teens. We also tried Ddeokbokki, a Korean dish made with chewy rice cakes in a spicy sauce that we would definitely eat again.

The Milkis was an impromptu addition to our order, a Korean cream soda that the kids liked enough that we made a point of picking up a pack at Mega Mart, which is conveniently right next door.

bb.q Chicken
3530 Mall Blvd. NW, Duluth, GA
Open daily 11:15 am – 10 pm

TESO Life, H-Mart, and Mega Mart: Shopping Like You’re Somewhere Else

If you want a quick way to explore Gwinnett County’s international community, check out the shopping on Pleasant Hill Road.

TESO Life is a Japanese lifestyle and import store. It includes everything from plush toys to rows of chopsticks. There are aisles of Japanese and Korean snacks, K-beauty and skincare products, household goods, blind boxes, and even claw machines. It’s genuinely fun, even if you don’t buy a single thing. Though good luck not buying anything.

H-Mart and Mega Mart are massive Korean supermarkets. Imagine if you took a Korean version of the Walmart Supercenter and put it in Georgia. The produce section alone is worth walking through: vegetables and fruits you won’t recognize alongside the familiar. There are long open cases of fresh seafood with fish staring at you. Each store also has sections of home goods, skin care, and even clothing. Labels are primarily in Korean, but most items have English translations, and the experience of just wandering through is its own kind of cultural education.

TESO Life
2180 Pleasant Hill Road, Ste. F, Duluth, GA
H- Mart
2550 Pleasant Hill Road, bldg 300, Duluth, GA
Mega Mart
2106 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, GA

Glow in the Park at Town Center Park

We planned dinner in downtown Suwanee with a concert later, but quickly realized that Glow in the Park International Night Market was taking place in the nearby Town Center Park.

For dinner, we ate at Raik Mediterranean. Inside, it had candlelit tables and live music. My shrimp kabob with grilled vegetables has to be one of the most beautiful meals I’ve ever eaten.

The festival had food vendors representing cuisines from around the world, a live band, a glow lantern display, and a glow parade through the park. Kids could make their own lanterns to carry through. We stopped at a Jamaican booth where they opened a fresh coconut with a machete right in front of us and handed it over to drink. Glow in the Park is an annual festival, but the International Night Market hosts multiple events during the year.

✨Bonus: If you come at a different time of year, be sure to check out Everett’s Music Barn. This iconic Suwanee music spot hosts bluegrass music bands on Saturday nights. Bring your fiddle if you play because impromptu jam sessions break out pre-show. Saturday concerts are free.

Downtown Duluth: More Than a Pit Stop

One thing I didn’t expect from this trip was how charming Downtown Duluth itself would be. We were staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Duluth (no parking fees, which was a nice surprise for an Atlanta-area hotel), and the location put us within easy walking distance of both the downtown area and Duluth Town Green.

Gigglebark Tree

The park is worth visiting, especially if you have younger kids. There’s a large, well-kept playground anchored by the Gigglebark Tree, a climbable tree structure that doubles as a public art piece and glows at night. There’s also a big splash pad fountain that, from appearances, half the kids in town were enjoying.

The downtown shops are small and browsable, the kind of places you duck into without a plan and come out with something. Rocket Fizz is a candy and novelty soda shop that’s fun for kids (and honestly fun for adults. They carry hundreds of unusual sodas). Personify Shop has gifts and home goods. The Chocolaterie has not only specialty chocolates and fudge but also ice cream and gifts.

Alchemist Coffee

The Alchemist Coffee is a must if you’re a coffee person. I got an iced Dutch coffee with cold cream and chocolate powder, it was genuinely one of the best coffees I’ve had. Dutch cold drip is a specific brewing method that takes significantly longer than regular cold brew and produces a smoother, less bitter result. It’s not something you find everywhere, and theirs was excellent.

Maple Street Biscuit Company

We had our last breakfast of the trip at Maple Street Biscuit Company, a two-minute walk from the hotel. If you’ve been to a Maple Street location before, you know what you’re getting. If you haven’t, it’s a Southern biscuit concept done very well and a comfortable, familiar way to close out a weekend of adventurous eating.

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Duluth
3141 Hill Street, NW, Duluth, GA
Free parking

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

I keep asking people I know if they have been to the BAPS Mandir, and they keep saying no. This might be one of the biggest nearby bucket list items that nobody seems to have on their list, and it’s free.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn, Georgia, is the second-largest Hindu temple outside of India. The building is constructed from Turkish limestone, Italian marble, and Indian pink sandstone. More than 34,000 individual pieces were hand-carved in India, shipped to Georgia, and assembled by volunteers over 17 months. The outside of the building is overwhelming on its own, but it still doesn’t fully prepare you for the intricate inside.

Entry is free. The audio tour is $5 at the gift shop, and I would highly recommend paying for it as it provides key information on the building and Hindu beliefs. Every pillar and dome inside is different. Every surface is carved. The level of detail is genuinely unlike anything we’d seen before. Visitors are welcome to observe the daily ceremonies; the Arti ceremony at 11:15 am is the most popular.

A few things to know before you go: dress code requires covered shoulders and knees (wraps are provided if you need one), shoes come off before entering, and photography is only permitted outside. This is an active place of worship, not a museum, so prepare your children to be quiet and respectful when you enter.

Before you leave the Mandir grounds, eat at Shayona Café.

It’s located just inside the entrance on your left, and it would be easy to accidentally drive past on your way out. Shayona is an all-vegetarian Indian café run as part of the temple, and the food is the real thing. We shared samosas and a curry with flatbread, and ordered mango lassis to drink on the way out. You can also purchase Indian sweets, snacks, and freezer items inside its small market.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
460 Rockbridge Rd. NW, Lilburn, GA
Open daily 9 am–6 pm
Free admission
Audio tour $5

Shayona Café
460 Rockbridge Rd. NW, Lilburn, GA

Plan Your Visit to Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County is about two hours from Greenville, a manageable day trip, but a weekend gives you room to fully experience the area. Duluth is the central hub for most of the things to do in Gwinnett, Georgia on this list. The Pleasant Hill Road corridor alone – TESO LIFE, Sweet Hut, Mozart Bakery, and the Korean markets nearby – could fill a day.

A few practical notes:

Book 9292 or arrive early on weekends, it fills up
Research what products you want to find at the markets. The volume of options is overwhelming.
For the Mandir, check the schedule if you want to time your visit around one of the ceremonies. Don’t forget to follow the dress code.
Budget extra for dining and treats. Eating out is more than a necessity on this trip, but part of the experience.

Age Recommendations

We took our teenagers, but this trip is easily adaptable for younger children, especially those old enough to enjoy cultural experiences, shopping, and food. If you travel with younger children, be sure to plan time for playing in the fountain and on the Gigglebark Tree in downtown Duluth – proof that things to do in Gwinnett, Georgia, extend well beyond the dinner table.

✨One Note: The grill at Korean BBQ 9292 is a hot coal grill in the middle of the table, so exercise caution with young children. They do have an extensive menu of items that do not require the grill.

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?

Based in, you guessed it, Atlanta, GA, the Braves are the closest Major League Baseball team to Greenville, SC. And boy, is the game experience worth the trip! We’re here to tell you all about the thrill of attending 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!

The Battery at Truist Park — Game day photo!

I’ve 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 Atlanta Braves are the closest MLB team we have in Greenville, SC. And I could not have been more excited to take my own kids to experience that same excitement I felt as a kid at a Major League Baseball game.

Atlanta Braves: Truist Park

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

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

I wish I knew about the Truist Park Tour, a guided 90-minute tour of the stadium, before our visit. The Atlanta Braves is the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. 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 see, like the dugout, and without thousands of other fans. The dugout is not included on game days for the 1 pm and 2 pm tours. You must reserve these tickets online and tours happen almost every day. Tickets are $37.70/adult and $27.70/kids.

Atlanta Braves: The Battery

The Battery is like a tiny town in and of itself outside Truist Park. There’s an entertainment facility, lots of restaurants, shops, 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. I ended up participating in a free workout with BodyFit by Amy. 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! In the time before a game, the place is packed with people getting cocktails and beer, 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.

We had no idea where to turn first. 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. Someone recommended we 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, I don’t think you can go wrong with any option.

Just be sure to decide if you want to eat at The Battery 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 Braves’ fans, happened several times. It was quite the sight.

On Friday nights, the team shoots off fireworks after the game. There were so many families; 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 have 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 an official parking lot map on the ballpark website.

Prices range anywhere from $19 to $75 + 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 around 10 pm and thousands of people exited the stadium at the same time.

I would one thousand percent stay here again if we were going to a Braves game for that reason. It is a beautiful and comfortable hotel, and the convenience of staying at this Marriott beats 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’s required to transport necessary medical equipment, such as 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) are also permissible, as are small, single compartment clutches no larger than 5 x 9 inches and 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. You can also carry a single, sealed bottle of water 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 a super popular activity, and depending on the game, you may not have a lot of seat options as sections sell out.

Tickets range widely in price, but the upper levels start around $10 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 Baseball team play, especially one as good as the Braves. 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!

A Full Day of Excitement Awaits at Six Flags Over Georgia

Do you have a family adventure planned to visit Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta, GA? We checked it out to create this Six Flags Over Georgia review, and we have all the information you need to plan 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 that provide 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 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

Watch! The sights and sounds of Six Flags Over Georgia

About Six Flags Over Georgia

The theme park is 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 Six Flags Over Georgia that opens Memorial Day weekend.

Admission to the park starts at $39.00 per person. Like other theme parks, Six Flags Over Georgia offers a Flash Pass, which allows you to enjoy more rides without waiting in line. This is an add-on to your one-day ticket, and bundles start at $69. Be sure to buy online, as tickets at the gate are significantly higher!

Six Flags Over Georgia roller coaster — Roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia

Getting to Six Flags Over Georgia

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

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. Use your GSP 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 present your parking pass for scanning or purchase parking. We recommend you buy parking beforehand just to save time. They do offer Speedy Parking and Preferred Parking for an extra fee. The lot is large, and 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 points in the parking lots. The trams will shuttle you to the front entrance, but it may be faster to walk. We walked from Lot 1 and were at the entrance before people that we saw waiting for the tram. Depending on where you park, it’s not a long walk.

Be sure to have your tickets ready for scanning for easy entrance. It’s a thousand times easier to buy tickets online 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 ride locations, 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 that marks your location with 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 or the Six Flags website before you go to figure out what rides you want to do and the height requirements. Then make a list of the rides 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 got. There are also screens around the park with current wait times.

You should also look at a map beforehand so you can figure out which rides to go on and where they are in relation to other rides you don’t want to miss. Also, check the app to see if any rides are closed.

The Food at Six Flags Over Georgia

Six Flags offers different Dining Passes you can add onto your tickets, which I honestly love. If it’s in your budget, these are good options to help plan out your day. The 2026 Dining Pass options are The Single Meal Deal which gets you one meal, one snack, and one fountain drink for $22.99/person. The All Day Dining Plan comes with one meal of your choice every 90 minutes for $32.99/person. The Premium All Day Dining Plan comes with one meal of your choice every 90 minutes and access to fountain beverages you can refill every 15 minutes for $44.99/person.

They also offer a one-day drink bottle with unlimited refills for $19.99/each. If you want to do this, go right when the park opens or you you could end up waiting in long lines or wandering around for a long time trying to find someplace that isn’t sold out. 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 to fill them. The one-day refillable bottle is worth it.

There are many different options for dining, like cheesesteaks, burgers, and BBQ. There’s a tavern and a diner. Try to go on off times for lunch, like not right at noon or 1 pm, because lines are long at peak times. And look at the festivals they offer every year, like Oktoberfest, where you can try different food.

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

If you want to bring 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

When it comes to roller coasters, I have an adventurous daughter and a timid daughter, which certainly made the day challenging. We ended up riding a 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. The height requirement is 42 inches.

We also rode the country cars, which I let my youngest drive. Of course, driving any car is going to be fun for kids. 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 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 really want to ride and go there first unless you can swing a Flash Pass.

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

Water Park at Six Flags Over Georgia

Hurricane Harbor is the water park inside Six Flags Over Georgia. We rented a large locker to store our stuff. There are small, large, and jumbo lockers, and the bigger the locker, the higher the cost. We then headed for the wave pool to cool off. There are plenty of life jackets for kids that 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.

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

Unfortunately, in the time it took to change our clothes, authorities issued a severe storm warning, and the park closed all of the rides. 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 when the rain started again.

We ultimately decided to leave the park as it was getting on into the evening, and there was no indication the rides would start again anytime soon. Between 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 cooldown, though.

According to the park’s website, Six Flags Over Georgia’s rain policy is as follows: “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 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/wear 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 the 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, leave the Upstate early.

If your kid wants to see 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 $39 online (or $80 at the gate) and change depending on the date you want to visit. It’s absolutely better to get 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 $65/person. If you go more than once, a season pass is certainly a good deal, especially if you purchase the Prestige Pass ($145/person), which includes parking.

275 Riverside Parkway SW, Austell, GA
770-739-3400
See website for days and hours of operation.
Six Flags Over Georgia Website

Stay Near Six Flags Over Georgia

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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.

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

Inside: Zoos and aquariums to visit with your family. All are within 2 and a half hours of Greenville, SC.

Looking for an aquarium 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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What to Expect at Medieval Times: Myrtle Beach, SC

If you’ve ever wanted a chance to let your kids be a medieval lord or lady for a night, you should consider reserving tickets for the dinner show at Medieval Times. Myrtle Beach is full of unique places to visit, and Medieval Times is one of the most creative and interesting experiences you’ll find. Here’s what to expect and some key tips to help you have a fantastic experience.

Medieval Times in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Plan your next epic vacation with our Guide to Myrtle Beach, SC. It’s loaded with things to do, places to stay, restaurant suggestions, and more!

Thank you to Visit Myrtle Beach and Medieval Times for making it possible to write this review.

Entranceway to Medieval Times in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The Preshow and Souvenirs at Medieval Times Myrtle Beach

Medieval Times is a self-described “fun family dinner theater themed as a royal banquet and tournament of jousting, sword fighting, and games of skill.”

The doors open 75 minutes before the show, and seating is first come, first served. We arrived about an hour early, and while it did result in some of the best seats in the house, our children had trouble waiting until the show began. If you’re craving those front-row seats, early arrival is key. We recommend waiting if you have young kids.

Upon arriving, you’ll get a seat ticket, a paper crown, and you’ll pose for a photo. My kids were especially impressed when they saw that we were entering a castle, complete with a drawbridge.

Be sure your children use the restroom right before the show as you won’t want to take them in and out during the action.

The Pre-show

Before the show begins, you can watch a pre-show where, pay to be “knighted”, visit several gift shops, stop by the bar, or explore a torture museum (additional fee). The show is around two hours, so if your kids are younger you may want to arrive closer to 20-30 minutes early if you don’t care about your seats.

Gift Shop

The gift shop has a number of interesting souvenirs such as light-up swords, costumes, and rather realistic-looking weapons. You may want to consider budgeting for flags as your children can wave them during the show. The gift shop sells some really nice flags, but we were offered $3-$5 pennants and flags once sat down in the arena.

The main arena at Medieval Times in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The Food at Medieval Times Myrtle Beach

The show is a big part of the evening, but my family really enjoyed the meal as well. You’ll be served a four-course meal. Our meal included tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, garlic bread, corn on the cob, herb-basted potatoes, a dessert (it was pound cake our night), and Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, or water. Coffee is also on the menu, but it wasn’t offered the night we attended. You can substitute a vegetarian meal that includes items such as warm pita bread and humus, carrots and celery, three-bean soup, and fruit, which is a nice option.

Servers bring the meal throughout the show, so there’s no customization available (other than the vegetarian option). There’s no silverware (since you’re in the Dark Ages), and there are only two rounds of drinks. You can order additional drinks, including non-alcoholic and kid-friendly beverages, from the bartender who will visit your table before the show. They also have a full-service bar for adults who want a drink or two.

What’s the Show Like at Medieval Times?

Medieval Times at Myrtle Beach knights on horseback.

The show is approximately two hours and includes horses, a falcon demonstration, a knight tournament, and then a battle between the knights to determine the victor. Dialogue between the king, his daughter, and the herald tie different parts of the story together, and they frequently address the audience. Our family had trouble understanding what they said, but we were still able to follow the general flow of the story.

Each family is seated in the arena and assigned a knight and team to cheer for. The show is very personable with the knights making direct eye contact with the people in their sections (or even sneering at the opposing sections). The princess also gives the knights flowers throughout the night which they throw to the children in their section.

My children seemed particularly captivated by the closeness and realism of the arena. In fact, my daughter kept blowing kisses to our knight after receiving a flower. All the seats are really quite good. But you’re a little closer to the knights and action if you have a front or second-row seat.

My kids favorite part was definitely the sword fighting at the end of the show. It was full of big clangs, sparks, and all sorts of weapons. There is no blood, but be prepared for your knight to die as only one will survive. I read reviews online where some families felt like the fighting was inappropriate for small children, but I personally didn’t think it was scary or particularly violent.

Tips for Medieval Times

Gratuity is not included in your ticket price. Be sure to bring cash so that you can tip your server rather than tipping with a credit card. Even though the meal seems simpler than what you would get at a regular restaurant, your server must carry massive trays (possibly a long distance) and stay in character and costume the entire evening. After some online research, we settled on $5/person which seems to be a common tip amount for the show.

Medieval Times is a show with horses and animals. So don’t be surprised if you occasionally smell horses or see things that you would rather not during dinner. At least your average kid thinks that horse poop during dinner is pretty funny. The arena is continually cleaned throughout the show.

If your kid needs to use the restroom at the end of the show (and it’s an “emergency”, of course), you might want to duck out right before the show officially ends. Lines for the restrooms can get quite long afterwards.

General admission is typically $74.95 for guests 11 and up. Children 10 and under are $46.95. You may be able to find deals on the Medieval Times website depending on when you’re attending.

General Information

We attended the Medieval Times show in Myrtle Beach and had a great time. You can also find a show close to the Upstate in Atlanta, Georgia.

Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament
2904 Fantasy Way, Myrtle Beach, SC
843-236-4635

Have you ever been to Medieval Times in Myrtle Beach? What did you think?

Check out our Travel Guide for more places to visit throughout the US. Get reviews to help you plan the perfect trip.

Spring Camping in Bryson City, NC: Grumpy Bear

If you’ve been thinking about camping in Bryson City, NC, let this be your sign to go—especially if you can snag a stay at Grumpy Bear Campground & Gem Mine. Just under 2.5 hours from Greenville, SC, this easy mountain getaway checks all the boxes for families: beautiful scenery, plenty to do, and just enough adventure to make it awesome without being stressful.

And if you really want to level up your trip? Stay in one of their handcrafted tipis right along the Tuckasegee River. That’s what Kidding Around’s Crystal did with her family. She’s got the whole adventure for you below.

We’ve done Bryson City in the summer before and loved it, but this spring visit brought a whole new kind of magic. Cool mornings, cozy campfires, and bundled-up evenings made it feel like classic camping in the best way—and we’re sharing all the details so you can plan your own family getaway. -Crystal

Grumpy Bear Campground: A Quick Getaway Worth the Drive

Camping in Bryson City already makes for a scenic and unforgettable trip, but at Grumpy Bear Campground & Gem Mine by the Tuckasegee River, in a handcrafted tipi…yeah, that’s an unforgettable memory that will go down as one of the top infamous family vacation memories guaranteed. With the drive being less than 2.5 hrs away from Greenville

We had visited in the summer before and loved it, but this time we wanted to try spring camping. Yes, the mornings and evenings were chilly, but honestly, that just made everything better. Think cozy fires, bundled-up kids, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows…it was peak camping vibes.

Staying in a Tipi (With Comforts!)

The tipis sleep up to six people and come with:

Electric and water hookups
Campfire grill + picnic table
Portable AC and heater (huge win for spring temps)

We comfortably fit a queen air mattress and two twins inside. There’s also screen netting so you can leave the flap open without inviting bugs in—and falling asleep to the sound of the river nearby is just about as peaceful as it gets.

Peek at Our Visit

Watch our YouTube short about our Grumpy Bear visit.

Why We Love Grumpy Bear

The campground itself is small and intimate, which is exactly why we love it. In addition to the tipis, they also offer:

Riverside RV sites with full hookups
Cabin rentals

Everything we needed was right there:

Firewood and ice are available on-site
Clean bathrooms with keypad access
Private, enclosed shower spaces

Communication before and during our stay was great, which always makes traveling with kids easier.

Ready for adventure at Grumpy Bear in Bryson City, NC

Don’t Miss: Darnell Farms

Right behind the campground (and within walking distance!) is Darnell Farms—and it’s worth a visit.

They have:

Fresh produce, eggs, and local goods
Boiled peanuts and snacks
Their famous Dreamwhips (don’t skip these!)

There’s also plenty for kids (and adults!) to do:

Giant swings
Open play areas
Seasonal events like strawberry picking in spring and hayrides in fall

Plus, there’s shaded seating by the river, which makes it a great spot to relax.

Exploring Bryson City

Downtown Bryson City is just over five minutes away and has a handful of cute shops and local restaurants worth popping into.

Since tubing wasn’t an option in the colder water (although the attempt was made), we opted for hiking instead and headed to the Deep Creek Area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

A few helpful tips:

Grab your parking tag ahead of time (no kiosks at the trailhead)
Pets aren’t allowed on trails, so plan accordingly

We hiked a ~2.5-mile loop and saw three waterfalls:

Juney Whank Falls
Indian Creek Falls
Tom Branch Falls

If you’re short on time (or hiking with little ones), Tom Branch Falls is an easy walk from the parking area.

Where to Eat with a View

For a really fun, outdoorsy dining experience, head over to the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

Two great options:

River’s End Restaurant – indoor dining with big windows overlooking the river
Big Wesser Riverside Pub – casual eats, riverside seating, outdoor games, and space for kids (and leashed dogs) to roam

We loved watching kayakers and rafters go by, and if you’re lucky, you might even see the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad pass through.

We Loved Our Trip

This trip was pure magic. At night, the sky was filled with bright stars (we’re pretty sure we even spotted a satellite), and during the day we saw incredible wildlife—Canadian geese, ospreys, and even a bald eagle flying over the river.

If you’re looking for a simple, memorable spring getaway that feels like a true escape, but isn’t too far from home, this is one we’d absolutely recommend.

Overall, it was a magical experience we won’t soon forget. At the campground, the night sky was littered with bright stars, and we think we even spotted a satellite one evening. During the day, we saw so much amazing wildlife, we spotted Canadian geese, ospreys, and even one bald eagle flying over the river.

Shooting stars, camping in Bryson City, NC

Want more places to go camping? We have a list for that!
Great Camping Spots in Greenville, SC, for Families

Mom Review: Mirror Maze in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Have you been to Ripley’s Mirror Maze? Gatlinburg in the winter is a different sort of town than Gatlinburg in the summer, and one of the things you don’t want to miss is Ripley’s Mirror Maze.

Thank you to Ripley’s for providing tickets for this review.

Book your Ripley’s Mirror Maze Tickets

Purchasing via this link allows a small amount of the proceeds to go to Kidding Around Greenville.

When we took our recent adventure to the mountain town of Gatlinburg, we found it sleepy and quiet, and that’s exactly the way we like it. Traffic was minimal (except for the weekend), the streets were not overcrowded, and the restaurants had no wait time. Again, that’s exactly what we love, especially when we are always a party of six (at least), and generally tables for six are not as readily available at peak times.

We had some great laughs and funny moments at several other stopping points along the Gatlinburg streets. One of those was Ripley’s Mirror Maze.

Find a place to stay in Gatlinburg, TN. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.

Here’s your ultimate guide to visiting Gatlinburg, Tennessee!

Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze

The first choice for us, after visiting the aquarium, was to walk down the street to Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze. It’s right on Gatlinburg’s main street, and it’s very easy to walk from anywhere you park in town. We just left our car in the aquarium parking lot, which was convenient.

The lobby of the mirror maze features two gigantic walls of candy, so parents beware. Your kids will definitely ask for candy. You can say no, naturally. I didn’t want to purchase pounds of sugar and food dye and banana-flavored everything, but I also remember what it was like as a kid to look at a WALL of dreamy candy. So, I offered a quick compromise to my band of kids. “Everyone can pick two pieces of candy,” I told them. Oddly enough, they were thrilled and quite satisfied. So they each chose literally two single pieces of candy, and we were all content. A little sugar versus begging and copious amounts of sugar. Or again, you can just say no. Isn’t it funny, parents? You really do get the choice.

We were kind of extra excited about the concept of a mirror maze because most of us had been reading the book series, The Mysterious Benedict Society, and the kids in the series are always facing challenges and puzzles. This mirror maze felt like our own challenge and puzzle.

The employees told us to put on plastic gloves that they provided – gigantic, ill-fitting plastic gloves – so that we would be more hygienic as we touched the mirrors that every other guest has most assuredly touched as well. I tried to avert my thoughts from the finger-touched mirrors and just think of the fun of conquering a maze with my children.

We decided to all hold hands to add to our experience, and because we genuinely thought we might lose one another inside the maze.

That probably wouldn’t have happened.

The mirrors were everywhere – as they should be in a maze – and they certainly played tricks on the mind as to which direction to turn and which door to take and where to go next.

There was an “infinity” room that made me laugh a lot – mostly because of the song blaring (was it Journey?) – and the lights flashing and the disco ball. All those quirky details, you know.

Our technique of making it through the maze was rather effective as we found the ending in record time. But because we liked the mirrors and we wanted more of a challenge, we decided to pretend we didn’t find the exit and kept trucking through the corners and the twists and the turns all over again.

We also discovered a fundamental truth concerning mirror mazes. Fundamental, I tell you. It is this: You should choose your outfit wisely and fix your hair carefully before entering said mirror maze. Because you are going to see yourself from every angle. Every. Angle. And you’re going to want to leave this mirror maze with some self-respect intact. Every. Angle.

There you go. I’ve covered the walls of candy and the dress yourself correctly bits. They were important.

As far as the maze itself goes, it really was lots of fun. It was speedy, though. And that’s a little hard to swallow to spend money on an attraction and be in and out in 10 minutes or less. When you buy the Mirror Maze as part of the an add-on ticket, it hurts a little less.

Admission to the Mirror Maze is $14.99 for adults (12+) and $9.99 for children (3-11). Tickets that combine multiple Ripley’s attractions are available.

Inside Ripley's Mirror Maze in Gatlinburg, TN

Mirror Maze Review

I’d say the key to all Gatlinburg attractions is the same: keep your expectations in line. Recognize that this is not Disney. This is Gatlinburg, Tennessee. These are mirror mazes and world-record museums and 5D moving theaters on a street in a mountain town. A town that sells footlong corn dogs at place called Fannie Farkle’s for the same price that you can buy two kids’ meals at Chick-fil-A.

Be reasonable, guys.

If you are visiting Gatlinburg for the second (or thirtieth) time, you already know this.

And you’re okay with it.

You’re making these return trips to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, to the cabins and to the go cart rides, to the outlets and to the pancake houses, because it’s nostalgic. You go because you first came to Gatlinburg as a kid with your Memaw and your Pepaw. You go because you brought your toddlers here and you remember how big their eyes grew when they first ordered their silver dollar pancakes at the Pancake Pantry and rode their first roller coaster at Dollywood.

You like the idea of returning to the same quirky streets that seem like they never change, with old-time photo shops on every corner and a gem store and wooden guns and beanie babies. That’s why you come to Gatlinburg.

So you stroll through the mirror maze, and you let the kids buy a couple of pieces of candy, and you stop in for the free fudge samples (always take the free fudge, people), and you admire the hand-crafted wooden knives, and you buy the funnel cake, and you stack up those memories and that nostalgia for all its worth.

Expectations, friends. Most adventures fare better when you can manage your expectations.

Book your Ripley’s Mirror Maze Tickets

Purchasing via this link allows a small amount of the proceeds to go to Kidding Around Greenville.

Are you traveling to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, TN? See our other travel reviews:

Read our Review of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
Read our Review of Dollywood.

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.

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

Stay Near Kings Landing

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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 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 ahead. We made a prudent decision and turned back. Typically, the staff told us, 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 the Kings Landing shuttle will pick you up and take you back to your car. 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.

Make 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 $74. 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/kid. No children ages two and under are permitted.

Kings Landing FL — Paddleboarding at the springs

Know Before You Go

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

No pets allowed.
No children under two years old allowed.
Pay attention to your surroundings. This isn’t a controlled environment and wildlife exists.
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. All walk-ins must launch before 3 pm. Walk-ins will not be accepted once they hit capacity.

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

Kings Landing
5722 Baptist Camp Road, Apopka, FL 32712
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Kidding Around Atlanta: World of Coca-Cola

Planning a visit to the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta with your family?
We checked it out—and while there’s a lot to see, a few experiences really stood out! From sampling sodas from around the world (yes, including the famously awful Beverly 😄) to getting creative in the Coke bottle design station, there’s plenty to keep kids entertained. The interactive exhibits and self-paced layout make it easy to explore with your crew, and there are definitely a few spots your kids will want to linger.

Here’s what to expect, plus some helpful tips to make your visit smoother and more fun!

The Quick Scoop on World of Coca-Cola

Ticket Prices

(Prices are subject to change)

$21–$25+ – Adults (13–64)
$19–$22 – Seniors (65+)
$17–$19 – Youth (3–12)
Free – Babies (2 and under)

Annual passes and Atlanta attraction bundle deals (like CityPASS) are also available.

Location: Pemberton Place in Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: Hours vary by day and season, but most days the attraction opens around 10 am and closes between 7 pm and 9 pm. See the World of Coca-Cola website for each day’s specific hours of operation.

Time to Tour: 1 1/2 to 2 hours

Ages: While the World of Coca-Cola accommodates all ages, in my opinion the museum would be best enjoyed by children elementary age through adults.

Parking: Parking is available in the World of Coca-Cola parking garage for $15- $25 a day, depending on demand. Two Marta stations are also located within a 10-minute walking distances.

World of Coca-Cola Museum Website

Pictures inside the Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta

What to Expect at World of Coca-Cola

World of Coca-Cola is essentially a fast-paced multimedia museum about the history and production of the drink Coca-Cola. Families can expect a quick live presentation of the history of Coca-Cola when entering the museum, followed by a short animated movie in the Happiness Factory Theatre, and then a self-guided tour of the museum’s exhibits.

I did appreciate that all of World of Coca-Cola’s exhibits are included in the cost of admission.

Exhibits at World of Coca-Cola

I’ve toured World of Coca-Cola several times, and in my opinion, Coca-Cola has kept the museum fresh and interesting. While some of the popular exhibits have remained unchanged, every visit brings new experiences too. You can find a complete list of exhibits and shows on the World of Coca-Cola website, but I’ll list a couple of my favorites.

The Experience

The experience starts with a 6-minute video in a theater, and the video is very cute! It pulls on the heartstrings and my friends who joined me all got a little weepy (in a good way).

It is one big advertisement for Coke, I will say. Then you leave the theater and you can pick what you go to from there! There are a variety of exhibits, and you can spend as long as you’d like in each one.

Into the Vault

This exhibit is set up like a high-security vault and is focused on Coca-Cola’s secret recipe and the history of Coke and how it got started!

If you have kids or people with you who like to read every plaque at a museum, be ready to spend a lot of time here. It’s very detailed, but also looks really cool with great photos and interesting layouts.

The Studio

This exhibit focuses on Coca-Cola’s advertising strategies over the years.

This one is great for kids who love sports! It shows off all of the Coke-advertised uniforms made for and worn by famous athletes. This exhibit is shorter, but very fascinating.

It ends with a “design your own Coke bottle” game, that is very entertaining and gives the kids a chance to be creative.

The Lab

This is a very cool spot where you can “create your own drink.”

I put that in quotes because you can go up to one of three big touch screens and create flavor combinations, and then the screen will instruct you to go to the soda fountain and try “fruit 5” or “spice 2” to try the drink that you made.

So all of the combinations are pre-prepared, and you can go try the one closest to the one you created! It is still fun, but apparently this is a change made because of Covid—it used to be a lot more interactive.

You can also try every pre-prepared flavor if you want, but some are better than others.

The Scent Studio

This is a fun game upstairs where you get to smell different scents and guess what you are smelling.

Don’t play for too long though, or you’ll end up with a scent headache (like I did).

Drink Station

This is one of my favorite parts!

It’s a big room with soda fountains that contain sodas from all over the world that Coke makes. So you can walk around and sample different sodas from all over the world.

Some are fantastic, some are nasty.

And you have to try the Beverly—it is the grossest one by far, but it is legendary and you have to give it a sample.

Parking Tips

In my experience, parking was a bit difficult. It’s downtown Atlanta on a Saturday, so there were a lot of people and a lot of cars.

The World of Coke has its own parking deck, and we were lucky to get a spot. I recommend doing the Atlanta day pass so you can also go to the Aquarium and park in their huge parking deck.

If you’re only doing World of Coke, I suggest:

Getting there early to beat the traffic
Planning ahead so you can ensure you get a spot in the parking deck

Parking is $25.

Restrooms

There are restrooms both outside and inside the World of Coke.

I suggest using the restrooms that are inside:

Inside restrooms: Clean and spacious
Outside restrooms: Get the job done, but are not as clean and are pretty cramped

Merchandise

They have a huge merch store on your way out of the experience, and it’s awesome!

It’s huge and the stuff isn’t overpriced. From clothes and hats to cups and toys, the merch shop has a ton of things to explore and purchase.

World of Coca Cola in Atlanta, Georgia — World of Coca Cola

Pro Tips for Families

Eat lunch or food beforehand
Limit the amount of soda your kiddos drink — I tried to limit myself and still walked away with a stomach ache from all the sugar and carbonation
It was so crowded, to the point where it negatively affected the experience. I suggest not going on a Saturday, or getting there right when they open
Again, plan your parking wisely or you’ll be stuck circling for a long time

Overall, this is a fun and interactive experience with a lot to explore at your own pace. With a little planning (especially around crowds and parking), your family can have a really great time.

Have you been to the World of Coca-Cola? Tell us what your family thought in the comments!

When planning your trip to Atlanta, be sure to also check out our Kidding Around review of:

The Georgia Aquarium

Nearby Attractions: The Georgia Aquarium, CNN Tower, and Centennial Olympic Park are all located within easy walking distance of World of Coca-Cola. Susan and I easily filled a day with just the World of Coca-Cola and The Georgia Aquarium, though with an earlier start it would be possible to tour the CNN Tower as well. (I personally think that all three attractions would be overwhelming for children). Atlanta has also opened a tall Ferris Wheel with a 15 minute ride within walking distance of Pemberton Place.

Discover lots more things to do in Atlanta, GA with kids.

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