Here are some ideas for affordable, downright cheap and even free family fun around Georgia.
1. The Rock Garden, Calhoun - Stroll among the folk art creations of volunteers, featuring wee-sized buildings resembling castles and cathedrals amid acres of flowers and greenery.
2. TheBoothMuseum, Cartersville - Giddyup to this impressive museum where kids and adults can make like cowboys.
3. Downtown Dalton - High-five a farmer and find out how he grows his awesome food.
4. Howard Finster's Paradise Garden, Summerville - Travel inside the mind of visionary folk artist Howard Finster.
5. Rome-Floyd E.C.O. Center, Rome - Learn about wildlife native to the Etowah, Coosa and Oostanaula River Basin.
6. Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site - Immerse yourself in the history of Georgia’s Native Americans.
7. Silver Comet Trail, Rockmart - Bike, skate, ride your horse, jog with your dog or walk this 61.5-mile trail from Atlanta to the Georgia/Alabama state line. Along the way, look for these Seven Landmarks on the Silver Comet Trail.
8. Tallulah Gorge State Park - Sway on a suspension bridge above this rocky canyon and hike to the waterfalls. Plan your trip with this Guide to Tallulah Gorge State Park.
9. Don Carter State Park, Gainesville - Laze away a summer afternoon on the beach on Lake Lanier.
10. Centennial Olympic Park - Cool off in the Fountain of Rings on a summer day or catch a free concert in this Olympic-sized green space.
11. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park- See where Dr. King was born, worked, worshipped and is buried.
12. Historic Oakland Cemetery - Learn Atlanta’s past at this monument-filled final resting place.
13. Atlanta BeltLine - Walk, run, bike and skip Atlanta’s in-town traffic on this former rail corridor.
14. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park- Hike or drive up the mountain that was home to General Sherman’s Union Army in June 1864.
15. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Lilburn - A masterpiece of Indian design and workmanship, the largest Hindu temple outside of India welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds to visit.
16. Atlanta CityPass-Atlanta CityPass allows you to visit five of the best attractions in the city while saving 45% off admission. See the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and choose three more from Zoo Atlanta, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
17. Georgia Museum of Art, Athens - Release your artistic talents during monthly Family Days.
18. State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens - Get dirty learning about plants, wildlife and the environment.
19. Skate Park of Athens- Make like Tony Hawk at this state-of-the-art facility.
20. Otis Redding Statue at Ocmulgee Heritage Trail Gateway Park, Macon - Walk, jog, bike, canoe or fish along this 11-mile trail.
21. Ocmulgee National Historical Park, Macon - Immerse yourself in Georgia’s ancient history.
22. Mistletoe State Park, Appling - Camp, picnic, bike, hike, swim or fish at this top bass spot.
23. Augusta Canal National Heritage Area - Jog, walk or bike along wide towpaths once used by mules to pull canal boats.
24. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park - Hike through this swamp located near downtown Augusta.
25. , Atlanta -Step into an exact replica of the Oval Office andexperience a day in the life of the president.
26. Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, Plains - Get schooled on the life of our 39th President.
27. Andersonville National Historic Site - Learn history firsthand at this infamous Civil War military prison.
28. , Columbus - Traceinfantry history from colonial times to the present.
29. Museum of Aviation, Warner Robins - See more than85 historic U.S. Air Force aircraft, missiles, co*ckpits and award-winning exhibits, and experience the Virtual Reality Simulator.
30. Jesup Drive In– Watch the latest releases under the stars at one of the few remaining drive-in theaters in Georgia.
31. , Statesboro - Dive in and have a blast at this family waterpark.
32. Kolomoki Mounds State Park, Blakely - Explore the oldest and largest Woodland Indian site in the Southeastern U.S.
33. Chehaw Park, Albany - Roam among rhinos, cheetahs and lemurs at this zoo designed by Wild Kingdom’s Jim Fowler.
34. Ray Charles Plaza, Albany - Sing along by his life-sized statue as the Albany native’s hits fill the air.
35. The Big Oak and Big Oak Cam, Thomasville - Pose for a pic by this historic (c.1685) live oak.
36. Wild Adventures Theme Park, Valdosta - Win the entertainment trifecta at this theme park, animal park and water park all-in-one.
37. Vidalia Onion Museum -Discover the story behind the Vidalia Sweet Onion, andmeet Yumion, the colorful mascot!
38. Okefenokee Swamp Park, Waycross - Glide through the lily-laden waterways of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
39. Tybee Island Lighthouse/Museum - Climb the 178 stairs of Georgia’s oldest (c.1732) and most intact lighthouse.
40. Douglas County Film Trail - Take a self-guided tour of locations you've seen in your favorite film and TV shows, including The Hunger Games, The Walking Dead, The Haves and Have Nots and Stranger Things.
41. Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, National Historic Landmark, Savannah - Learn about the fascinating, artistic, forward-thinking founder of the Girl Scouts.
42. Forsyth Park, Savannah - Spread a blanket and enjoy a picnic in this downtown park with its iconic white fountain.
43. Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah - Wander beneath the massive moss-draped live oaks in this 200-year-old cemetery.
44. Old Fort Jackson, Savannah - Defend the city from the state’s oldest standing brick fortification (c. 1808).
45. Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum, St. Marys - See artifactsthat coverthe timeline and people of the island, includingNative Americans, African Americans, the Staffords and the Carnegie family.
46. Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island - Marvel at the mystery and tenacity of these ancient creatures.
47. Altamaha Coastal Tours, Darien - Access the magic of the Georgia shore in a sea kayak or canoe.
48. Geechee Kunda Cultural Arts Center & Museum, Riceboro - Immerse yourself in Geechee culture at this living museum.
49. Walking ToursSavannah- Venture into the haunted past of this mysterious city.
50. Geocaching in Georgia State Parks - Hunt for hidden treasure using your brain, tech-savvy skills and a GPS or smartphone.
