Kid-Friendly (And Cheap!) Weekend Adventures in the Atlanta Area

Written by David Rice

Sometimes all it takes is a little planning to have a great family outing. When routine exploits just aren’t cutting it anymore, shake things up by exploring new terrain, taking in an exhibition, or visiting a landmark and learning a little something about our local history. Here are awesome events to attend and places to visit around town before fall ends. Best part? All of them can be done on the cheap and on one tank of gas—or less!

Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters Festival

Why Go? The Alpharetta Singer-Songwriters Festival will make its debut on Saturday Nov. 9 from 4-10 p.m. on Milton Avenue in downtown Alpharetta. The event promises to be a day of culture and music, as musicians wander from stage to street playing soulful melodies during musical vignettes that outline the creation of each song.

“Alpharetta is becoming known for its music scene and festivals filled with lively entertainment,” Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle said. “People love music and this new event brings together great musicians who not only wrote the songs they will perform but have stories to share about  the song’s history. Bring those elements together along with a variety of great food and the awesome community of Alpharetta and you have a don’t-miss event.”

Insider Tip: Bring cash if you want to experience some of the area’s best gourmet food trucks. If you have extra time after the festival, you may want to take a walk on the nearby Big Creek Greenway, an 8-mile concrete path that passes through heavily wooded wetlands.

Must Do: Be sure to stick around for the main stage performances that will begin at 7 p.m. and include artists such as Chas Sandford, Victoria Banks, James Casto and Matt Blanchard.

The Fine Print: The event is free to the public and will include both locally and nationally known songwriters.

Stone Mountain Park Pumpkin Festival

1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd

Stone Mountain, GA 30083

770-498-5690

Why Go? Find your way to one of Georgia’s most popular destinations for a seasonal festival that really kicks off autumn in style. With games, events and incredible views of the autumn sky, the 11th Annual Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival promises to be an exciting time no matter what age you are.

“My favorite thing about Pumpkin Festival is seeing all of the families making memories together”, said Stan Morrell, Stone Mountain Park’s director of Guest Experience. “Families get to do things they normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to do like compete in the Pumpkinpalooza game show, go on a family scavenger hunt, pose with scarecrows for photos and dance the Pumpkin Mash at the Mayor’s Rockin Costume Party. They are creating fall traditions that they won’t ever forget.”

Insider Tip: Don’t miss out the newest addition to the festival, the A-MAZE-ING Adventure Maze. This series of passages, twists and turns will give kids a good challenge and keep them guessing until they can find their way out.

Must Do: A popular event with the kids, the Trick-or-Treat Scavenger Hunt is returning this year. Kids look for clues hidden amongst scarecrows and answer questions for a sweet reward.

The Fine Print: A daily ticket is $28 per person for kids ages 12 and over and $22 for kids age 3-11. It includes access to all Stone Mountain attractions and live entertainment.

Atlanta Botanical Garden Ogre-tober and Holiday Nights

1345 Piedmont Ave NE  Atlanta, GA 30309

(404) 876-5859

Why Go? Living sculptures made from plant life kick off autumn time in the garden. Kids can see Ogre and his friends while enjoying harvest-themed activities in the garden’s Imaginary Worlds exhibit. Take the kids to see this year’s Scarecrows in the Garden exhibit that includes 150 scarecrows handcrafted by businesses, individuals and schools.

“In October, we have Ogre-tober, which is a celebration saluting the Ogre and other characters  of our current exhibition, Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life,” Botanical Gardens spokesperson Danny Flanders said. “The October festivities include Scarecrows in the Garden, the Great Chefs of Atlanta Pumpkin-Carving Contest on Oct. 24 and Goblins in the Garden on Oct. 27. In November, we kick off our third annual Garden Lights, Holiday Nights light show featuring more than 1.5 million LED-light powered displays.”

Insider Tip: Starting Nov. 16, be sure to visit the MetroFresh Café in the Garden for Dinner and S’mores. Delicious seasonal offerings for dinner are available nightly from 5-9:30 p.m. and include items from the Edible Garden.

Must Do: On Oct. 27, bring your youngsters for the Halloween event “Goblins in the Garden.”  Train and pony rides and fall-themed crafts and story time will all be part of the fun.  

The Fine Print: Children under the age of three and garden members get in free, while non-members are $18.95 per person. Children between the age of 3-12 are $12.95.

Kite Festival in Piedmont Park

400 Park Dr NE  Atlanta, GA 30306

(404) 875-7275

Why Go? Go fly a kite this fall and bring the kids out to the park for a fun day of flying and outdoor fun with the Second Annual Atlanta World Kite Festival and Expo (AWKFE) on Saturday, Oct. 26. Around 750 attendees are expected at the event, which aims to teach individuals the art of kite flying while highlighting the importance of family culture and friendship between people.

“The 2nd Annual Atlanta World Kite Festival and Expo will continue the tradition of festivals and family by celebrating our communities, healthy families, and kite flying,” event co-organizer Erinn Thomas-Rowell said. “We successfully achieved this last year by featuring contests, local entertainment, food, arts and crafts, city and community leaders, local non-profits, community organizations, and kite demonstrations.”

Insider Tip: Whether you bring your own kite, buy one there and join the festivities or just check out all the artistic and innovative kites there, come with some enthusiasm for flying and help fill Atlanta’s common ground, Piedmont Park, with a family-friendly atmosphere.

Must Do: Be sure to try the food at this year’s AWKFE, as food exploration is one of the ways the festival intends to bring people together in an environment that celebrates cultural diversity.

The Fine Print: This is a free event, but parking at Piedmont Park does include a charge of $1 per every half hour or a $15 daily maximum.

Southern Belle Farm Pumpkin Patch

1767 Turner Church Rd  McDonough, GA 30252

(770) 288-2582

Why Go? Get the fall season in full swing with a nice country drive to Southern Belle Farm in McDonough for its annual pumpkin patch, corn maze, pig races and cow train. The fun doesn’t stop there either, as guests at the farm can enjoy a hay ride that provides a complete tour of the 200-acre farm.

“Since we opened in 2006 we have families come back year after year to make new memories,” Southern Belle Farm co-owner Jennifer Carter said. “We have so many fun and exciting things to offer, whether it’s racing a friend on the pedal cart track, shooting the corn cannon, getting lost in the corn maze or watching the pigs race, there are so many activities that attract people to come back again.”

Insider Tip: Once you’ve picked out your perfect pumpkin to take home, ask about pumpkin painting for the kids.

Must Do: Don’t leave without working your way through the farm’s seven-acre maze with a unique image stamped into it. Wrong turns, dead ends and winding passageways are certain to challenge both you and your kids to work together and find your way out. If you go after dark, don’t forget to bring a flashlight.

The Fine Print: The farm is only open to the public on weekends from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and 1-6 p.m. on Sundays. Children under the age of two are free, while all other kids and adults are $12 per person and senior citizens or military are $10 per person. School field trips can make reservations for any day of the week on the farm.