Six Flags Over Georgia
With more than 100 rides and shows, Six Flags Over Georgia, just west of Atlanta, can fill up a whole day or an entire weekend. Visitors come for the adrenaline thrills of The Mind Bender, the world's first triple-loop roller coaster, and the Georgia Cyclone, one of the top-rated wooden coasters in the country. Looney Tunes USA offers rides and activities for younger children.
Six Flags White Water
From late May through mid-September, check out Six Flags White Water, in Marietta, the South's largest water park, to cool down from the summer heat. Rated one of the Top 10 water parks in the country by The Travel Channel, it has one of the tallest free-fall slides in the world, a one-of-a-kind family raft ride and an interactive tree house among its 50 attractions.
Zoo Atlanta
Established in 1889, Zoo Atlanta is one of the 10 oldest zoos in continuous operation in the United States. The zoo's collection consists of nearly 1,000 animals representing more than 250 species from around the world. The zoo also is home to many threatened and endangered animals. It continues to educate families and raise awareness about conservation and the natural world.
Georgia Aquarium
At the heart of the new Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta is a 6 million-gallon tank that is home to thousands of fish, including sawfish, red snappers, stingrays and hammerhead sharks. Two of its biggest attractions are Ralph and Norton, two enormous whale sharks who are members of the largest fish species on Earth. The aquarium also has 60 separate habitats, as well as hands-on exhibits and a children's playground.
Jekyll Island
Purchased by the state in 1947 and declared a "playground" for the public, Jekyll Island, about 90 miles south of Savannah, offers a plethora of activities, including swimming, horseback riding, camping, canoeing, golf and biking. In addition, there are Summer Waves Water Park, miniature golf and Geocaching, an adventure game that uses a GPS unit to find hidden treasures on the island.
