St. Regis Astor Ice Rink

I had a request recently from a Twitter friend asking what there was to do in Atlanta on Christmas Day. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, or you’re dying to get away from the family after the packages are unwrapped and the dinner dishes are cleared, here are some suggestions. Do you have a favorite place you go on Christmas? If so, share it with us.

Ice Skating in Atlanta
Atlanta has three fantastic ice rinks within the city. Here is an overview of Atlanta area outdoor ice skating rinks.  The Astor Ice Rink at the St. Regis and the Centennial Olympic Park ice skating rink are both open on Christmas Day. Click the links for information on each rink. For photos of the Astor Ice Rink at the St. Regis, visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook (note these photos are from our visit in 2010)

I'd like to see the new Muppet Movie

Movies in Atlanta
When I was a kid, my older brothers would come home from college for Christmas. After dinner, they’d take me with them to the movies. Goldstar had a great deal recently for discount tickets to AMC Theaters. In addition, here is a list of cheap movie theaters in Atlanta – call first to make sure they are open on Christmas Day.

Bowling in Atlanta
A quick call to Brunswick Zone confirmed that all Brunswick Bowling Centers are open on Christmas Day. A perfect holiday outing. I contacted AMF Bowling Centers too and it’s up to the individual lanes to determine if they are open, so call before you go.

Hike the Falls for a great workout

Georgia State Parks
Why not work off a bit of the holiday gluttony with a hike in the woods. You can visit any of Georgia’s State Parks on Christmas Day. Try Sweetwater Creek State Park just east of Downtown Atlanta or Amicalola State Park north of Atlanta. We’ve also liked biking on the Silver Comet Trail or hiking to the Sope Creek Ruins.

Holiday Lights
Many of the holiday light displays in Atlanta are visible on Christmas Day, including the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Holiday Lights, Garden Nights which is open from 5 – 10 pm. We haven’t been to the Garden yet, but it’s on my list. I’ve heard this is gorgeous!

Atlanta

What: Great American Backyard Campout 2011
Where: Across the Country
When: Saturday, June 25, 2011
Cost: Free to Register but each “team” is encouraged to raise $100 for the National Wildlife Federation

Each year the National Wildlife Federation sponsors the Great American Backyard Campout to entice families to spend an old-fashioned night outdoors. This event can be as simple as pitching a tent in your backyard or as elaborate as creating a “team”, planning an event and raising money for the NWF. Eighty cents of every dollar raised for the Great American Backyard Campout supports programs that address the problem of America’s indoor childhood and the associated health risks. Your funds are used to establish and maintain programs to make outdoor time a priority to protect children’s health and ensure their readiness to learn.

Beyond all that, it’s just plain fun. I find my boys connect more when we are camping and away from the electronic distractions of our age. If you need some planned programming, Tugaloo State Park in Lavonia is hosting a program about the Native Americans who lived along the banks of the Tugaloo River before the arrival of the white man. Artifacts, tools, games and crafts will be displayed, along with legends and tales from long ago. The program is at the amphitheater from 8 – 9 pm.

Here are some other Georgia State Parks we’ve been to that offer camping adventures, let us know about your favorite camping spot.

Providence Canyon
Sweetwater State Park
Tullulah Gorge
FDR State Park
George T. Bagby State Park
Reed Bingham State Park

What: Spring Break 2011
When: March and April
Where: West Georgia
Cost: A few parks have Lodge-ical Rates of $59 and $69 (including George T. Bagby State Park listed below)

Ever since I saw an article in Southern Living about 15 years ago on Providence Canyon, I’ve wanted to vist. Last year, I decided to craft a spring break vacation around a trip to the state park. It took a bit of planning, but we had a fabulous and inexpensive spring break trip. Below was our itinerary. Make sure to visit the links – which will take you to the posts I did on each location mentioned. In many instances, you’ll see video and links to photos.  Enjoy!

Photo by Liz Gray

Day 1: We began our journey at my in-laws in St. Simon’s Island. If you are starting in Atlanta, you might want to do this a bit differently. We crossed South Georgia and arrived in Albany on a Monday evening. We checked in to the Hilton Garden Inn and went to the restaurant for dinner. Food was difficult on our adventure. I was really hoping to find some great local restaurants, but aside from BBQ joints, we really didn’t find any. The Hilton Garden Inn is a great place to stay in Albany. The hotel is across the street from the Riverwalk  and you can walk to all the attractions. Downtown Albany is not an evening destination, there really weren’t any restaurants open, so I’m glad we had the option of eating at the hotel, even if it was satisfactory food and service. Next time I’m in Albany, I’m going to make time for Jimmie’s Hot Dogs. This was the type of place I expected to find throughout the trip and really didn’t.

Day 2: We visited Chehaw Animal Park, Flint RiverQuarium and walked along RiverFront Park. We had a good lunch at Riverstreet BBQ (but again, Jimmie’s was more of what I was looking for, and cheaper too!) I wish we had made time for the Thornateeska Heritage Museum and Planetarium. We left Albany in the evening and headed to George T. Bagby State Park for the night. On the way we passed through Antebellum Cuthbert, which seemed like a town in need of some exploration, but alas, that is for another visit.

Frontier Village, Ft. Gaines, Ga.

Day 3: Our original plan was to travel 45 min. to Lumpkin, Ga. on both Day 3 and 4 to visit first Providence Canyon and second Westville. We opted to hang out at George T. Bagby State Park for the day and combine our Lumpkin visits into one day. It was a good decision as everyone needed a bit of just hanging out. Frontier Village was a great side trip and we were a lot closer to the Kolomoki Indian Mounds than I thought. Next time, I might head there for part of the day. We ate dinner at Tommy’s restaurant, a cinder block building that had all the attributes of a fantastic little find, however the food was ok, but nothing to write about. We had breakfast at the lodge, which was fine and close. Food was a good mix of eggs and bacon and healthier fruit and yogurt.

Providence Canyon State Park

Day 4: This was the only day of rain. Of course this was also the day we planned to hike Providence Canyon and visit Westville, an 1850’s living history museum. Luckily, we were able to hike the canyon itself before the rain hit. It waited until we were at the opposite end of the rim hike, so we had the maximum walk possible back to the car. We would have loved a bit more dry time to truly explore the canyon. Food in this area is non-existent, so bring a picnic and snacks. If you’re planning to visit these attractions, the best place to stay is Florence Marina State Park. It’s right down the street. Cottages book fast, so if you don’t want to camp, plan ahead. If you can’t get a place at Florence Marina, Columbus isn’t far either. In fact, in an effort to get out of the rain, we opted for a side trip to the National Infantry Museum in Columbus before heading to our final destination, camping at FDR State Park.

Day 5: The rain on Day 4 made me question my decision to camp at FDR. They do have cottages, but as with all the other parks, these book fast and were not an option when we finally decided on our trip’s itinerary. FDR is right next to Callaway Gardens, so if you need less primitive accommodations, Callaway is the way to go. Again, we had a difficult time finding food. I would recommend heading to nearby Warm Springs for food vs. Pine Mountain. Our quest for pizza ended up at the chain Fox Pizza Den in Pine Mtn., but a better choice would have been the Whistling Pig across the street. Better still, Mac’s BBQ in Warm Springs. Warm Springs also had the elusive ice cream shoppe we had been seeking since Fort Gaines on Day 2. The highlight of this day was a horseback trail ride. Since it was our first horse riding adventure, I booked an hour trip, but the boys were clamoring for more. I booked our horseback riding trip the weekend before, but when we got there, they were full for the weekend. I’m not sure if that’s normal, but I wouldn’t wait until you are on site to book the riding, however, you don’t need to book it as far in advance as the cottages.

Treatment Pools at Warm Springs, Ga.

Day 6: Our last day we spent at the Little White House and the actual Warm Springs pools. The older boys found this somewhat interesting, but the 5 year old was ready to go fairly quickly. This was more a stop for me than them. I’ve always had a fascination with the 30 and 40s and as the daughter of New Deal Democrats, FDR has always been an interesting figure to me. These stops took longer than I thought. I was very excited taht we were only an hour and a half outside of Atlanta when it was time to go home.

What: Day Out with Thomas
Where: SAM ShortlineExcursion Train depot at Georgia Veterans State Park
When: Oct. 23-24 and 30-31, 2010, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm (rain or shine)
Cost: $18 per person (or you can win a four pack here!)

It’s that time of year again, Thomas the Tank Engine is set to roll into Georgia Veterans State Park for the “Day Out with Thomas” tour. During Day Out with Thomas, you and your children have the opportunity to take a 25 minute train ride led by none other than Thomas the Tank Engine. Other activities include a meet and greet with Sir Topham Hatt, storytelling, crafts and a play station with Mega Bloks. Veterans Park is in Moultrie, it’s about two hours from Atlanta. If you’d rather go the night before or spend the weekend, Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club looks like a very nice option for accommodations.

It took me three children to finally get to a Day Out with Thomas event. I’m not sure who was more excited about the afternoon. If you go, here are some tips:

• Best Time to Ride Thomas: Lunchtime is the best time for the train ride (12:45 adn 1:30 are generally slower) The morning rides (10:45 and 11:00 am) fill up quickly.
• There are lots of other activities surrounding the train ride. Sir Topham Hat comes out often, so there is never a really big line to see him. Train tables are also a favorite. Again, lunchtime is generally a tad slower, so maybe play at the train table and see Sir Topham Hat around 10:45 when most folks are riding the train and plan to ride the train around 12:45 or 1:30 pm.
• Veterans Park is fairly isolated, so there really aren’t restaurants nearby. There are several food vendors on site, or you might want to bring a picnic from home.

Want to win a family four pack of tickets? Ok, I know you do. Leave a comment below with your full name and tell me your favorite train from the Island of Sodor. We’ll announce the winner on Tues. Oct. 5.

Want and extra shot at winning?
Twitter: Follow @suerodman and Tweet “@suerodman is giving away tix to spend a ‘Day Out with Thomas’ @gastateparks SAM Shortline.”
Facebook: “Like” Field Trips with Sue and either upload a photo of your child and his trains (be sure to label the photo with YOUR full name) or tell me your favorite train from the Island of Sodor.

Still can’t get enough of Thomas?
Head to Six Flags Over Georgia’s Thomas Town.

What: Free Day at Georgia State Parks
When: Sept. 25, 2010
Where: Georgia State Parks
Cost: Free

We’ve already told you about several ways you can see Georgia State Parks for free, but on Sat., Sept. 25, you don’t need any passes or be able to come out on a Wednesday because all the Georgia State Parks will offer FREE admission. It’s part of National Public Lands Day.

The day is Sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company, the celebration includes dozens of family-friendly events, such as outdoor adventure day at Unicoi, a children’s fishing rodeo at Indian Springs and pioneer harvest festival at General Coffee.  A full calendar of events is posted at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/events. Numerous volunteer projects are being coordinated by the non-profit Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites with nearly 50 chapters across the state.

On Free Day in the Parks, the regular $5 parking fee will be waived, historic sites will open their doors for free, and even anglers will not need a fishing license.  September 25 is also National Hunting and Fishing Day, celebrated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at many events and locations.

We’ve covered several of Georgia’s State Parks here on Field Trips with Sue. Feel free to check out our Youtube channel for videos of several of Georgia’s State Parks.

This morning was a busy one in studio at CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. Guests included Bo Bice, the former American Idol contestant and David Newell, aka Mr. McFeely of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood fame. It was an interesting mix of guests to say the least.

Bice was in town promoting the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and Newell will be hosting a tribute to Fred Rogers tomorrow night at the Center for Puppetry Arts where he’ll share pictures, video clips – including bloopers – and stories of working with Fred Rogers. Tickets for the tribute are still available at www.puppet.org or by calling 404-873-3391. As part of the tribute, guests are asked to bring a new sweater to donate to the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive.

Amid all this, we mentioned a few other fun things to do in the coming weeks on the Field Trips with Sue segment including:

Swaptember Deals
Yellow Daisy Festival
Corn Maze Craze

Apple Picking in Georgia
Georgia State Parks Jr. Ranger Program
Fernbank Museum of Science

If you weren’t up bright and early this morning to catch the Field Trips with Sue segment on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta, here’s a recap. If you’d like to see the segment, go to CBS Better Mornings Atlanta and search the more videos for Field Trips with Sue.

DragonCon Parade (Labor Day Wkend) (A must see, really)
Callaway Gardens Sky High Air Balloon Festival (Labor Day Weekend)
Ice Cream Festival at Piedmont Park (This Saturday!)

Georgia Aquarium Mommy & Me program ($25 for Mom (or Dad), 4 kids under 5 AND parking! Best deal going)
Lowe’s Build and Grow Workshop (This Saturday)
See Georgia State Parks FREE (All you need is a library card!)

Providence Canyon State Park

What: Georgia State Parks
Where: All Over Georgia
When: Anytime with a Pass from the Library or Wednesdays, Sept. 25, 2010
Cost: FREE

People often ask me to tell them a great deal on family fun. Hands down, I would have to say the best consistent deal for family entertainment is Georgia’s State Parks. Not only is the price right, but every time my family visits a state park, we connect more, smile a lot, and come back with stories that will still be told 10 years from now. In addition to self discovery, there is planned programming at the parks. Check the Georgia State Park website for park activities near you. Below is a paragraph from a State Park press release. I thought about rewriting it, but why? So get out there, get dirty and visit a State Park – it’s FREE.

Planning a daytrip to the beach doesn’t have to include an overnight stay at an oceanfront hotel. Simply head to one of Georgia’s State Parks free lakeside swimming beaches.  A library card is all you need to check out a ParkPass or Historic Site Pass at Georgia’s public libraries.  The passes are good for free parking or admission at any of the 63 state parks and historic sites statewide. For a listing of Georgia’s public libraries, go to www.georgialibraries.org. Or, plan a family outing in the woods or play date at the playground mid week.  Wednesdays are free days in Georgia’s state parks, allowing visitors to skip paying the parking fee.  You won’t find a better excuse for a mid-week getaway for families with young children, retirees and people with flexible schedules. With a diverse geographic topography, Georgia’s state parks and historic sites offer adventures in northern mountains, midland swamplands, piedmont plains and along the beautiful Georgia coast.  

What: Georgia State Park Junior Ranger Program
When: Anytime
Where: Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites
Cost: Free

Once my kids are engaged with an outdoor activity, they can be busy for hours. However, sometimes it’s not as easy as you might think to get them engaged. Enter the Georgia State Park Junior Ranger program. It’s a fantastic book filled with a variety of activities children can do at any of Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites or even in their own backyard. As a parent, it helps me lend some structure to our outdoor adventures and gives us a place to start. Similar to scouting, Jr. Ranger’s receive badges based on the activities they complete. Here’s a segment I did for CBS Better Mornings Atlanta that shows the booklets and the badges.

Jr. Ranger activity books are available at any Georgia State Park. Activities in the book range from a water study to a historical timeline. Children can do the activities by themselves or with an adult helper and they’re appropriate for any age. Several State Parks offer ranger led programs around the various activities as well. To see the calendar of events for each park, visit the Georgia State Parks website. We’ve participated in activities such as tree climbing, fishing, historical demonstrations, and of course guided hikes.

If you’re looking for more guidance on what to do in the state parks, try the new Geo-Challenge.

Family Vacation
Atlanta

Things To Do
Atlanta

What: Geo-Challenge
Where: Kick Off Event at Fort Yargo State Park, but the Challenge is in most Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites
When: Official Launch is May 8, but the program is ongoing
Cost: Free (but a parking pass at each park is generally $5, check out a free family pass at any Georgia Library branch, not just Fulton (as the linked post says)

Over the holidays, my family and I went geocaching on Jekyll Island. It was a bumpy beginning, but once we got started, it was a lot of fun for the entire family and we discovered areas of Jekyll we wouldn’t have visited otherwise. If you aren’t familiar with geo-caching, it’s a sort of treasure hunt, where participants use a GPS system to find boxes filled with trinkets. Participants take a trinket from the box and leave one of their own. Some boxes contain stamps for participants to collect similar to a passport.

I’m pretty pumped for the new Geo-Challenge program at Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites. The challenge is to find one or all of the 42 caches statewide using a GPS unit and stamp your passport. Passports can be obtained from any state park or downloaded from www.GeorgiaState Park.org. The park service is awarding custom Geo-coins for various levels of completion. To see what the box looks like and what you can find, check out the Field Trips with Sue CBS Better Mornings Segment.

Although geocaching is fun anytime, getting in on the front end of a program like this gives you an opportunity to find real prizes and unique items. In addition to the coins, the park service has more incentives including:

First to Find!
Be the very “FTF” a GSP cache and pick up the prize, an overnight campsite from Georgia State Parks. Then record your achievement in the cache box logbook as your proof of discovery. Stamp your Passport with the cache stamp and return it the way you found it for the next person to discover.

Find The Volunteer Gopher!
Be one of the lucky few to find a Georgia State Parks Stuffed Gopher, randomly hidden in caches throughout the state. Everyone has a chance to find one of the 10 collectable Volunteer Gophers. Keep him or trade him down the line, the choice is up to the player.

The Travel Gopher Challenge!
Help the GSP or HS “Traveling Gopher” travel around our great country! If you find a Travel Gopher in a cache you can elect to remove it and take it with you to the next cache you visit (this must be done in a timely manner, generally within two weeks) or you can choose to leave it for the next player. If you decide to take the Travel Gopher with you, please drop it in another cache, and record the travel information on Geocaching.com’s trackable page. Have fun “watching and tracking” the Travel Gopher around the country and get instant notifications of its movement!