What: Dirt Bike and ATV Riding
Where: Durhamtown Plantation, Union Point, Ga. (use the directions on their site, NOT Maquest)
When: Monday – Sunday 9 – 5 pm
Cost: To rent bikes and gear for a day: $65 – $200
To rent bikes and gear for a half day: $50 – $150
Bring your own vehicles and only pay Park Fees: $15 – $50 (Under 8 is FREE with a paying adult)
Women Ride FREE on Valentine’s Day

If you saw the Nuclear Cowboyz show at Philips Arena last weekend, or just wished you did, chances are you’d love to ride a dirt bike or ATV like those guys. Well, less than two hours east of Atlanta, just past the picturesque town of Greensboro is a hunting plantation called Durhamtown, where experienced and novice riders can have a great time. When business slowed in 2001, owner Mike McCommons, decided to expand into motorsports. The facility is now a model for similar attractions around the world.

At Durhamtown, you’ll find 100 miles of one way ATV and motorcycle trails, nine tracks including a pee wee, supercross, MX, a dirt drag strip, a dirt flat oval and a freestyle park. Many of the employees are also riders that perform across the country in freestyle shows, spending their off time at Durhamtown. If you’re lucky, you could catch the next Adam Jones practicing in the freestyle park.

For the experienced riders, bring your own machine and just pay a daily fee. There is also an extensive pro shop and machine repair if you need something fixed or something new. For those who’ve never ridden, or don’t have their own gear, Durhamtown offers dirt bike, ATV and Rhino rentals. The best part of the Durhamtown is the family friendly atmosphere. The day we went I saw moms, as well as dads, riding with kids, and lots of kids riding together. There are cottages onsite and RV hookups, so many families come and spend the weekend. If you’d rather watch than ride, there are several races at Durhamtown.

The day we went was wet, so we rode ATV’s, starting on the oval track to get our bearings. Then moving to the drag strip where my boys raced each other. Next we took a leisurely ride through the woods on part of the 100 miles of trails. The boy’s favorite was the MX track where they could get a little air. Since we aren’t experienced riders, I like that there is a separate MX track for those 8 and under and another for 12 and under.

In addition to the motorsports, the Plantation still offers prime hunting with deer, turkey and wild boar. They also offer sporting clays, fishing and a rifle range.

The Inside of Fort Pulaski National Monument

What: Free Entrance Days
Where: 100 Select US National Parks
When:
August 14 – 15, 2010
September 25, 2010 (Public Lands Day)
November 11, 2010 (Veterans Day)
Cost: Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservations, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

This weekend is the second Free Entrance Day of the summer at 100 select US National Parks and several within Georgia including Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and the Chickamauga and Chattahoochee National Military Park. If you’re headed south, you can also visit Cumberland Island National Seashore, Fort Frederica National Monument or Fort Pulaski National Monument as part of the fee free weekend.

Looking for ways to engage your children in nature? Check out REI’s Passport to Adventure or the Georgia State Park’s Junior Ranger Program.

What: Providence Canyon
Where: Lumpkin, Ga.
When: Open Daily
Cost: $5 parking fee

Providence Canyon was the impetus for our recent spring break trek across west Georgia. Years ago I had cut out an article in Southern Living on “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon” but life and then children got in the way of a trip. So when I found myself with an uninterrupted week to explore, I decided to build a vacation around a visit.

Providence Canyon, also known as “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon” is a group of massive gullies, as deep as 150 feet that were caused by poor farming practices in the 1800s. There are 16 different canyons, exposing 43 different shades of soil ranging from light orange, salmon, red and scarlet to white, purple and pink. If you only have time to hike a few, canyons 4 and 5 are the most spectacular. Be sure to wear old shoes too. The canyon floor is below sea level and you’ll be walking through streams running through nice red Georgia clay.

Make sure to get a map at the top of the trail to navigate your way and leave time to hike the outer rim of the canyon for a bird’s eye view. Along the rim’s path, you’ll encounter old cars that once belonged to owners of a homestead that is now park land. Removing the deteriorating vehicles would have caused too much damage to the environment and animals that made homes within the junk, so park officials have left them for posterity, kinda adding an interesting twist to the wooded paths.

The park has several picnic areas, including covered tables and a playground. Make sure you bring whatever you want to eat, there isn’t any place remotely close to pick up food. If you plan to visit Providence Canyon, make time to visit Westville, (LINK TO WESTVILLE POST) an 1850’s living history museum too.

Be Aware: The Canyon’s visitor’s center is closed due to budget cuts and although there are special ranger-led programs from time-to-time, there are no park rangers on duty consistently at this park, so make sure someone else knows you are going and will expect you back.

Field Trips with Sue is excited to introduce you to another great family blog and local blogger. Jenni Hilton is the author of Forsyth County, GA for Families, a blog about things to do with kids in the northern Atlanta suburb of Forsyth County. The following is an excerpt from a recent post. Thanks Jenni for sharing.

By Jenni Hilton, Forsyth County, GA for Families
I was a working mom until about a week ago and now am transitioning to a stay at home mom. It is an odd but exciting feeling to be able to stay home with my daughters for the summer. So now I am planning on things to do that are low or no-cost in North Atlanta.

I will share the places I find and hope it helps you add to your summer adventures. I live in Forsyth County, GA so this will focus on this area for the most part. I will also update this as I go. Happy trails!

Forsyth County Parks – we are fortunate to have a wealth of parks available for our leisure. Here is a list with plenty of resources. Central Park is a favorite hangout.Poole’s Mill has a wonderful creek and shady playground.

Movies 400 – free summer movies on Tuesday and Thursdays at 10:00 am. The concession stand offers a special size $1.00 Popcorn and $1.00 Soda for these showings only. Join us this summer for free movies. Bring a can of food to support our can food drive and receive a free popcorn! (Free Family Film Festival Size only, Limit One Per Customer)

Forsyth County Public Library – activities, puppet shows and a calendar for story time keep the library a fresh fun place to go. Plus checking out books keeps our reading library replenished at no cost!

Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center- Autrey Mill, located in Alpharetta, has miles of walking trails, a Heritage Village with original buildings and artifacts from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, animal exhibits and replicas of Native American dwellings. All activities on the grounds are free.
9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022.

Chattahoochee Nature Center – walking trails and educational sessions with a low cost admission is fun for the whole family.

Wills Park Wacky World and Disc Golf is a 110-acre park featuring baseball fields, a disc golf course, lighted tennis courts, picnic pavilions, walking trails and two large playgrounds, including “Wacky World,” a unique kingdom that kids rave about. Situated at the edge of the park is the Alpharetta city pool, which has a diving well with three boards, a shaded kiddie, shaded and open deck areas and a concession stand.

Suwanee Town Center Park and Playtown Suwanee – a little bit further away but adventure awaits with an interactive fountain, lots of greenspace and a great playground.

For more great ideas for families in Forsyth County, go to Jenni’s post on Free and Cheap things to do in Forsyth, Ga.

What: National Infantry Museum
Where: Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
When: Mon. – Sat. 9 – 5 pm, Sun. 11 – 5 pm
Cost: Free, (donations welcome)

While initially not on our agenda during a trip through west Georgia, my boys and I decided, after a day of hiking and touring in the rain, to take a slight detour and visit the dry, indoor, National Infantry Museum on the base of Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. By the time we arrived, we only had 45 minutes to see the museum, but it was enough time to know we want to go back.

The museum tells the heroic story of everyday Infantrymen through a collection of more than 30,000 objects. It chronicles the journey from training through every conflict from before the Revolutionary War to action today in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is a special gallery recognizing Medal of Honor recipients and one that pays tribute to the family and loved ones the soldier leaves behind. Children will enjoy the play space and costumes available for role play in this gallery.

The central exhibit, titled “The Last Hundred Yards” immerses you in life-sized dioramas depicted the fight for the last hundred yards of some of the toughest battles throughout US history. As a mother of three boys, I have very mixed emotions. On one hand, I’m proud of the men and women who would sacrifice so much for my freedom. On the other, the thought of my boys in any of those scenes is more than just a little disturbing.

The highlight for the boys was the rifle range. For a $5 fee, guests can fire weapons in a training simulator, just like the one used by the soldier’s training at Fort Benning. Thankfully, my children don’t need to be sharp shooters. After repeated warnings to “think like a sniper, don’t be trigger happy,” each one fired all the ammo within seconds. I was assured they could be whipped into shape in no time, so I gathered my chicks close to me and we moved on to the next gallery.

In addition to the various galleries, there is also an IMAX Theatre. Prices for the IMAX movie range from $6 – $8. Behind the museum is an authentically recreated World War II Company Street. Each of the seven buildings is furnished with period pieces and includes audio recordings of life on an Army post during the 1940s.

What: Kids Fishing Festival
Where: Panola State Park, Stockbridge, Ga.
When: Sat., May 29, 2010 9 – 3 pm
Cost: FREE ($5 parking fee or check out a family parks pass from any Georgia public library)

Last year my family went to Panola State Park for the Kids Fishing Festival. The video above chronicles our day. My middle son is a fisherman, so I thought it would be fun for him. Turns out, it was way more than fishing and it was fun for all of us. My favorite was tree climbing. Not tree climbing like I remember as a kid, but tree climbing in harnesses with thick ropes. The boys liked the fishing and the archery. From the archery lesson, I learned that two of my three are left eye dominate. Good to know, especially since one of the left eye dominate boys plays baseball right handed.

If you don’t have plans this weekend, this is a really good one. Here’s the official info from the website. Kids 15 and younger are invited to our lake to hook a catfish or bluegill while learning about aquatic habitats, fish identification and fishing skills. Also, an archery range, fly-fishing, tree climbing, Georgia Wildlife Encounters, and other activities will be available. Bring your own bait and rods. Meeting at the Alexander Lake Parking Area. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before each program.Register in advance. $5 parking. 770-389-7801.

Don’t forget about the Georgia State Parks Junior Ranger Program or the new Geo-Challenge, here’s a link to my CBS  Better Mornings Atlanta segment that featured the contents of the Geo-Challenge. Both will make your park adventure even more fun.

What: Silver Scream Spookshow
Where: Plaza Theatre
When: Sat. May 29, 2010 (and the last Saturday of every month) 1 pm is the kids show. 10pm is the late (adult) show
Cost: Kids 12 and Under are FREE, Over 12 and Adults $7, Late Show is $10

If you read this blog often, you know about the  Silver Scream Spookshow. I can’t seem to talk about it enough. Although I’ve never been, it sounds like such a great, uniquely Atlanta kind of thing to do.

The Silver Scream Spookshow begins with a half hour variety show featuring Professor Mortes and his side kick Retch. Georgia Public Broadcasting did a video of the show that gives you a good idea of what to expect. You can view it here. According to the Spookshow website, the show is a cross between “Pee Wee Herman’s Playhouse” and “The Munsters” and features magic tricks, dance numbers and a little spooking. Once the audience is sufficiently warmed up, they show a classic horror film. This month is Carnival of Souls.

Looking for something for the little kids? The Plaza Theatre also offers Mr. Greggy’s Silly Circus and a kid friendly movie (more on that next week!). If you like your movies early in the morning, try Flapjacks and a Flick or if FREE movies are more your thing, here’s a list of FREE outdoor movies in Atlanta this summer.

Photo by Barbara Weibel

What: Swim the Warm Springs, Dip Into the Past
Where: Warm Springs, Ga.
When: Memorial Day Weekend 2010
Cost: 1.5 hour swim sessions are $20 adults; $12.50 ages 6 to 17; Family Package-$75
Only Family Package includes admission to Roosevelt’s Little White House.
Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling The Little White House at 706-655-5870

During Spring Break 2010, my boys and I visited The Little White House and the accompanying Warm Springs pools. FDR originally came to Warm Springs seeking relief from his polio but enjoyed it so much, he eventually built a home.  The historic pools where FDR found relief are now kept empty for preservation. However, over Memorial Day weekend, the shallow pools will be filled with naturally warm spring water for public bathers to enjoy. Tickets to the swim may be purchased over the phone with credit card. Space is limited to 80 participants per session. Reservations are suggested. All remaining tickets will be sold first-come, first-served, based on availability.

The kids are almost out of school and the days are getting longer, which means it’s time for summer movies! There are lots of places around Atlanta to catch FREE outdoor movies. Here is a list of several locations, if you know others, tell us. Movies generally begin at dusk, but most locations have pre-movie activities too. Click the links for additional information on what you can bring and other activities in addition to the movies. Thanks to Rana Cash, Atlanta Bargain Hunter for a great starter list.

Atlantic Station: Movies at the Market
May 20: Shrek  The Third
May 27: A Hard Day’s Night
June 3: The Karate Kid
June 10:The Great Race
June 17: Back to the Future
June 24: Mamma Mia!
July 1: Grease
July 8: Singing in the Rain
July 15: Men in Black
July 22: The Philadelphia Story
July 29: Dirty Dancing

City of Kennesaw’s Outdoor Movie Series
June 12: Monsters vs. Aliens
Oct. 2: TBD

East Cobb Park
June 25: Wizard of Oz
Check the website for additional shows

Flicks on 5th (Free Popcorn here, Yeah! Here’s a post I did in 2009 that includes info on parking)
June 9: Sherlock Holmes
June 16: The Hangover
June 23: The Blind Side
July 7: The Hurt Locker
July 14: Fantastic Mr. Fox
July 21: Hot Tub Time Machine

High Museum of Art
May 28: American Graffiti

Johns Creek: Newton Park
June 5: TBD
July 10: TBD
Sept. 4: TBD

Mall of Georgia: Movies Under the Stars
May 29: Hook
June 5: Planet 51
June 12: Field of Dreams
June 19: The Tooth Fairy
June 26: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
July 4: Transformers
July 10: The Blind Side
July 17: Fantastic Mr. Fox
July 24: Back to The Future 3
July 31: Alvin and The Chipmunks The Squeakquel

Piedmont Park: Screen on the Green (Here’s video of last year’s Screen on the Green at Centennial Olympic Park)
May 27: National Treasure
June 3: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
June 10: Dreamgirls
June 17: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
June 24: Jurassic Park

Roswell: Riverside Park
May 29: Fantastic Mr. Fox
July 17: The Blind Side

W Perimeter Hotel: Dive-In Movie
June 1: St. Elmo’s Fire
June 8: Sherlock Holmes
June 15: Invictus
June 22: Mommy Dearest
June 29: The Hangover
July 6: Transfomers 2
July 13: The Lovely Bones
July 20: To Wong Foo
July 27: The Blind Side