Georgia One Of A Kind Camping Series - Conestoga Wagon

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Back in January I made a vow that we would go on more camping adventures! As I began the search for camping destinations I learned that Georgia has some very unique, one of a kind, camping experiences to offer. And it was that discovery that led me to this post today which is the first in my series "Georgia One Of A Kind Camping." I hope you will follow us along on our journey as we seek out the unique, one of a kind, uncommon camping experiences in Georgia. Remember you can follow our journeys on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Our hashtag is #2015campingfun!

To kick off our "Georgia One Of A Kind Camping Series" we headed down to Rock, GA to The Rock Ranch to spend the night in a Conestoga Wagon! That's right folks you can experience what 19th century pioneer life was like and make some special family memories while you're at it.

Con • es • to • ga / pronunciation: kon-i-sto -ga  / noun: a large wagon with broad wheels and an arched canvas top; used by the United States pioneers to cross the prairies in the 19th century

< syn: covered wagon, prairie wagon, prairie schooner>

A moms review:
Before we checked in at our Conestoga Wagon we had hours of family fun at The Rock Ranch.

Rock Ranch Fun:
The Rock Ranch is a 1,500 acre cattle ranch that offers visitors an "agritourism" experience. It is owned by the Chick-fil-A family and dedicated to "Growing Healthy Families." The Rock Ranch offers seasonal events, educational fieldtrips, and more! So far we have gotten to experience the Spring Saturdays and Fall Family Fun Days and both have been exceptional. During Spring Saturdays you can pick strawberries (extra fee), fish with a cane pole (Tom and Huck style), take a tour of Tiny Town, visit the petting zoo, jump on a giant pillow, get a workout on the paddle boats, slide through a hill, ride a train and MUCH more! For an extra fee you can even tackle the rock climbing wall, speed down the zip line or go around in circles on the carousel. Be sure to read my previous post about the Fall Family Fun Days.

Before heading to The Rock Ranch office to check into our wagon we grabbed a quick bite to eat at Big Daddy's Vittles. After our yummy dinner we hopped on the shuttle which transports you to the Farmers Market area...this is also where The Rock Ranch office is located along with VIP parking area (which is where our car was parked). We checked in with our guide and hopped in our car to be escorted to the wagon area.

The Conestoga Wagons:
As we approached the fenced in field with the wagons the kids squealed with joy (okay maybe I did too)! There were 7 wagons in a circle to the left of the entrance and 1 lone wagon to the right of the entrance (which was the one we spent the night in). We parked the car under the nearest tree and unloaded our gear while our guide took the other family that was staying the night over to their wagon. After she was done with them she made her way back to us to explain all the details about our accommodations for the evening. The Rock Ranch provides the wagon equipped with bunk beds (8 bunks total) and vinyl covered mattress pads, a fire ring, plenty of firewood, picnic tables, clean port-a-potties (they truly are the cleanest I have ever seen), a hand washing station next to the port-a-potty complete with hand washing water, paper towels and soap, trash cans, a folding table and a wooden love seat swing, The Rock Ranch also provided us with a large plastic tub that contained bug spray, paper towels, a lantern, first aid kit, cups, paper and matches to help start a fire, and the contact information for our guide. She placed the bin on a second folding table that was next to our wagon and pointed out the drinking water that was also available for us.

The wagons are HUGE!!! As I mentioned above there are 8 bunks in total...of course both kids wanted a top bunk. To enter the wagon you go up a few steps and through a small split gate which has a slide latch on it. At the front end of the wagon is a large platform where you can store your gear, plus each bunk has their own shelves which is great for storing personal items (cameras, books, glasses, toys, etc). Both of the open ends of the wagon have vinyl flaps which can be dropped down to help keep out bugs, wind, etc. If you are looking for a great photo opp have your kids sit on the drivers seat!

After we unpacked what we needed to and laid out our pillows, blankets and sleeping bags we got our fun filled evening started. Hubby got the fire roaring while the kids ran around and explored (and gathered marshmallow roasting sticks). While they continued exploring hubby and I sat on the swing and enjoyed a friendly competitive game of mancala (I won). After the kids were done exploring we set up the folding table and played our favorite camping board games together (look for a post on that later this week). Even hubby enjoyed playing the games...even though he will probably never admit it. After we were done playing games we got out our s'more making supplies and enjoyed some tasty (not so healthy) treats. As we ate our s'mores we watched the sun go down and listened to the serenade of crickets, frogs and birds.

When it was time for the kids to hit the hay I helped them get settled in for the night by reading them some books....about Conestoga Wagons of course (Conestoga Wagons, Frontier Home, and Wagons West). After they were all tucked in I headed back out to the fire pit to stargaze with hubby. But of course the kids didn't settle down right away...instead they gave us a little puppet show!

In the morning the kids and I took a walk around the property. First we walked up to the pasture to check out the cows. Then we discovered a nice little path with some beautiful wildflowers and a stream. The path led to a pasture where we spotted a few frolicking deer. When hubby woke up we went exploring a little more and found termites, spiders and other amazing creepy crawlies, Then we made some flower tiaras and bracelets and taught the kids how to make grass whistles.

Oh I totally forgot to mention there is a volley net with a ball and horseshoe pit too!

Extra details:
-Beware of fire ants! And make sure your children know what the mounds look like so they don't step in one.
-Warn children about the bugs that will probably be occupying the wagon...take along a broom to sweep out the wagon and get rid of any lingering bugs.
-Pack snacks, breakfast, beverages.
-If you want to play horseshoes make sure to bring your own.
-Pack games, frisbees, books, and other things to occupy your time.
-If you plan to also visit The Rock Ranch festivals or events make sure you allow yourself enough time to explore everything they offer...at least 5-6 hrs.

Where:
5020 Hwy 36
The Rock, GA 30285

When to visit:
Anytime of the year!

Cost:
$225 per wagon (each wagon sleeps 8 in bunk beds).  Two night options are available for $365 per wagon. During Fall Family Fun Days at The Rock Ranch campers can enjoy the added entertainment and public attractions for a discounted admission price of $10 per person.

Hot dog dinners, storytellers and an astronomer are available for an added fee!

Links to follow:
-The Rock Ranch Facebook
-The Rock Ranch Twitter

Educational resources:
If you are looking for a way to enhance your Conestoga Wagon/Pioneer experience and make it even more educational and fun check out these resources.

-Conestoga Wagon craft
-Conestoga Wagon wooden model
-Prairie Pioneers Unit Study
-Westward Ho Activity Book
-Going West Lapbook
-Cowboy Things To Make And Do Book

What is the most unique camping trip you have taken?

*Prices indicated in post are subject to change

Georgia Travel Log - December 2014 - Holiday Fun Edition

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

We have been super busy lately traveling around Georgia and experiencing some of the newest exhibits and attractions. Because there are so many wonderful things I need to update you on I came up with a brilliant idea (well I think it's brilliant). I am calling it the "Georgia Travel Log." Once or twice a month I will give you an update on several of the newest attractions, exhibits, etc. Most of them will be ones that we actually get to experience that way I can share our personal experiences and show you some personal photos too. I hope you enjoy this edition of the Georgia Travel Log. Please leave comments with information on any other new attractions or exhibits that you know of. Also remember to follow us on Instagram to keep up with our daily adventures!

If you are hosting an upcoming event or promoting a new exhibit or attraction please email me to discuss getting it covered in the next Georgia Travel Log edition.

I know I missed a few months and I am so very sorry...I won't even bother making excuses because there are just too many!

This edition is going to be filled with lots of holiday events. Check out what The Rock Ranch, Stone Mountain, Atlanta Speedway, Historic Westville and Fernbank have to offer your family this holiday season.

The Rock Ranch:
In October we visited the Rock Ranch for one of their Fall Family Fun Days. Sadly I wasn't able to get a post up up sooner about our experience so I am going to share some of that with you now so you can start planning for next year. Hopefully you saw our photos and shout outs on social media and were able to attend this year. What you may not know though is that The Rock Ranch also has Christmas events like breakfast or lunch with Santa, Santa's workshop and country Christmas in lights (FREE).

The Rock Ranch is a family friendly outdoor destination that offers family's seasonal fun. Though they offer events throughout the year their Fall Family Fun Days from September - November (Saturday only) always draw in the crowds. Each Saturday they have a different theme which adds even more fun on top of the main attractions.

We visited on lumberjack day and had an absolute blast. The weather was perfect and we spent an entire day soaking in all that The Rock Ranch has to offer. All of the attractions on site are included in the cost of admission with the exception of the rock wall, carousel and zipline which there is a nominal charge for. The adventure starts out with a hay ride from the parking lot to the attraction area. Inside the attraction area which is encircled by a train track you will find pony rides, slide hill, tiny town (my children's personal favorite), pedal carts, corn maze, cane pole fishing, corn cannon, toddler playground, cow train, rope maze, horse shoes, no left turn maze, wagon jolly jump, paddle boats, petting zoo, corn box and more! There are also several places to pick up some scrumptious food and 2 stores to pick up great gift items.

If you enjoy corn mazes you will love the one at The Rock Ranch. Each year the ranch chooses a special theme for their corn maze. This year's theme celebrated 75 Years of Wizard of Oz, the movie. Throughout the day Wizard of Oz characters were available for photo ops. Throughout the maze there were informational placards, movie quotes, displays and more. If you got lost the corn cops were on duty to give you hints. We were really proud of ourselves for navigating the maze without any assistance. It took us about 1/2 an hour.



More Details:
The Rock Ranch is a 1,500 acre cattle ranch located one hour from Atlanta that offers visitors an "agritourism" experience unlike any other. The Rock Ranch is owned by Chick-fil-A owner S. Truett Cathy and dedicated to "Growing Healthy Families." The Rock Ranch offers seasonal events, educational fieldtrips, unique camping experience, and meeting spaces for events.

Stone Mountain Christmas:
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go...and Stone Mountain is no exception. Stone Mountain has been decked out with more than 2 million beautiful LED lights. We got a sneak peek of the Stone Mountain Christmas festivities and it was pretty awesome. From now until January 4th families can enjoy a variety of holiday shows including Forever Christmas, Toyriffic, A Crossroads Christmas Carol, Holly Jolly Cabaret and The Gift (religious show). Our family was able to catch two of the shows and Toyriffic was the children's favorite of the two. But there's more...you will definitely want to catch the 4-D Ice Age A Mammoth Christmas film, get your photo taken with Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer and Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, and take a ride on the Sing-Along Christmas Train. If you stay through dusk you can also enjoy the high energy Christmas parade, meet with Santa and experience some holiday magic as the Snow Angel flies overhead creating a nightly snow and fireworks show. If you want to see everything including the night time parade and Snow Angel magic be sure to arrive early I would say no later than noon. Stone Mountain Christmas will definitely get you into the holiday spirit.

All of the above mentioned fun is included in a Stone Mountain Christmas Adventure Pass plus the Summit Skyride, Discovering Stone Mountain Museum and the Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard are also included in your pass. Stone Mountain Christmas Tickets are $24.95 for adults and $19.95 for children.

And don't forget about Snow Mountain which will offer visitors hours of fun in something we rarely get to see here in Georgia...SNOW. Tickets are $28 for Snow Mountain and there are combo deals available for both Snow Mountain and Stone Mountain Christmas. Snow Mountain operates through February 22, 2015.

More Details:
Stone Mountain Park is Georgia’s most popular attraction and features a wide variety of family activities. Located on 3,200 acres of natural beauty, adventure awaits as you discover interactive family friendly attractions and many natural and historical sights. Plus you won’t want to miss dozens of fun annual events such as Spring FUN Break, Summer at the Rock, Yellow Daisy Festival, Indian Festival and Pow-Wow, Stone Mountain Christmas and Snow Mountain. Stone Mountain activities are suitable for all ages.

Fernbank Goose Bumps Exhibit and Winter Wonderland:
This is another review I totally slacked on but thankfully special exhibits stick around for a little bit at Fernank. Goose Bumps the Science of Fear will be on display through January 4th.

This special exhibit was tons of fun for both children and adults. If you have ever been curious about coulrophobia, pyrophobia or aviophobia then you will definitely want to visit this exhibit before it's gone. You will learn about the physiological, neurological and sociological aspects of this often misunderstood emotion through immersive and engaging hand-on activities.

The first part of the exhibit contains a wall of display boards which highlights several phobias. After learning about phobias such as aviophobia, dentophobia and pyrophobia head over to the Fear Lab where you will meet "Mr. Goose Bump"s the exhibit host. Mr. Goose Bumps will demonstrate how the bran and body work together through hands-on activities, video and exhibit interactives. Right across from Mr. Goose Bumps you can get an up close look as some real brains. Learn all about the amygdala aka the threat center of the brain.

Other hand-on experiences in the first half of the exhibit include the "Trigger Fear" table, "Science in the Works" study, "What are the Odds" test and the children's favorite "Freeze Game" a game that demonstrates predator vs prey.

Next you will head into the "Challenge Course." Here you will face four common fears through immersive displays. The first challenge is the Fear of Animals. In this room you will reach into concealed terrariums that may just house a creepy-crawly creature. In the next room you will face the Fear of Electric Shock. If you are brave enough place your finger into the slot and prepare for a shock! The 3rd room is the Fear of Loud Noises challenge. This demonstrates how this instinctive fear can help keep us out of harm's way. And the final challenge is the Fear of Falling challenge. This one was one of my favorite's. In this challenge you are safely strapped to a table which then falls backward. Afterwards you can head around to the back of the exhibit to watch the recording of your fall and examine your fear face.

Other exhibits include discovering how fears, both real and perceived can be spread and the impact they have on society, how to cope with fear in extreme situations, how to identify facial expressions and more.

The exhibit is great for all ages and is not "scary" in the traditional sense. Visitors can easily bypass any experience they do not wish to participate in or have fun watching others.

Also be sure to read our review on the Winter Wonderland exhibit which will be on display until January 11th. Special events will be going on just about every weekend in December.

More Details:
Ferbank museum offers immersive, hands-on exhibitions that make science, culture and natural history come alive in a big way. From the largest dinosaurs ever discovered, to the biggest movie screen in Atlanta, Fernbank Museum offers world of adventure for all ages.

Atlanta Motor Speedway Gift of Lights:
If you are looking for an affordable light show near Atlanta then the Atlanta Motor Speedway Gift of Lights is it. The Lights will be on display through January 3rd and is bigger, better and brighter than ever. The light show is on the track field and is 1.5 miles with over one million lights. How cool will it be to tell your friends you drove on the famed Atlanta Motor Speedway oval? Proceeds from the show benefit the Speedway Children's Charity.

There are over one million LED lights and the light display is broken into themed segments. Themes include nativity, nursery rhyme, underwater, outer space, patriotic, race car and 12 Days of Christmas. Before you enter the light display through the blue light tunnel you will want to make sure your radio is tuned in to the correct station so you can experience some fun holiday music.

You may drive your own vehicle through the light display at your own pace...and you may only drive through once so take your time. So sit back relax and get into the holiday spirit as you drive on the Atlanta Motor Speedway infield, cross the checkered finish line and even go up on the banking between turns 3 and 4 (if you are brave enough).

We enjoyed the light show very much, however it is not one that I would recommend driving over an hour to visit. Even driving at slow speed we still made it through in less than 1/2 an hour and my children were not happy that we drove so far for something that was so short. If you live close to the speedway be sure to hit it up because it is a fun, affordable family outing during the holidays.

On the following weekends December 5th-7th, 12th-14th and 19th-21st you can even visit the Christmas Village near the Atlanta Motor Speedway Gift Shop which includes a decorated tree, a Santa with his sleigh (professional photos available for a fee), bonfire, and gift shop.

The light display is open 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. Admission is $15 Monday-Thursday, $20 on Fridays-Sundays & holidays

However, my readers Save $2 to Gift of Lights.

Six Flags Holiday in the Park:
For the first time ever Six Flags Over Georgia is open during the holiday season. Our family got to attend a special preview night of Holiday in the Park and we definitely left filled with holiday cheer. The park has totally been transformed and is filled with millions of bright, LED lights. Only certain areas of the park and certain rides are open to visitors during this holiday event...but there is still plenty to see and do. Visitors of all ages can enjoy holiday shows, fun games, thrilling rides, sweet treats and even a ride to the North Pole to see Santa Claus.

From the moment you enter the park you will be blasted with holiday cheer and a winter wonderland experience as you admire the many lights hanging overhead, enjoy the falling snow and meet some very fun characters.

The park is broken into 10 sections A Main Street Christmas, Peppermint Plaza, Retro Christmas USA< Candlelight Carousel, Bugs Bunny World, A Georgia Christmas, North Pole, Rejoice!, North Pole Express and S'mores Village.

If you have little ones you will definitely want to go visit Santa. You can either walk through the park to the North Pole or board the North Pole Express. I personally recommend taking the train so you can enjoy the many beautiful lights. The Santa was amazing with the children and spent time getting their wishlist. The lights at the North Pole were white and blue which truly gave the impression of being in a winter wonderland.

Next we headed to the giant snow globe for a fun photo op. I made a recommendation that they put a fake snow blower in the globe to really enhance it...hopefully they will add one.  The children really wanted to rid the Candle Lite Carousel so we made our way over to the other side of the park. Along the way...which took a while thanks to a wrong turn we enjoyed the over one million lights and 400 trees. And the children insisted on stopping every few minutes for a photo op. One of my favorite things about Holiday in the Park was the various tributes to the brave men and women who serve our country. There were several patriotic light displays and patriotic photo ops throughout the park.

We only experienced two of the rides the Candle Lite Carousel and Rockin' Tug. And the Carousel was well worth our long walk. It was spectacular!!! There were beautiful lights adorning the carousel, candles dangling from above and up beat Christmas music. Other rides that are open during Holiday in the Park include Goliath, Dare Devil Dive, Georgia Cyclone, Up, Up and Away, Dahlonega Mine Train, Sky Buckets and most of Bugs Bunny World. 

It's been a pretty mild winter so far but if you are worried about cold night don't be. There are fire pits and propane heaters stationed throughout the park to warm you up. There is also hot cocoa and soup being served at the many cafes that are open. 

And in addition to all of the above there are also several fun shows going on in the park too like A Looney Tunes Christmas, Carols at the Carousel, Hometown Holidays and Because It's Christmas.

Holiday in the Park will be open until January 4^th (on selected dates). Times the park will be open are from  4-10 pm through Dec 23rd and 12-8pm through January 4th. I highly recommend arriving at opening so you have time to enjoy everything...during our visit we ran out of time. The cost for the event starts at $41.99.

I hope you enjoyed this edition stayed tuned for more Georgia Travel Log updates!

Wild Adventures, Valdosta GA - $10 Off Discount Code

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

My favorite theme park in Georgia is Wild Adventures in Valdosta. This place offers something for everyone. It is a Theme Park, Water Park and Animal Park - all in one. There are thrilling rides and roller coasters for all ages, hundreds of exotic animals, shows and all-star concerts each season. Take a break from your daily routine and give your family a much-needed affordable Georgia vacation at Wild Adventures.

We visited a couple years ago and had the best time, you can read that review here. But since our visit in 2012 the park has several new shows, animals and experiences like the Butterfly Garden which we cannot wait to check out!

Right now you can SAVE $10 Off Admission to Wild Adventures Theme Park with this Coupon.

Georgia Travel Log - June 2014 Edition

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

We have been super busy lately traveling around Georgia and experiencing some of the newest exhibits and attractions. Because there are so many wonderful things I need to update you on I came up with a brilliant idea (well I think it's brilliant). I am calling it the "Georgia Travel Log." Once or twice a month I will give you an update on several of the newest attractions, exhibits etc. Most of them will be ones that we actually get to experience that way I can share our personal experiences and show you some personal photos too. I hope you enjoy this first edition of the Georgia Travel Log. Please leave comments with information on any other new attractions or exhibits that you know of. Also remember to follow us on Instagram to keep up with our daily adventures!

LEGOLAND Discovery Center - Limited time Ninjago Laser Maze:
Several weeks ago I posted about my son entering the LEGO Junior Builders Panel at the Atlanta LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Well thanks to all my awesome followers he won the competition and actually had the most votes. All of the children that won the competition (13 total) got to attend the grand opening of the newest LEGOLAND attraction, the Ninjago Laser Maze. Since Rowyn had the most votes they let him flip the on switch. He also made the news a few times here and here.

The Ninjago Training Camp attraction will only be around for about a year so make sure you visit soon. There are two fun ways to test your Ninja skills. First there is the laser maze. This is the first attraction of its kind in the USA. To test your skills you must first select your level: Rookie, Ninja, Warrior, Sensei. Then you step inside and hit the start button. There is smoke, awesome music and of course colored lasers everywhere. The goal is to get through the timed maze by "breaking" as few beams as possible. It is a test of speed, creativity and agility. After you complete the maze don't forget to hit the stop button. As you exit your score is displayed on a monitor. The kids love the maze and my son would stay there all day playing if I let him. Even I had fun going through the maze! Check out our YouTube video of the grand opening.

The second way to test your skills is on the the reactions game. You can choose 1 or 2 players for this game. I must admit I am quite addicted to it and am still trying to beat my personal best of 15,000 points. I totally would love to have one of these at home.

Because Rowyn won the competition he received a FREE 1 year membership so you will be hearing a lot about LEGOLAND Discovery Center over the next year!

Be sure to read our full review on LEGOLAND too.

HIGH Museum of Art - New exhibit Dream Cars on display through September 7th, 2014:
Did you know cars can be art too? We had a blast at the newest exhibit Dream Cars and actually went through it 2 times. This new exhibit will be on display through September. There are 17 concept cars from across Europe and the U.S on display. You will see cars from the early 1930's to the 21st century from Ferrari, Bugatti, General Motors and Porsche. These cars are some of the rarest and most imaginative designs you will ever see. They push the limits of imagination! There are also conceptual drawings, patents and scale models to demonstrate the stages of design process.

Highlights of Dream Cars include:

• Paul Arzens' L'Oeuf électrique (1942), an electric bubble car designed by Arzens for his personal use in Paris during the German occupation that has never before traveled to the U.S.
• William Stout's Scarab (1936), the genesis of the contemporary minivan.
• Marcello Gandini's Lancia (Bertone) Stratos HF Zero (1970), a wedge-shaped car that is only 33 inches tall.
• Christopher Bangle's BMW GINA Light Visionary Model (2001), featuring an exterior made of fabric.
• A full-scale (6 x 20 foot) rendering of a concept car by Carl Renner (1951).

My kids loved the exhibit and cannot wait to return. And I am still dreaming about the Spyder! I highly recommend downloading the Dream Cars App (Android and iPhone) or renting an audio guide. The audio guides at the HIGH are fabulous and really enhance the special exhibits. There is an adult guide and kids guide and for the Dream Cars exhibit there are also videos of the cars in action.

In the Dream Cars lounge area you can take a break to watch the videos on the audio guide or look at a book. We found a terrific kids book to read called, "If I Built A Car." The exhibit takes about an hour to get through so be sure to arrive early so you have plenty of time to tour the rest of this amazing museum. Check out Gwyns thoughts in this short YouTube video.

In addition to this awesome NEW exhibit the HIGH also has several special events and programs for the summer like Father's Day at the HIGH, Arts & Rec: Family Day, Teen Night, Conversation with Contemporary Artists: Syd Mead and more. Check the website for more details and to order tickets.

Despite what you may think the HIGH Museum of Art is very family friendly and highly encourages bringing the kids. Here are some of the family friend events: Toddle Thursdays, Father's Day at the HIGH, Arts & Rec Family Days, Discovery Backpacks, Greene Family Learning Center, Friday Night Lates, Highly Hands-On Blog and more.

World of Coca-Cola - New features Pop Culture Gallery, App and "Moments of Happiness" film:
The World of Coca-Cola is definitely a must see. It is not only fun but very educational too and they've added even more educational features like the new mobile app. Currently it is only available for iPhone, but hopefully Android is not far behind. I have an Android device so though I couldn't utilize the app I did get a peek how it works and it is really cool. With the new World of Coca-Cola Explorer mobile app, you will get to experience the attraction like never before. The app allows visitors to interact with the attraction to deepen their experience. It's like having your own personal tour guide! The app uses location-sensing technology which allows you to discover amazing facts about Coca-Cola, create custom photos with fun frames and effects, keep a journal of your favorite flavors from around the World in the Taste It room, instantly connect on Facebook, Instgram and Twitter, follow the World of Coca-Cola guide map and get general information about the attraction. The app is designed to be used at the World of Coca-Cola and will deliver engaging content as you travel throughout the attraction utilizing Bluetooth. After you unlock the app features you can continue to enjoy them long after your visit.

Moments of Happiness is the newest film at World of Coca-Cola. Warning don't wear mascara! The film reminds visitors that happiness is all around us and happens every day. It is a six minute film that celebrates some of life's most memorable moments from people of different ages and cultures around the world. Even my 8 year old was tearing up.

The newest special exhibit is the Pop Culture Gallery and features works of art from Howard Finster. Finster a Georgia native, was a self-taught artist and Baptist minister and is considered one of the most important folk artists of the 20th century. So why is his work on display at Coca-Cola? Because he loved Coca-Cola and used the iconic bottle shape in a lot of his artwork. Gwyn really enjoyed Finster's use of mixed media!

Howard Finster: Visions of Coca-Cola includes several pieces from The Thomas E. Scanlin Collection:

• A 13-foot-tall Coke bottle “big enough for man to stand in” that depicts historical figures in the artist’s unique style.
• The 8-foot-tall original folk art bottle, which Finster created for the 1996 Olympic Games and inspired a global art project.
• Tools from Finster’s studio that became works of art themselves.

World of Coca-Cola is a great place for public school and homeschool fieldtrips. They even have a FREE Teacher Toolkit to help you explore the many educational connections at the attraction.

Stone Mountain - Updated lasershow:
Did you know that the Stone Mountain Park lasershow is the longest running show in the world? It has been running for more than 30 years and attracts millions of visitors each year. This summer though the 45 minute digitally re-mastered Stone Mountain Lasershow Spectacular will feature more lights, lasers and music! This dazzling display of neon laser lights, fun characters, inspiring stories, historical graphics, spectacular fireworks and popular musical scores is a must see.

Show features include:

• Lighting at the base of the mountain which shine up like fingers of light showcasing the 825 foot mountainside.
• Overhead Laser Canopy that creates a ceiling of light over your head, immersing you into the show.
• Laser mirror bounce shots from all directions onto the law to create the effect of lasers jumping over your head.
• Updated play list featuring 10 new sons including "Let It Go" by Idina Menzel, "Home" by Phillip Phillips, "Cherry" by Pharrell Williams and more.
• Mountainvision technology, which adds 3-D effects without the need for 3-D glasses. It really does look like things are jumping out at you....it's pretty cool!

Our family got the VIB (Very Important Blogger) treatment on Friday night. We got a behind the scenes look at where the magic happens and got to speak with the technical experts. Then we enjoyed a very tasty dinner. Afterwards we headed down to our terrace level seats (Mississippi) for some snacks. Before the show the children had a blast playing on the lawn with the "Georgia Bubble Man" and their friends. Watching a lasershow on the world's largest outdoor screen is definitely a family memory must. My husband said the new show brought out his inner geek. My son loved the fireworks. And I got teary eyed during the patriotic grand finale! My daughter loved "Let It Go" and "Home."

The Lasershow Spectacular is FREE with the $10 parking fee. Or you can enjoy the show from the comfort of one of the terraces which showcase an outstanding view of the mountain, its famous carving and the world’s longest running Lasershow. The terrace seats will give you the best seat in the house, and you can enjoy the show with a snack or dinner package.

Note: If you decide to get terrace level seats try for one of the upper levels closer to Memorial Hall. While walking to the bathrooms up at the top it looked like the view was a little bit better at the top. 

Stop back in a few weeks for a comprehensive review about Stone Mountain Park.

Extreme Dinosaurs - Limited time attraction:
Ever wish you could travel back in time to the time of the dinosaurs? Well now you can for a limited time at the Extreme Dinosaurs exhibit at Atlanta Station. This is the first time this exhibit has been debuted in the USA. We had a blast a few months ago during our visit. As a matter of fact we had so much fun the kids went through twice. The exhibit gives visitors the opportunity to discover the roar and might of the Mesozoic Era. It is an educational and entertaining exhibit for the entire family. You will get an up-close, realistic look at some of the world's strangest dinosaurs from the "Golden Age." There are a total of 17 lifelike and life-size animatronic dinosaurs featured in naturalistic landscapes that roar, snarl, open their jaws, blink their eye, move their limbs and more. There are also full-scale skeletons, both real and replica fossils and several interactive activities including a children's dig site, Make Me Move console, touch panels, Dinosaur Detective quiz and more. Each dinosaur also has an informational placard with dinosaur names, pronunciations, facts and more. The self guided exhibit takes about an hour to get through. Throughout the exhibit there are staff members to answer any questions you may have.

Highlights of the exhibit:

• Animatronic Dinosaurs - View lifelike dinosaurs in their most realistic forms thanks to some of the best animation technology.
• Fossils - Explore dinosaurs through the eyes of a paleontologist with an intimate view our real fossils and fossil casts.
• Skeletons - View phenomenal skeletons like the 57 foot long Omeisaurus which will captivate you with its incredible size and extensive details.
• Feathered Dinosaurs - Did you know that in the last two decades feathered dinosaurs were discovered? See their bizarre features up close through five animatronic species.
• Interactives - Ever wonder what it might be like to control the movements of one of these large creatures? Now you can with our Make Me Move interactive. Kiosks, dig tables and more will give you a hands-on look at Extreme Dinosaurs.

The kids had so much fun and we all learned a great deal. As a homeschool mom I loved all of the hand on learning opportunities available for the kids. The staff was very friendly and answered any questions the kids had. We had been to a similar traveling exhibit a few years ago which doesn't even come close to the quality of the Extreme Dinosaurs exhibit. 

To enhance the experience even further parents and teachers can download a FREE education guide. This exhibit will only be around a limited time so be sure to add it to your Summer fun list.

Tiny Towne - New "edu-tainment" attraction:
Tiny Towne is not open to the public yet, but we had the opportunity to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony. The kids also got a test drive. Let me just say this place is going to be awesome when it is completed. Tiny Towne is an innovative concept and will be the first of its kind. The attraction will be a family-oriented, high-tech "edu-tainment" center with a vision of inspiring a generation of safer drivers. In addition to two different level driving tracks there is also an arcade room, party rooms, a restaurant, fieldtrip classroom, computer lab with touch screen computers and simulators, and plenty of waiting areas for parents. At Tiny Towne children ages 3-15 will be able to drive high tech mini cars on realistic streets where they will have to follow road signs and traffic signals, respect each other and respect police officers. Drivers must complete various educational activities such as quizzes and successful rounds in the simulators in order to advance to more fun and higher-level tracks. It is a place where fun and education come together to teach children an very important life skill...driving!



Follow Tiny Towne on Facebook to receive updates. The attraction will be open to the public later in June. Also visit their website to claim a $20 voucher.

I hope to bring you a full, detailed review early next month!

Six Flags Over Georgia - Hurricane Harbor:
Six Flags Over Georgia recently opened their new multi-million dollar water park Hurricane Harbor. The water park is located in the back of the park and is included FREE with your admission. There are 4 fun attractions in the water park: Paradise Island, Bonzai Pipelines, Calypso Bay Wave Pool and Tsunami Surge.

The kids and I had the privilege of attending the media day event. First we played in Calypso Bay the 38,000 square foot wave pool. There are two massive wave generators that create 4 foot waves in 8 different wave patterns. It is just like being at the ocean minus the sand and salt. The kids spent hours in the wave pool and I had to practically bribe them to get out. There are life vests and inner tubes available for visitor use.

Next we headed over to Paradise Island which is a giant children's water playground. It is about 1 acre and features 6 water slides, multiple water buckets that dump about 2,000 gallons of water every 5 minutes and hundreds of interactive water elements like water blasters, sprayers, fountains, pumps, etc. The kids had a blast and really enjoyed the slides in this area.

The other two attractions Bonzai Pipeline and Tsunami Surge we were unable to try out because we ran out of time, but we will definitely be hitting them up in a week when we go back. The Bonzai Pipeline has 3 unique water slides that sit atop a 41 foot tower. Visitors will barrel down through 180- and 360- degree curves. There are single and double tube options.

Tsunami Surge is the first hybrid zero-gravity slide and sends you down five stories into the splash pool below. You will drop through an enclosed tube and into a whirlpool bowl with 360 degree curves and then out into a massive wave wall and for a moment you will feel zero gravity, or weightlessness. Tubes are available for single, double, triple or quadruple riders.

Check out the kids thoughts in this YouTube video.

Inside Hurricane Harbor there are 11 relaxing cabanas with reserved seating and food service, a beach-themed restaurant with window service, several retail locations, bathhouses, locker rentals, tube rentals and lounging chairs to sit back and enjoy the summer sun. Six Flags over Georgia is now open daily through August 10.

Note: It has been 8 years since we last visited Six Flags Over Georgia. My husband and I did not have a very good experience there our first time. However I will say that this return trip impressed me. There was security throughout the park, the staff was very friendly and it was very clean. I definitely felt that the park stepped up their game over the last few years to provide a safe, family friendly  park. Be sure to arrive early because it will take you an entire day to see all that this massive park has to offer. 

I hope you enjoyed this edition stayed tuned for more Georgia Travel Log updates!

Have A Wild Time At Wild Adventures In Valdosta GA

A moms review:
Wild Adventures is three family friendly theme parks in one. PLUS there are family friendly concert series too! The park offers something for everyone (even the grandparents would have fun so bring them along). There are amusement park rides, water rides, animals, shows, games, an arcade and tasty treats. This is hands down one of the family friendliest amusement parks I have ever been too. And they are very homeschool friendly. We not only had a fun family day but also got some hands on learning done too (yup I counted this as a homeschool day).

Here is a video with some highlights from our day:

Park entry was very quick and easy. There is ample parking and shuttles are available if you are in one of the back lots (which is still within walking distance). Being a family park they take safety very seriously so there was a bag and security check. They glanced inside any large bags and waved a metal detector wand in front and in back of each person. But this didn't slow down our park admission and it only took us about 10 minutes to get into the park. Once inside the park there are photographers who will offer to take your family's photo and keepers with some animal ambassadors that you can get up close and personal with.

The first place we headed per the kids request was Splash Island. But along the way we stopped to check out the tortoises. We also took a ride on the carousel and walked through Lorikeet Landing. Lorikeet Landing is an aviary that you can walk through to get an up close look at some very cool exotic birds. You are not allowed to touch the birds but you may get lucky and have one land on you (there was a guy standing next to us who had one land on his head). You can purchase nectar for a small fee to feed to the birds also. There were some really awesome birds that I have never seen before and both of the kids really enjoyed this attraction. This habitat as well as all the other animal habitats have plaques with lots of great facts and information about each of the animals.

On our way to Splash Island we stopped by the very clean restrooms to use the facilities and rent a locker. We opted for the per turn key locker which is $1.50 since we only needed to use it one time. There are also some very fun misters at the restrooms which are a great for a quick cool down on a hot day (there are several other misting stations throughout the park as well).

Then it was time to have a splashing good time. We crossed across the Splash Island bridge which goes over the lazy river. I love the little scenes they had set up for the lazy river. Our first stop was the GIANT splash playground called Polynesian Adventure. The splash playground features 6 fun water slides, a giant dumping water bucket and lots of fun water cannons. This was definitely one of my kids favorite parts in the entire park. We actually visited this area again before we left for the day. And I must say it was one of my favorite parts too. It is one of the safest splash playgrounds we have ever been too. My husband and I were able to position ourselves in one spot and keep an eye on the kids because of the way they have the attraction placed. The back and side portion of the splash playground are surrounded by a fence and wall so the only way in and out of the area is from the front. There are always 5-6 lifeguards surrounding the base of the splash playground, as well as one at the top of each of the larger slides. There is also a parent lost and found station right next to the splash playground. After the kids played for awhile we headed over to Hakini Rapids where the entire family took a ride on a raft down a twisty, turny water slide. In Splash Island there is also a wave pool, toddler splash pad, huge body slide and a few other water slides. There is TONS of shaded and non shaded seating throughout Splash Island. And there are also cabanas that you can rent for an additional fee.

After playing in the water we were hungry. Daddy opted for a pulled pork bbq sandwich was absolutely delicious. The kids and I had a large pizza. The pizza was really good as well.

After lunch we headed to the Tigers of India Show which was our second favorite attraction in the park. The show was absolutely wonderful and very educational for both children and adults. The show features the 4 colors of Bengal Tigers which come from the Marcan Tiger Preserve in Florida. I liked that the show highlights the Tigers natural behavior and is not a theatrical performance making them do things that are not instinctual and unnatural for them. Afterwards the handler and Lazarus, one of the Tigers, were available to answer questions and give you a closer look at these magnificent creatures. The show really made an impression on my daughter who now says she wants to be a veterinarian so she can work with animals. There are 3 wonderful shows each showing a couple times throughout the day. I am very bummed we were not able to see more.

Next we took a trip through Asia and Africa on the Safari Train. The ride was fun and educational but could definitely use a couple of improvements. Our wait to ride the train was about 20 minutes and the actual train ride only lasted only about 10 minutes. The train takes you on a journey through Asia and Africa giving you a look at several animals from these areas without an obstructed bar view. I think it would be an even better attraction if the train would stop during the trip for a few minutes to allow riders to look more closely at the animals. I liked that the animals were able to range freely in a more natural habitat it is not very often that you get to experience that.

Next it was time to hit the rides. There are family rides, kiddie rides and thrill rides. This was the first time the kids have ever ridden on amusement park rides so they were a little apprehensive at first but after a few rides they were having a blast and begging for more. There was plenty for them to ride on (they are 5 and 6 yrs old). The wait to get on the kiddie rides was always very short. The ride attendants were very nice and attentive. The majority of the little kid rides are all in one area located at the front of the park. I really liked this because the kids were able to go their separate ways and ride on different rides without mommy and daddy having to split up. We also enjoyed some good old fashioned family rides together like the bumper cars and century wheel. Well daddy skipped the century wheel and mommy freaked out the entire time telling the kids not to move AT ALL. I did manage to snap some great photos of the park though.

Of course we just had to visit the safari ranch petting zoo. My kids always enjoy petting farm animals. There were goats, a baby cow, chickens, bunnies, lambs and ducks. Gwyn had a great time playing king of the mountain with a goat...the goat won he butted her off the rock when she tried to hug him good bye.  So make sure you use care when in the petting zoo several of the goats do still have their horns and may not take kindly to lots of hugs and kisses.

The park flows in a circular layout around a lake. Both my husband and I agree that the circular layout makes the park really easy to navigate and helps with the parks traffic flow.  The water park entrance is located inside the main park and is accessed by a bridge. The many animals and park rides are intermingled surrounding the lake. The landscaping is very nice throughout the park and there are several GREAT photograph opportunities. One addition I hope they will consider adding in the future are some paddle boats in the lake.

As we were leaving the park I noticed a wooden board walk trail, right by the Junior Base Camp Kiddie Rides. DON'T forget about this little hidden area it will lead you through a nice quiet wooded area where you will see a black bear, bush baby, red tail hawk, some really big koi and a few other amazing creatures. Its a great educational learning spot.

Our kids were too tuckered out to attend the concert but I am sure it was just as amazing as the rest of the park. Family friendly concerts are offered throughout the year. Hopefully next time we will be able to catch the concert.

You will definitely need an entire day at the park and if you can two days. We were not able to see and do everything the park offers because we ran out of time and we were there from 10:30 am - 7:30 pm. I think Wild Adventures knows they offer too much to cover in one day. So GUESS what? Your general park admission (includes regular, junior or senior full price admission) is valid for two days. YUP you read that right, isn't that awesome! The second day MUST be used on the next, consecutive operating day ONLY. The holder of the original ticket must keep the ticket and present it on the next operating day to gain admission.  Next time we visit we will definitely be doing two days. There are lots of great inexpensive hotels in the area as well as other attractions.

I just saw on the Wild Adventures Facebook page that NEW attractions are being added for 2013! So make sure you follow their social media outlets and sign up for the email list (more information below).

More About Wild Adventures:
Wild Adventures is an amusement park the size of 155 football fields. Wild Adventures is owned by Herschend Family Entertainment which also owns and manages properties throughout the United States like: Dollywood, Dollywood Splash Country, Silver Dollar City, Newport Aquarium, Adventure Aquarium and Stone Mountain Park.  The company is based on Christian values and focuses on providing family friendly experiences to all guests. The park started out in 1996 as a small petting zoo but since then has become one of the Top 50 Theme Parks in North America.The park is home to eight roller coasters and numerous flat rides. The rides were added to the park in 1998 and Splash Island, the park's water park, opened in 2003 as the park's largest expansion which includes several water slides and attractions. The park features approximately 59 rides and attractions, including eight roller coasters, hundreds of exotic animals, shows, Splash Island water park and numerous concerts from country, pop, rock, Christian, to oldies superstars. All of the rides and attractions (except for Go-Karts, Mini Golf, Skycoaster, and Skill Games), general seating concerts, daily shows, special events and the water park are included with park admission.

The kids review:
Both Kids: "When are we going back? We really like that park!"
Gwyn: "My favorite things were the dragon twirly ride, big Ferris wheel and Tiger show. I really hope we go back because it was lots of fun. I really liked the cotton candy too! I also liked the water slide that was closed in. I also liked the bird thing we walked through."
Rowyn: "My favorite things were the tiger show, superman flying ride and bumper cars. Everything was my favorite."

Extra details:
-Make sure you download the NEW iPhone and Android App to help you get around the park.
-Parking is $10, cash and credit cards are accepted.
-Pizza is the best family deal if you plan to eat inside the park, a large is $19 and can roughly feed 4-6. No food is allowed to be brought in but you may go out to your car to eat or eat at the adjacent picnic area. (just get your hand stamped to return). One bottle water of water per person is allowed to be taken into the park. Food prices average $6-$10 per person (including your drink). You may also drive somewhere to eat, just show your parking receipt to avoid having to pay for parking again.
-Concession stands will provide you with FREE tap water upon request.
-Normal street attire is okay for the amusement park water rides (bathing suits must be covered). Proper bathing suits must be worn to enjoy Splash Island. Park attire must be family friendly.
-Lockers are available throughout the park for $1.50 per key turn. There are also lockers in Splash Island which are by the day at the rate of $10 for a small locker, $12 for a large locker and $14 for a family locker.
-Cash and credit cards are accepted throughout the park.
-The park is handicap and stroller accessible. Most of the rides are also handicap accessible offering ramps and opportunities to bypass lines (must obtain a pass at the guest service desk).
-Smoking is allowed in the park but only in designated areas.
-There are two first aid and lost parent stations one at the center of the park and one by the splash playground.
-A nursing mother station is available behind Swingin' Safari.
-Some items like mini golf, sky coaster, boxing robots and go karts require an additional fee for more details read here.
-If little ones need some down time from all the excitement there is a great shaded playground located at the front of the park.
-Reserved seating for concerts can be purchased but park admission is still required.

SPECIALS:
-Homeschool Day is offered twice a year in May and September. For $20 per person you can have a fun and very educational day. The waterpark is closed in September. And guess what else...Wild Adventures has even put together lesson plans for homeschoolers.
-Wild Adventures offers many SPECIALS check the website to view details on package specials, military discounts, end of summer savings and more.

Where:
3766 Old Clyattville Road
Valdosta, GA 31601
229-219-7080

When to visit:
Theme Park hours vary check the website for exact hours of operation.  The waterpark is open everyday in June and July and limited times during March, April, May, August and beginning of September. Wild Adventures is closed in January, February and November.

Cost:
Regular (Ages 10-54) - $45.99
Child (Ages 3 - 9) - $40.99
Senior (Ages 55+) - $40.99

Links to follow:
-Wild Adventures Website
-Wild Adventures Facebook
-Wild Adventures Twitter
-Wild Adventures Email Newsletter
-Don't forget to check in on FourSquare and share some tips and photos.


*Disclaimer - We received free admission to Wild Adventures in return for our  honest review. Please note that prices indicated in the post are subject to change. I was not compensated for my review and all opinions are our own! Many of the links found on my side bars and in my blog posts are affiliate links. As a result, I might get paid money and I will most likely spend the money on homeschool supplies.