Theme Parks

Is there a theme park a short drive away? If so, your whole family can find something they enjoy in one place without spending a great deal of money. Many theme parks provide attractions for smaller children as well as exciting rides for the thrill seekers in your family.

If you plan ahead, you can make decisions that boost the entertainment value. For example, find out when the park is less crowded and go during those times. Often, theme parks offer lower rates during off-peak times or on weekdays. Rides will have shorter lines, and you can pack more fun into your day.

When the weather warms up, a great way to beat the heat is at a water park. Enjoy the thrilling waterslides, wave pools, and more in a family-friendly environment.

Take Weather into Account

Weather is an important factor in your plan. If the timing of your vacation is flexible, consider the type of weather that your family enjoys. Plan the timing of your vacation to avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures if possible. If you’re planning a camping trip or outdoor adventure, try to find out when the area you’re visiting gets the least amount of rain.

Plan a Playlist for the Trip

If your trip includes a long drive, create an MP3 or CD playlist for the drive. Incorporate music that every family member enjoys to keep children from becoming bored. If possible, keep most of the music upbeat to help the driver maintain a high energy level during the long drive.

Find Something for Everyone

When planning a trip, solicit input from the entire family. What activities will the kids enjoy? What does each member of the family like to do? What does your destination offer to satisfy the passions of each family member?

When you travel for pleasure, variety is the key to creating lasting memories for everyone. If everyone’s interests and feelings are considered, the travel time will go more smoothly because everyone is looking forward to the trip. Plus, you stand a better chance of receiving cooperation from the kids when they know that they’ll have fun, too.

Read Online Reviews

If you search online for information about your destination, you’ll find reviews from people who have been to the restaurants and attractions nearby. Many times, online reviews provide inside information that can’t be found on an attraction’s website or brochure.

People who submit bad reviews online often point to places of interest that are better. You may get some great ideas for your trip that you wouldn’t have otherwise considered.

Vacations are a great time for family bonding. Family trips can be less stressful and much more fulfilling with a little advance planning. If you think carefully about the trip ahead and welcome the input of each family member, you can make memories that all of you will cherish for a lifetime.

As Atlanta residents ease back into the rhythm of school days and relentless scheduling, that relaxing summer vacation fades quickly from the mind. Can it really be only a short time ago that the family was enjoying a beach vacation? Now, between packing lunches, back-to-school nights and soccer practice, not to mention your own job, closing your eyes on the beach is a distant memory.

With no long weekends or holidays between Labor Day and Halloween, back-to-school season can become dreary and routine. Instead of falling into a mind-numbing cycle of carpools and homework, plan something the whole family can look forward to.

Fall in North Georgia is a beautiful season, the air crisp and cool, the leaves fiery and bright. From most areas of Atlanta, it’s a simple trip of about 90 minutes to reach the windy mountain roads and escape the city’s traffic. With a variety of activities perfect for visiting families, a trip to Blue Ridge Mountain North Georgia might be just the thing to look forward to this fall.

Cabin rentals in North Georgia can make it easy to set up your family’s home base for the weekend and allow you to experience the full effect of being engulfed by the slow, peaceful way of life. With several bedroom options, a kitchen and plenty of entertainment, your family will be able to enjoy the cozy feeling of being home, rather than a generic hotel. Pet-lovers will be glad to know that many of the Blue Ridge mountain cabins even allow your four-legged friends along for the trip.

Once you’re established a reservation at a Blue Ridge Georgia mountain cabin, it’s time for the fun seasonal activities the area is known for.

The Mercier Orchard has been producing some of the state’s top apples for over 60 years, and is still a family-run business. Fall weekends see them opening their orchards to visitors, who can pick Gala, Honey Crisp, Golden Supreme, Jonathan, Ginger Gold, and Detroit Red apples to their hearts content. If all that reaching and picking has you work up an appetite, the Orchard has several on-site snack options to choose from, including a full deli for gourmet sandwiches. Kids will love their apple-cinnamon bread or fried apple hand pies. Somehow, Blue Ridge mountain cabins feel even more homey with a bowl of freshly picked apples sitting on the kitchen table, and maybe even a fragrant apple pie in the oven!

If it’s a crisp October weekend you’re taking advantage of, pumpkin picking might be more appropriate. A short drive from most North Georgia cabins, there are two well-known pumpkin farms in the area. Burt’s Pumpkin Patch, though a bit further away, really encapsulates everything fall. From hay rides to pumpkin rolls and apple cider, Burt’s Pumpkin Patch has it all, even curly squash and bumpy gourds for decorating. The thousands of pumpkins they’ve grown range in size from miniature (the palm of your hand) to gigantic (the size of a wheelbarrow)! One rule of thumb that will help when your children want to bring home a hundred+ pound pumpkin: If you can carry it, you can bring it home!

At Southern Tree Plantation, you’ll find much more than just pumpkin picking. During the colder months, they also grow Christmas trees. For the fall season, though, the family will have a blast on a long hayride, winding through a wooden maze, or petting plantation animals in their petting zoo. Pony rides and marshmallow roasting also has a place on this 60+acre farm in the midst of Blue Ridge Mountain North Georgia.

With all the activities available, your time in one of the Blue Ridge Mountain Top vacation rentals will fly by, but at least you’ll have apples, pumpkins and a taste of fresh mountain air to show for it!

Keith Kurtis is a Georgian traveler with an interest for Blue Ridge, GA Mountain Activities , Blue Ridge Mountain North Georgia Cabins and North Georgia cabins for rent.