Atlanta is home to southern hospitality,
a growing scene of gourmet food and fermented libations produced
locally. In the middle of summer, it is also home to the humid and
suffocating heat and mosquitoes that could drag small children. Here is a
list of places to refresh your spirit without sacrificing your
enjoyment. Near, far, peaceful and adventurous: Atlanta and the rest of
the state of Georgia offer innumerable options to turn off the summer
heat.
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Amicalola Falls State Park
David Winters / iStock / Getty Images
Experience the highest waterfall in the southeast and one of the
"7 natural wonders" of Georgia in Amicalola Falls State Park. Walk or
drive to the top of the falls, where a platform offers postcard views of
the Appalachian topography. Going down the stairs takes you to a
central bridge with air conditioning by the cold water, with a fog
advantage on the windiest days. While swimming in the pool at the base
of the falls is not allowed, fishermen are a popular sight. The network
of streams below invites exploration and wading. Go on your own, or call
ahead for programs run by ranger. The picnic tables next to the stream
are a perfect base for rock jumping and the discovery of brook
residents, such as crab and salamanders.
Joseph Shields / Photolibrary / Getty Images
Tybee
Island is the relaxed companion of the cosmopolitan scene of Savannah
and the oceanic beach closest to Atlanta. Where the ocean kisses the
river, Tybee's Back River beach offers a serene alternative to the
bustling area of the business district and the adjacent beach of South
Beach. Protected from the strong waves, it is the calm to the noise of
around the curve of the main areas of the swimming beach. Little Tybee
Island can be seen while contemplating the river, a popular destination
for those who explore in kayak or paddle. The low tide offers a play
area for shell buffs and other coastal treasure hunters, as sandbars and
other silica-lined mazes are revealed. Swimming here should be done
with caution, since the tides bring fast currents.
Altrendo Nature / Altrendo / Getty Images
Once
the private winter playground of magnates and society, Jekyll Island is
now a Georgia state park. The island is home to beaches that fit with
any personality. For families, the wide expanse of sand at Central Dunes
Beach is a favorite. Kayakers and some adventurous hikers are usually
the only ones in Sharks Tooth Beach. At extreme low tide, the oyster
shell floor exposes a shallow fringe of the muddy bottom. Rumor has it
that lucky hunters have found great white shark teeth, as well as some
of the prehistoric megalodons.
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Natalia Ganelin / Moment Open / Getty Images
Originating
in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Chattahoochee River winds its way to
the state line, where it merges with other waters, changes name and
marches towards the ocean. From the northern suburbs of the subway, the
Chattahoochee River flows as a cold-water habitat, and rarely reaches
higher temperatures than in the mid-1950s. Tubing, kayaking and trout
fishing are popular activities for both residents and for visitors.
Bring your own recreational equipment, or arrange it to service
providers. A change of disposition occurs in Morgan Falls. Bull Sluice
Lake begins warming the river before it plunges into the falls. The flat
waters of the lake are perfect for beginners in kayaking, while the
wild life and natural beauty make it a pleasant excursion for all
levels.
The Luckie Marietta district, in the heart of downtown Atlanta, is
densely populated with the favorites of visitors, such as the World of
Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. A quick walk of these tourist powers
is Centennial Olympic Park, home of the Fountain of the Rings.
Spectators of all ages can not avoid the need to go through synchronized
water sprinklers, which reach 15 to 30 feet in height during the
fountain show. The park also hosts other favorites, such as Googie
Burger and All Children's Playground.
Posnov / Moment / Getty Images
Accessible
only by boat, Cumberland Island is Georgia's largest barrier island. It
is home to feral horses and is a favorite nesting area for loggerhead
turtles. Stay for the day or overnight at one of the various camping
locations. The only commercial establishment on the island is the
Greyfield Inn, a mansion retreat that was built by the Carnegie family
in 1900 and now houses a romantic luxury hotel. Aside from the National
Park Service ferry, kayaking is a great option for day-trip explorations
to the various ecosystems, including salt marshes, maritime forests and
18 miles of pristine beaches.
Mari / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Originally
created as a source of flood and energy control, Lake Lanier is a
recreational refuge in which the resorts by boat and by the lake are the
kings. Emerging from the water, the hills that once rolled now form the
islands of Lake Lanier, the site of a large tourist center. Zip-line
canopy tours, a water park, fishing, spa treatments and wakeboarding
lead the list of refreshing activities on a hot summer day.
Billy Abernathy of the Cave Spring Historical Society
The
city of Cave Spring embodies the simplicity of the past, with only 1
cave, 1 spring and 1 traffic light. From the quaint city center, which
is full of restaurants and antique shops, it's a short walk to the cave
and the city's spring. The 29-acre Rolater Park
is the site of a cave that has a constant 57 degrees, the natural
spring that emanates from it, and even a spring-fed pool in the shape of
the state of Georgia. For $ 1, you can explore the small cave and its
famous rock formation, the Devil's Stool. Outside, you can join others
while filling jars and mugs with the natural spring water that serves as
the city's only water supply. Resident ducks love being fed, and the
shallow creek is a popular area for splashing.
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