Georgia is brimming with refreshing experiences that promise both excitement and relief from the hot summer sun. Whether your idea of fun involves wet and wild or eating frozen treats in air-conditioned comfort, there are plenty of options for every age and interest.

    Get wet and cool off while tubing down the Toccoa River in the north Georgia mountains.

    Get wet and cool off while tubing down the Toccoa River in the north Georgia mountains.

  1. Try tubing. A must-have summer adventure, tubing down a crystal-clear Georgia river is a great way to beat the heat and explore scenic places. A number of outfitters rent tubes and offer transportation to make the adventure easy. For relaxing adventure suitable for all ages, tube the gentle waters of the Toccoa River while taking in the splendor of the north Georgia mountains. Near Atlanta, lazily bob down the Chattahoochee while viewing wildlife and scenic forest in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Tubing in Georgia

  2. Get the scoop. Nothing beats a big scoop of homemade ice cream on a hot summer day. For the ultimate treat, Georgia’s best offerings come straight from operating dairies and orchards. The family-owned Mountain Fresh Creamery in Clermont dips up over 25 unique flavors of premium ice cream made daily. Rock House Creamery sells its farm-fresh artisan ice cream at the nearby Farmview Market in Madison. Grab a scoop of fresh peach or butter pecan ice cream directly from the source at Lane Southern Orchards near I-75 in Fort Valley. Jaemor Farm Market in Alto serves freshly made peach and strawberry swirl ice cream, crafted using produce grown on the farm.

    3. Stephen C. Foster State Park in Fargo is recognized as one of the best spots in the world for star gazing.

    Stephen C. Foster State Park in Fargo is recognized as one of the best spots in the world for star gazing.

  3. See stars. Special ranger-led programs offer visitors opportunities to stargaze and experience nature’s beauty by the light of the moon. Fort Yargo State Park in Winder offers night hikes to study the moon and stars. Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge will have a nighttime kayak tour to see the year’s best meteor shower on Aug. 13. Stephen C. Foster State Park in Fargo is among the best spots in the world for star gazing. The gold-tier "International Dark Sky Park" located in the Okefenokee Swamp offers exceptional views of the moon, stars, planets and comets. Check the park's calendar for guided tours of the galaxy. Night events calendar for Georgia State Parks

  4. Go spelunking. Spelunking (or caving) is the hobby of exploring natural caves, and Northwest Georgia is a world-class hub for these underground, chilled geological wonders. At Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, the only Georgia state park that contains caves, beginners can participate in guided “wild cave” tours to see underground streams, cave-dwelling creatures and limestone formations. At the other end of the spectrum, experienced spelunkers looking for a vertical caving experience can head to Ellison’s Cave on Pigeon Mountain in Walker County. It’s the deepest cave in the contiguous United States, dropping over 1,000 feet. The National Speleological Society – Georgia Chapter offers training and group caving expeditions.

    5. Rafting the rapids of the Ocoee River is a wet, wild and wonderful way to cool off this summer..

    Rafting the rapids of the Ocoee River is a wet, wild and wonderful way to cool off this summer.

  5. Raft a river. Head up north to the Georgia-Tennessee border for whitewater rafting on the thrill-a-minute Ocoee River, which runs through the Appalachian Mountains. This wild-and-wonderful ride featuring continuous Class III and IV rapids takes you through the Cherokee National Forest. Further south, raft through the Chattahoochee Whitewater Park in Columbus. The largest urban whitewater course in the world, it offers a 2.5 mile stretch of rapids perfect for families of all age groups. Find Georgia whitewater outfitters

  6. Think rink. You don’t have to be a figure skater or hockey player to hit the ice in the summer. Georgia has several year-round, indoor ice-skating rinks that offer public sessions. Atlanta IceForum in Duluth offers public skating in the afternoons, seven days a week. The ICE Complex in Cumming and Center Ice Arena in Atlanta are also options. Skate rentals and lessons area also available for summer skaters.

  7. Chase a waterfall. There are dozens of scenic cascades within state parks across Georgia. These natural wonders create “nature’s air conditioning” on sweltering days, with refreshing mists and inviting swimming holes perfect for relaxation. Amicalola Falls State Park is home to the tallest cascading waterfall on the East Coast. At Tallulah Gorge State Park, visitors can hike to the gorge floor for breathtaking views of six waterfalls. Just south of Atlanta, High Falls State Park delivers must-see views of tumbling cascades on the Towaliga River. Find the falls

    8. Communities throughout Georgia host family-friendly, free movies under the stars.

    Communities throughout Georgia host family-friendly, free movies under the stars.

  8. Watch a movie by moonlight. Many communities, like Lawrenceville and Athens, offer free, family-friendly outdoor movies on summer evenings. All you need to bring is a lawn chair or blanket for seating. Check local parks department calendars for a schedule of upcoming showings and locations. The Mall of Georgia in Gwinnett County hosts the family-friendly Movies Under the Stars series in their outdoor Village Amphitheater. For a unique experience, visit the Wilderness Theater in Trenton. It’s the world’s largest outdoor movie theater, with two 100 feet by 50 feet movie screens showing first-run double features, more than 1,000 parking places and a grassy hillside area for movie watching.

  9. Find inspiration inside. When the temperature soars, museums and libraries offer refreshing, air-conditioned sanctuaries where visitors can expand their minds while escaping the heat. The Georgia Museum of Art in Athens offers free general admission every day and has special summer art adventures for kids. An interactive robot lab and Apollo 6 spacecraft are among the exhibits families can see at Atlanta’s free Fernbank Science Center. In addition to books galore and summer reading programs for kids, many local libraries offer an opportunity to stay in the cool while learning something new during classes and activities designed to appeal to a variety of interests and ages. Connect with your local library

    10. A new water play area in Sandy Springs is making a splash with local kids.

    A new water play area in Sandy Springs is making a splash with local kids.

  10. Make a splash. Looking to cool off with the kids? Public play areas with water features are perfect for some low-cost or free family fun. Walker Park Splash Pad in Athens is a popular spot featuring dumping buckets, water jets and an adjacent playground. Play in the water at any of Gwinnett County’s 11 interactive splash pads and fountains. A brand-new interactive splash plaza at the City Green in Sandy Springs is already getting good reviews from parents.

    Hours of operation and activity schedules may change throughout the summer, so always check before heading out to these “cool” spots.