There’s plenty to see and do in Georgia after Christmas
Winter Wonderlights at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens is open until Dec. 30.
Wondering how you’ll entertain house guests and kids once the hustle and bustle of Dec. 25 has passed? Don’t let the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day be a letdown. Instead, keep the momentum going with a Georgia-style staycation that offers adventures and explorations fit for many interests and ages. The Walton Gas team lists these ideas for finding the fun.
See the holiday lights. Most lighting displays remain up until after New Year’s Day and the crowds have died down, so it’s a nice time to take a look. Check social media to learn about the “must-see” addresses in your area. Walton EMC’s Merry & Bright list, published on the co-op’s Facebook account, is a good resource for lit-up locations between metro Atlanta and Athens. If you want to spring for a ticket, see the electrical extravaganza Garden Lights, Holiday Nights running through Jan. 11 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Winter Wonderlights, a walk-through light show at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, is open until Dec. 30.
Be a tourist for a day in your hometown. Out-of-town guests provide a great excuse to visit those local destinations you’re always meaning to check out. Stop by the Chamber of Commerce or area visitor center for a list of historic homes, museums and landmarks worth seeing. Or, request a self-guided walking tour map to get in some exercise while discovering area gems.
The Ice Rink in downtown Sugar Hill claims to be the largest portable ice-skating rink in the southeastern U.S.
Strap on skates. Visit a seasonal outdoor ice-skating rink for some frosty fun. The Ice Rink at Sugar Hill is said to rival the famous Rockefeller Center rink in New York City. Other popular places to glide: Ice Days in Old Town Conyers, Avalon on Ice in Alpharetta and Skate City Springs in Sandy Springs are some popular locations.
Binge on (hot) chocolate. Set out on a personal quest to find Georgia’s best hot cocoa mix. Pick up drink mixes and host an at-home taste test. Find well-reviewed mixes at: Condor Chocolates in Athens; Atlanta’s Xocolatl Chocolate; or A Cacao Affair in Marietta.
Take a hike. Explore some natural winter wonderlands at Georgia State Parks. Check park schedules for ranger-led walks and activities such as the Winter Bird Count Hike at Chattahoochee Bend State Park in Newnan on Dec. 27. Many parks, such as Fort Yargo State Park in Winder, are hosting a First Day Hike on Jan. 1.
Jump-start the new year by participating in a First Day Hike on Jan. 1. Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge is among the state parks hosting an inspirational guided adventure.
Experience a Hallmark moment. Already missing those Hallmark Christmas movies? Then spend a day in one of Georgia’s historic small towns that mirror an idyllic Hallmark movie. Dahlonega, a recognized “Hallmark Christmas town,” extends its festivities through early January, including a decorated town square, carriage rides and live music. Scenes for actual Hallmark holiday movies have been filmed in the historic Marietta Square, Helen, Madison, LaGrange, McDonough and Monroe.
Dahlonega visitors can recreate a Hallmark Channel holiday movie moment like that featured in “Christmas in Homestead” during the town’s Old-Fashioned Christmas activities available through Jan. 6.
Mosey through a museum. While Atlanta-area attractions might be busy, the state’s smaller, out-of-the-way museums are likely to offer an uncrowded, unhurried experience just after Christmas. While students are away for the holiday, dip into the Georgia Museum of Art on the University of Georgia campus in Athens. Indulge family members who love planes in a trip to the Museum of Aviation in Warner-Robins. Consider gifting the family a Georgia State Historic Site Annual Pass ($50 for a family of 4), then set a course to explore places like Roosevelt’s Little White House.
Ring in the new year. Put a new spin on your New Year’s Eve celebration. For a kid-friendly activity early in the day, try the New Year’s Bubble Bash at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta or the Kids' Early New Year's Eve Celebration at Stone Mountain Park. Wine lovers, usher in the New Year at a bash held in a Georgia winery like Engelheim Vineyards or Chateau Meichtry, both in Ellijay. Celebrate the New Year in the City of Forsyth with dancing and a free, family-friendly celebration on the courthouse square at the Forsythia Ball Drop or join residents in Tallapoosa to cheer the new year with the lowering of a stuffed opossum affectionately known as “Spencer.”
Before visiting any of these locations, always check websites and social media for updated hours and announcements. Now, go. Have fun!