Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta & other attractions

[left210]

Can anyone who has been there give me some insight on this park? We are looking to go there in June and my mother will be with us who has breathing problems. We would be taking a wheelchair for her but just wondering how close the attractions are to each other. Once you park can you pretty much walk around for the day or is it so big that you park, do an attraction, drive to the next one, etc.

We will probably be staying in the Perimeter Mall area. Is it best to take the MARTA or drive there? Also, what about transportation to the other attractions listed below - Marta or drive? Also, looking to do the City Pass and going to the Aquarium, Zoo, Coca Cola Museum and maybe the history or science museum. Which of the museums do you recommend? Are any of these things close to each other so we could do more than one per day? And what is realistic to do in the same day with a 6 yr old and a wheelchair bound person? Thanks so much.

 

[kfeuer]

I can't answer all your questions, but I'll do my best.

I live very close to Stone Mtn Park, but have never been with someone in a wheelchair. I can tell you that the park is quite large, and things are spread out. They have a map of the park on their website http://www.stonemountainpark.com/. Marta doesn't go to the park, you will need to drive, but as long as you avoid rush hour it's not that far from Perimeter Mall (15-20 minutes). I would suggest blocking out a full day, and try to stay for the laser show if you can (it starts after sunset).

The new Coke museum is going to be really close to the aquarium, and it opens later this month. The aquarium is not an all-day thing, I definitely think you could do both in one day but be prepared for crowds. Try to get to the aquarium when it opens, it can get very crowded.

 

[left210]

Thanks Kfeuer. It is so nice to find someone who lives there to help out. I am going to be there for a medical appointment and the dr. office is in the Perimeter Mall area. The procedure will be at Northside Hospital. So now I am wondering, would we be better to stay somewhere between the Aquarium and Stone Mountain? and if so where do you recommend? I am even considering doing that for 1-2 days and then moving closer to the dr. or hospital if necessary. If we stayed in the downtown area or closer to Stone Mountain then maybe my mother could go back to the hotel and rest if necessary while we sightsee. What is traffic like there -will this affect where we should stay due to drive times, etc.?

 

[wsblank2000]

I also live in Atlanta. I think the Perimeter Area would be a good place to stay. There is a very nice mall right there and lots of restauants. Stone Mountain would be approx a 30 minute drive away and the aquarium would be approx 20 -25 minutes. The other suggestion, would be to find a hotel in the Northlake area (I-285 and Northlake Pkwy or LaVista). This would get you about 10 minutes closer to the Mountain and about the same distance to the aquarium. The traffic patterns in Atlanta are hard to predict, but you want to avoid I-285 from about 3:30 until 7:00 most evenings. Stone Mountain is about 10-15 minutes outside the perimeter (I-285) on the East side and the aquarium is downtown (inside of I-285).

The laser show at Stone Mountain is great --- it gets crowded, but you can find someplace to sit if you get a little early. Bring a blanket to sit on or a chair. Most everyone picnics while waiting for the show to begin.

I agree that you want to arrive at the aquarium early in the day. You can do the Coke Museum on the same day in the afternoon. I think you still need to make an appointment time for the aquarium. There is also a nice park across the street (Olympic Park) that you should stroll through if there's time.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you need more information. We are member of the aquarium, zoo, and Stone Mountain.

 

[left210]

If we are coming in from Birmingham, which attraction will we be passing first. Just thinking if we would be passing by Stone Mountain we would stop there for the day before we go to the hotel and that would eliminate the drive back 30 minutes but since I am not familiar with the territory I dont know if that is the direction we would be coming yet. I need to get a map or run some maps on mapquest to get a better feel for it. The plan is to spend the day there doing all the shows, The Great Barn, Treehouse, etc. Is it realistic to think we can do all of it in one day? If you pay to park can you leave and come back for the laser show without having to pay for parking again? (I doubt it but worth asking).

Any suggestions on a hotel in the downtown area that would be walking distance to the Aquarium, Coke Mus., Olympic Park, etc. I am thinking maybe stay there for 1-2 nights and then move to the Perimeter area or does that sound crazy? The only reason I am considering this is my DS6 & DN14 and I could do those things and if my Mom & her friend get tired they could go back to the hotel. Then we would move to the Perimeter area after that. I guess it depends on cost of hotel in the Downtown area. If too much we may have to just tackle the driving from the Perimeter area. Can you take the MARTA from the Perimeter area to Downtown. If so how far would the MARTA station be from the Aquarium?

 

[wsblank2000]

If you are coming from Birmingham, you will be on I20 eventually taking you into downtown. You will be coming from the West part of the city. Stone Mountain is on the opposite side about 30 minutes from downtown. You can take MARTA from the perimeter area to the aquarium/coke museum, but not to Stone Mountain. I don't know about hotels except that I believe that there is an Embassy Suite (fairly new) directly across the street from the aquarium. You can also go the the Hilton website and do hotel searches based on location from a attraction or address.

You can definitely do all of Stone Mountain in one day. The treehouse is basically an outdoor playground, the barn is an indoor playground (3 levels - very loud - and lots of foam balls flying everywhere). There are also paddleboats, a big paddleboat (don't recommend if it's hot), a train that goes around the park, and a small petting zoo. There are also a few small museums, walking trails, and of course, the skylift that takes you to the top of the mountain (you can also hike up). If it's hot, wear your bathing suit under your clothes and you can run through the 'talking fountain' and wade in the streams. Depending on when you go, there are also a couple of waterslides that are open in the summer. I belive that mini-golf is still closed, but will open up this summer.

 

[NJtoATL]

I agree with the other posters. The only thing I would suggest is a visit to the Marriott Evergreen which is located inside the park. On Friday evenings, they have a dinner buffet for around $30.00. May appear expensive but lobster and prime rib are included. YUM! Currently, they are doing some road repairs in the park. It will not interfere with what you need to do. I go there once a week to walk around the mountain- which is 5 miles. When I really feel over weight, I climb the mountain- that's a challenge. You can take the skylift to the top.
Enjoy

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I agree with the other posters. The only thing I would suggest is a visit to the Marriott Evergreen which is located inside the park. On Friday evenings, they have a dinner buffet for around $30.00. May appear expensive but lobster and prime rib are included. YUM! Currently, they are doing some road repairs in the park. It will not interfere with what you need to do. I go there once a week to walk around the mountain- which is 5 miles. When I really feel over weight, I climb the mountain- that's a challenge. You can take the skylift to the top.
Enjoy

We got married at the Evergreen Resort. It's gorgeous. Good memories, there.

Hiking to the top of Stone Mountain is a blast. Don't forget to stick your chewing gum on the gum pole.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

. Can you take the MARTA from the Perimeter area to Downtown. If so how far would the MARTA station be from the Aquarium?

Yes, you can. There's the Ravinia on Hammond Drive that's a short walk to the Ashford Dunwoody Marta Station. The hotel is across from Perimeter Mall and is very nice.

The aquarium's a few block walk, I think about 5. Should be no problem.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Buy your aquarium tickets online ahead of time; there have been many sold out days. They have their own website, I think it's www.georgiaaquarium.org or something like that.

If your procedure's at Northside, you can take the Marta to a stop across the street and walk over. Northside's a nice hospital.

6-9 am and 4-7 pm traffic is very bad all over Atlanta, in all directions.

Perimeter's a lot friendlier for walking around than Downtown, in my opinion. A lot more suburban in character.

The aquarium and world of coke won't take that long to do. There are a ton of restaurants in the perimeter area.

 

[TinkRN]

another Atlantan here! The perimeter area is nice. Great mall, lots of restaurants, etc. You would need to drive to stone mountain from there. As other posters said its not too far. If you have children the Yellow River Game Ranch is lots of fun.
There is an Omni hotel right at CNN center (across from the Aquarium and Olympic Park) I believe it is pretty pricey though.

Now for Marta... It can be difficult to navagate. You can take Marta from right by Northside Hospital. If you take it to Five Points you will be fairly close to the Aquarium. There is a stop at Lenox (another great mall!) that is in the Buckhead section of Atlanta. If you change trains in Five Points you can take the East West line to Decatur. In downtown Decatur there are lots of little artsy shops and restaurants.

Tricia

 

[left210]

The aquarium and world of coke won't take that long to do. There are a ton of restaurants in the perimeter area.

So is it realistic to think we can do the Aquarium, Coke museum and the zoo in one day? We would not be able to start the day doing these things until around 12:30 due to some medical appointments in the morning.

Also, if we go to the Yellow River Ranch, would it be best to go there before Stone Mountain and then just spend the day at Stone Mountain? I am thinking we could drive in from Birmingham early on a Monday morning and go to the Ranch and then spend the day at Stone Mountain before heading to the hotel. My only concern is we would then miss the Laser show or would have to come back for it since it doesnt start until 9:30PM. Any advice on these plans? Is the Laser show worth coming back for?

Also, with regards to the ranch, is it like a typical petting zoo? Are the animals are caged where you pet them through the fence or are they roaming free? Does anyone have any pictures from there?

 

[TinkRN]

You can do the world of coke (check to see if the new location is open first) and the aquarium. The zoo is a drive but could be done that day too.
The yellow river game ranch is open area. Many areas have pens that you can go into and there are some 'caged' areas.

 

[jennifer293]

We camped there over Spring Break and we had a blast. Once you drive to the main spot you can walk and push a wheelchair to everything else. If you camp there you get 2 days admission for the price of one. The "ride the Ducks" (amphibious boat) is not included in this admission and is an extra $8.00 pp. There are a lot of things inside to do and there is a pretty cool laser show at night. Like others said there is a treehouse and the great barn, lots of little shops that sale candy, candles, glass, iron, and a general store. There is a restaurant there called Katie's sideboard restaurant (I think that was the name it is at the entrance when you come in) We ate there and it was REALLY GOOD!!!!! Country homecooking..I highly recommend it!!! We didn't do the aquarium so I cannot give advice on it.

Have a great time!!

 

[chb]

You can do the world of coke (check to see if the new location is open first) and the aquarium.

The new World of Coke will be opening on May 24th. DH got to visit last week with the other employees, so it should be ready to go on time.

 

[DizneeMommy]

I live northern GA, and we spent a couple of days in Atlanta last spring break doing lots of the attractions you've mentioned. We went down and did World of Coke (old building before the new one opened), then had lunch in the CNN center (BIG food court, interesting stuff to see), then wandered around in Olympic park a while. We then crossed the street and entered the aquarium about 3 pm. It was open until 8 that night (you'll need to check closing times online--not always open that late). About 7 pm we headed toward the city of Stone Mountain and checked in to a Courtyard Marriott there for the night. We then spent the next day at Stone Mountain, saw the laser show that night, then back to the hotel. We checked out the next morning.

As for the zoo, I'd allow about half a day at least--my kids love animals and will sit watching them for quite a while before wanting to go to the next ones!

Have a great time!

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I don't think you can squeeze in the zoo, but during the summer it is very hot, smelly and crowded at the zoo so we usually avoid it then.

Also, a note about the Yellow River Game Ranch-I'm not squeamish and I grew up on a farm, but man, that place is very, very, smelly and there are a lot of germs and ticks. We all picked up ticks the last time we were there, and seriously, I wanted to bathe in hand santizer by the time we were done.

There are a LOT of animals, of all different sizes, roaming around. You will step in a lot of poop. If you're here for a medical procedure at Northside and may be immune compromised or have open incisions, I would skip it.

 

[AbsyBabsy]

Hi - I know this is an old thread but thinking of going to GA and TN this summer. Does anyone know where a family could stay to see the aquarium, Coca Cola and Stone Mountain? I will have my own car, however would like something very clean and convenient Any ideas? How crowded is the aquarium these days? Anything else I should consider - my girls are11.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I can't help with places to stay, we aren't far enough away to stay over night. But the Aquarium is probably crowded most of the time and they opened their new dolphin show on April 2nd, so I bet it is even more crowded, but if you go early, you can see most everything before the crowds roll in. Then go across the walkway to World of Coke. Across the street from there is Centennial Olympic Park (haven't been there myself) but my boss takes her daughter there quite often just to play.

DH and I didn't care for Stone Mountain, since you have children you probably will. I thought it was expensive for what you could see and do.

There is Six Flags, but it is expensive.

We went to Zoo Atlanta recently and it is absolutely beautiful and they have a new baby panda and new baby warthog and a baby gorilla. I don't think most locals would say that, but we had a great time and just enjoyed watching the animals. The zoo isn't far from the Aquarium and World of Coke and I think you can get the Atlanta CityPass that gives you a certain number of attractions for a discounted price.

I love the American Girl store and Bistro, again DH and I don't have children, but we drove up one evening just to have dinner there and there is a Disney Store in the same mall, so we could get out Disney fix.

Suzanne

 

[Minnie's Pal]

I know this is an old thread but posting in hopes that someone who has visited this park already can help.

We are thinking about camping at this park this year & just wondered how the roads are getting to the park? We camp in TN occassionally & somewhat go past our destination and come in from the other side of town to stay on interstates and avoid curvy, mtn. roads. (It's faster & safer pulling our TT.) Although some of the campgrounds we have stayed at gave directions that, if you didn't know better, took you straight to those dangerous roads.

Noticed you can take interstates almost all the way there - just wondering how the roads are just before getting there.