Stone Mountain GA: The Largest Exposed Piece of Granite in the World...

Georgia is a huge state, with many great attractions in just about every city or town, but the City of Atlanta area is really steeped in history and tradition… It was the 2^nd city for the old south, behind Richmond during the War of Northern Aggression back in 1861-65. The north eventually came through and burned most of the city on their way to the coast, but there are still some great sites that celebrate the conflict and leadership of the south, such as Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta.

Stone Mountain GA has been billed as the largest exposed piece of granite in the world, and it’s very unique in that it stands alone in that particular area with no similar mountains of the same size around it. On a clear day, the mountain can be seen from Atlanta. The summit is 1,686 feet high, and the base of Stone Mountain is 5 miles in circumference so it covers a lot of ground. On one side near the Stone Mountain Park is also the world’s largest bas-relief of 3 of the Confederates heroes during the war, Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis. This area is used for the nightly Laser show at the park.

The Stone Mountain Park is actually one of the biggest attractions in the Atlanta area, and people flock here from all over the United States to see it. The park has normal admission for the warmer months of the summer which includes a variety of great shows, boat rides, and outdoors facilities. One of the best rides is the riverboat which will take you on an hour long ride in the lake at the base of the mountain, and you may get a chance to see some of the wildlife in the area. The other great boat attraction is the famous “Ducks”, which are really refurbished WWII vehicles that drive on land but also can drive into the water and is powered by a propeller in the rear. This is a narrated ride by the driver, who is also licensed as a boat captain! He will take you on a tour of the area by land, and then drive into the lake via a boat ramp and then give you a tour of the lake at Stone Mountain GA. This is highly recommended if you have never done one in somewhere else, you should have a great time!

There is also an authentic plantation house such as you would find at the time of the war, and you may even find the employees wearing the garb of the day! At different times of the year, they may hold special events such as Victorian singers here, or even weddings either inside the house or outside on the lawn. There is also a wooden covered bridge just down by the lake, with some great picnic facilities nearby for your enjoyment. If you have a bike, feel free to bring it along for a nice ride, or even a hike. The mountain beckons you, and there is a fantastic trail to the top which should take you less than an hour. From the top, the view is incredible for miles around and you should be able to see most of Atlanta if it’s not too smoggy. If you don’t feel like exerting yourself that much, there is also a skyride that will take you up to the top of Stone Mountain GA. Just be prepared for a little wait during the peak times of summer, because it’s very popular!

The actual “theme park” part of the Stone Mountain GA park involves an extra admission fee but is well worth the time and money spent… There are many great shows, movies, restaurants, and shops inside with artisans that will show off their craft of that time period, such as glass blowing. This is a very enjoyable trip, and I make it a point to go every year at least once to see what new shows or attractions they’ve added. The summertime is pretty much an outdoor time at the park, but in the winter they also open up for about 6 weeks or so for Thanksgiving and Christmas for a special yuletide tradition to show you what life may have been like during the holidays 150 years ago… If you can make it to the park during the Christmas series of shows, that is the best time in my opinion. Once Christmas and New Years are over, then another special season opens up and they start making snow for some tubing and snow playing! This is something relatively new, and is open for about 2 months or so in January and February.

Well, that’s about it for Stone Mountain GA Park, I hope you get a chance to come out and experience it for yourself! There is plenty to do for the whole family, whether you like outdoor sports or just relaxing with a picnic basket by the lake… Enjoy!

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