Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta, with Laser Show Video

Stone Mountain Park is a beautiful natural area located just 16 miles east of downtown Atlanta. Georgia’s most visited attraction, the 3,200-acre area is centered around the mountain itself – the world’s largest piece of exposed granite. The park has plenty to do and see to keep visitors of all ages entertained:

 

Confederate Memorial Carving

This is the most famous and the most popular attraction in the park. The carving depicts Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Jefferson Davis on horseback. The carving surface itself is larger than a football field, and the figures measure 90 by 190 feet – the largest relief sculpture in the entire world.

 

Skyride

Hop on the large cable car for a ride to the top of the mountain. You’ll travel up over 800 feet and pass right in front of the huge Confederate Memorial Carving, getting a bird’s eye view of this amazing work. Once you reach the summit, you’ll have great views of the North Georgia mountains, the downtown Atlanta skyscrapers, and the vast piedmont area. On a clear day, you can see over 50 miles! This ride is wheelchair accessible and is appropriate for all ages and heights.

 

Scenic Railroad

This train takes visitors on a five-mile ride around the base of the mountain. The open-air cars, the sing-alongs, the music, and the train stories told by the colorful conductor make this ride especially fun for kids.  The train is wheelchair accessible and is appropriate for all ages.

 

The Great Barn

This is a huge four-story barn full of fun! It includes climbing walls, giant slides, trampolines, and lots of interactive games. Access to the barn is included in your one-day pass, and your time is unlimited!  The barn activities are best suited to children five and over. It’s wheelchair accessible, and since it’s all indoors, it provides great fun, rain or shine!

 

The Ducks Tour

Take a tour around the park in an amphibious vehicle called a “duck.” Your tour guide will tell you all about Stone Mountain’s history and entertain you with funny stories.  One minute you’ll be chugging along on land, then before you know it, you’re splashing through the lake! You’ll need to reserve a seat on the Duck in advance, and kids under 10 will be required to wear a life jacket. The Duck is wheelchair accessible.

 

Riverboat Ride

You’ll feel like Huck Finn when you board this old-fashioned paddlewheel boat for a cruise around Stone Mountain Lake. The boat carries up to 150 passengers and is wheelchair accessible. Children under the age of 10 must wear a life jacket. This relaxing ride lasts for about 20 minutes.

 

Miniature Golf

Play 18 holes of adventure golf at Stone Mountain’s own “Great Locomotive Chase” course. You’ll encounter all kinds of obstacles and surprises in your trek to the final hole, including broken tracks, dark tunnels, water towers, and interesting model buildings. Special affects add to the fun and excitement. The fee is included in your one-day adventure pass, and the attraction is wheelchair accessible.

 

4-D Movie Theater

You’ll feel like you’re on the adventure of a lifetime on this ride. After donning a pair of special glasses, you’ll join an expedition that takes you to the center of the earth, where strange creatures jump out of the screen! Eerie fog, water, and strobe lights add to the authenticity. Since the “monsters” seem very real, this ride might not be appropriate for small children, but the bigger ones will love it! This attraction is wheelchair accessible.

 

Sky Hike

Decide just how brave you really are at the largest family adventure course in the U.S.! Choose a 12-foot high trail, a 24-foot high trail, or the four-story high trail. Walk a tightrope or try to navigate a rickety wooden bridge. Don’t worry about falling – you’ll be wearing a safety harness that’s attached to the overhead system. This attraction is for guests over 44 inches tall.

 

Camp Highland Outpost

Located near Sky Hike, this is another great attraction for families, and as long as the little ones are old enough to walk, they can join in the fun! The Outpost includes rope courses, line bridges, and ziplines. One the neatest things here, however, is the round rock-climbing wall. It’s like climbing a giant tree trunk! Entry fee is included in the one-day adventure pass.

 

Live Entertainment

The park presents all kinds of live shows throughout the year. These might include plays, comedy reviews, music, storytelling, or even an interactive circus where kids can be part of the show!

 

Laser Light Show

This is the world’s longest running laser show and it’s the perfect way to end your day at the park. Relax on the grass as the darkness explodes with special laser graphics, surround sound, fire cannons, and amazing fireworks! The spectacular show lasts about 40 minutes and it’s free with the purchase of a parking pass. DO NOT MISS THIS!

 

 

Confederate Hall

This is an historical and environmental education center with 5,200 square feet of space. The hall features interactive science exhibits, a cave, documentaries on a large screen, classrooms, and geology and ecology exhibits. The exhibit is wheelchair accessible and entry is free with the purchase of a parking permit.

 

Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard

This plantation features authentic buildings from between 1783 and 1875. You’ll feel just like Scarlett O’Hara or Rhett Butler among all the period furniture, décor, and activities around the plantation. Live demonstrations are performed daily. Kids will love the petting zoo, and animal experts will offer all kinds of information about the critters. In addition, a few of the sheep and goats put on a show of their own!

 

Carillon Concert

One of the most relaxing pleasures found at Stone Mountain Park has to be the carillon concert. The old carillon was part of the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City and was donated to Stone Mountain Park by Coca-Cola. The 732-bell carillon can be heard three times on Sundays and twice on the other days.

 

Grist Mill

This authentic grist mill is a century old. It’s set among flowering shrubs and beautiful trees, making one of the loveliest venues in the entire park. This is a perfect spot for photographs, picnics, or for taking a break.

 

Quarry

This exhibit explores the granite industry and granite quarrying. Visitors will learn about the role Stone Mountain played in the history of Georgia’s granite production. Entrance is free with the purchase of a parking permit.

 

Songbird Habitat

This is a must for bird watchers! Located behind the mountain, this one-mile journey takes you through woods and a meadow, where native songbirds frequent. You’ll have the opportunity to see and hear Northern Cardinals, Eastern Bluebirds, Mockingbirds, and White-breasted Nuthatches. This activity is free with a parking permit.

 

Biking

Bikes are allowed on all paved roads within the park, and there’s a five-mile loop around the base of the mountain just for cyclists, joggers, and walkers. All bicycle riders under the age of 16 must wear a helmet. Bring your own bike or rent one at Stone Mountain Village from March through November.

 

Pedal Boats

Take a 30-minute leisurely ride on the lake in a pedal boat. This is for all ages, as long as someone 12 years old or older is in the boat. All passengers must wear a life vest.  The cost is included in a one-day adventure pass.

 

Golf

The Stone Mountain Gold Club offers 36 award-winning holes on two beautiful courses. The greens are well maintained and offer wonderful views. Pro shops are included.

 

Fishing

Fishing in the 365-acre lake offers great sport. The lake is stocked with bass, bream, carp, and catfish. Fish from the bank, or bring your own boat on the weekdays from May through September. On the weekends, you can fish from your own vessel from 6-11a.m. From October –April, you can use your own boat every day. Bring along your GA fishing license, or purchase one at the park. Fishing is free with the purchase of a parking permit.

 

Hiking

Hike on 15 miles of beautiful wooded trails, including a hike up to the top of the mountain. Trails carry you through wildflowers, trees, flowering shrubs, and across streams. They range from easy to moderate. The 1.3-mile hike to the summit is a bit more challenging and is not recommended for people with limiting physical conditions.

 

Picnicking

Public picnic areas in the park include Studdard Picnic Area and Triangle Picnic Area. Numerous picnic tables and grills are available on a first come, first served basis. Covered pavilions for groups are available for rent.

 

Camping

The campground at Stone Mountain Park has been voted the best in Georgia! It includes 452 wooded campsites. 159 of the sites have full hook-ups, 246 have partial hook-ups, 47 sites are for primitive camping. Each site has a grill, a picnic table, and a fire ring. There are also a swimming pool, a laundry, a general store, a volleyball court, rowboat rentals, a kids’ playground, and heated bath houses and restrooms.

 

Shopping

You’ll find all kinds of great stuff in the Stone Mountain shops, and you’ll even be able to see a lot of them made – right before your eyes! Shop items include souvenirs, glassworks, leathercraft, homemade candies, home décor, jams, jellies, cider, toys, novelties, Civil War collectibles, antiques, games, magic tricks, puzzles, handbags, and gifts.

 

 

Lodging

Located at the park are two wonderful places to lodge: the Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort and the Stone Mountain Inn. The Evergreen features luxurious rooms, a spa, an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor swimming pool, two championship golf courses, private balconies, and feather beds all located on the shores of the lake. The Stone Mountain Inn features large rooms, a courtyard, a swimming pool, and a Southern buffet restaurant, all within walking distance of most attractions in the park.

 

 

Restaurants

Numerous restaurants and concessions are available in the park. Food offerings include frozen fruit drinks, popcorn, pretzels, ice cream, pizza, steaks, seafood, specialty sandwiches, salads, homemade baked goods, hot dogs, nachos, lattes, espressos, cappuccinos, and Southern cuisine.

 

Special Events

Something special is always happening at Stone Mountain. Depending on the time of year, it might be a pumpkin festival, a sleigh ride, a ghost tour, a daisy festival, an Indian pow-wow, a chili cook off,  a Christmas parade, or three football fields of real snow!