At the Lake
Beach and Waterpark
The Beach and Waterpark at Lake Lanier has numerous attraction for kids.
Camping at Lake Lanier
The lake is a great place to stay with your RV or tent. There are 12 campgrounds around the lake offering everything from luxurious lake-side locations to primitive, back-to-nature camping opportunities.
Dragon Boat Festival
The Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival will celebrate its 14th year in 2009.
The race has grown from a handful of teams and a few spectators to an event which is one of the hallmark diversity events in the metro Atlanta area. The event now boasts a field of more than 50 teams with over 5,000 spectators and a wide variety of Chinese artisans either performing or displaying their wares.
Fishing on Lake Lanier
Several times every month we publish the latest Lake Lanier fishing report from Shane Watson Guide Service.
Hiking
Most of the land around Lake Lanier is either owned privately or by the Corps of Engineers . That means that there aren’t many walking trails around the lake. However, there are three at the south end of the lake around Buford Dam.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding at Lake Lanier ranges from pony rides to riding lessons to week-long camp opportunities for kids.
July 4th Festivities
Lake Lanier is always a popular destination to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks displays.
Magical Night of Lights
Children and adults alike will be dazzled by the festive splendor as they make their way through millions of twinkling lights along a six and a half mile long driving tour, including The Twelve Days of Christmas, Santa’s Elves at Work, the North Pole Express, the Animated Sliding Penguin, Jack & The Beanstalk, Jet-Ski For Two, a virtual tunnel through Icicle Bridge and a stroll down Candy Cane Lane.
Rubber Duck Derby
Benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hall County, the Rubber Duck Derby is a lot of fun. 1000s of rubber ducks adorned with sunglasses and painted lips hit the water at Clarks Bridge on Lake Lanier for a race to the finish line.
Swimming
The Corps operates 20 designated swim areas around the 39,000 acres of Lake Lanier. All swim areas are “swim at your own risk” and there are no lifeguards on duty. Swimmers are encouraged to swim at designated swim areas only.
Surrounding Areas
Atlanta Falcons Training Camp
Come and watch the Atlanta Falcons in action at their Hall County training facility. Situated on 50 acres, with practice fields, training rooms, indoor practice field, meeting facilities, and player lodging, the Atlanta Falcons headquarters offers the home team an expansive location to train throughout the year.
Babyland General Hospital
Known the world over as the birthplace of the “hand-stitched” Original Cabbage Patch Kids, BabyLand General Hospital is a very real place. Housed in the former Neal Clinic (circa 1900), BabyLand General Hospital welcomes over a quarter of a million visitors each year.
Carousel at Lakeshore Mall
This carousel is an imported, 18 foot Venetian Carousel which is exquisitely crafted and operational for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
Elachee Nature Science Center
The Elachee Nature Science Center is North Georgia’s premier nature center. The center consists of a woodland refuge and an interactive museum that will excite and educate visitors of all ages. Enjoy hiking? Then make sure you check out the Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve which is laced with 13 miles of nature trails.
The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame
Officially re-opened August 2007, the museum, which has been recognized by the state legislature as the official home of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, recognizes prominent members of Georgia’s racing heritage.
Interactive Neighborhood for Kids
Located just a short drive north of Atlanta, you will find a one-of-a kind unique, fun destination for the entire family. Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, Inc. (INK), located in Gainesville, Georgia, is a hands-on Children’s Museum where children can role play and learn through practical experiences about being a banker, grocery store clerk, doctor, dentist and much more. All exhibits are designed to provide a unique experience and to actively engage young minds (not to mention, it’s just plain fun!).
Mall of Georgia
Mall of Georgia features Dillard’s, Macy*s, Nordstrom, JCPenney, and Belk, plus more than 225 of the most exciting stores in the country – stores like Coach, Solstice, Dick’s Sporting Goods, A|X Armani Exchange, Barnes & Noble, Banana Republic, Christopher & Banks, Delia’s, Mayor’s Jewelers, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Sephora and Williams-Sonoma – in a shopping and entertainment complex like no other.
Paradise Fun Park
A family amusement park which features two 18 hole championship miniature golf courses, six baseball or softball automatic batting cages, sand volleyball and badminton courts, and covered baseball training tunnels.