From water parks to fun-filled festivals, here are Georgia's best summer things-to-do
Summer is about half-way over at this point, but the days are still sunny and the water is still cool, so there is still time to have some fun.
There have already been multiple fun-filled celebrations already for Pride Month, the 4th of July, and Juneteenth. But even when it’s not a holiday, there’s plenty to do. Splash around at the state’s sparkling beaches and fun-filled water parks, take a stroll down one of the winding trails covered in natural beauty, or pick some ripe berries.
Here are more details on how to make the most of a summer in Georgia:
Fun-filled festivals
Gainesville's Beach Bash is 5-9 p.m. July 12 at 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. More than 100 tons of sand will turn the plaza into a temporary beach. There will also be live music and food trucks as well as hula-hoop and limbo contests. Admission is free. For more info, go to exploregainesville.org.
Mountain Music and Moonshine Festival is July 26-28 at Grandaddy Mimm's Distilling Co. in Blairsville at 112 Wellborn St. There will be hundreds of artists and vendors, exclusive cocktails, a car show, food trucks, and a lineup of live music. Tickets start at about $27 and are available at eventbrite.com.
Atlanta Ice Cream Festival is July 27 at Piedmont Park. There will be food and non-food vendors, live music, fitness routines, and wellness-engagement activities. More than 80 partners will be involved. Admission is free. For more info, go to atlantaicecreamfestival.com.
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Crafts in the Village is on St. Simons Island at 530 Beachview Dr. It's every month with the next one Aug. 3-4. Up to 70 artists and crafters will be on site selling their decor, jewelry, pottery, furniture, and other creations. Admission is free. For more info, go to craftsinthevillage.com.
AG Fest at Farmview is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 10 in Madison at 2610 Eatonton Rd. There will be a watermelon eating contest, live music, a farmers market, workshops led by local artisans, a petting zoo, and other activities. More info is available at farmviewmarket.com.
These are just some of Georgia's many summer festivals. More are available at festivalguidesandreviews.com/georgia-festivals.
Produce picking
Multiple delicious farm-fresh foods will be ready for picking this summer. Strawberries and blueberries will be now through July, peaches from early May to August, according to Explore Georgia. Here are some spots where you can pick your own:
Hemi Blueberry Farm in Greensboro, south of Athens. Blueberry and blackberry picking is available starting in about late May. More info is at hemiblueberryfarm.com.
Ottawa Farms in Bloomingdale, just outside Savannah. Strawberries are ripe for picking while blackberries and blueberries are being grown. Follow the farm's Facebook page for the latest info on which fields (if any) are open.
Penelope's Peaches in Newnan, west of Peachtree City. You can schedule a picking session for $50 for a large bucket by calling (404) 520-1420 or emailing [email protected].
Rutland Farms in Tifton, east of Albany. Strawberries are available for picking, weather permitting. More info is at rutlandfarms.com.
Southern Belle Farm in McDonough, just outside of Atlanta. Strawberry picking is available all week starting at about $7 for a quart. More info is at southernbellefarm.com/spring.
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Super shores to see sea shells
Many will want to have a beach day this summer, but you don't have to make the long drive to Myrtle Beach or Florida to get some sand and sunshine. Georgia has multiple fun-filled beaches. Here are some of the best ones, according to U.S. News & World Report:
Sea Island is home to the only resort in the world to earn four Forbes Five-Star awards for 15 years in a row. Among the more unique experiences are horseback riding on the beach at sunset and searching for nesting sea turtles at dawn from May through August.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is only accessible by passenger ferry or private boat. Once there, you'll find maritime forests, wetlands, and more than 17 miles of untouched beachfront. It's possible you'll see horses running free, nesting sea turtles, and foraging armadillos.
Tybee Island is just a brief drive outside Savannah. The North Beach section is home to the island's historic lighthouse, and there are several secluded areas for a less commercial beach day. Boat trips to see dolphins just off shore are also available.
St. Simons Island is the biggest barrier island of Georgia's Golden Isles. Collect sand dollars at the pet-friendly East Beach, or take a bike ride at the beach during low tide. You can fish off boardwalk at Gould's Inlet. On the southern tip of the island is a lighthouse and museum.
Jekyll Island is a former private retreat turned state park with 10 miles of coastline. Driftwood Beach has weathered trees and branches all over the sand, providing one-of-a-kind photo ops and backgrounds for shows like "The Walking Dead" and movies like "X-Men: First Class."
Hiking trails to try
Whether you're walking, running, or riding a bike, this is a great time to get outside and get some exercise. Here are some of the state's longest trails, according to Explore Georgia:
Appalachian Trail stretches across 14 states with the north Georgia portion running more than 70 miles.
Pinhoti Trail is in Georgia and Alabama, stretching more than 300 with parts in the southern Appalachian area.
Benton MacKaye Trail runs through three states, including the Appalachian area, with abut 300 miles of footpath.
Bartram Trail runs more than 110 miles between north Georgia and North Carolina.
Pine Mountain Trail is 23 miles and can be reached at F.D. Roosevelt State Park.
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Take a splash at a water park
No matter where you live in Georgia, it is sure to be a scorcher throughout the summer. Visiting a water park is a great way to cool off. Here's a look at some of the best in Georgia, according to Tripadvisor:
Splash Island Waterpark at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta. There are 27 acres of water-filled fun including two slides that drop into a 20,000-square-foot wave pool. There are also private cabanas and loungers in addition to a Surfside Café. General admission starts at about $46. More info is at wildadventures.com.
Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, outside of Atlanta. There's a 2,000-square-foot water playground, a 38,000-square-foot wave pool, and several slides. The "Tsunami Surge" drops guests five stories and spins them around a 125-foot-long whirlpool bowl. Tickets are about $37. More info is at sixflags.com/overgeorgia.
Summer Waves Water Park on Jekyll Island. There are water slides for all ages (including one that's five stories tall), a half-mile lazy river, and a splash pad. There is also a selection of private cabanas to rent as well as a snack and surf shop. Tickets are about $28. More info is at jekyllisland.com.
Six Flags White Water in Marietta. There are more than a dozen slides, including one that's a "racer," one that's 10 stories tall, and multiple that allow you to slide down on a tube or raft. There's also an activity pool where you can cross the water, a wave pool, and a lazy river. Tickets are about $30. More info is at sixflags.com/whitewater.
Fins Up Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands in Buford. There's an inflatable on-water obstacle course, a wave pool, and foam parties. A four-slide tower is coming this season, including a 418-foot waterslide coaster. General admission is about $60. More info is at margaritavilleresorts.com.
Splash in the Boro in Statesboro. There's a large wave pool with a small spray playground, a dual flow rider to slide down or ride up, an 800-foot-long lazy river, and plenty of slides. When it's time to dry off, there are shaded pavilions. Tickets are available in advance for $24. More info is at splashintheboro.com.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Festivals, beach days, trails and more summer activities in Georgia
