While East Cobb, Georgia, has many fascinating places to visit and explore, it’s nice to take a day trip to explore other areas. Seeing new outdoor places, learning history at a museum, and getting outside for exercise is crucial for a child’s development. The next time you want to take the kids for an outing, check out these five easy day trips from East Cobb.

Stone Mountain Park

One of the faces of Stone Mountain at Stone Mountain Park outside East Cobb, GA.

Image via Flickr by bobistraveling

About 40 miles from East Cobb is the beautiful family-friendly Stone Mountain Park. The park features attractions throughout the year such as a laser show and holiday spectaculars, along with plenty of recreational activities to engage in. The centerpiece of the 3,200-acre park is Stone Mountain which is the world’s largest exposed piece of granite. The dome-shaped mountain, which is technically called a monadnock or isolated mountain, is 825 feet tall and sits at 1,683 feet above sea level.

When you pay the daily $20 parking fee or the annual parking pass of $40, you have access to all the natural areas of the park and the exciting seasonal laser show. Bring the kids fishing on the 363-acre lake, hike or bicycle along the 15 miles of nature trails, and explore the historical attractions located throughout the park.

The kids can play in the water at the Grist Mill or visit the Historical and Environmental Education Center with its interactive exhibits on geology and nature. A fun thing for the family to do is hike the one-mile Walk-Up Trail to the top of Stone Mountain. The views of the surrounding area are spectacular from the top and you’ll feel a great accomplishment hiking the steep trail.

Attraction Passes require additional fees and you can add-on to your pass to enjoy the cable car that zips you up to the top of Stone Mountain. After a fun day at Stone Mountain Park, check out these healthy restaurants in East Cobb for a delicious meal.

Athens

Take the family to Athens for a fun and educational day trip about an hour from East Cobb. This college town is home to the University of Georgia where higher education as we know it was born. When the visitor center is open, you can read about the history of the university and its impact on society.

Explore the downtown area to marvel at the Victorian-era architecture, shop at the unique boutiques, and grab a bite to eat at the many little cafes. Other things to do while visiting Athens include exploring the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, the Georgia Museum of Art, and the famous Tree That Owns Itself.

Dahlonega

The kids will get a kick out of panning for gold in the historic town of Dahlonega about 50 miles north of East Cobb. The town was the site of the first gold rush and you can learn more about the Gold Rush-era and see artifacts at the Dahlonega Gold Museum. Visit the Consolidated Gold Mine for tours of the mine shaft 200 feet underground, learn how the miners struggled to find gold, and after the tour, you can pan for gold in the water flumes. 

The staff miners can teach you tricks on finding gold nuggets and you can keep whatever you find. The $30 panning fee includes mine tours, panning instructions, your gold pieces, and a free gold pan.

Lake Sydney Lanier

Grab your fishing pole, swimsuits, and a picnic, and take the family to the beautiful Lake Lanier 56 miles from East Cobb. The lake has over 690 miles of shoreline and offers numerous recreational activities such as boating, jet skiing, and fishing. After a day of playing in the water, hike through the forest to look for wildlife and birds. You have access to the lake and shoreline for free.

The family can visit The Stables at Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands for a 45-minute trail ride for $40 or for kids 6 years and younger, a 30-minute pony ride which costs $20. If you want to try your hand at zip lining, try the $50 Legacy Tour at Lake Lanier Canopy Tours. Your guide will take you through the seven zip lines and over two sky bridges with spectacular views of the lake and surrounding areas. The guides help you along as you zip through the treetop canopy while educating you about the flora and fauna of the Lake Lanier area.

Brasstown Bald

Climb to the highest point in Georgia when you hike to the top of Brasstown Bald. Drive about two hours on State Route 19 to the parking area and take the 0.6-mile hike to the top of the mountain and the Brasstown Bald Visitors Center. While the trail is steep, it’s paved and the views from the top are jaw-dropping.

The mountain sits at 4,784 feet and lies in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains nine miles east of Blairsville, Georgia. Surrounded by the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, from the observation deck you have a 360-degree view of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The trail is open all year and each season brings a different kind of beauty. Stop at the Visitors Center and visit the 8,000 square-foot museum where you can learn about the history of the Indigenous peoples that lived in the area through interactive exhibits.

Choose a crystal clear day to hike up to Brasstown Bald and you can see four states, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. There’s a small fee to park in the parking lot and take the shuttle to the top if you choose not to hike the trail. After your visit to the top of Brasstown Bald, stop at the gift shop to pick up locally made goods, books about the area, and forest-related merchandise.

We hope you enjoy exploring these five day trips from East Cobb. Our team at Crème de la Crème of East Cobb in Marietta, Georgia, understands how important it is to share nature and historical attractions with your kids. Are there any other favorite places that you like to take your family to? If so, we would love to hear from you and we’ll add them to our list!