Whether you’re stopping by for a visit or you’re a local looking for a weekend full of family fun, Alpharetta, Georgia, has plenty of options to choose from. And sometimes, what you want to do can depend on the weather, your schedule, or the kids’ energy, so we want to show you some options. Here’s a list of six of the best kid-friendly attractions near Alpharetta.

The Big Creek Greenway

Image via Flickr by Charles Patrick Ewing Licensed CC BY 2.0

If you enjoy the outdoors and want to show your family the value of connecting with nature, make sure to visit the Big Creek Greenway. Visiting a greenway, park, or open space is a great way to introduce environmental education and conservation to your kids or just relax on a stroll. Big Creek Greenway is a 12-foot-wide concrete path surrounded by the woods that border Big Creek. You can access the greenway from various entry points, including Kimball Bridge Road, Haynes Bridge Road, Macaroni Drive, the Alpharetta YMCA, or near the North Point Mall.

Because the path offers space for a variety of activities, such as walking, jogging, biking, and in-line skating, it’s great for families with kids of all ages. Approximately 9 miles long, there’s plenty of space for you to unwind and catch up with your loved ones. Along the path, you can stop by a large wetland area between Haynes Bridge Road and Mansell Road, where you can spot wildlife like deer, ducks, and blue herons.

Studio Movie Grill

In the mood for a movie? Visit Alpharetta’s Studio Movie Grill to catch a flick and share an in-theater meal with your family. Opt for an elevated cinematic experience and choose from their wide selection of menu items rather than munching on popcorn throughout the film. Select one of their starters, like cheesy bread, a hummus plate, or pretzel bites. If you and your kids are hungry for more, choose one of their entree items, like their BBQ bacon cheddar burger, vegetarian Alfredo pizza, or strawberry avocado salad.

Your little ones can also order from their kids menu, featuring popular dishes like cheese pizza and mini-cheeseburgers. Adults over the age of 21 can also choose from their wide selection of margaritas, cocktails, beer, and wine. Next time you’re in the mood for dinner and a movie, combine the two and visit Studio Movie Grill at 7730 North Point Parkway.

Wills Park

Are you and your family looking for a place to spend a relaxing afternoon? Do your kids love exploring playgrounds? Then make sure to visit Wills Park, located at 11925 Wills Road. Here, you’ll find three playgrounds, including “Wacky World,” which has sections for both older and younger kids and features bridges, towers, and wooden kingdoms. You and your kids can also enjoy the park’s basketball courts, outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, disc golf course, and equestrian center.

If you want to spend quality time together chatting and catching up, you can go for a stroll along the walking trail, visit the community garden, or stop by one of the five picnic pavilions. You can also bring your furry friends and visit the dog park, a fenced-off area where dogs can run and play off-leash. Bring sunscreen and pack a snack because it’s easy to spend several hours here with your loved ones.

Alpharetta City Center

Located in the heart of downtown Alpharetta, the Alpharetta City Center offers you and your family a variety of places to eat, shop, relax, and spend quality time together. This 26-acre mixed-use destination is a great place to spend a day or an evening exploring what the city has to offer. Get a taste of what the city used to look like by visiting its historic center, including a variety of buildings and trees that take you back in time.

You can also stop by local eateries, including Central City Tavern, Jinya Ramen Bar, and Crave Pie Studio. Browse the fresh, locally sourced produce and food items at the Downtown Alpharetta Farmers Market every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and connect with other members of the Alpharetta community.

Food Truck Alley

A fun and unique event to check out in Alpharetta is Food Truck Alley, an event series that brings a variety of mobile food vendors to the downtown area. Stop by every fourth Thursday evening from April through October to experience a variety of cuisine, along with live music and other community partners. Food Truck Alley is located on Old Roswell Street, and you can find parking on the decks at 92 Milton Ave. and 2 Park Plaza.

Stay for a while and bring a blanket to picnic with your loved ones because available outdoor seating is limited. Make it a monthly visit as the musical guests and food truck vendors vary and experience a wide range of local food and entertainment throughout the spring, summer, and early fall months.

All Fired Up

If you and your loved ones are feeling creative, make sure to visit All Fired Up, a local pottery painting and clay studio in Alpharetta. Here, you and your kids can craft your own clay creations and let your imaginations run wild. You can choose from their wide variety of project samples, including vases, pots, clay critters, and even footprint impressions for your younger children.

If you’re in the mood to learn new skills, you can also stop by one of their creative art classes, available for both kids and adults. Other than making your own clay sculptures, you can also paint clay pieces and choose from a large selection of pre-made clay items, including plates, bowls, cups, and various designs for kids. Make memories while you try something new and create a lasting souvenir at All Fired Up, located at 53 South Main Street.

As you can see, there are many fun places to spend time with your loved ones in and around Alpharetta, Georgia. We hope we covered the best local spots, but if we missed one of your family’s favorite event centers or outdoor spaces, make sure to contact us. We’ll be happy to add it to our list so more Alpharetta families can enjoy all that the city and surrounding area have to offer.