If you’re watching your budget and think that a “stay-cation” is your only option this summer, you’re in for a surprise. Kiplinger.com researched large and midsize cities for low, average round-trip airfare, affordable hotel costs, and cheap meals in order to compile a list of the top ten fun, but financially frugal cities to consider for your summer vacation.
Some examples: Reindeer Ranch, Potato Chip Factory, Dog Sledding, Dune Buggies, Indoor SkyDiving, Duck Boating, Pizza Factories, Toy Factories, Recording Studios, Covered Wagons, Skipjack Boating, Dairy or Fish Farms, Making Baskets, Boats, and Carousel Creatures, Air Boating, Crabbing, Money Making, Cheese Making, Pretzels, Pottery, Baseball Bats & Bees, Ice Cream Factories and all the Candy Factory sampling you can bear. Where are the best burgers? the biggest toasted cheese sandwiches? The sweetest peaches or the greatest “foamed” root beer?
HAVE A TRAVELING MOM/DAD, TEACHER OR FRIEND ON YOUR GIFT GIVING LIST?
If they like exploring hidden gems near large cities – that’s what KIDS LOVE TRAVEL is all about
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In each KIDS LOVE TRAVEL guide, you get ORGANIZED ideas for EASY family travel—from no hassle quick trips to unique vacation add-ons...with FREE things mixed in!
Atlanta – 121 Baker Street (adjacent to Georgia Aquarium at Centennial Olympic Park Drive, I-75 exit 249C) 30313. Phone: (800) 676-COKE. www.worldofcoca-cola.com Hours: Daily 10:00am-5:00pm. Longer open/close hours during peak season and most weekends. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Online discounts. Timed entry tickets. Miscellaneous: Movies to view on each floor. Photo ops on every floor, too. Giant Coke gift shop. Cafe. Educators: click on the Teacher’s Toolkit for worksheets and activities.
Atlanta is the birthplace of Coca-Cola. The story is told through a bright collection of memorabilia, classic radio and television ads, a fantasy representation of the bottling process and a futuristic soda fountain. It started with a syrup created by a pharmacist. Accidentally, a soda jerk added carbonated water and the customers loved it – Coke was born!
Guests are greeted by a enthusiastic guides who direct you to start by viewing the 4-minute audio visual history of the product (later you’ll get a chance to watch the Secret Formula 3D movie with moving seats!).
After that, you are turned loose to explore the many sections of the museum. At Bottle Works you’ll view a slow-motion production line so you can see robots in action filling bottles.
Really interesting history is found at Milestones of Refreshment. On display- a can that flew on the space shuttle and the original prototype bottle.
The highlight of your visit is the last station – taste testing! Try flavors, old and new, plus many found in foreign countries. Some are quite unusual, some very sweet. If you try them all, like we did, you’re bound to have a belly-ache – so, be wise, and choose carefully. Don’t forget your free Coke as you leave.
Did you know the secret formula is still a secret? Where is it kept?
Disclosure: While the review of this attraction is completely my own (with no bias), the attraction did provide me with complimentary admission.
While few may think of a vacation destination in the mountains of Georgia, regional resorts are often hidden gems. Probably the most famous attraction in the Middle West area, Callaway Gardens, reminds me of the resort properties of the 50s – hundreds of cottages and a massive central inn complete with daily activities for each family member.
CottagesCottages pool
The Summer Family Adventure family camps offer signups for hiking, biking, fishing, boating, water skiing, archery, aerobatics, tennis, golf, arts and crafts and more during the day. When nightfalls the fun continues with the circus, campfires, movies, games and more.
Loads of easy biking paths
Every overnight stay includes family admission into the Gardens and Beach area. This admission includes biking the ten miles of trails (many folks brought their own bikes but you can rent them, too or use your Fun Pass), hiking the wooded trails together (separate trails for bikes vs. on foot so no collisions), just beaching (apply that sunscreen), fishing by the gardens docks, miniature golf, zipline adventure courses, or sightseeing the Discovery Center, Pioneer Cabin or the delightful Butterfly Garden.
They have Birds of Prey programs scheduled throughout the day at the Discovery Center – with live animals. The Butterfly Garden is so colorful and we promise you’ll find a different species of butterfly every time you visit.
The Beach area is super clean and they have reasonable chair/umbrella rentals for half day or full day rates.
Dining
With all of the activities and fascinating distractions at Callaway Gardens, making time to eat may be a challenge – but not for lack of dining options.
Callaway Gardens is dedicated to serving sustainably grown and regionally produced food whenever possible. Menus showcase products from local farmers, fishermen and food artisans throughout the South. Here are a few of our favorites:
Country Kitchen: the charming and rustic restaurant offers down-home Southern cooking enjoyed by the Georgia locals for generations. Try their biscuits and muscadine preserves each morning or sides of fried green tomatoes, sweet potato fries, glazed apples, black eyed peas, okra, and greens. Entrees like fried chicken, country fried steak, meatloaf, catfish, pot roast, and stew are offered. Avg. full entrees $8 – $11.
Rockin’ Robin’s Malt Shop & Pizzeria: an old-fashioned, fun 1950s themed diner with pizza and great shakes plus bubbly root beer floats. Play games or bop to tunes on the jukebox.
Robin Lake Beach Pavilion: for a quick bite to eat or a snack during a fun day at the beach that’s convenient and good tasting. Their menu includes sandwiches, snacks and beverages.
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