It’s summertime, which means Atlantans have a lot of choices to watch movies under the stars. Here’s a round up of some of the places offering free family friendly outdoor flicks. Grab your low back chair, blanket and cooler of refreshing treats and head to an outdoor movie near you! Films begin at dusk, with some locations having pre-movie activities. Know other free outdoor movie series? Send me a list sue (at) fieldtripswithsue.com.
Georgia Movies in the Park June 18 – Avenue Webb Gin – Mega Mind
June 18 – Pendergrass – Mega Mind
June 23 – Sweet Apple Village – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
June 24 Avenue Peachtree City – Despicable Me
Atlantic Station Movies in the Park(some of these are not kid friendly, but might be a good date night)
June 16 – Deja Vu
June 23 – Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Elizabeth Taylor Tribute Night)
June 30 – Grease
July 9 – Wizard of Oz
July 14 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
July 21 – The King’s Speech
July 28 – West Side Story
August 4 – Toy Story 3
August 11 – Hairspray
Georgia Tech Flicks on 5th
June 22 – The Adjustment Bureau
June 29 – Just Go with It
July 13 – Battle: Los Angeles
July 20 – Rango
July 27 – Source Code
If you are looking to host an outdoor or dive-in movie, visit Southern Outdoor Cinema. Paul and Susan were so kind to offer Field Trips with Sue readers a contest for a free movie at their school. They also provided a large screen and HD equipment for a kick-off party for my new book 100+ Free and Cheap Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids. They are easy to work with, have excellent equipment and just great people.
What: High Hampton Inn Where: Cashiers, North Carolina When: April – November Cost: 2011 Room Rates start at $127 per person. Children 4 – 8 in the same room an additional $41 (includes all meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Mountain Vacation Homes start at $1600 a week (meals can be added) Photos: Visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook For more information, visit High Hampton’s Blog Viewpoints
High Hampton Inn is not your typical Mountain Inn. It’s more like a throwback to a 50’s family resort in the Catskills, similar to the one seen in the movie Dirty Dancing. For those who don’t know the 80’s movie, think upscale family camp where the rooms contain no tv’s or phone, but do have private baths and fireplaces, and the bell rings to signal family meal time. Unlike camp though, evening meals require men and boys to wear jackets and ladies a dress or nice slacks. There is a set menu for each meal that varies by day. Each meal is served buffet style with lots of choices. Breakfast we loved, however some evenings, the menu’s kid-friendly fare was a bit sparser than other days. Also note, this is a dry county, however the Inn does have a bar and a marketplace where you can buy beer and wine. Daily activities are posted in the lodge, those with a fee are marked with an asterisk. Sign-up sheets are available on a nearby table.
Playground at High Hampton Inn
High Hampton Inn is all about slowing down and enjoying simple family time outdoors. My boys immediately found the inside of a 100+ year old boxwood, climbing it’s branches and marveling that this tree could be the same as the tiny bushes that grace our front yard. There are lots of giant trees to climb and play inside at High Hampton Inn. The front lawn contains a rare combination of specimens including a Ginkgo, Bottlebrush Buckeye, Bald Cyprus, fiery Copper Beech and one of America’s largest (and award winning) Frasier Firs.
In addition to planned activities, climbing trees and hiking trails, there are water related distractions like fishing, non-motorized boating and swimming on Hampton Lake. Next to the boat and swimming dock is a unique playground made from ropes and tree trunks that fits into the rustic natural environment. Each evening, family activities take place in the lodge. My boys enjoyed being the “jockey” for horse racing; and Bingo was even more fun, since we won a few dollars.
Nightime Family Activities at High Hampton
Just wandering the beautiful mountain property is an adventure. Before you head out, get an apple form the front desk and bring it to the resident donkeys, Ed and Fred. On Saturday and Wednesday, enjoy donkey cart rides on the side lawn. On property is a Dahlia garden where guests are invited to come and pick flowers in season. The garden has been re-planted for more than 100 years straight to the enjoyment of generations of guests. For more information on the garden, visit the High Hampton blog. A self-guided tour map is available at the front desk. Pair it with the brochure on “A brief History of High Hampton” and you have a mini-history lesson.
Slide Rock aka Bust Your Butt Falls
A trip to Cashiers wouldn’t be complete without enjoying the mountains surrounding the resort. Don’t miss Sliding Rock about three minutes from the Inn. This was my boys favorite activity and we spent several hours sliding down the rock and exploring the pools. Be careful, another name for Slide Rock is Bust Your Butt Falls. I learned first-hand about this name when I slipped on the rocks and went flying down into the icy water below to the amusement of my children. If you’re planning a day-trip, let the kitchen know by 8 pm the night before and they’ll pack a hearty box lunch for you to take along.
High Hampton Donkey Ed (or maybe Fred?)
High Hampton Inn also has a list of scenic Water Falls near the resort. Before heading out, ask the concierge if it’s an appropriate hike for your family. We visited Whitewater Falls which was beautiful but a more strenuous hike, sometimes across rock outcrops. Fun for older kids, tweens and teens, but not appropriate for toddlers or preschoolers.
For a little alone time, put the kids in the kids program called Noah’s Ark and head to the spa. Kids can be dropped off for an hour or two or the day. High Hampton is one of a few places that offer Ashiatsu massages. Ashiatsu is a deep tissue massage that utilizes the therapists feet rather than hands. I like a deep tissue massage and overall it was wonderful, but there were a few times when it felt a bit crushing. If you’d rather be active, High Hampton Inn has a golf course and numerous tennis courts too.
After a hectic school year filled with sports, academic and other obligations, High Hampton Inn is a great place to disconnect from our overly electronic world and reconnect with family.
Although we were provided a complimentary room and admissions for the purpose of reviewing (as is common in the travel industry), we only recommend places we would stay and products we would use
What:Cinemoms Where: Atlanta Area When:Sign Up now and become eligible for FREE tickets to movies and more! Cost: $25 membership fee (normally $35) Use the code SUMMERFUN and get a $5 Target Gift Card for joining! Tell them Field Trips with Sue referred you.
I recently joined Cinemoms after a friend recommened the program. So far we’ve only been to see a preview screening of Kung Fu Panda 2 (a good summer kids movie by the way), but I’ve had my eye on several other events.
Cinemoms is a membership site that started as a movie club but has expanded to offer discounts and giveaways for events throughout Atlanta including exclusive movie screenings. In addition to giving away tickets for upcoming movies (Green Lantern giveaway ends today, so join now), there are also discounts on movies at Studio Movie Grill anytime. There are also celebrity meet and greets as stars stop in Atlanta to promote their latest films.
Right now Cinemoms is offering a summer discount on membership. A 2011 membership is just $25 (regularly $35). If you join by July 1, you’ll receive a $5 Target Gift Card. (please tell them Field Trips with Sue sent you and they’ll send a Target Gift card my way too! ) When registering, enter SUMMERFUN to receive your discount and Target Gift Card.
What: Cinderella Della Circus Where: Center for Puppetry Arts When: June 16 – July 17, 2011
Tuesday – Friday (10 am, 12 pm); Saturday (11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm) and Sunday (1 pm, 3 pm) Cost: $16.50 includes show admission, Create-A-Puppet Workshop and all museum exhibits. Half-Price Previews: Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15 (10 am, 12 pm) enjoy half price tickets Give-Away:You could win a family four pack- See Below Photos: To see photos of past Center for Puppetry Arts Events, Visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook
Cinderella is my favorite fairy tale and I love the circus, especially the elephants. Marry the two and you have Cinderella Della Circus!
In this big top tale, Cinderella is a tightrope walker in P.T. Barnum’s circus who speaks only in rhyme. When Madame Bullie takes over Ringmaster duties, Cinderella is made to cook and clean instead of performing at the Handsome Prince’s Ball. With the help of her quirky circus friends, including Oliver the elephant and Cornelia the “Zebracom,” and a little circus magic, Cinderella is able to perform an enchanting act and catch the eye of her true love.
The show has lots of action, trick marionettes, circus animals, space travel, Jules Verne and a moon monster, Artistic Director Jon Ludwig’s adaption will entertain boys and girls alike. The production features approximately 20 handmade marionettes, each with 11 – 12 strings, operated by four puppeteers. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to put on this show. I can’t even keep one fishing line from tangling, much less that many strings while performing tightrope walking and trapeze tricks!
Create a Puppet Workshop and Museum Tour
Included in the full-price ticket cost is admission to the Create-A-Puppet Workshop, which is one of our favorite things to do. Patrons will create their own Olive the Elephant Marionette or pick up a Create-A-Puppet To-Go to continue the fun at home!
Save some time in your visit to meander through the Center’s permanent museum Puppets: The Power of Wonder, which includes three exclusive exhibits featuring the work of Jim Henson. My son loves to create his own puppet faces in the interactive portion of the museum. To learn how to see the Musuem for free, check out my new book “100+ Free and Cheap Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids.”
Win a family four pack of tickets to see Cinderella Della Circus at 1 pm on June 18? Each item is a new entry. Post a picture of you and my book “100+ Free and Cheap Things to do in Atlanta with Kids” on Field Trips with Sue on Facebook. Let me know what you learned about the Center for Puppetry Arts. Don’t have a book? Order one from www.fieldtripswithsue.com/100free Subscribe to Field Trips with Sueby email (and be sure to follow-up and verify your subscription) Leave a comment: Let me know you’d like to win by leaving a comment below. LikeField Trips with Sue on Facebook: Post something on the wall about the Puppet Show Follow@suerodman on Twitter: Tweet - See Cinderella Della Circus @ctrpuppetryarts @suerodman has a giveaway on Field Trips w/Sue Email: Invite two friends to subscribe to Field Trips with Sue and join our Facebook community. cc: sue(at)fieldtripswithsue.com on the emails.
What:Cartoon Network Move It Movement Tour Where: Six Flags White Water, 250 Cobb Pkwy, N#100, Marietta, Ga. When: Friday and Saturday, June 3-4, 2011 1 – 5 pm Cost: FREE
Cartoon Network is kicking off their second Move It Movement Tour in Atlanta at Six Flags White Water this Friday and Saturday. The program is a campaign targeted at youth 6 – 14 to get them moving and prvent childhood obesity.
The Move It Movement Tour features multiple activity and learning stations including:
Soccer Shootout Challenge, where kids can take aim and test their shooting skills with a custom soccer goal;
NBA/WNBA FIT Activity Zone, allows youth to demonstrate their fitness level through basketball;
PGA Chipping Challenge, lets kids test their golf skills on a mobile chipping/putting green;
Crayola, where kids can have fun exercising their imagination and their minds by creating outdoor art, sidewalk games, and original art masterpieces using Crayola Model Magic Presto Dots, 3-D Sidewalk Chalk and Sidewalk Tattoos;
NFL Play 60 powered by HOPSports introduces kids to various physical activities and exercises via the screen-based HOPSports system featuring NFL PLAY 60 content, martial arts, stutman drills and more;
Zookeeper Leapin’ Lions Challenge, testing focus, balance and strength as kids demonstrate their long-jumping abilities – the activity includes a branded leaping map with animal paw prints, indicating what animal characters from teh film they might classify with;
Skate Park Challenge, where BMX and skateboard experts perform high-flying demonstrations followed by interactive safety and riding tips sessions;
and FDA Spot the Block/Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, a station with an interactive dice game and information to educate youth and families about the nutritional block on food packaging, as well as PSAs and registration materials promoting participation for the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award
The tour also features a Cartoon Network Chill Zone, a themed area to refuel (water) and recharge while taking in the best new programming, online activities and premium items from Cartoon Network. The Chill Zone also offers a green screen photo activity and a Stop Bullying: Speak Up pledge station.
What: Book Sales and Signing for 100+ Free and Cheap Things to do in Atlanta with Kids When: Saturday, June 4, 2011 from 2 – 4 pm Where: Gwinnett Place Mall Kidgits Club Super Duper Mini Chefs Cost: Kidgit’s Club members are free, Non-members join for $5 for the entire year. Books are $9.99 each
What: Book Sales and Signing and FREE Outdoor Movie (Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2) Where: Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 8 pm Where: Morris Brandon Elementary School Main Campus Cost: Books are $9.99 each, Movie is free (concessions available for a fee)
On Saturday, June 4 from 2 – 4 pm we’ll be at Gwinnett Place Mall lower level, Belk Wing, selling books during the Simon Kidgits Super Duper Mini Chef’s program. Super Duper Mini Chefs allows families to stir up some tasty fun with a smorgasbord of exciting activities for kids and parents, including food-related arts and crafts projects and prize giveaways. Kids can build their culinary skills with this hands-on, fun-with-food event. If you can’t make this Saturday, but still want to participate in Super Duper Mini-Chef’s, the program will be at the Mall of Georgia on Saturday, June 12, 2011 from 2 – 4 pm in the Nordstrom Court – but you’ll have to buy your book online at www.fieldtripswithsue.com/100free, we’re only selling books at the Gwinnet Place event.
My faithful and cute salesmen
Looking to find us intown? On Sunday, June 5, we’ll be at Morris Brandon Elementary School for an outdoor screening of Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 thanks to Southern Outdoor Cinema. Bring a blanket and some cool treats and join us in the Brandon Backyard. A portion of all book sales will be donated to the Morris Brandon Elementary School PTA. You don’t need to be a Brandon student or alumni to join us, everyone is welcome, so invite your friends and neighbors. No purchase necessary to enjoy the movie.
What: Six Flags Over Georgia Where: 275 Riverside Pkwy. SW Austell, Georgia When: Daily through August 7, 2011. Then weekends through Oct. 30, 2011 Cost:Online Special, Everyone Pays Kids Price of $34.99 Photos: For Additional Photos, Visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook
Check out our recent post on Six Flags newest roller coaster, the Dare Devil Dive
I love amusement parks, but I hate long lines and throngs of people. If you’re like me, then here are some tips to get the most from your visit to Six Flags Over Georgia
Thomas Town at Six Flags is Better than a Day Out with Thomas.
1. Arrive Early. This is true for ANY amusement park. Most people run late, so although they may try to get to the park when it opens, fewer people do. Add in time to park and walk to the entrance and you’ll find that the crowds are lightest at opening. At Six Flags you can pay a premium to park near the entrance ($15 – $20), but if you’re looking for bargain parking ($5), you’ll have to walk a bit, so figure time in for parking and walking to the entrance. Remember, you want to be ready to walk into the park at opening, which means your tickets are purchased, bathroom breaks are finished and sunscreen is on.
2. Be there 30 minutes before opening. The operator I talked to mentioned that often the park will open the main gate 30 minutes prior to the scheduled opening of the park. It helps to thin the crowds at the gate. Generally, they’ll have the Georgia Cyclone and Georgia Scorcher open early as well. This is a great time to get hit these rides and likely ride again and again.
3. Head to the Back of the Park. Most people meander to the right when they tour an amusement park. Those in the know may head straight to the large roller coaster like Goliath. Those with the inside scoop will head to the back of the park and working their way to the front. If you’re a roller coaster fan, go to Superman first. You’ll have covered three of the 11 roller coasters (probably multiple times) within the first half hour of the park opening!
4. Go Mid-Week or Shoulder Season. Mid-week is the least crowded time to visit Six Flags Over Georgia. If you must come on the weekend, Sunday is a better day than Saturday. Shoulder Season, April, May, Sept. and Oct. aren’t as crowded either.
5. Visit Water Rides in the Morning. Thunder River will have a long line in the afternoon once folks get hot and are looking to cool off. Visit Thunder River in the morning and you’ll avoid the longest lines. Skull Island, Six Flags Over Georgia’s Water Park has a similar traffic pattern. Folks generally wait until the afternoon to get wet, so visiting this attraction in the morning is a best bet.
6. Map Out Your Day. The best way to avoid lines is to map out your day prior to your visit, here’s a Six Flags Over Georgia Park Map. Know before you get off one ride, where you’re going next. Get a show schedule before heading out and determine what shows you want to see and when. Inside venues are great for mid-day when it’s hot and you need a break.
7. Eat at Off-Times. To avoid long lines at the concessions, and to enjoy the shorter lunch time ride lines, plan to eat a bit early or late. Either eat no later than 11:30 or after 2 pm. You’ll skip the food lines and enjoy slightly shorter ride lines during peak dining hours.
8. Good Eats.Daddy O’s BBQ was a favorite of several folks surveyed. Daddy O’s is located near the new Dare Devil Dive rollercoaster. The Lickskillet Section of the park is food court type set up. If you have lots of different tastes, this may be the best place for variety.
Last week as part of my CBS Better Mornings Atlanta segment I visited Six Flags Over Georgia to test out their new roller coaster, the Dare Devil Dive. I was pretty nervous going in. I’ve always loved roller coasters, but as I’ve gotten older and the coasters have gotten more ridiculously thrilling, I’m not as game as I used to be. Add to that that this coaster takes you up 10 stories straight into the sky (and I mean straight) then plummets down at 95 degrees, beyond vertical, I was quite apprehensive. But in the end, CBS producer Amanda Harley and I had a blast and rode it four times! If you’d like to see me screaming, here’s the video from CBS Better Mornings Atlanta.
Lockheed Martin F-22 Test Pilot Bret Luedke and Sue
The ride pays homage to World War II-era stunt planes and the daring aerial acrobatics of the pilots. Sitting next to me on my first test run was chief test pilot for Lockheed Martin’s F-22 program Bret Luedke. He said the ride is similar to flying a modern day fighter jet, with the exception that most jets will do an inverted drop, so you are forced INTO your seat as opposed to the Dare Devil Dive where you are flying OUT of your seat. Riders must be at least 48″ tall to ride.
In addition to the first plummet, Dare Devil Dive boasts three inversions, zero-gravity hills and high-speed turns. The barrel roll in the middle turns you upside down. The ride soars at a blistering 52 miles per hour as it makes its way through 2,090 feet of twisted steel track. For all that action, it’s a surprisingly quiet and smooth ride. A couple of observations from our morning of riding:
1. For a faster ride, find the biggest guys in line and ride with them. Our car was noticeably faster each time we went, the operators pointed out the heavier the car, the faster it will go.
2. Ride in front. Amanda and I both preferred the front. It was a better view of the upcoming twists and turns and it felt like a smoother ride. Our last trip was in the back car and it felt more jerky. That said, some of the roller coaster enthusiasts that were riding as well liked the back best. They concluded that in the back car you came out of your seat a bit more on the plummet adding to the excitement.
Want to win a Family Four Pack of Tickets to Six Flags Over Georgia? Leave us a comment below and tell us your favorite Six Flags attraction. We’ll announce the winner on Monday, June 6.
Want an extra shot at winning: Twitter: Follow @suerodman and tweet me something about your favorite Six Flags ride. Facebook: “Like” Field Trips with Sue and Leave a comment on the wall letting us know you want to win.
What: Atlanta Track Club All-Comers Track and Field Meets When: Tuesdays through June 14, 2011. Gates open at 5:00 and events start at 5:30 pm Where: Emory University’s Woodruff Physical Education Center Cost: $1 for Youth/Student Athletes, $2 for Adult Athletes, Spectators are free
Thanks to Lynne Clarke for sending this great opportunity to Field Trips with Sue. Each Tuesday through June 14, the Atlanta Track Club sponsors All-Comers meets at Emory University. You can come to one meet or all of them.
Events include running races, throwing the shot put, long jump and high jump. The events are for all ages and there are different brackets for different age groups from children under 6 to adults. Lynne tells us that the schedule is an estimate and sometimes races start a bit early on days when attendance is light, so come early.
Looking for more Free & Cheap Things to do in Atlanta with Kids? Order your copy of Field Trips with Sue’s 100+ Free & Cheap Things to do in Atlanta with Kidstoday! Downloadable in all digital formats like Nook, Kindle, iPad, iPhone or order a traditional printed version.
What: Book Signing and Free Movie Night Where: Cinema on the Green, McDonough When: Saturday, May 28, 2011 7:00 pm book signing, 8:30 pm movie Cost: Free (books are $9.99)
Join me on Saturday evening for my first book signing at Cinema on the Green in McDonough. I’ll be there selling and signing books starting at 7 pm. At 8:30 pm, Southern Outdoor Cinema is presenting Despicible Me, FREE! Join us for a great, affordable evening this holiday weekend.
I’m planning some additional book signings too. Exact locations are being determined, but I’ll keep you posted. In addition, I’m working with some speciality outlets to sell the book – so stay tuned. If you just can’t wait, order an e-book at www.fieldtripswithsue.com/100free. Printed versions will be available online soon. Until then, send me an email at sue (at) fieldtripswithsue.com and I’ll get you a printed book.
If you know somewhere that would like to host a book signing or would be interested in selling the book, please let me know.
Nickelodeon Parents' Pick for Best Local Blog in Atlanta
It’s summertime, which means Atlantans have a lot of choices to watch movies under the stars. Here’s a round up of some of the places offering free family friendly outdoor flicks. Grab your low back chair, blanket and cooler of refreshing treats and head to an outdoor movie near you! Films begin at dusk, with some locations having pre-movie activities. Know other free outdoor movie series? Send me a list sue (at) fieldtripswithsue.com.
