By Alana Adams
During the school year, SCAD students are notorious for running around, endlessly trying to complete assignments. It is also very common to hear that some have not slept for days. So it is natural that during the first few weeks of summer, the only things on students’ agenda are to eat and sleep. Unfortunately eating and sleeping gets old pretty quickly. Here are some fun suggestions ranging from the student-friendly price to what you might have saved up for all year. Stick to this list, you’ll definitely stay busy this summer break.
1. Stone Mountain Park is one of the 35 natural wonders of Georgia, so why not see what all the fuss is about? Don’t miss “Yogi Bear,” playing at their new 4-D theater. A One Day Adventure pass ($27 plus tax), allows entry into Sky Hike, Camp Highland Outpost, the 4-D theater, Scenic Railroad, Mini-Golf, Summit Skyride, Antebellum Plantation, two museums, the Great Barn and live entertainment.
2. If you are looking for a great restaurant to take everyone to this summer, try Park Tavern at Piedmont Park. Their selections range from a sushi bar to classic American dishes. It is a great place to enjoy some fine dining and look out over the green. Prices range from $4.50 to $28.99.
3. Want to get out of the hustle and bustle of Atlanta? Head down to Tybee Island and watch some waves roll in while reading your favorite novel. Tybee offers public parking via $1.50/hr. meters and Pay-and-Display stations (25 cents for 10 minutes). At only four hours and 30 minutes away from midtown, it’s not too far for a day trip but still far enough to feel like you’ve gotten away.
4. One of the best things about going to theater during the summer is that they always have air conditioning. A good place to escape the heat is the Fox Theater. They will be showing “The Color Purple” musical June 15-19 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $75.
5. Are you an adrenaline junkie, or do you simply want to try something new? If you are up for an experience like no other, check out Skydive Atlanta in Thomaston. They offer an online special for tandem skydiving, in which an unlicensed skydiver is harnessed to an instructor, for $239. Jumping out of a plane will certainly make a good story to tell your friends, and it will be an experience you won’t forget.
6. Do you have a need for speed? The Atlanta Motorsports Park is a great place to visit this summer if you like driving fast. Not only do they have racing tracks, there have hiking trails, horseback riding, a pool and a tennis court. If you’re a beginner, they offer driver training. All automobiles or motorcycles — except SUVs, trucks and vans — are allowed on the tracks, as long as they pass a safety inspection. Most members drive karts, superbikes, racecars and street legal cars.
7. Flowers in bloom are a sight to see. Do not miss out on the Atlanta Botanical Garden this summer. It does a great job of incorporating art into gardens, and they always have exhibitions on display — definitely a must see. This June and July, look out for the chaste tree, rain lily evergreen wisteria and plumleaf native azalea. Tickets cost $18.95 and the maximum daily parking rate is $15.
8. Decatur Square is also a great place to visit this summer. It’s a quaint little city just east of Atlanta that has enough shops to keep you busy all day. Check out Wild Oats & Billy Goats, which sells paintings, sculpture, pottery and photography all produced by folk and self-taught artists from all over North America. Looking for something more luxurious? Visit Kismet, a fine jewelry shop that specializes in custom made jewelry. Feel free to relax, take a nice little stroll and wind down.
9. If living in the present just isn’t enough, Medieval Times at Discover Mills might be the thing for you. Journey back in time to the 11th century and watch knights joust on horseback. Have a feast fit for a king with garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken and potatoes. A vegetarian king, you say? Medieval Times caters to your needs with a portobello mushroom cap stuffed with a blend of whole grain rice and beans, a skewer of roasted vegetables and hummus with pita. Tickets cost $51.95 plus tax and a processing fee.
10. Georgia is such a beautiful state, but when was the last time you saw it from a bird’s eye view? Balloons Over Georgia, headquartered in Cumming, is a hot air balloon ride service that takes you to see some breathtaking views of Lake Lanier, Stone Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain and the Atlanta skyline. A private flight costs $325 per person. Bring three of your friends and they discount the rate to $200 a person.