Unusual Summer Activities in the Atlanta Area

I love Georgia, always have. It has such a wide range of topography, with mountains, a semi-tropical seacoast, and all sorts of interesting things and place around Atlanta and Macon. There's no doubt that Georgia's a beautiful state, but be aware that there are lots of things to do here this summer that could really astound you. Many are really off the beaten path for even locals who might not know about them.

In Dawsonville, GA, just an hour or so north of Atlanta is the world's largest population of Australian kangaroos outside of Australia itself. Any resident living near the Atlanta area really should visit this place. The Kangaroo Conservation Center is home to 87 acres of leaping, running kangaroos living and behaving as they would anywhere in the wild. It's a photographer's dream. They've opened a quarter-mile walkabout trail where visitors can get beautiful views of the southern Appalachians while watching kangaroos and wallabies nearby. The new Billabong Encounter provides the opportunity to experience plants of the Austrolasian region and see rare birds and tiny kangaroos not viewable elsewhere in the U.S. Sorry, no children under 8 years of age. The visitor's center also will have some Australian and aboriginal art and crafts and a snack bar. Tours last for around 1.5 hours. Atlanta Magazine called this place "the Best Animal Encounter 2006." Tickets are $17.50 and $27.50, depending on the tour chosen. Purchase them online at their web site.
http://www.kangaroocenter.com/

How about a really scenic train ride into the southern Appalachian Mountains and then a dip in one of the streams on a float or tube? It's a great way to cool off this summer and have a day of fun for families and singles. After a great relaxing train ride people can choose to either raft the Ocoee River or float down the less turbulent Toccoa River on a tube. Train stops are in McCaysville and Copperhill, TN and the trip lasts about 3.5 hrs., round-trip, leaving time to debark and get some snacks. They strongly suggest making reservations 24 hrs. in advance. Tickets are $71 for the full trip and float excursion.
BLUE RIDGE SCENIC RAILWAY
241 Depot Street
Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513
call 800-934-1898 or 706-632-9833 for reservations or purchase tickets online at the web site.

How about a tour with an expert om Gone With the Wind? People will be highly amused and entertained with the historical details behind this saga, while learning a bit along the way. The tours leave at 1 p.m. from the train depot at Jonesboro, original home of Gone with the Wind. Margaret Mitchell based her story on real life characters and events that come alive under Peter Bonner's excellent skills as a narrator. "Dispelling civil war myths is not only Bonner's love, but his occupation." - The Atlanta Journal & Constitution.
http://www.peterbonner.com/gonewiththewindtour.html
For more information contact Peter Bonner at 770-477-8864 or mail@PeterBonner.com to see about purchasing tickets to one of his events.