It’s no biggie if your budget doesn’t allow for taking a trip right now — you can still thrill your kids with some fun things to do right here in metro Atlanta (or close by). If you have animal lovers on your hands, treat your little ones to some up-close and personal encounters with wildlife that are sure to leave a lasting impression. From bottle-feeding a baby farm animal to brushing some llamas to feeding a giraffe, there are numerous options to choose from. Go ahead, take a walk on the wild side.
Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Ave. S.E., Atlanta. 404-624-9453, www.zooatlanta.org.
You've probably already been to Zoo Atlanta with your kids — but did you know the zoo offers a host of interactive encounters you can add on to your experience for a true behind-the-scenes feel? Go meet and feed an African elephant, giant panda or Aldabra tortoise in a Wild Encounter available Fridays through Mondays (times vary depending on the encounter).
Wild Encounters start at $35 (in addition to zoo admission) and must be reserved in advance. Take note that kids ages 2 and under are free and may attend, but are not permitted to feed the animals. Children 4 and under must be carried or held by the hand of an adult in their group, while kids ages 3-8 must be assisted by a parent/guardian while feeding. Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult who has also purchased a Wild Encounter ticket. Groups of two or more may schedule private Wild Encounters with other animals by calling 404-624-5822 or emailing education@zooatlanta.org. Scheduling is subject to availability and staffing.
Zoo Atlanta’s current hours are 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (last admission at 4:30 p.m.) Mondays-Fridays, and 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (last admission at 5:30 p.m.) Saturdays and Sundays. Regular admission is $25.99 per adult (ages 12 and up), $17.99 per child (ages 3-11), and free for kids ages 2 and under. Special offers, promotions and combo deals are often available online. You can knock a few bucks off ticket prices by ordering online.
Wild Animal Safari
1300 Oak Grove Road, Pine Mountain. 706-663-8744, animalsafari.com/Georgia.
There’s no need to travel to Africa to experience a safari. Instead, drive down to Pine Mountain, a little over an hour south from Atlanta, to Wild Animal Safari — a drive-thru animal park featuring more than 65 different species and more than 650 animals. Choose to travel through Wild Animal Safari from your own car or opt to take the complimentary bus tour (available to all guests who purchase the Safari General Admission) led by an Animal Safari tour guide. The bus schedule varies by season, but is posted online and on-site. April park hours are 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. daily. Summer hours extends that to 7:30 p.m. The last ticket is sold one hour before closing each day. Be sure to check the schedule online before you go, especially if you want the bus tour.
You can purchase a Safari General Admission ticket, which covers the drive-thru and the walk-about, at the gate or online for pickup at the gate — but online purchases must be made 24 hours prior to arrival (no same-day ordering). Tickets may be used within one year of purchase. Tickets are regularly $21.95 per adult and $19.95 per child ages 3-12 (toddlers ages 2 and under are free); however, discounted tickets are occasionally available online. Animal feed cups/bags cost extra.
North Georgia Zoo
2912 Paradise Valley Road, Cleveland. 706-348-7279, www.northgeorgiazoo.com.
Head straight up Ga. 400 North to check out North Georgia Zoo, located just around the corner from Dahlonega and Helen, where your family can see hundreds of animals (plus new spring babies). General admission to the petting zoo and working farm, about an hour and a half from downtown Atlanta, will cost you just $8 per adult or $6 per child ages 2-11 (infants are free), and it lets you visit, feed and interact with miniatures and rare breed farm animals, plus get hands-on with animals like a giant tortoise, alligator, zebra, parakeets and more. Feed cups/buckets and pony rides are extra.
North Georgia Zoo also offers guided wildlife walks and a host of different animal encounters as add-ons. Want some more one-on-one time with the animals? Choose from encounters that get you up close and personal with a wolf, camel (this one is a crowd-pleaser), kangaroo, monkey and much more. Various package options are available as well. The North Georgia Zoo's schedule varies by the season, as do the animal encounters offered, so be sure to check out their schedule of daily events on the website for specific information. In April, the zoo is open Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (last ticket is sold one hour before closing). Depending on the time of year, it's sometimes open on weekdays, so check the website.
Insider tip: For the best directions to the zoo, visit www.northgeorgiazoo.com and read their instructions. Due to the remote area, GPS may not work and map apps often get the directions incorrect.
Tanglewood Farm
171 Tanglewood Drive, Canton. 770-667-6464, www.tanglewoodfarmminiatures.com.
Take a drive through the countryside of Cherokee County to Tanglewood Farm in Canton, where you’ll encounter more than 150 miniature, rare and heritage breed farm animals. In fact, Tanglewood Farm raises only purebred registered stock, and it is one of the largest breeders of such a wide variety of Class A miniature livestock in the United States.
Tanglewood Farm was closed this past winter due to heavy storm/water damage and plumbing repairs. As of mid-April, it's still closed, so check www.facebook.com/TanglewoodFarmMinis for updates. A visit to Tanglewood Farm includes a self-guided walking tour with a map that allows you to visit its "town" — a Wild West pioneer village that includes a Bank, Saloon, Jail and a Trading Post with snacks and souvenirs. As you tour the "town," you'll get to see, pet and brush miniature animals like cows, sheep, horses and donkeys. You can also purchase a bag of special biscuits to feed the sheep (they get really excited when they see the bag and will snatch it out of your purse if it's visible). Be forewarned: The llamas can get a little sassy and the large turkeys can be a bit over-exuberant, but they mean well!
Behind the Wild West town, check out the “Mine Shaft,” where the miniature goats take cute to a whole new level, then venture over to the “School House,” where the miniature potbellied pigs race for treats, or meet the riding ponies at the Livery Stable.
After you’re done visiting with the animals, head over to the hand-washing station and then enjoy lunch on one of the picnic tables (first-come, first-served basis) or bring a picnic blanket.
Admission will run you $15 per person (infants under 1 are free). Tanglewood Farm is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays (last ticket sold at 1 p.m.) and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (last ticket sold at 2 p.m.). Custom group times are available by appointment.
