When it comes to staycations, the glitz of big city attractions can easily overshadow the fun to be had at area lakes. Just a short drive away, the following lake destinations offer an oasis for those looking to escape the concrete jungle and beat the unrelenting summertime temps.
LAKE LANIER ISLANDS
The repackaged LanierWorld is making the biggest splash on the lake this year. Featuring three sections --Family Fun Park, Big Beach and Sunset Cove-- LanierWorld is basically its former water park amped up to the next level with additional attractions, dining options and live entertainment. The centerpiece of Family Fun Park is Wild Waves, a massive wave pool where guests float among the manmade swells. Neighboring attractions include the tube slide Raging River and Land Lubber's Lagoon Carnival. All ages can sprawl on the sand in the Big Beach section. Extreme thrills can be had here with a slew of white-knuckle slides including Blackout, which shoots sliders through the dark. Others may opt for dry activities such as a ropes course and a bungee-style trampoline, Sunset Cove plays host to a mini golf course, beach volleyball, a floating stage with live entertainment and other activities. If all the action helps work up an appetite, consider the on-site restaurants including the Fire & Ice House (barbecue), the Dog & Draft House (hot dogs with soft pretzel buns) and Gianni's (Italian).
7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford. 770-932-7218, www.lanierworld.com.
LAKE ALLATOONA
Red Top Mountain State Park sits on the 12,000-acre Lake Allatoona. Explore the park and its 12 miles of winding hiking trails. Keep an eye out for mountain bikes zipping through the Iron Hill Trail. Visitors check out a reconstructed 1860s home site complete with a log cabin and blacksmith shop. A host of activities drop throughout the summer. Check the calendar for the dates of special events, such as the Nature at Nike Hike and regular live music as part of the park's Mountain Music Series.
Free. $5 parking. Red Top Mountain State Park, 50 Lodge Road S.E., Cartersville. 770-975-0055, www.gastateparks.org/RedTopMountain.
LAKE OCONEE
Those looking to hop out of Lake Oconee’s waters and try a swing at golf are in luck. The area is equipped with a slew of golf courses loaded with rolling hills and picturesque trees. Confident golfers can take on 18 holes at Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee, an award-winning Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore-inspired course. Others to consider include the Harbor Club Golf Course, the Uncle Remus Golf Club and the Little Fishing Creek Golf Course. Prices and availability vary. If you’re more content staying in the water, Typhoon Tommy’s at the Marina at South Bay offers jet ski and boat rentals as well as captained charters. Captained cruises on a pontoon boat are offered with options for two-hour, half-day and full-day cruises.
Typhoon Tommy’s, 144 Collis Marina Road, Eatonton. 706-347-1177, www.typhoontommys.com.
LAKE SINCLAIR
Need to reach the beach, but can’t head to the coast? Lake Sinclair’s latest recreation area, Rocky Creek Park, has its own sand-lined swimming beach. Although no camping areas are available at this park, it allows day-use access to Lake Sinclair. Cast a line from the nearby fishing pier and grill your catch on one of the adjacent grills. Picnic tables and a pavilion offer spots to enjoy a meal. And kids can let loose on the park’s playground. If you have a boat in tow, you can hit the drink by using the park’s boat ramp. It’s located on the southeast side of the lake in Baldwin County near Sinclair Dam. From Milledgeville, take Hwy 22 East. Turn left onto Lake Laurel Road, and follow signs to Rocky Creek Park.
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. Free. Rocky Creek Road, Milledgeville. 706-485-8704.
JACKSON LAKE
Reasor’s Landing, a full-service marina, provides a convenient spot to put your boat into Jackson Lake. Its boat ramp is always open. After a day on the lake, visitors can spend the evening at the marina’s restaurant, Wing Depot. Chicken wings are the house specialty with lemon pepper, teriyaki and the tongue-numbing Nuclear Waste among the flavors. Trivia and karaoke nights are available as scheduled.
Wing Depot at Reasor’s Landing, 278 Marina Circle, Jackson. 770-504-1245, www.reasorslanding.com.
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