Some folks in town for the Final Four may likely have their families in tow, but can’t score tickets for the whole team. Lucky for them several family entertainment staples provide plenty of off-court action.
This enduring theme park brings white knuckle thrills to new generations. Its arsenal of 11 roller coasters includes the looming Goliath with its 200-foot peak and speeds as fast as 70 mph. Family-friendly options abound, too, including Bugs Bunny World, the comically creepy Monster Mansion and the historic Riverview Carousel. The rides run overtime during Spring Break as the park stays open daily through April 14. Christian rock music festival Rock the Flags drops at 4 p.m. on Saturday and headliner Skillet takes the stage at 8:45 p.m. Concert tickets can be purchased at www.rocktheflags.com.
10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays; 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays through April 14. Call or check website for entire season’s operating hours. $56.99; $39.99 children 47 inches in height and shorter; free ages 2 and younger. Ticket discounts available online. Six Flags Over Georgia, 275 Riverside Parkway SW, Austell. 770-739-3400.
Atlanta is one of the biggest chunks of puppet real estate south of Sesame Street. Center for Puppetry Arts is a hub for puppet shows of all types and has museum space teeming with everything from marionettes to Muppets. Final Four parents can bring the brood to a weekend performance of “Galapagos George, the Little Tortoise that Could” (10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Friday; 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday). Show tickets include a Create-A-Puppet workshop and museum access. The Center’s permanent exhibit boasts more than 350 creations from around the world. Kermit the Frog and characters from “Sesame Street,” “Fraggle Rock” and other productions are part of a pair of Jim Henson-themed exhibits.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Museum admission: $8.25; free with performance ticket. “Galapagos George, the Little Tortoise that Could”: $16.50; free ages 2 and younger. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. NW, Atlanta. 404-873-3391.
An eyeful of the massive rock, which stands more than 1,500 feet high at its summit, may be enough to wow visitors. However, there’s more to keep them busy. The bulk of the park’s Spring Fun Break event takes place in the Crossroads section. New additions include “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island — The 4-D Experience,” a 12-minute immersive flick. The newly opened Campfire Grill drops diners in the middle of a camping theme with servers portraying camp counselors. An animal babies show starring a tiny kangaroo, family-friendly stage shows and storytelling attempt to keep all ages engaged. Those who buy the park’s Adventure Pass can experience these and other attractions including train rides, Sky Hike, Geyser Towers and the Summit Skyride. Guests gather on the massive lawn in front of the mountain at 8:30 p.m. nightly through April 13 for the Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision. The popular production features animated laser effects on the face of the rock, fireworks and a host of other illuminated eye candy.
Spring Fun Break hours: 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through April 13. Adventure Pass: $28; $22 ages 3-11; free ages 2 and younger. $10 parking. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Drive, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690.
Exotic animals, from gorillas to giraffes, play out their day-to-day lives in sprawling outdoor habitats. The Super Slam-Dunk Package, aimed specifically at the Final Four set, includes a premium pass with admission and an unlimited all-rides wristband for the day. Folks can repeatedly hop on the zoo train, carousel and rock climbing wall. They can refuel on the included lunch and fountain drink, and take home a souvenir courtesy of a $10 gift shop voucher. The package includes free Checker Cab rides to and from the zoo and specific downtown hotels. For an additional fee, guests go behind the scenes to meet and feed a giant panda or Komodo dragon ($35-$150).
9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Super Slam-Dunk Package: $43.66; $35.99 ages 3-11; free ages 2 and younger. Package available through Monday. Regular admission: $21.99; $16.99 ages 3-11; $17.99 ages 65 and older, active military and college students with valid I.D.; free ages 2 and younger. Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-624-9453.
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