While the weather in Cobb County doesn’t get as cold as it does for our neighbors to the north, summer activities are definitely off the table. That doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of activities for those who want to get out of the house before cabin fever sets in. To help you cope with the cold this winter, we’ve put together the following list of the best winter activities in and around Cobb County. Stay warm, have fun, and let us know which ones make your list.
1. Illuminights at the Zoo
Whether for a date night or family night, take an evening stroll through the zoo after dark. The Zoo in Atlanta is bringing Illuminights every day from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Walk around the zoo and be inspired by over 80 different animal lanterns and some up to 20 feet tall. Artisans have created the lights to depict some of Earth’s most unique and charismatic creatures. Tickets are on sale and range from $20.99 to $24.99 for adults and $17.99 to $19.99 for children. Throughout the zoo, there are gift shops and plenty of food and beverage locations. Grab a sweet treat or hearty meal as you enjoy the festive exhibit of animal lanterns. If you want to catch the lights before they go out, don’t put it off. You have until January 16 to take advantage of this magical display!
[Zoo Atlanta’s IllumiNights: A Chinese Lantern Festival]
2. Take Your Family to Andretti Indoor Go Karting
There’s nothing better than getting an adrenaline rush with the people you love. At Andretti Indoor Karting, you can enjoy a wide variety of fun activities such as go-karting, arcade games, laser tag, simulators, and boutique bowling. Andretti features electric go-kart races so that you can challenge your friends, families, or co-workers. They also have a new 4-player VR gaming system called Hologate for a virtual reality experience with full sensory immersion. If you love video games, Hologate is for you! Transform yourself to another world and enjoy what the VR world has to offer.
[Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Marietta]
3. Go on a Scenic Hike on the Kennesaw Mountain Trails
One of the benefits of living in Cobb County is the year-round warm weather! Well, warmer than a lot of the country anyway. Enjoy the beautiful scenic hike and rich Civil War history at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Explore over fifteen miles of rocky forest and waterfalls. The hike itself is beginner-friendly, and people of all ages can enjoy it. You’ll discover plenty of scenic views such as interesting rock formations, wildlife sightings, rock gardens, and tree-framed views. The Kennesaw Mountain trail is a great escape for nature lovers who want to connect with the wildlife and trek to higher elevations.
[Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park]
4. Enjoy a Day of Indoor Skating at Atlanta Ice House
Although Atlanta is a warm-weathered city, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the winter fun completely. At Atlanta Ice House, you can enjoy the holiday cheer with your besties or kids and glide around the indoor skating rink. With their monthly skate pass, you can enjoy unlimited public skate sessions. General admission is $11 for adults, $8 for children, and $4 for skate rental.
5. Relax in Nature at Lake Acworth
Spend the day with your family, enjoying the beautiful outdoor vibes of Lake Acworth. This is a popular destination for picnics, biking, walking, and in the warm weather, but there’s still plenty to take in during the winter months. Lake Acworth is a 260-acre man-made lake and contains numerous parks for visitors to explore. The tranquil surrounding will allow you to unwind and connect with nature. Not to mention, it’s the perfect spot for people who enjoy boating or fishing. There are 18 species of fish in the lake, such as bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappies, spotted bass, yellow perch, and more. If you’re up to the challenge, take the Polar Plunge on February 19 at Cauble Park!
6. Enjoy a Broadway Show, Concert, or Ballet at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Relish in the live entertainment that Cobb County has to offer at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Whether it’s an opera, ballet, or musical performance, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Some of the upcoming events include the Snow White ballet and the British Invasion concert. The Snow White ballet is a great family-friendly production made for children and adults to enjoy. It’s about how the prince and young heroine overcome the treacherous schemes of the evil queen. Additionally, the British Invasion is a musical group that will play the most popular music from their era. Some of the featured songs that will be played originate from The Animals, Dave Clark 5, the Rolling Stones, Dusty Springfield, and The Kinks.
[Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre]
7. Unwind After Work at American Axes
If you’ve never thrown an ax, you need to remedy that situation as this activity is quickly becoming a popular pastime. Ax-throwing brings about the competitor in you and gives you an excuse to do something fun with your friends and co-workers. Not to mention, it’s a great way to relieve stress, especially after a long day of work. Located in Marietta, American Axes is a place where you can grab your buddies, enjoy a few beers and throw some axes. The cost is $25 per hour and the games are designed to serve six people per target.
8. Enjoy Cobb Breweries at Terrapin Taproom
Are you a fan of craft beer? Georgia’s craft beverage scene is booming and gaining popularity. The area features some of the best southern distilleries, wineries, and breweries. Located just outside Truist Park, the Terrapin Taproom is the perfect place to start your brewery tour. Enjoy savory craft beers while watching your favorite sporting event. They are best known for their “Chopsecutioner,” a local specialty brewed specifically for Atlanta Braves baseball fans. Make sure to get a big heap of barbecue, a tall glass of bubbling brew, and a helping of smoked chicken.
9. Spend the Day Seeing Your Favorite Sea Creatures at Georgia Aquarium
Located just outside of Cobb County in Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium features some of the most remarkable sea creatures on the planet. You’ll find unique water critters such as the whale shark, manta ray, beluga whale, California sea lions, African penguins, alligators, zebra shark, bottlenose dolphins, pancake tortoise, chocolate chip sea star, and more.
The aquarium offers plenty of unique exhibits and tours that allow visitors to learn about aquatic life. Besides getting a view of these creatures, participants will learn how these animals thrive in extreme environments and their daily habitat. Stop by the gift shop to get aquatic-related gifts such as plushies, paintings, necklaces, and more. General admission is $36.95, and visitors can go to their website to plan their visit!
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