Georgia offers a treasure trove of places and activities that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re exploring bustling cities, serene parks, or charming small towns, there are several options for memorable summer fun. Here are some of the top budget- and family-friendly attractions around our state.

  1. Enjoy Our State Botanical Gardens

The Georgia Botanical Garden is a lush oasis in Athens, Georgia, offering a peaceful retreat with beautifully landscaped gardens. The garden features interactive exhibits, a hummingbird trail, and a children’s garden with educational programming, making it a hit with kids. The garden’s summer events provide added fun for the whole family.

  1. Explore the Magic of a Library Card

Knowledge makes the world a lot more accessible and interesting. Give your family the gift of knowledge with a library card! Signing up at your local library is easy and always free. Find a library near you by entering your zip code here. 

Additionally, many public libraries often have partnership programs that provide access to free and discounted tickets to cultural and educational experiences. Check out the list here to discover fun adventures you can access through programs associated with your library card. 

Children playing in water sprinklers.
  1. Cool Down at a Park, Splash Pad, or Public Pool

Georgia has tons of green space - that means we have tons of parks and pools to visit. Bigger kids and teens can enjoy larger parks and public pools, while the little ones will love playing safely with parents or siblings at a splash pad or jungle gym. If your family is more adventurous, seek out a watering hole like the one at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs or try tubing on the Chattahoochee River.

  1. Attend a Cultural Festival

Georgia is a champion of the arts, and the action isn’t exclusive to Atlanta’s film scene. The arts are booming in even the most quaint towns, so there are several markets and festivals to attend. Many towns and cities will also host Juneteenth celebrations like the Celebration Walking Tour at Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery for the new federally-observed holiday. Your local area could also have anything from a farmer’s market with produce and handcrafted goods to festivals that educate communities on the history and traditions of a town, like Buggydays in Barnesville, GA. 

  1. Wander the Location of Your Favorite Movies and Shows

Atlanta is the film capital, but it doesn’t stop there. Several series were filmed outside the metro area, so a scene from your favorite movie could be near you. Use this list to help you locate where movies have been shot and go on a hunt to find your favorite backgrounds.

Camp GPB logo on wooden sign in front of tent and lake.
  1. Join Camp GPB

Fill your summer days with creativity, exploration, and fun with Camp GPB! This series for kids blends day camp and learning through videos that provide engaging, hands-on activities. Camp GPB offers lessons about wellness, STEAM, and arts to children in PreK through fifth grade. Watch at gpb.org/camp for more summer learning fun!

  1. Visit a Museum

Atlanta Contemporary is always free and the High Museum hosts free family-friendly programming every second Sunday of the month. Many other museums around the state, like the Telfair Museum in Savannah, also offer some free admission events.

  1. Watch the Fireworks

If you're in Georgia for Independence Day, you're in luck! One of the top spots is Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, which hosts a spectacular Fourth of July celebration. For a more coastal experience, head to Tybee Island, where you can enjoy fireworks on the beach. In the mountains, Helen offers a charming backdrop with its Bavarian village aesthetic. Stone Mountain Park is also widely known for its impressive laser and fireworks show, offering free viewing from designated areas outside the park. 

  1. Create a Scavenger Hunt or Summer Bucket List

Color and fill in this printable to create a tear-off bucket list, and have the best summer ever!

  1. Volunteer in your community

Are you still looking for things to do in your area? Get involved with your community! You can volunteer time with pets at the Humane Society or team up with Rivers Alive to stay cool while you help preserve Georgia’s water resources.