Atlanta Things To See category interest

It goes without saying that kids have a lot of energy. Ideally, they can burn it off outside, either at a playground, park, or just running around the yard with their friends. But sometimes, that's just not possible. As we know, the only thing predictable about the weather in Georgia is that it's unpredictable. Summers can be brutal and dangerous, winters can be frigid and icy. There's only so long kids can stay inside entertained by the TV and tablets. At times like that, indoor playgrounds are the perfect option. If you're looking for indoor playgrounds near Atlanta, we've found a small chain that's got several Atlanta-area locations, each of which provides a safe, fun place for kids to let loose and release some of that excess energy. Catch Air is an indoor playground with locations in Snellville, Marietta, Dacula, and Johns Creek, and it's one of our favorite indoor playgrounds near Atlanta. Check it out:

From the outside, you'd never guess at the fun hiding inside Catch Air.

These family fun centers are divided with separate areas for younger kids and older kids so that everyone can have fun safely.

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The locations have fun themes so that each one is different.

I love the spaced-theme playground in Dacula!

With tunnels, slides, inflatables, and more, there's no end to the fun the kids will have here.

While some areas have height or weight limitations, parents can assist their little ones while playing.

All the locations also have free Wi-Fi if you prefer to sit back and let older kids play while you supervise from a distance.

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There aren't reservations required for normal walk-in play, so come any time the facility is open. There's no limit on how long you can play, and admission is good all day long, even if you leave the building and return later.

You do need to make reservations if you're planning a party, though.

This indoor playground near Atlanta is perfect for those inclement weather days when your little ones need to get out and play but can't do so outdoors.

For more information about any of these indoor playgrounds near Atlanta, check out the Catch Air website. Each of the Georgia locations also has its own Facebook page with hours of operation, special events, and more: Johns Creek, Snellville, Dacula-Hamilton Mill, and Marietta.

Looking for more fun things to do with the kids? Airbnb Experiences has a wide array of adventures all over Georgia, many of which are perfect to enjoy with the entire family.

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I think many can relate when I say that I was quite ready to get out of my hometown by the time I graduated high school. Sure, Savannah, Georgia may be widely considered one of the country's most beautiful cities. Pretty much any list of the most historic cities in the country is going to include it. It's one of the South's most popular tourist destinations, welcoming 17 million visitors a year. But I lived there from birth, and by age 18, I had that all-too-relatable young adult urge of wanting to spread my wings and get as far away as possible. I daydreamed of Chicago, San Francisco, and a myriad of other exotic-sounding locales all over the country. I eventually settled for the more budget-friendly option of Athens, Georgia: four hours north, home to a suitable, family-approved college in the University of Georgia, and what felt like a world away from my parents and everything I had known before.

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I spent more than a decade away, coming back for monthly weekend visits to see my divorced parents. My mom lived in a modest home on the suburban southside, my dad had a colorful historic house in the trendy downtown area that attracts all the tourists and national headlines. Over the years, my dad became something of a local celebrity. He loved live music, lived for it, and saw hundreds of concerts a year. It didn't matter to him if it was a global superstar (the Rolling Stones were his favorite) or an unknown teenage garage band. It was his passion and life's purpose. As a friendly, outgoing guy, he talked to just about anyone and everyone at all the venues he visited. From The Jinx to Moodright's, every time I called him, I was regaled by stories of his evening antics.

Each time I visited, we couldn't go anywhere downtown without running into someone he knew, and he'd always greet them with a smile. We'd stop by a show – from The Accomplices (one of his favorite local groups) to Barry Manilow. There was always music, there were always smiles and friends, and there was always an undying love for the city that radiated from him with every action.

Last September, I was unexpectedly drawn back to the city in an unfortunate way. I was awakened in the middle of the night by a phone call from a Savannah police officer. My dad was gone, the victim of an accident on his red electric bike that he adored. I spent the long hours until sunrise paralyzed with shock, then arranged for a friend to come watch my home while I traveled back to Savannah to do whatever needed to be done. I didn't know because it was the type of thing I normally would have asked my dad about and he wasn't there, just an endless list of "do this, arrange that, don't forget about this!"

That time period is so foggy in my memory now, and so many things are just hints of memories to me now. While I know I was sorting out all kinds of practical tasks like paying bills and dealing with the court, but I don't remember the details.

The things I remember are much more tangible and so intricately woven into the fabric of Savannah as a city. Starting each day with a coffee from Big Bon Bodega. Mornings spent working in the beautiful Bull Street Library after my dad's Wi-Fi got cut off for non-payment. Lunches picking at grilled cheese sandwiches at The Black Rabbit because it was one of his favorite restaurants. Hours walking through Forsyth Park, lost in thoughts I can no longer remember. Spending time in such a beautiful city was a striking contrast to my depression.

It's an odd and uncomfortable thing, losing someone who was seemingly beloved by a whole city. In the haze of tribute concerts, online articles, and even a painting by local artist Panhandle Slim, I had such a storm of emotions inside me. I just wanted to scream, "He wasn't your dad!" at everyone sobbing at his loss. Now, with the benefit of time, I see it was a beautiful thing that so many were so sad. He felt a love that few get to experience, and even now, when I visit Savannah, I'm overcome by how much I feel him there.

I visited the city so many times over the last year, usually to deal with the mundane tasks that come up during the haze of grief. In between things like filing for estate executorship and giving away his many, many band t-shirts, it occurred to me that maybe I didn't dislike the city so much after all. The incredible sense of community that I feel when I visit is practically unheard of in a city of 150,000. The restaurants are delicious. There's so much history. And you really, really can't beat the charm of the Spanish moss draping down overhead.

I am probably not ever going to live in Savannah again (I hate the heat!). But the Hostess City will always be a part of my dad, and so it will always be a part of me. I feel him when I'm standing along the Savannah River, walking down oak-lined 37th Street, or paying a visit to Graveface Records. Losing the people that we love is inevitable, but they live on – not just in our memories, but in the places they touched, the spots that shape who they were. I no longer have my dad, but I will always have Savannah.

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One of my favorite things about Atlanta is that even though it's a big city, it remains a collection of neighborhoods. All of the neighborhoods within the city proper combine with the suburbs to make a charming array of very distinct areas, each with its own unique style and culture. If I had to pick a favorite neighborhood in Atlanta, it would probably be Little Five Points. Also called "Little 5" or "LFP," this is a funky area that's really the heartbeat of Atlanta's creative scene, and it's got a lot to explore. From restaurants to shops and live music venues, there's so much to do in Little Five Points, and it's worth a visit for anyone who loves music or art. Check it out:

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Little Five is located in the eastern section of Atlanta, next to the also-charming Inman Park. The neighborhood gets its name because there was once an intersection of five streets here, though it no longer exists today.

One of the neighborhood's most popular events each year is the Halloween parade, which includes vendors, musical acts, and, of course, a costumed parade.

You'll find plenty to do here at any time of year, though. The neighborhood is full of great places to shop, particularly if you're a fan of vintage clothing or artwork.

One of my personal favorite spots in Little 5 is Criminal Records, an indie record shop that has all kinds of great vinyl, CDs, and tapes.

Criminal Records has moved to a smaller store than it once occupied, but it's still a great place for music shopping. You can even catch live in-store performances on occasion.

I've seen my favorite musician, Butch Walker, perform here a few times, and it's always a blast to get to see him in a small venue like this.

Get more information about this Atlanta record store from the Criminal Records website.

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Another fun attraction in Little Five Points is Junkman's Daughter, a sprawling shop offering up just about everything. You'll find costumes and all kinds of bizarre artwork here.

Looking for delicious food? The Vortex is one of Atlanta's most iconic restaurants.

The Vortex's 6.5-pound Quadruple Coronary Bypass Burger is one of the most legendary food challenges in the Peach State, but don't worry... The Vortex offers up plenty of normal-sized burgers, too.

This Atlanta neighborhood is also home to one of the city's best venues for live music: Variety Playhouse. This 1,100-seat theater was once a movie theater and now hosts national acts, plus comedy shows and local musicians.

The sound quality is great and there's plenty of seating - always a plus at a smaller venue! For more information about upcoming events, check out the Variety Playhouse website.

Have you ever visited this great Atlanta neighborhood? What are some of your favorite things to do in Little Five Points?

Looking for the perfect place to stay in Little Five Points? Check out this charming one-bedroom cottage!

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