A Weekend Getaway to Stone Mountain, GA

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If you’re planning a weekend getaway to Stone Mountain, Georgia, here’s a complete guide packed with top Stone Mountain attractions- from hiking and history to dinosaurs and drone shows.

Note: There’s a $20 car entrance fee to get into the park, even if you’re staying at the on-site resort. They do offer a yearly pass for $40- which, honestly, feels a bit ridiculous that one day is $20 and all year is just double that price, but it might be worth it if you plan to visit more than once. Especially consider it if you think you’ll return in the winter for snow tubing and other seasonal events.

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History of Stone Mountain

One cannot think about a visit to Stone Mountain without really knowing the history behind the site. Stone Mountain is a place with a complicated and often troubling history. While it’s known today as a popular recreational site with hiking trails, scenic views, and a laser show, its origins and symbolism are deeply tied to the Confederacy and white supremacy. The centerpiece of the park is the massive Confederate Memorial Carving, which depicts Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson- three leaders of the Confederacy- on horseback. This enormous carving, often described as a “Monument to the South and Its Traditions,” was started in the early 20th century and completed decades later during the Civil Rights era, a time when many Southern monuments were erected as acts of resistance to integration.

Stone Mountain also holds historical significance for the Ku Klux Klan. The second iteration of the Klan was officially reborn on its summit in 1915. On Thanksgiving night, a group burned a giant cross at the top of the mountain in a ceremony meant to signal the Klan’s return. The group continued to use the mountain for cross-burnings and gatherings well into the 20th century. Though the practice ended officially in the 1960s, the legacy of those events still shapes how people see Stone Mountain today. Even as recent as 2017, the KKK asked for a permit to burn a cross on the summit. It was denied. It’s a place that tells a story- one that includes both natural beauty and a painful reminder of how history has been remembered and celebrated in the South.

I wanted to share that complicated history with you so that you can make a more informed decision about your visit. Stone Mountain is undeniably beautiful, with hiking trails, a scenic railway, and family-friendly attractions- but it also carries the weight of a past that shouldn’t be ignored. The massive carving of Confederate leaders and its ties to the Ku Klux Klan are part of its legacy. A visit here means engaging with both the natural landscape and the complex story carved into its granite face. It’s important to know what the place represents to different people before deciding how (or if) you want to experience it.

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Stay: Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort

Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort is your best bet for convenience and perks. It’s located right in the park and includes a shuttle to major attractions, an Annual Park Gate Pass (worth up to $40 each), and 20% off dining all day at Waterside Restaurant. Yes, rooms are in the $200–$250 range, but you’re saving at least $120 just by staying here.

The Evergreen Lakeside Resort has a great pool, hot tub, and life-sized chess and checkers boards! Plus, there is a coffee shop in the lobby selling Starbucks. Perfect for winding down before heading back to the park at night for the laser show!

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A Weekend Getaway to Stone Mountain: Things to Do Inside Stone Mountain Park

There’s no shortage of activities in the park. Here’s a breakdown of what you can do with your weekend:

Summit Skyride

This high-speed Swiss cable car takes you 825 feet up to the top of Stone Mountain. You’ll get sweeping views of the Atlanta skyline, the Appalachian Mountains, and more- up to 60 miles out they claim. Aside from the mountain, it is pretty flat so who knows? You can ride both ways, or do what we did: ride up, hike down. (Though if you’re not a fan of steep slopes and heights, fair warning- the top is intense.)

Scenic Railroad

Ride a full-size 1940s locomotive for a five-mile open-air loop around the base of the mountain. It’s a great way to cool off, and a hit with train-loving kids (and adults like me who needed the breeze).

Dinosaur Explore & Dinotorium

You’ll walk among over 20 life-sized, roaring dinosaurs at Dinosaur Explore– and if you have kids with you, Dinotorium is the place to burn off energy. Think foam ball shooters, climbing structures, and enough activity to satisfy both little ones and tweens.

4D Theater

We caught a Puppy Pals live dog show instead of them showing the movie in the theater. Think adorable dogs doing tricks. It is a big win for animal lovers. Offerings change, so check the schedule. If they do happen to be offering the 4D movie experience, do it! I did it on a previous visit and loved the environmental elements of it!

Mini-Golf

This 18-hole course is located right next to the train. It’s clever and fun for families or a casual afternoon date. Easy to pop in whenever. My nephew did a few holes while we were waiting for the train.

SkyHike

If you’re up for a challenge, try this treetop adventure course. Capacity is limited, and reservations may be required. You’re clipped into an overhead safety harness as you make your way through rope bridges and balance obstacles. It was a big nope for me because I do not trust clips and harnesses but I bet there are some teens who would love it.

Geyser Splash Pad

Newly renovated with fountains, trickling streams, and palm tree showers- this is a great option for kids (and overheated adults) on hot days.

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Love traveling in the state of Georgia? Check out this apple-picking adventure at Mercier Orchards outside of Ellijay, Georgia!

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Other Stone Mountain Park Attractions

There’s more we didn’t get to this time: the golf course, zip line, grist mill, and granite quarry trail are all worth checking out if you have more time or energy. We also saw some people kayaking on the lake!

Don’t Miss: The Stone Mountain Park Drone & Laser Show

You have to close your day with the nighttime show on the mountain face. I’ve been coming to Stone Mountain my whole life and didn’t think anything could top the classic laser show. I was wrong. The new version includes a full drone display, mountain projections, flames, fireworks- seriously, the whole production is wild. It kept the nostalgia and added an upgrade I didn’t know I needed.

Whether you’re in it for the workout, the thrill of climbing the mountain, or just looking for a fun outdoor escape with the family, Stone Mountain makes for a great weekend getaway. Just maybe don’t follow our lead and go during a 100-degree heatwave. When I say we were drenched- I mean full-on, soaked-through, my-brother-had-to-buy-a-new-shirt kind of bad. We ended up taking a full shower at the hotel before heading back out for the evening. Lesson learned. Plan wisely, and you’ll have a much more comfortable (and less sweaty) adventure.

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