Take a short drive just outside Atlanta, and you'll find a perfect place to get into the holiday spirit.
Stone Mountain Park’s Stone Mountain Christmas is one of the top 20 events in the Southeast – and there’s a good reason for it. It’s an annual tradition that the whole family can enjoy.
The Christmas event is meant to bring the magic of a small-town Christmas to life – in fact, it’s held in Stone Mountain’s Crossroads® area, a 19th century “town” – with two million lights, beautiful décor, live shows, a Christmas train, roaming carolers, holiday treats, shopping, great food and activities. There’s a nightly grand entrance by Santa Claus and his friends, along with a fireworks and snowfall celebration with the Snow Angel.
Here’s just a sampling of other special events and activities to expect at the Christmas event, open until December 30:
• The 20-minute Polar Express™ 4D experience, where guests will be able to enjoy an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole in Stone Mountain’s own 4D movie theater.
• Crossroads Christmas Carol, a traditional stage show with a comical twist, along with two new, live shows – A Hometown Holiday and Kickin’ Up Christmas.
• A grand, 50-foot Coca-Cola Christmas tree
Jingle Bell Bonfire, where guests can gather to roast hot dogs, marshmallows or make s’mores
• Santa Claus visit and photos
• Sing-Along Christmas Train, where guests enjoy colorful lights around the mountain.
• Kids’ Land, where kids can meet and greet the Coca-Cola Polar Bear and Mr. and Mrs. Frosty and play in “The Great Barn” (four floors of fun)
• Storytelling by Mrs. Claus
Of course, there’s also the park’s regular attractions, such as The Summit Skyride, Swiss cable cars which takes guests atop Stone Mountain to experience a breathtaking view; the Antique Car and Treasure Museum (known for the 1948 Tucker in its collection); Stone Mountain Museum at Memorial Hall, Ride the Ducks Adventure (amphibious vehicles used during World War II); Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard and the Lasershow Spectacular (the world’s largest). Several other attractions are open during the warmer months, such as a waterslide complex, the Treehouse Challenge, mini-golf and the Paddlewheel Riverboat. The park also has other special events throughout the year that bring lots of visitors.
Even with so many great things to do, the Stone Mountain experience also is designed so that you can be as busy – or as laid back – as you want to be. After all, the backdrop is magnificent Stone Mountain, the world’s largest freestanding piece of exposed granite, with the impressive Confederate Memorial Carving that has its own unique story. There’s a beautiful covered bridge, a grist mill, a quarry exhibit and 13-story Carillon Bells that was built for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. The beauty of nature abounds here, with walking and hiking trails and other outdoor activities as weather permits. And sunsets here are not to be missed.
Stone Mountain has a large campground – with 441 sites, a supply store, laundry facilities, volleyball court, playground and a new swimming pool. Two hotels also are on site – the Marriott Evergreen Conference Center and Spa Resort, and Stone Mountain Inn. The resort offers beautiful views of the lake and the mountain, and there’s plenty to do – it has golf, two pools, tennis, a spa and a fitness room. A free shuttle service takes hotel guests to Stone Mountain attractions, and packages are available. The beautiful Stone Mountain Inn, a classic southern inn, is located right in the center of the park across from several attractions.
Restaurants are plentiful at Stone Mountain, from a delicious bakery to Miss Katie’s Sideboard Restaurant, which features home-cooked meals and is home of the famous hand-tossed roll. And there are lots of terrific gift shops that feature handmade crafts, souvenirs, clothing, candy, toys and other unique gifts.
If You Go:
Stone Mountain Park, U.S. Highway 78 East, Exit 8, Stone Mountain, GA 30087, 800-401-2407, www.stonemountainpark.com.
Marriott Evergreen Conference Center and Spa Resort, 4021 Lakeview Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083, 770-879-9900, www.evergreenresort.com.
Marriott Stone Mountain Inn, 1058 Robert E. Lee Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083, 770-469-3311, www.stonemountainpark.com.
From top: Santa makes a daily appearance at Stone Mountain Christmas; A fireworks show and the Snow Angel cap each evening; The Confederate Carving has its own unique history.