Once a village for the nearby farming community, Pine Mountain has kept its reputation for Southern-style hospitality while it has become a gem for tourists.
Just a few of the draws include golfing, hiking, unique shops and restaurants. Oh yes, and attractions for kids. The whole family can have a great time in this mountain haven, from young parents or extended family groups to adults with just one teen to entertain and hopefully bond with.
Pine Mountain's kid-approved pastimes involve lots of choices, from horseback rides to beach lounging, 45-foot jump houses to primitive camping.
Here's a "tour before the tour" guide that lets you head straight for the kid-friendly attractions your child will definitely enjoy in Pine Mountain (even if your preteen pretends to be "too cool" for the first few minutes):
Admission to view dinosaurs $10; for unlimited rides and activities $15; a season pass for one year $25.
Locally owned and operated, this park has more than 25 life-sized animated dinosaurs and dino-themed rides and attractions. The largest jump house in Georgia lives here (that's 45 feet with a slide, kids) and it's an option for dino-driven themed birthday parties.
214 S Main Ave., Pine Mountain. 706-489-3466.
Why kids love Dino Village: Three words: Ride. A. Dino.
Credit: Contributed by Roosevelt Riding Stables
Credit: Contributed by Roosevelt Riding Stables
One-hour trail ride prices start at $40 (children 10 and under $35) and increase in increments to $135 for a four-hour ride and around $225 for the overnight trail.
The stables offer guided horseback rides and geocaching through multiple trails inside Roosevelt State Park, perfect for the dreamy, animal-loving preteen or teenager who can enjoy turning off the cell phone (except for a few selfies with the horse) to savor the great outdoors. A great favorite is the Wagon Train Trail, which covers the early day "frontier" paths. The staff is well-known for being kind to young folks and new riders, and little ones ride double with an old hand so parents can enjoy the trails, too.
1063 Group Camp Road, Pine Mountain. 706-628-7463.
Why kids love Roosevelt Stables: They can wake up in the wild and jump back on the horse on the Overnight Trail ride (campfire cooking and sleeping by a creek included.)
Admission 13 and up $20, ages 6-12 $10, 65-plus $15 and 5 and under are free; extra charges for activities include $5-$25 for the Xlerator Water Slide; $5 per climb on the rock climbing wall; $7 per Spider Jump; and $90 per boat for 30 minutes of waterskiing, wakeboarding and tubing.
A wonderful example of a lake beach in Georgia, Robin Lake Beach is prime in the summer months for swimming, sunbathing and listening to music at the beach pavilion. Public restrooms, a kid's playground, free parking and a place to bring a picnic make this a family day favorite. Best of all, it's sand and sun without the long car ride to the ocean.
US Hwy. 27, Pine Mountain.
Why kids love Robin Lake Beach: The old school beach-side favorites, like paddleboats, table tennis, giant checkers and chess and mini golf − and Rockin Robin's Ice Cream Shop!
Credit: Contributed by Calloway Gardens
Credit: Contributed by Calloway Gardens
TreeTop Adventure Zip-lining at Callaway Gardens
Discovery course admission $35, Sapling course $15; admission to Callaway Gardens required with bundles starting at $41 for kids and about $49 for adults.
A self-guided, in-air obstacle course featuring 11 zip lines total, ranging from 44- to 700-feet-long and soaring as high as 70 feet above the forest floor.
4500 Southern Pine Dr., Pine Mountain. 844-512-3826.
Why kids love TreeTop Adventure Zip-Lining: The new "Sapling" course for those 36 inches to 60 inches tall lets smaller or timider folks participate without slowing the more adventurous down.
Single admission for children and seniors $21.95; adults $24.95 and family packs, $91.95.
Using your own vehicle or taking the complimentary bus tour, visitors can see, touch and feed hundreds of exotic animals.
1300 Oak Grove Road, Pine Mountain. 706-663-8744.
Why kids love Wild Animal Safari: There are more than 550 animals at the 500-acre attraction, so even if their favorite is something obscure, they're bound to see one!
One-tank trips is an occasional series from The Atlanta Journal Constitution that highlights places you can visit on – you guessed it – one tank of gas. Contact Stephanie Toone at stephanie.toone@ajc.com with questions or ideas.
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