In a world where everything seems so fast paced, sometimes you just need to relax with your children and drift along a slow-moving river once in a while.
Canoeing, kayaking and whitewater rafting may feed the needs of those in search of an adrenaline-filled adventure, but if you're looking for a calmer experience that connects you with your kids in a peaceful way, give tubing a try.
With beautiful rivers throughout Georgia, you're never very far from an opportunity to go tubing. These five locations offer a range of tubing to suit your family's needs.
Cool River Tubing. Prices: $10 per person for either trip; $14 all-day pass; $5 waterslide pass. 590 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, Georgia. 30545. 800-896-4595.
Offering shorter tubing rides that last 1-1.5 hours, and longer trips that can last up to 2 1/2 hours, your price includes the tube (with or without a bottom), a life jacket, straps, key-saver service and shuttle. All participants must be at least 3 years old, and children 12 and under must use the kid-size tubes.
Appalachian Outfitters. Prices start at $6 per tube. 2084 South Chestatee, Dahlonega, Georgia. 30533. 706-867-7116. www.canoegeorgia.com
For families new to tubing, try floating down the gentle Chestatee River in Dahlonega. A shuttle will take you to the drop-off spot, where you can experience a shorter 30-45 minute tubing ride. At the end of the journey, feel free to hike the nature trail back to the beginning to experience the float again.
Toccoa River Tubing Co. Prices start at $10 per person. 340 Toccoa Ave., McCaysville, Georgia. 30555. 706-492-5280. www.toccoatubing.com
Enjoy a relaxing float along the Toccoa River in North Georgia on this trip that's perfect for families looking for a gentler river experience for kids ages 3 and older. Make sure to bring along a change of clothes, lots of sunscreen and a cooler — you can actually rent a tube for your picnic lunch and non-alcoholic drinks.
Shoot the Hooch. $26 per person. Don White Memorial Park. 702 Riverside Road, Roswell, Ga. 30075. 770-650-1008. www.shootthehooch.com
Starting at Don White Park, the Shoot the Hooch tubing ride takes you on a leisurely 1.5 mile journey down the Chattahoochee River all the way to Azalea Park. Children ages 5 and older can take part. Because of low water temperatures, tubing takes place only when it's 80 degrees or hotter.
Coosawattee River Tubing Co.$20 per person. 25 Eagle Mountain Drive, Ellijay, Georgia. 30540. 706-635-1609.
Within one short hour of Atlanta, you and your family can tube down the gently flowing Coosawattee River up in Ellijay. The price includes your tube, a life jacket and the shuttle back and forth to the river. Keep in mind that all children must be at least 48 inches tall in order to take part, so make sure to measure your kiddos before you arrive.
Looking for even more fun things to do with your kids? If you love getting outside to have a good time, Georgia has you covered. Try these outdoor experiences around Georgia this summer. Your kids will love them.
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