Fun for folks in the south

May 24, 2007 7:23 AM

Need to plan a family friendly, summer outing for a small company in Atlanta, GA....

My husband's company is a small (18) firm that wants to plan something fun for this summer. Not too many kids involved but there will be a few that we need to plan for. I'm thinking a day trip, outing etc. somewhere in Metro Atlanta. Good food, some kind of activity or entertainment. Maybe Chateau Elan or the Ritz at Lake Occonee offers something for this? Does anybody have any experience or ideas for such an excursion? And if you can't comment on fun in Atlanta, please give me any ideas that you may have about fun, creative company trips that you have been on. What did you do, were there gifts involved, what stood out to make the day special? Money is not really and issue. It's been a good year and we want to say Thanks!!

posted by pearlybob to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (10 answers total)

Have you checked into group sales for a major/minor league baseball game?
posted by jerseygirl at 7:37 AM on May 24, 2007

Perhaps the Aquarium or the brand new, opening-today, World of Coke or both! Both locations are great for kids and adults (I'm supposing about the WoC).

You could follow it up with dinner at a fancy schmancy restaurant in Buckhead.
posted by odi.et.amo at 7:38 AM on May 24, 2007

Response by poster: We nixed the ball game idea because there are small children involved. Some very small. We figured that it wouldn't be much fun for them in the Atlanta heat to be at a game all day. No fun for their parents either. But it's a good idea. Thanks!!
posted by pearlybob at 7:40 AM on May 24, 2007

Lake Oconee and Chateau Elan are incredibly hot in the summer. What about lakes in north Georgia such as Lake Burton or Lake Blue Ridge? Rent a couple of pontoon boats and cruise around for the day. The Braves do have suites with catered food available. I watched a game in one of the suites once and it was great. Zoo Atlanta has private tents available to rent. If you are catering your event, I've used Lowcountry Barbecue and they do a great job.
posted by Frank Grimes at 8:09 AM on May 24, 2007

How about one of the special behind-the-scenes, watch-the-whales-get-fed trips at the aquarium? I saw something about that on their web site.

Also, you might consider Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA (a little south of Atlanta). They have a big enclosed glass butterfly conservatory (with exotic plants and birds), apparently a birds-of-prey show, beautiful gardens -- you could probably arrange a lovely catered lunch and/or dinner. Having a bus to do the road-tripping would be nice too (although the families with young children may not want to be trapped without their cars). Some of the facilities are indoors. I'm not sure whether they have a restaurant, but they do have an inn and a lodge, apparently.

You might also consider Lookout Mountain. See seven states! It's more northerly, might be cooler.


Super bonus if you can arrange trustable, come-along child care during the outing.
posted by amtho at 8:55 AM on May 24, 2007

I just planned an event for my department (~110 people) at Stone Mountain Park this last Saturday-- for a specific dollar amount per person, you get park admission and parking, a catered meal, a wrist band good for entry into any of the attractions anywhere in the park, and entry into the laser show if you are there on Saturday night.

We had a great time, and I got really good feedback from the people in my department. The staff are professional, polite, and we didn't have to do anything but show up. dwisdom at google's mail service if you need names or contact information for folks at the park.
posted by wonderwisdom at 9:24 AM on May 24, 2007

But be advised, if you are doing it in the Summer heat, it will probably be not as pleasant.
posted by wonderwisdom at 9:25 AM on May 24, 2007

With that set of restrictions, you could do a lot worse than an afternoon at Dave & Busters (2 Atlanta locations). It's air-conditioned, there are tons of games that are kid and family friendly, there are real restrooms, there is food and drink, and the adults can play poker, roulette, or adult team games. Plus they are easy to find, plenty of parking and relatively inexpensive.
posted by paulsc at 11:27 AM on May 24, 2007

Adding to Paulsc's comment - there's a D&B's right next to the new Medieval Times in Discover Mills (Gwinnett). That'd be a pretty fun day!
posted by odi.et.amo at 12:01 PM on May 24, 2007

I will second the Low Country BBQ catering suggestion... that stuff is TASTY.
posted by BobFrapples at 12:52 PM on May 24, 2007