Roswell Offers Variety of Staycation Options

While some residents may be planning summer vacations away from Roswell this year, others  may stay home. And, local business representatives say you don’t need to leave Roswell to have a great Staycation.

“There’s so much to do here,” said Lynn McIntyre, senior director of community relations of the Chattahoochee Nature Center, one of several local businesses teaming up for this year’s Staycation promotion. “Roswell is rich with amenities. We want people to discover and have fun, and spend time with each other doing it.”

At the Chattahoochee Nature Center, visitors can walk the trails in the woodlands and on river boardwalk, see animals that have been rehabilitated and watch a movie in the theater. Children can bring in items like pine cones and shells to trade for other items, and families can enjoy special events and activities, such as this weekend’s Wonders of Water, which will include activities focused on the properties of water.

“(Visitors) are profoundly amazed if they’ve never entered the gate,” McIntyre said. This little hidden gem is suddenly the oldest and largest nature center in the state.”

Looking for other trails to hike? A covered pedestrian bridge leads walkers into the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Or, head in the other direction to see the waterfall that was built for the mill race.

“It’s an interpretive trail that tells of the history of the area,” Roswell Convention & Visitor’s Bureau Executive Director Dotty Etris said of the ½ mile path. “It’s a beautiful little walk. That’s a good thing that you can do with children of all ages.”

Those wanting to hike further can cross the pedestrian bridge and head to the river.

“That’s quite a little hike, but it’s an enjoyable hike, and it’s shaded through the national forest,” Etris said.

Other outdoor activities include the city’s two spray grounds – one at Riverside Park and the other at East Roswell Park.

“The kids just absolutely love it,” Etris said. “My grandson is 5, and I’ve been taking him since he was tiny. Both of them are absolutely wonderful.”

And, those interested in history can participate in the Southern Trilogy Home Tour, which hits three historic homes – Barrington Hall, Smith Plantation and Bulloch Hall. And, on weekend evenings, Roswell Ghost Tours takes residents and visitors on a walk through the city’s square and surrounding areas, pointing out locations where ghosts have reportedly been seen.

There also are a plethora of indoor activities to beat the heat. Andretti Indoor Karting and Games offers high speed super karts, a rock wall, a ropes course, basketball, bowling and other games. Kids can spend the day bouncing and sliding at Monkey Joe’s, and children and adults can jump at Sky Zone’s indoor trampoline park, one of Roswell’s newest attraction.

“There are a lot of people who don’t know (Sky Zone) is here,” Etris said. “There’s just something for everyone There are some things you can spend money on, (and you can) combine them with things that are free.”

And deals and coupons are exactly what residents of and visitors to Roswell will find on the CVB’s website under the Staycation banner.

We want people to (see) there are things (they) can do with (their) family right here close to home,” McIntyre said. “Sometimes they just need a little bit of a deal to make it better.”