Elsa Simcik

Elsa Simcik has been freelance writing for 20-something years, covering a hodgepodge of fields--health & fitness, human interest stories, and even dating. After becoming a mom she segued into writing for local magazines and websites, focusing on parenting, fun things to do with kids, and travel. The travel part is fun, but not as glamorous as it sounds, because it's traveling with kids. Still, she'll take it.

Latest posts by Elsa

Best Things to Do in Atlanta July 2025

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 06/29/2025 - 10:43am

Decatur starts its 4th of July festivities with the Pied Piper Parade. Photo courtesy of the event

Atlanta sizzles with family fun this month, starting with 4th of July fireworks and continuing with shows, events, and summer festivals!

Kick off July in Atlanta with a bang at popular attractions like Stone Mountain Park and Margaritaville at Lanier Islands. Want more July 4th fireworks and patriotic events? Check out our guide to 4th of July Fireworks and Parades in Atlanta. When your kids need air-conditioned fun, head to Atlanta's theaters and museums this month. The guys from Dude Perfect bring trick shots into Gas South Arena; Roswell Summer Puppet s and More launches a new show each week; and Aurora Theatre in Lawrencville hosts a Summer Break Magic Show. At the end of July, we'll all be screaming for ice cream at the annual Atlanta Ice Cream Festival in Piedmont Park!

Since there's more summer fun to be had, we've got ideas for the whole season! Check out our Ultimate Atlanta Kids Summer Vacation Guide for all the hottest ideas to stay cool this summer.

Best Splash Pads in Atlanta for Kids This Summer

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 06/15/2025 - 9:01am

Head to the Duluth Town Green Fountain for a romp through the refreshing splash pad. Photo courtesy Explore Gwinnett

Let kids frolic in an Atlanta splash pad, sprayground, or fountain to cool off during sweltering months. Our list will point you to the best splash pads all over Atlanta -- at parks, kid-friendly attractions, and community green spaces. Put these budget-friendly (and some even FREE) splash pads in Atlanta on your summer bucket list.

Where To See 4th of July Fireworks in Atlanta 2025: More Atlanta July 4th Parades and Events

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 9:12am

July 4th fireworks light up Marietta's night sky! Photo courtesy of City of Marietta

Enjoy spectacular Atlanta fireworks 2025 for a memorable holiday. (Bonus: it's on a Friday this year!) Practically every Atlanta suburb and intown neighborhood is putting on its own July 4th fireworks display, festival, and parade. Folks can also celebrate kid-friendly fireworks at Atlanta attractions like Stone Mountain Park, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, and Truist Park, cheering on our Atlanta Braves. Most of the patriotic parties in Atlanta will take place on Friday, July 4th, including Atlanta's internationally known AJC Peachtree Road Race!

Read on for all the details about the best 4th of July fireworks in Atlanta and find even more ways to make memories in our Atlanta Kids' Summer Vacation Guide.

Father's Day Weekend 2025 Things To Do in Atlanta: Plus, Honoring Juneteenth and More

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Wed, 06/11/2025 - 9:31am

Spend the day with dad at one of the many events happening in Atlanta this Father's Day weekend. Photo by the author

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this Father's Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list this weekend!

Celebrate Father's Day weekend in Atlanta with events at Your 3rd Spot in West Midtown and The Fringe and Chattahoochee Nature Center, both in Roswell. All weekend long folks have opportunities to honor Juneteenth at inspiring Atlanta events, including downtown's Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival and at the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead. Check below for more details on these exciting happenings and even more cool events in Atlanta this weekend!

20 Best Swimming Pools in Atlanta: From Public Pools to Hotels with Day Passes

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 06/08/2025 - 11:07am

Dive into cooling relief at Roswell Area Park pool. Photo by the author

Atlanta has great public swimming pools, in addition to Swimming Lakes and Beaches Near Atlanta, fun for families and perfect for summer temps. Many of these local swimming pools feature diving boards, water slides, and splash pads for little ones, making them more engaging than typical swim/tennis neighborhood pools. And did you know certain Atlanta hotel pools offer swimtime without requiring an overnight stay?! Several Atlanta hotels offer day passes to enjoy the posh amenities.

Many of the public swimming pools near Atlanta listed here have set times for open swim sessions, so be sure to check the schedule and pool rules. For more ways to cool off this summer, check our awesome Atlanta Kids Summer Guide!

Atlanta's Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families This Summer

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 06/06/2025 - 9:19am

Children can dance the night away at Avalon Nights outdoor music series. Photo courtesy of Avalon

When parents need summer activities that are fun and easy, free concerts for families are music to our ears. Atlanta is full of free concerts and music festivals during summer—pack up tailgate chairs, blankets, snacks, and drinks, and head to a nearby greenspace to hear live free music. We've rounded up the best outdoor summer concerts and music festivals all over Atlanta. And the best part? Every Atlanta event on our list is FREE! Bonus: Most of these summer concerts happen after sundown so families won't be sweating to the oldies.

23 Best Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids June 2025

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 05/30/2025 - 6:46am

Parents love the activities specifically geared for children during Virginia-Highland Summerfest. Photo by Debra Thibodeaux

Get ready for summer vacation! Things to do in Atlanta this month include Juneteenth celebrations, Father's Day, and lots of summer festivals.

June in Atlanta brings popular summer festivals, like Virginia-Highland Summerfest with music, art, and an entire Kidsfest! Don't miss the Chattahoochee Nature Center Butterfly Festival with games, entertainment, and hundreds of butterflies. Celebrate Juneteenth at Atlanta events like the Downtown Juneteenth Parade & Music Festival and Acworth's Juneteenth Concert on the Green. On select weekends in June, Thomas the Train fans can spend the day with Thomas and Friends in Cordele, Georgia. And honor dad at Father's Day events in Roswell and downtown Atlanta.

Get more ideas by checking out our Ultimate A tlanta Kids Summer Vacation Guide, which includes inspiration for FREE Things to Do This Summer as well as Summer Day Trips from Atlanta.

Atlanta Summer Fun: 50 Amazing FREE Activities for Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 05/25/2025 - 8:19am

Family Fun Nights in Woodstock returns for its third season this summer with fun, themed nights. Photo courtesy of Visit Woodstock

"Free summer activities in Atlanta" is our favorite phrase when it comes to this time of year. ("Cheap" is a close second!) More importantly, kids are happy and worn out playing at a free park or splash pads. Since an Atlanta summer usually requires water, air conditioning, evening shade (or all three), we've kept those prerequisites in mind while gathering the best free kids activities in Atlanta this summer!

Elsa Simcik

Latest posts by Elsa

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