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

15 Family-Friendly Summer Day Trips from Atlanta

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 05/23/2025 - 11:10am

Step into a Bavarian village without ever having to leave the state when you visit Helen, Georgia. Photo by Bill Leffler

Consider a summer day trip from Atlanta to keep the kids entertained, busy, and cool beyond the city's brutal summer heat. These Atlanta summer day trips are budget-friendly options, saving on the cost of overnight accommodations, yet allow families to explore the surrounding areas. Luckily, Atlanta is centrally located between lots of fun, easy-to-visit destinations all within a two-hour drive or less from downtown!

Memorial Day Weekend 2025 in Atlanta: Best Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 10:16am

Families head to Stone Mountain Park Memorial Day weekend to honor our troops at this four-day event. Photo courtesy of Stone Mountain Park

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

Most Atlanta students are officially out for summer! Luckily, Atlanta has lots of FREE evening concerts like Riverside Sounds in Roswell and City Green Live in Sandy Springs. Also, check out Alpharetta Arts Streetfest happening this weekend, with face painting, food trucks, and art. Honor our armed forces at Stone Mountain Park's Memorial Day tribute, featuring a laser light show followed by patriotic fireworks. Plus, Memorial Day weekend is perfect for Summer Day Trips from Atlanta as well as a visit to nearby Georgia Swimming Lakes and Beaches.

18 Swimming Lakes and Beaches Near Atlanta for Georgia Families this Summer

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 05/18/2025 - 11:43am

Enjoy the views during your summer visit to Don Carter Beach at Lake Lanier. Photo courtesy Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Swimming lakes offers a refreshing and fun way to beat the heat during an Atlanta summer. When it gets too hot for the playground and you want a break from pool chlorine, head to one of these lakes where the family can reconnect with nature. These Atlanta swimming lakes with great beaches make great summer day trips for Atlanta families. We've narrowed it down to our favorites, all about two hours or less from Atlanta. And in case you're wondering, these spots have restrooms and many offer boat rentals!

To stay cool this summer when temperatures soar, check out these Cool Ways to Beat the Heat in Atlanta, B est Outdoor Water Parks, and Spraygrounds and Splash Pads in Atlanta for Kids. Be sure to sign up for our FREE newsletters to stay informed about more exciting things to do this summer!

26 Summer Festivals and Fairs in Atlanta for Families

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 05/16/2025 - 10:52am

Join the sweet festivities at Atlanta Ice Cream Festival for a fun-filled day of America's favorite dessert. Photo courtesy of the event

Get hyped for summer festivals in Atlanta as more fun events are announced every day! From yummy food and live music to bouncy houses and parades, there is something to keep every family member happy at these fun-in-the-sun summer festivals near you. We picked our faves to add to your summer calendar...don't miss the delicious Atlanta Ice Cream Festival, as well as lots of Fourth of July events, and the always popular Dragon Con, as well as Summer Shade Festival and Virginia-Highland Summerfest.

Mother’s Day Weekend 2025 in Atlanta: Brunches and More Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 9:17am

Treat mom to a fabulous Mother's Day weekend in Atlanta! Photo by author

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

The main event of Mother's Day weekend is...MOM! If mom is into art, we've rounded up several art festivals on Mother's Day weekend in Atlanta -- head to the Dunwoody Art Festival or Chastain Arts Festival. These beloved Atlanta festivals offer activities for adults and kids (bounce houses, face painting, arts & crafts). Moms with sons can spend some quality time at the Sandy Springs Mother Son Dance; outdoorsy moms head to the Chatthoochee Nature Center for its annual Mother's Day Family Canoe Trip; and sporty moms can spend a few hours at the Chik-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame.

It's not too late to book a Mother's Day Brunch at an Atlanta restaurant that mom (and kids) will love. We love mommies at Mommy Poppins!

Free Outdoor Movies in Atlanta This Summer for Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 05/04/2025 - 11:03am

Purchase dinner from local restaurants or pack one from home for Duluth's summer movie series, Flicks on the Bricks. Photo courtesy of the event

Watching outdoor movies in Atlanta under the stars is an ideal summertime bucket list item. Moviegoers enjoy the cooler evening weather, a family-friendly flick, and best of all, FREE admission! These free outdoor movies in Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs last all summer long. Even better, you don't have to scour the internet trying to find outdoor movies in Atlanta because we've already done that. Dust off the picnic blankets and lawn chairs, and enjoy the show!

24 Best Things to Do in Atlanta May 2025 with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 04/27/2025 - 8:15am

Georgia's State Fair promises carnival rides, children's attractions and carousels! Photo courtesy of the event

From Mother's Day to Memorial Day, we'll be finding fun things to do all month long—May the 4th be with you!

Head outdoors this May in Atlanta for sunshine, warmth, and opportunities for kids to get out their wiggles. Families flock to FREE art festivals in May, including Chastain Park Arts Festival, Decatur Arts Festival, and Alpharetta Arts Streetfest. Each of these outdoor events have interactive activities for kids in addition to local art for parents to purchase. Every weekend in May families can hit the Georgia Renaissance Festival, which has tons of things to do for kids. And what's May without the arrival of the Georgia State Fair?! At the end of the month, families enjoy a long Memorial Day weekend, with special celebrations like a spectacular laser light show at Stone Mountain Park!

Easter Weekend 2025 in Atlanta: Easter Egg Hunts, Earth Day Events, and More Top Things To Do

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Wed, 04/16/2025 - 11:14am

Head to Avalon for Easter egg fun, with a Bunny cameo! Photo courtesy of Avalon

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

It's Easter weekend in Atlanta, when Atlanta families can hop around lots of fun Easter egg hunts, including Saturday's Northeast Cobb Community Egg Drop, which features 90,000 eggs dropped by helicopter! Some of our other faves happening this weekend: Hop-a-Long Easter Egg Hunt in Alpharetta, Easter Egg Scramble in Brookhaven, and Grant Park's Easter Egg Hunt. Beyond Easter, kids can also celebrate our planet with Earth Day events this weekend, like Earth Day Fest in East Atlanta Village and Autrey Mill Nature Preserve's Earth Day Celebration. Check out even more things to do Easter weekend in Atlanta included below!

Elsa Simcik

Latest posts by Elsa

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