"Staycation" in Roswell

You live in the metro-Atlanta area and are looking for inexpensive things to do. What’s fun to do in Roswell that doesn’t break the bank?

Chattahoochee Nature Center – 9135 Willeo Road: Chattahoochee Nature Center is the oldest and largest private non-profit natural science learning center in the Southeast. This environmental sanctuary encompasses 27 species of native wildlife and 127 acres of native plants and gardens. The Center grows more than 50% of the rare and endangered plant species found in Georgia, in their gardens. Some gardens reflect Georgia's Living Wetlands, depicting 5 different wetland habitats that are threatened throughout the State of Georgia. A Butterfly Garden, Bog Garden with carnivorous plants, river boardwalk, and woodland trails add to the experience. This place is a bargain - $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 3 to 12 and free for children 2 and under. During the year, it offers hikes with guides, canoeing trips, and other fun events.

Roswell Visitors Center – 617 Atlanta Street: The Visitors Center has two free videos that give you an overview of the town and its history – one is 12 minutes and the other is 25 minutes and goes into more detail. While in the Visitors Center, take advantage of the new “Roswell Mills and Mill Life” exhibit, including a recreation of the mill wheel that powered the cotton mills, interactive displays, and a free booklet that explains the importance of cotton and woolen mills to the development of Georgia. There’s even a large display case of Civil War artifacts for Civil War buffs.

While in the Visitors Center, be sure to get your FREE copy of the walking tour map of the Historic District. You can create your own at-your-pace tour of the historic buildings that played a part in Roswell’s history. For a more detailed tour, the Roswell Historical Society offers a docent-led walking tour on Wednesday morning at 10 am and Saturday afternoon at 1 pm. Reservations are required and a $5 per person fee applies. If those times don’t suit your schedule, there’s a taped version of the tour that rents for just $5, regardless of the number of people in your party.

Roswell Mills and Mill Life: FREE walking tour that gives you a glimpse into the lives of the Mill Workers in Roswell just before the Civil War and lets you in on the mystery of the 400 women and children who were charged with treason and deported during the war. Just go to www.visitroswellga.com/roswell-mills.html and download a copy for your favorite MP3 player. If walking is not your thing, you may check out a driving tour version in the Roswell Visitors Center.

Trilogy Pass to Bulloch Hall, Barrington Hall, and Smith Plantation homes: The pass is $18 for adults, $15 for children which saves you $2 per house off of the normal admission price. Passes may be purchased at the Roswell Visitors Center or at the first house you visit. At this time, the pass does not expire, so you can see one house on one day and then save your pass and see the other house(s) on another day.

Hike the Trails in Roswell: Sixteen miles of trails wind through the city. Vickery Creek Park, with an interpretive walk highlighting the old mill ruins, allows visitors to get close to Vickery Creek and its dam. The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is linked to the trail by the Old Mill Covered Pedestrian Bridge. Enjoy the beauty of the Chattahoochee River at Azalea Park on Azalea Drive; Don White Memorial Park on Riverside Rd; Riverside Park on Riverside Road. Maps and information about the trails is available at the Roswell Visitors Center.

Riverside Sounds: These outdoor concerts occur the first Saturday of the month, from May through October at Riverside Park (575 Riverside Road). A great gathering of family, friends and young people. Bring chairs or blanket and a picnic and enjoy some of the area’s best musical artists. FREE http://www.roswellgov.com/ or 770-641-3705.

Sundays on the Square: These outdoor concerts occur May 17th, 24th, 31st and June 7th, 14tth and 21st, from 3 to 4:30 pm. Come to the Square (corner of Atlanta Street and Marietta Highway) and bring chairs or blanket and a picnic and enjoy great music. FREE http://www.roswellgov.com/ or 770-641-3705.

Outdoor Movies at Riverside Park: May 23rd – Madagascar 2; July 18th – Kung Fu Panda; August 22nd – Journey to the Center of the Earth. FREE. Bring a picnic along with your lawn chairs and blankets, enjoy great music, play on the playgrounds, and then settle in for movie fun. Food and drinks may be purchased at the concession stand. Movies begin at dark.

Alive After Five: Every third Thursday from April through October, Canton Street in Beautiful Historic Roswell celebrates Alive After Five from 5:00 PM till 9:00 PM, You will find storefront merchants and street vendors with specials for the evening, restaurants ready to serve your favorite meal, galleries with fabulous art and craft, and nonprofit organizations to inform and educate! Check out http://www.aliveafterfiveroswell.com/ for full details.

Roswell Skate Park – 830 Grimes Bridge Road: Skateboarders and in-line skaters can experience half pipes, quarter pipes, ramps, and rails. Helmets, knee pads (or long pants), shirts and shoes (skateboarders) are required. Elbow and wrist pads are encouraged. Park is open seven days a week with the exception of rain or other wet weather conditions. Skate park hours are subject to change so call 770-641-3996 for daily hours. Daily rates and quarterly passes are available.

Make It a REAL Getaway: With all that there is to do in Roswell, you'll just have to spend the night. Check out our wonderful lodging opportunities http://www.visitroswellga.com/lodging.html and transform your "Staycation" into a real Get Away!