Help! My kids are Bored!

 Spring Break means that children are out of school and looking to you for something to do.  Back in the day, a new board game, clothes to play dress up, or paints, clay, and other craft items would keep them occupied for hours and when the newness wore off, you’d just send them outside to play with their friends.  Today, those activities will work for a couple of hours and then your children are looking to you for something else to do.

Walking in our Roswell Parks and watching children squeal with laughter when they swing or race each other to see who will be first to climb the slide, shows that playgrounds are still high on children’s lists of fun places.  Ten of the parks in Roswell have playgrounds just waiting for children to enjoy them.  Nine of those ten parks have picnic areas so you can bring lunch and have a place to relax after working up a great appetite.

Have a furry friend that wants to be part of the action? East Roswell Park, Leita Thompson Park and the Woodstock Soccer Complex all have dog parks. 

One of my favorite places to take children is the Chattahoochee Nature Center.  In addition to all of the animals on display (my favorite part), children of all ages enjoy the hands-on displays and exhibits in the Discovery Center.   Full details about the Nature Center and all of their events is at chattnaturecenter.org

Prepare for the thrill of the ride! Gear up in your Andretti racing suit, slip behind the wheel of a Superkart and prepare to take on the Andretti designed indoor track at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games. There are also classic arcade and prize games, laser tag, high ropes obstacle course and bowling.  Full information on Andretti’s can be found at www.andrettikarting.com/roswell  

Ready for more?  Area 51 is located off of Commerce Parkway, behind Roswell Towne Center.  Enjoy first-run movies at the Aurora Cineplex featuring 10 screens, digital sound, 3D capabilities, stadium-style, and high-back-rocker seating. While you’re there, check out The Fringe miniature golf with two courses and 36 holes providing amusing surprises and adventures throughout each course.  Full details are at www.a51fun.com

There are lots more FREE things to do in Roswell, too!  www.visitroswellga.com/free-things-roswell

Roswell has so many great things to do that it’s a great Spring Break destination.  Check out one of our wonderful lodging facilities to rest and relax before heading out for more fun.   www.visitroswellga.com/what-to-do/lodging 

Roswell Criterium Article

Great article in 4/22/2009 Roswell Neighbor -
Bicycle Event Wheels Through Historic Roswell

“Some of the nation’s best bicycle racers will be in Roswell on Sunday for the 8th annual Historic Roswell Criterium, one of the top single-day races in the country.”

To see the entire article, go to: www.neighbornewspapers.com/detail/147916.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=criterium&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=&town_id=&page=

For information, go to http://www.roswellcriterium.com/

For great hotel deals for the race, go to www.visitroswellga.com/lodging-special-offers.html

Historic Roswell Criterium

Speed, spectators, scenery – Historic Roswell Criterium has it all. 4/26/2009 in downtown Historic Roswell. Check out http://www.roswellcriterium.com/ for full details on the races.

Never heard of a Criterium? According to the Criterium’s website, a Criterium is: The most common form of American racing, the criterium, is a multi-lap race of 25 to 60 miles held on a closed course generally a mile or less in length. These races, which usually last one to two hours, are extremely fast -- 30 mph and up -- as the cyclists jockey for position and sprint for lap “primes” (cash or merchandise prizes, pronounced “preems”). The short closed course, generally with both right- and left-hand corners, makes this type of racing easy to watch for spectators and more accessible for the media.In criteriums, it’s “go” from the gun as the strong riders force the pace and the weaker ones struggle to hang on. Quick acceleration and bike-handling ability are paramount -- a successful criterium rider will be able to dive into a tight corner at high speed, leaning the bike over at a gravity-defying angle, then power out of the turn and instantly set up for the next. It’s important to stay near the front; the first few riders in a pack can take a corner with little or no braking. Those toward the back jockey for the best “line” through the turn, brake, then sprint to catch up with the pack as it accelerates, developing an “accordion” effect.

Race Times: Races begin at 11 am and the last race of the day is an 80 minute professional race that begins at 6 pm. There is even a children’s race where children who complete the 3-5 pm Bicycle Safety Rodeo come out on the professional track for a 200 yard race.

Spectators will gather all along the route so bring your chairs and come prepared for a fun day. For those who prefer retail therapy over sports, part of the race route is right next to a quaint shopping district on Canton Street. Art, antiques, gifts, clothing, and many one of a kind items are found in the shops in the area, as well as fun restaurants, coffee houses, and tea rooms. There’s something for all ages to enjoy.

Special Hotel Rates: Five Roswell Hotels (Best Western Roswell Suites, Comfort Suites, Country Inns & Suites, DoubleTree Hotel Atlanta / Roswell, and Holiday Inn Atlanta/Roswell) are all offering special rates for the race. Check out www.visitroswellga.com/lodging-special-offers.html for rates and reservation information.