If you are a fall foliage fanatic, you might have plans to take the family on a pilgrimage to the North Georgia mountains to check out the spectacular scenes of orange, red, brown and gold leaves. However, there are plenty of areas right here in metro Atlanta where you can catch that magical leaf transformation. Late October to early November is prime time for leaf watching. Panola Mountain State ParkThink Stone Mountain but without all the attractions, crowds and high parking fees. Less than 30 minutes from downtown Atlanta, Panola Mountain offers picturesque scenes of fall foliage all throughout the state park as well as a playground. Bonus: it is one of only three natural heritage areas in the state, meaning it is recognized as a place where history, cultural and natural wonders combine with places where people work and live. Grant ParkIf you head over to the Eastside of Atlanta, you will be amazed by the mature trees lining the streets of Grant Park, a historic Atlanta neighborhood. The park itself (Atlanta's oldest) is 131 acres of green space where you can see even more of these mature trees with fall color. Grant Park is also home to Zoo Atlanta, the Grant Park Farmers Market, cool playground and walking trails,so there is no shortage of activities for the family while you're sightseeing. Roswell Mill and Historic Town SquareAdd a little history with your fall foliage in Roswell (just 22 miles north of downtown Atlanta), where you can check out the leaves at The Roswell Mill and the nearby historic town square. At the Mill, visitors of any age can do a short hike across the bridge and up to a waterfall while enjoying the scenery. The bridge is a popular spot for photographers, so if you accidentally photo bomb too many people, take the less-than-half-a-mile walk to Roswell's historic town square. There, you can gaze at the beautiful trees around the square and tour the nearly 200-year-old mansion, Barrington Hall. Sweetwater Creek State ParkJust a few miles west of the city and so packed with trees, you can tell the kids you're in north Georgia. For a family-friendly hike, do the one-mile Red/History Trail which follows Sweetwater creek and ends at the ruins of an old textile mill. If you like to wake up to the sight of fall foliage, this place is a great overnight option as well, with playgrounds, campsites and even a yurt village. Piedmont ParkFor family fun under a canopy of immaculate fall leaves, you can't beat Piedmont Park. It is Atlanta's premier park, centered right in Midtown, with over 200 acres of green space and home to over 100 different tree species. From playgrounds to dog parks to just walking around and enjoying the views, it has everything your family needs for a fun fall day. Don't miss the Piedmont Park Green Market, with dozens of vendors and live music on Saturday mornings. College Campuses in AtlantaAtlanta is home to some of the finest universities, many of which have gorgeous campuses lined with trees. Emory University in Decatur has Lullwater Preserve, a large, peaceful park with a waterfall, wildlife and a 210-foot suspension bridge. Agnes Scott College, also in Decatur, offers a tree walk through their arboretum, where you can see the beautiful fall colors of their oaks and maples. There is even an app you can download to guide you through the walk. Another school worthy of tree gawking is Oglethorpe University in Brookhaven, which has a 100-acre wooded campus. Lake AllatoonaWhat's better than gorgeous fall leaves on the water? How about the fact that Lake Allatoona is only 45 minutes northwest of downtown Atlanta? You can drive up to their visitor's center or use this handy hiking guide if you want to hit one or two of their many trails. Be sure to bring your camera-there will be lots of frame-worthy photo ops with your kids and those colorful leaves. The post Seven Places in Metro Atlanta Perfect for Enjoying the Fall Foliage appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine.
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Our children see a barrage of rude behaviors on TV, in music videos, in video games, in movies and online.If you want your children's manners to reach a higher standard, how do you counteract those external, powerful influences? You do not have to be Emily Post to encourage good manners. Here's how to get started. Explain the whyThe essence of good manners is that you respect yourself and the other person. Remind your children of times when someone else has offered them a simple courtesy, such as holding a door, and made them feel valued. Teach greetings for when guests arriveDecide upon how formal you want to be. You may want a child to stand, shake hands and address visitors. Or maybe you are satisfied with teaching your child to say hello and make eye contact with the visitor, even if they remain seated on the couch. Your rules may vary depending upon the guest. Develop a technology basketDeclare a ban on electronic use when interacting with another person. Deposit cell phones and mobile devices in the basket so that there is no texting at dinner or when hanging out with family and friends. Request courteous greetings for family membersSay good morning and good night to each family member while making eye contact. This ensures you are all truly present for each other and it may help minimize those teenage grumpy starts to the day. Teach the value of promptnessSpeak to your children about how it feels when people do not arrive on time and keep others waiting. If you notice that tardiness is a chronic issue for your family, look at your level of organization and your number of commitments. Maybe a few changes to the family schedule would have you feeling less rushed. Remind them to follow the leaderIf your child is in a new situation, say at a friend's house for dinner and the table is set fancy, suggest that they sit back and watch what their host does. That way they know they are following the expectations of that household. This rule comes in handy for grown-ups too because we don't know the rules in every situation and it is OK to admit that. Encourage the holding of doorsWhen you are out in public, model the kind act of holding the door for the person entering behind you, or the person who looks like they could use the help. Smile and say thank you to anyone who does the same. Your children will see that it feels good to interact so positively with others. Teach them about selfishnessWhy are manners good for them? People who are kind are more desirable to be around. Your children are more likely to get repeat invitations when they practice good manners. Manners are also good for self-esteem because we all feel better about ourselves when we are doing the right thing. Sue LeBreton The post It's Hip to Have Manners (and Not Hard to Teach Them!) appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine. Because Atlanta is such a large metropolitan area, sometimes it's hard to find what you're looking for in a photographer. We've compiled a list of family photographers in the area who will help you make memories to cherish today and decades from now. Anna Goswick PhotographyAnna Goswick's North Atlanta photography business uses natural light photography to capture family moments.She was recognized among Best Maternity Photographers in Atlanta for 2017 by expertise.com Ashley Berrie PhotographyAshley says she became an even better photographer when her son was born because she has been photographing every little move he has made. She specializes in maternity, newborn, children and families andshe is an award-winning member of the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP). Atlanta Portrait PhotographyStudio or on-site photography available. Will do families, weddings, engagements, children, maternity, newborn, couples, special occasion and headshots. Bonnie J. Heath PhotographyBring your ideas and inspirations to the table when you meet with this experienced photographer, and she will help to make them into beautiful pictures. Chi PhotographyChi Pritchard with Chi Photography brings a whimsical element to child photography, some of her images include graphic backdrops with shapes like hearts and accessories such as crowns or costumes. She also has the ability to take natural-looking family photos mostly in outdoor settings. Christine Marie PhotographyA newborn session in the studio with natural light, a family lifestyle session in your home or an outdoor family session are some of your options with this photographer. Christine started doing weddings and then expanded to families and children when her own family grew. CreativeSoul PhotographyThis photographer's work looks as if it came right off the pages of a kids' fashion catalog, they are bright and beautiful images. The family photos are natural with kids jumping, climbing or doing whatever you wish while the husband and wife team shoots. Elizabeth Blank PhotographyElizabeth Blank specializes in maternity, newborn, children, family and even underwater photography. She has won several awards including first place in the toddler category in the National Association of Professional Child Photographer's Image Competition. Erica Aitken PhotographyErica Aitken focuses on baby, maternity, family and child photography, but also branches into other genres such as pet and engagement. She had an interest in photography from a young age, even taking photos of her siblings at the beginning. Esther Ayers PhotographySweet newborn portraits right in the nursery or photos of kids outside in natural light, Esther Ayers shoots this and families big and small. Hayley Jo PhotographyHayley Jo Photography specializes in newborn and family photography, often taking photos in clients' homes and nurseries, showcasing those first intimate family moments. Images by N'NekaAtlanta photographer and Air Force veteran N'Neka (pronounced In-nee-ka) has traveled the world with her camera, and now shoots families right here in Georgia. She has even shot several Atlanta Parent covers. Jacey Verhoef PhotographyJacey Verhoef Photography is based in Marietta, and the husband and wife team specialize in newborn, baby, kids, family and teen. Jacey handles photography and husband Bryan handles the business operations. James Hill PhotographyA duo of high school sweethearts, James and Michelle Hill focus on newborn, maternity and family photography. Janet Howard StudioJanet has been in the photography business for over 11 years, and focuses on weddings, maternity and families. Jess Kamm PhotographyThis North Atlanta photographer can provide all of the sets and props needed for a shoot, taking the stress off what to use for newborn sessions. The soft images capture babies perfectly, and she also shoots family portraits as well. Julie Hester PhotographyIn addition to on-location shoots, Julie Hester has two studios-a spot in downtown Woodstock especially for newborns, and a farmhouse in Canton filled with opportunities for photos. Katya Vilchyk Photography & DesignKatya Vilchyk focuses on family, maternity and newborn photos, and has an eye for romance and glow in every shot. When her daughter was born, she says she started to take on photography as a way to document those every day fleeting moments of our new family life. Laurie SermosLaurie has worked with everyone from Nike to multiple publications including some Atlanta Parent covers. She holds a Master's degree in photography and takes photos of family and kids, as well as headshots and editorial. Love Les PhotographyBased in Atlanta, Leslie Cox is a professional who likes to break the rules-she wants to highlight authenticity, and aims to show her subjects in uninhibited, unedited ways. MaddyEm PhotographyThe sweetness and joy of family is preserved in sessions with this Fayetteville-based photographer, who named her business after her own children. MNJPHOTOMonica Nwaigwe shoots families, editorial and sports teams. Her images zoom in on special moments, whether in black-and-white or color. Moreland PhotographyThis business has five acres of land for natural lighting and great studio for shots. Mike Moreland has been a photographer for over 30 years with experience in fashion and advertising. Nastja PhotographyNastja creates custom videos primarily of newborns and their families as well as shoots inside the home. Nicki Rutledge PhotographyShe takes photos of children and teens as well as families and pets. The seasoned styled mini sessions are a fun way to celebrate different holidays and have photos to remember. North South PhotographyThis husband-wife team are based out of Lake Lanier (really, they live on a houseboat!) They shoot families, engagement sessions and more. Richter:Kessing PhotographyOwner and photographer Brenda Richter-Kessing takes artistic photographs of kids, pets, families and more. Silly Goose PhotographyPhotographer Heidi Geldhauser shoots natural images of babies, kids and families, and school photos. Not the school photos of the past though, these are bright and colorful and involve lots of fun expression. She has also shot recent Atlanta Parent covers. Steven Wallace PhotographyHusband/wife duo Steven and Amanda Wallace focus mainly on wedding and engagement photography, but also take some great maternity and family portraits. Tamara Gonzalez PhotographyTamara Gonzalez became a photographer when her first child was born. She is self-taught and takes beautiful close-up images as well as family portraits outdoors or in home. She shoots family, maternity, newborn and fun studio sessions. Tiffany Kelly PhotographyTiffany Kelly shoots light-filled images of kids, families, pets, nature, you name it! She captures her subjects' motion and personalities in each photo. The post 30+ Top Family Photographers in Atlanta appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine. Rock climbing in Atlanta is a great indoor activity that challenges bodies and minds that families with younger or older children can do together! These Atlanta rock climbing gyms are great places to get started with special programs for kids. Atlanta Rocks!In addition to beginner classes, summer camps, birthday parties and youth climbing teams, Atlanta Rocks! offers a great Family Day. Every Wednesday beginning at 11 a.m., families can participate in a two-hour climb with staff supervision and full access to the entire climbing facility. Reservations are required, and the deal is also pretty good: one parent climbs free with each paid child climb. On Wednesday evenings, parents and kids can also pay to take a climbing class to start off with good technique. The intown Atlanta location is easy to reach, off of I-75. Adrenaline ClimbingLocated in Suwannee, youth climbing classes start at age 4, but beginners can just walk in for first instruction and climb time. The A Team, for kids ages seven-17, holds twice weekly coached practices, outdoor climbing trips, and competitions. Two-hour Family Fun Fridays (6-8 p.m.) include guided supervision for the whole family, or just the kids can climb while parents relax and watch! For a different experience, tweens and teens can try Cosmic Climb (Fridays 8- 10 p.m), a black-lit session set to dance music. Both Friday night experiences are $15 for two hours, climbing shoes not included. Escalade Rock ClimbingEscalade has locations in Kennesaw and Peachtree City, and offers classes for beginners, along with parties and spring/summer camps. Visit on weekends for guided climb times that include supervised instruction. Homeschooler alert! Every third Thursday from 12-2 p.m. is Homeschool day, with discounted rates, equipment and guide included. Stone SummitWith locations in Kennesaw, Atlanta (near Mercer University) and a new one coming to midtown, Stone Summit is accessible to most of the metro area. Gear rental includes a harness, belay device, shoes, and chalk bag with chalk to keep sweaty hands dry. Kids 12 and older can take a belay class to learn self-sufficient climbing or a bouldering class. Summer camps, birthday parties and youth team programs are all available. Wall Crawler Rock ClubKids ages seven-12 can visit for after-school climb times with a guide at this location on DeKalb Avenue in Candler Park-Atlanta. A youth climbing team meets twice a week to train on bouldering and rope climbing. Beginner classes and staff belay appointments require reservations, and summer camps and birthday parties are available, too. Friday nights after 6 p.m., any child under 18 or with a valid student ID can climb for just $6. Dalia Faupel The post Best Atlanta Rock Climbing Experiences for Families appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine. |
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January 2019
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