Having four kids in tow, I’m always looking for vacation spots that are within 3-4 hours of travel for our family. Recently, I discovered a gem just north of Atlanta: the city of Alpharetta.
From Knoxville, Alpharetta is a 3 1/2 hour drive making it a perfect family destination! With weeks still left of summer break there is still time to plan a visit.
Family-Friendly Guide to Alpharetta Georgia
Things to Do in Alpharetta:
Fairway Social
Fairway Social was easily my husband’s favorite as it included golf, food and drinks. The kids loved the fun games in the bay and had so much fun on the “Back Nine” playing putt putt golf. It was a gorgeous day, so we could sit back in one of the rocking or Adirondack chairs watching the kids play. Fairway Social also has a rooftop where you can enjoy games of cornhole and the sunshine. The food was delicious as were the drinks. We really could have stayed there all day!
Fairway Social began as an idea: to create an amazing destination where family and friends – of all ages and skill levels – could come together for fun and shared experiences. Through thoughtful design, Fairway Social includes a multitude of things to do. Share a chef-inspired meal in our full-service restaurant; play competitive games on world-class simulators; enjoy our rooftop patio with music and huge-screen tv, or try out our amazing putting course and back porch rocking chairs. Whatever your speed, Fairway Social has something for you.
North Point Mall
The 1.4M square-feet North Point offers a wide variety of shopping options including some of the most popular national retailers and specialty shops like Macy’s, Lego, Sephora, Aerie, Victoria’s Secret, Van’s, H&M, and more!
Avalon
Avalon is a new experience in the timeless art of living well. In the heart of Alpharetta, this sustainably designed, 86-acre community features more than 500,000 square feet of retail, a 12-screen all premium theater, conference center and full-service hotel, Class A office, single-family residences and luxury rental homes. Avalon infuses resort-level hospitality throughout a walkable, seamlessly connected community of shopping, dining, entertainment, living and working. It’s more than just another place to go, it’s a place to be — a hub of activity that delivers the luxury of the modern South.
Original Selfie Museum (Inside North Point Mall)
The kids had a blast at the original Selfie Museum. They have fun backdrops and props for all ages.
Look no further, Original Selfie Museum is the place to go to with multiple locations nationwide. It’s the coolest Modern Art Museum you’ve ever visited with unique and authentic Instagram Walls created for ultimate fun, long lasting memories and amazing pictures!
Main Event
Main Event has something for everyone! We tried bowling with the kids for the very first time. I loved that you can select bumpers for individual bowlers so that dad and mom could have no bumpers (even though I could have used them as I’m a bit rusty!). We grabbed dinner and then continued on to the games. My four loved playing all the various games available. Main Event also has a ropes course and laser tag.
All Fired Up Pottery
This was such a fun experience! All six of us selected a piece to paint, and it was fun to see what everyone was interested in and what paint colors they chose. They really showed some creativity and it was a fun experience for the whole family!
With pottery painting and creative art classes, finding something to make at All Fired Up is easy. To help create this relaxed and stress free zone we charge only for the pieces created. There are no additional studio time or sitting fees. We carry over 700 items of pottery, including cups, plates, bowls, useful household/kitchen items and a great range of fun kids pieces. Our creative classes are designed to help everyone, no matter their perceived artistic ability, to make something memorable. Ideal for customers of all ages, our studios are perfect for all types of parties/events including birthday parties, wedding/baby showers, team-building events, and fundraisers.
Brooke Street Park
We love to get outdoors! We loved how walkable Alpharetta is, and that right in the middle of town, is a park to enjoy and explore with many art sculptures.
Brooke Street Park is a beautiful 5-acre passive park located in Downtown Alpharetta, positioned on the back side of Alpharetta City Hall along Haynes Bridge Road. The park features an arboretum with lovely specimen trees, a winding concrete path, an open lawn with a covered bandstand for local concerts, cornhole boards, public arts sculptures that are part of the Downtown Alpharetta Arts Walking Tour, and a small reflection garden located between City Hall and the Fulton County Library. A beautifully landscaped stream winds through the park around the lawn, perfect for a day of relaxing with the family or reading a book. Restrooms are available on the exterior ground floor of City Hall by the garden and in the parking garage across from the Library. Free parking is available around downtown or in the parking garage. The park is open from dawn to dusk.
Check out even more fun things to do in Alpharetta.
Where to Stay in Alpharetta:
Embassy Suites by Hilton
We have a family of six, so traveling and hotels can be a bit tricky sometimes. The Embassy Suites has the perfect solution for our larger family as it has suites, and we easily fit and had room to move around. The parents had a room with a king bed with a couch and living area. The kids shared a room with two queens which also had a couch and living area. We had a yummy breakfast every morning, and they also have drinks available in the evening. The indoor pool (which we didn’t have time to visit), was large and many families were there enjoying it. The hotel is also close to everything, so it’s an easy drive around town! It’s also right next to the North Point Mall.
Read the full list of hotels to stay in Alpharetta.
Where to Eat in Alpharetta:
Central City Tavern
We loved Central City Tavern! They have larger booths that fit my whole family of six. They had a great selection on their menu from which to choose. Outside, they have a green space where you can play games such as cornhole. They have a great outdoor seating area as well. The whole area around the tavern is walker friendly and perfect for a stroll after dinner.
Central City Tavern is an upscale sports tavern that offers a variety of delicious food and cool signature cocktails! Our industrial yet modern environment features more than 20 TVs (55″-65″), a shuffleboard table, outdoor seating and more! Our Taverns also highlight some of the historical elements from each local community. We are rich with local history, food and fun for everyone.
Kilwins
We went for a stroll after dinner and hit up a sweet treat at Kilwins!
Since 1947, Kilwins has been a celebrated part of Americana, a place where people can celebrate, vacation and share the experience of life, family and giving in a nostalgic setting. Today we continue the tradition of serving premium confections and Ice Cream made fresh from original recipes. We are locally owned and operated and it is our pleasure to serve you with genuine southern hospitality.
We were only there for two nights, so we didn’t get to experience all the yummy dining spots, but be sure to check out this extensive list of options.
Here are a few more fun facts about Alpharetta: 20 indoor attractions for family fun and nine miles of paved trail ways on the Big Creek Greenway for outdoor adventures.
Alpharetta Georgia really has something for everyone in your family. So pack up and head down south for a fun family adventure! Check out even more family day-trips here.
