City: Atlanta, GA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (770) 948-9290

Address: 275 Riverside Pkwy.

Description: “A World of Fun, Not a World Away!” is a fitting motto for this sprawling, family-oriented theme park 12 miles west of downtown Atlanta. Thrills, chills, and excitement abound in more than 88 acres of attractions divided into eight themed areas that highlight the historical heritage of our region. But to heck with history—the real fun at Six Flags lies in the delicious terror of some truly spectacular rides. Thrill to the whipsawing motion of monster roller coasters: Goliath, the Great American Scream Machine, the Mind Bender, the Dahlonega Mine Train, the Georgia Cyclone, the Ninja, and the Georgia Scorcher, which hits maximum G-force of 4 as it barrels through a figure eight and two vertical loops. Yikes! If you favor that suspended-in-space feeling then perhaps the Great Gasp parachute drop and the Free Fall, which simulates the feeling of falling from a 10-story building, are for you. If water rides are your thing, you’ll find plenty of fun on Skull Island, which is guaranteed to soak you, so bring a bathing suit, and the Log Jamboree, a cool trip through chutes modeled after a feature of Georgia’s early logging camps. Thunder River re-creates the thrill of white-water rafting, and Splashwater Falls sends you racing down a roaring 50-foot waterfall. Be sure to wear something that can drip dry! But Six Flags isn’t just rides; it’s show business, too. The Batman Stunt Spectacular takes place in a re-creation of Gotham City and features rockets, explosions, and other daring exploits familiar to fans of the Caped Crusader. Other shows include the Wildwest Comedy Gunfight Show, singalongs on the Rabun Gap Stage, and a nostalgia fest at the Remember When Drive-In. See a contemporary country music revue at The Crystal Pistol Music Hall, or take in a concert at the Southern Star Amphitheater, which hosts a full season of concerts featuring top performers from country, rock, and contemporary Christian music. There’s usually an additional charge for amphitheater concerts. You’ll find plenty of food stands, restaurants, and souvenir shops scattered throughout the park. A games area offers a variety of challenging games of skill. Take I-20 West to the Six Flags exit. If you’re riding MARTA, take the westbound line from the Five Points station and get off at the Hightower station. From there, MARTA bus No. 201 will take you to the park. Six Flags is open weekends early March through mid-May, except for spring-break week in early April, when the park opens every night to accommodate fun-seekers on vacation from school. Daily operations go from mid-May to early September, when the weekend schedule resumes until the end of the month. In October the park adds Friday nights to its schedule for the October Fright Fest. The park opens at 10 a.m.; closing times vary. Admission costs $49.99 plus tax for adults and $29.99 plus tax for seniors and children under 48 inches tall. Parking costs $15. For information on group rates for 15 or more people, call (770) 739-3430. Admission prices include unlimited use of all rides, shows, and attractions; you pay extra for parking, food, souvenirs, and some games of skill. Parking is $10 per car.