Stone Mountain, Georgia

Just 15 miles east of Atlanta is the town of Stone Mountain and Stone Mountain Park. Believed to have been first seen by the Spanish explorers, it has continued to draw visitors eager to view Stone Mountain, the worlds largest exposed granite mountain. On one side of the 825 foot tall mountain is a Confederate memorial carving of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Jefferson Davis. The entire carved surface of the Memorial Carving measures three acres, and the carving towers 400 feet above the ground, measures 90 by 190 feet, and is recessed 42 feet into the mountain. There are a variety of seasonal laser shows projected on the mountain, so be sure to check out stonemountainpark.com for information concerning show times and dates.

The 3,200 acre Stone Mountain Park provides great ways to spend your day. You can ride the Summit Skyride cable cars or hike the 1.3 mile trail to the top of the mountain for a spectacular view of western Atlanta or you could tour the Antique Auto and Treasure Museum. For water fun, head to Stone Mountain Lake and fish for bass, carp, catfish and bream, take a ride on the paddlewheel riverboat or Ride the Ducks, an interactive sightseeing experience. You can play golf at the Stone Mountain Golf Club with its magnificent scenery, or hike various trails throughout the park. Other park attractions include the Stone Mountain Railroad, the Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard, the Treehouse Challenge, the Great Motor Chase Adventure Golf (putt-putt) course, and the 1870's Crossroads Village. The park has a family campground for RV or primitive camping, as well as the Marriot Stone Mountain Inn that has a conference center, a restaurant, a spa center and a heated indoor pool.

The town of Stone Mountain, Georgia is a bustling, busy community. You can spend the day shopping, playing a few rounds of golf, or simply relaxing at on the many hotels or B&B's. If you are inspired by art, then be sure to visit the ART Station. Here you will find contemporary art studios that showcase various art forms from pottery to dance. The ART Station is also home to the annual storytelling festival, a tour of Southern Ghost. Other Stone Mountain area attractions are the Fernbank Science Center, the East Lake Country Club Tour, the Michael C. Carlos Museum and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History