Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA

A battle has raged for years in this Atlanta suburb over how commercialized this natural wonder should become. The mountain is a very large granite dome (583 acres) that resembles Ayers Rock, Australia, in some ways. The mountain and surrounding land have changed hands several times, but are owned by the state of Georgia today. The state leases portions of the park to commercial enterprises that operate popular tourist attractions.

After carving Mount Rushmore, in South Dakota, Gutzon Borglum was commissioned to carve three Confederate figures on horses in relief on one side of the rock. The carving is 90 by 190 feet and 45 feet deep, the largest relief carving in the world. 400 feet above the ground, it was completed in 1963.

You will find some quaint features in the park and in some of the attractions. How long you stay will depend on your interests and your budget. The Yellow Daisy Festival in September is a particularly fine arts and crafts fair set among the trees along the nature trail.

(Also near Atlanta: Marietta and Roswell.)

Location

16 miles east of Atlanta
On US-78

MapQuest map

Population of the town

About 6,600

Stone Mountain Park (3200 acres)

Admission: Park is free except parking, but

there are fees for many attractions. The "All Attractions" ticket avoids fees ($23 adult, $17 age 3-11)

Parking: $7 (higher for concerts)
Hours: Park is open 6:00am-midnight daily.

Attractions have shorter hours that vary with the season.

Features:

Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard (fee)
Antique Car and Treasure Museum (fee)
3D movie theater (stories of the South) (fee)
Boat rides (on Stone Mountain Lake) (fee)

(Side-wheeler river boat)

Cablecar rides ("Skylift" 325 feet to top of the

mountain to view carving and surrounding area, weather permitting) (fee)

Campground (fee)
Carillon (bells rung daily)
Confederate Hall (diorama)
Confederate Memorial (carving on the mountain)
Covered bridge (over 100 years old)
Crossroads (1870s town with entertainers, craft

demonstrations, shops, and restaurants) (fee)

Fishing
Garden
Golf course (36-hole championship) (fee)
Great Barn (indoor playground) (fee)
Grist Mill
Hiking (nature trail, climb the mountain)
Hotels nearby (see "Nearby features" below)
Inn and conference center
Laser light show (large-scale, projected onto the

mountain, with sound and fireworks) (fee)

Memorial Hall (history and geology displays)
Miniature golf (fee)
Petting zoo (at the Antebellum Plantation) (fee)
Playground
Quarry exhibit (outdoor museum)
Restaurants
Scenic Railroad (5-mile trip around the mountain) (fee)

Storytellers (mid-May to fall)
Tennis Center (recreation and tournaments) (fee)
Wildlife preserve
Waterslide (fee)

Nearby features

Bus tours of Atlanta (motor coach)

Gray Line and others

Other campgrounds and RV parks nearby

Check Woodall's guide

Hotels and vacation rentals in this area

Advantage Rate

Family Vacation Rentals

Hotwire hotel deals

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Festivals

September:

Yellow Daisy Festival (Arts and Crafts)

(free admission, pay parking)

Recommended stay

1 day

Tourist information

Stone Mountain Park 800-317-2006

www.StoneMountainPark.com

Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau

www.Atlanta.net/ACVB

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This page was last updated on 11/02/2006 .

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