Take to the sky, swing from a tree, craft your own cookies and U-pick fruit–get creative during your next vacation
Create moments worthy of the memories with experiences not soon forgotten during a visit to Henry County, Georgia, only 30 minutes south of Atlanta.
Get whisked away
From teens to adults, hone skills with a cooking classes at Olive in a Bottle. The price includes a meal, recipe and a sample-sized bottle of olive oil or balsamic vinegar. Classes are usually available once a month. 3836 Highway 42, Locust Grove, Georgia
Just how does the cookie crumble? Learn to decorate cookies and perfect baking skills during summer classes at Crumbles. Or, skip the class and head straight to the sweets, indulging in the shake of the week–always over-the-top in theme (past displays of creativity include a Cookie Monster shake and Unicorn Shake) and the ideal backdrop for an Instagram-worthy post. 3988 Highway 42, Locust Grove, Georgia
Naturally fun
Ages 8 and up can rope up an adventure with tree climbing at Panola Mountain State Park, an introductory program to recreational tree climbing. Participants will use rope and harness to climb, swing and scramble. Climbs start at 1 and 3 p.m. and typically take place the third weekend of the month. Call the Nature Center at 770-389-7801 to register. Large groups can schedule a custom event. 2620 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge, Georgia
Bring new meaning to farm-to-table with U-pick options at Southern Belle Farm, including strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and peaches. Reward hard work with homemade ice cream and pound cake, best enjoyed while savoring a breeze while relaxing in the rocking chairs on the porch. Up for more? Enjoy a range of activities that promise full-day fun for the whole family, including a jumping pillow, tractor ride and pedal cars. 1658 Turner Church Road, McDonough, Georgia
In the fall, head to Yule Forest: Home of the Pumpkin Patch and check out the Honeybee house, with an active hive you can watch through plastic. The farm is a proud member of the National Georgia Honey Bee Association. Take hands-on learning to buzz-worthy levels with the on-site information and examples of things made out of honey and beeswax, all while gaining insight into how important Honeybees are to the pollination process. A puppet show explains the process while making learning fun. Don’t miss other activities, including the STEM garden, science center, hay rides and more. 565 North Hwy 155 Stockbridge, Georgia 30281
Reclaim creativity
Step into BarnBeautiful where the owner takes old barns and crafts them into beautiful home furnishings and décor. Peek into the workshop window where you can watch as something old becomes new again. The shop records the story about every barn, the land on which it was built and the ways in which each structure was used, bringing to life stories of yesteryear. 108 MLK Sr. Heritage Trail, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281
Creativity is cool at Locust Grove Emporium. Here, a variety of classes explore unique concepts such as upcycling. 3847 Highway 42, Locust Grove, Georgia
Create your own souvenir and let creative juices flow at Creativity Café, where canvas painting, jewelry-making and multi-day ceramic projects offer options for those who want to color outside the lines. 2005 Jonesboro Rd., McDonough Georgia 30253
Time flies…when you’re having fun
Visit the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and take a free tour of the hangar, Tuesday through Saturday. Climb in the helicopters and hear from Veterans about how the helicopters were used in combat. Insider Tip: It’s best to call ahead. Take to the air during a Huey helicopter (ages five and up) or Cobra helicopter (ages 16 and up) ride, usually available one Saturday a month. (https://armyav.org/rides-programs) 506 Speedway Blvd., Hampton, Georgia 30228
Channel your inner speedster and zip around Atlanta Motor Speedway. Take a tour, including a brief track history, a visit to Petty Garden, a look inside an Atlanta Motor Speedway suite, as well as a sneak peek at the garages and Victory Lane, Monday through Friday, and enjoy three laps around the track in the tour van. 1500 Tara Pl., Hampton, Georgia 30228
Tap into Georgia’s film scene during the 14 stop, one-hour “Walkin DEAD Hampton” tour on Saturdays, which includes the infamous dumpster scene from Season 6 of the popular “Walking Dead” series. Spend time perusing the “pre-read” books in the book store, which is conveniently outfitted with a coffee bar. Don’t forget to pose in the chalk outline for the ultimate photo op. 26 East Main Street N., Hampton, Georgia 30228
Visitors can rest easy while in Henry County, choosing from a variety of lodging options, including name brand hotels or sleeping under the stars at one of the beautiful campsites in the area. Whether looking for an adventure-packed trip or an easy-going escape, visitors will leave with lasting memories–and full pockets! www.VisitHenryCountyGeorgia.com