Melanie Preis

Latest posts by Melanie Preis

30 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Atlanta for Kids

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 11/08/2024 - 9:01am

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights returns to Atlanta Botanical Garden for an amazing Christmas lights event. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Botanical Garden

'Tis the season for holiday events around Atlanta! Families looking for wholesome merriment have plenty of options this holiday season, including Illuminights at Zoo Atlanta and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Center for Puppetry Arts. You can't go wrong with one of Atlanta's biggest holiday mainstays and Christmas events, Stone Mountain Park Christmas; or try something new like Cirque du Soleil's Twas the Night Before at the Fox Theatre. Feeling nostalgic for Atlanta holiday traditions? The Pink Pig returns this year at Georgia Festival of Trees!

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks Near Atlanta

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 11/03/2024 - 7:55am

Skate among the stars on The Roof at Ponce City Market! Photo courtesy of Slater Hospitality PCM

Ice skating near Atlanta is the quintessential winter activity, whether you're ready for the Olympic trials or can barely stand upright. Though it may take a few turns around the ice skating rink to get your "ice legs," families enjoy spending time together spinning, skating, and realistically, falling down, together. These seasonal outdoor ice skating rinks pop up from November through early 2025. Families can find lots of ice skating in Atlanta, most of which include music and hot chocolate. We've rounded up the best ones and even included one that requires no skates at all (sock skating at Fernbank)!

Take a look at our favorite ice skating spots to nail that triple toe loop or cling to rink walls! Want more ideas this holiday season? Check out the Atlanta Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for great winter events. If you need more ideas of things to do in Atlanta, visit our Atlanta events calendar.

Best Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween in Atlanta

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Mon, 10/28/2024 - 9:47am

Briers North is a wonderful (and scary) place to trick-or-treat near Atlanta! Photo by Ilana Schlam

We love to trick-or-treat in Atlanta and the surrounding communities, and this city knows how to do scary—zombies and monsters creep around The Walking Dead and Stranger Things sets, and terrifying Atlanta haunted houses like Netherworld make even the bravest cry. So of course surrounding trick-or-treat Atlanta neighborhoods go all out for Halloween! Grab your candy buckets because we're highlighting some of our favorite neighborhoods to trick or treat in Atlanta.

For even more Halloween content, make sure to visit Atlanta's Ultimate Halloween Guide! We've got so many holiday ideas, like FREE Halloween events in Atlanta, Halloween events for Toddlers, and more sugary sweet Halloween articles.

Scary Haunted Houses in Orlando for Teens and Tweens

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 10/18/2024 - 10:45am

Explore immersive worlds, complete with a few jump-scares at Haunting Nights at Leu Gardens. Photo courtesy of the gardens

Orlando haunted houses will make even the bravest teens and tweens cower this Halloween! We've got the spookiest, creepiest Halloween events sure to make older kids and adults run for cover. Make sure to check out the details of each of these Orlando haunted houses and spooky sites, as many have minimum age requirements for entry as well as details about the dos and don'ts of visiting. Be ready for scares around every corner—you've been warned!

For tamer Halloween scares, check out our entire Orlando Halloween Guide for more ideas of where to go and what to do during the spooky season.

8 Things To Do to Celebrate Día de Los Muertos in Atlanta

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 10/13/2024 - 12:08pm

Celebrate this traditional Mexican holiday with the Dia de Muertos Festival and Cantina Contest on the grounds of Roswell City Hall. Photo courtesy Roswell City Hall

Enjoy the colorful celebration of Dia de los Muertos in Atlanta on November 1 and 2, as well as the end of October. This beautiful holiday pays homage to the spirits of the dead, acknowledges the relationship between the living and the dead, and help people celebrate the memories of their deceased relatives. Dia de los Muertos decor showcases skulls and skeletons, made of various materials (even sugar and icing!) in a festive way, with spirited music, delicious food, and good fun. Take a look at Dia de los Muertos Atlanta events for the whole family!

In addition to Dia de los Muertos, we've got more tasty holiday treats in our Atlanta Halloween Guide!

Spend the Night at the Museum: 9 Museums and Zoos that Host Sleepovers in Orlando

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 10/13/2024 - 11:16am

Sleepover with the dinosaurs at the Orlando Science Center. Photo by Charlotte B

Spend a night at the museum...literally! These Orlando museums, zoos, and attractions host fun sleepovers for kids of all ages and interests. Whether part of a school event, birthday party, or a club activity, sleepovers at Orlando attractions are fun, exciting ways to experience everyday places in a totally new way. If your child isn't ready for an overnight event, don't worry -- many of these zoos and museums feature late nights, where kids stay for an evening of excitement then eventually head home to get some shut eye.

Take a look at some of our favorite places for Orlando kids to sleepover or spend a late night for a unique experience under the stars!

Family-Friendly Fun for Oktoberfest in Atlanta

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 10/04/2024 - 10:58am

Helen, Georgia is the ultimate spot to celebrate Oktoberfest near Atlanta -- there are events throughout fall! Photo by Bill Leffler

It's Oktoberfest — bring out the polka bands and lederhosen because it's time to celebrate! Atlanta hosts great Oktoberfest-themed events and activities, including our own Bavarian town, Helen, Georgia! We've gathered some of our favorite Oktoberfest events in Atlanta that will get everyone singing, "oompah, oompah!"

For more awesome fall activities and festivals, check out our Atlanta Fall Guide. We've got up-to-date news and ideas about Halloween, pumpkin patches, and much more!

Family-Friendly Fun for Oktoberfest in Orlando

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 10/04/2024 - 9:17am

Autumn brings family-friendly Oktoberfest celebrations to Orlando.

Celebrate Oktoberfest with the whole fam at kid-friendly Orlando events! Don some lederhosen for the ultimate Oktoberfest fun with the kids. Whether you love Bavarian music, traditional outfits, delicious food, or fun dances, Oktoberfest is a wonderful time for everyone. And of course, mom and dad can enjoy a toppling beer stein during the day's festivities. Take a look at some fun Oktoberfest events in Orlando throughout the month!