Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

Latest posts by Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

Stone Mountain Christmas Creates Lasting Memories for Atlanta Families

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 11/22/2024 - 11:18am

Take a stroll through the Musical Frosted Forest during a Stone Mountain Christmas.

Stone Mountain Christmas always makes our annual list of Must-Do Christmas Events in Atlanta. It’s no wonder since the holiday extravaganza includes visits with Santa Claus, walk-through holiday light displays, entertaining performances, nightly tree lightings, a parade, and drone show. Stone Mountain Christmas pulls out all the stops for a magical family event—be prepared for fun shows and attractions, including the new Magical Flight to the North Pole. Add that to all the regular outdoor activities offered at Stone Mountain Park, and your family is in for a treat through January 5, 2025!

51 Places to Take Pictures with Santa in Atlanta & Picture-Perfect Breakfast with Santa

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 11/15/2024 - 11:11am

Tell Santa all your wishes at Bass Pro Shops. Photo courtesy Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's

You don’t have to travel to the North Pole to take pictures with Santa Claus! St. Nick is all over Atlanta to usher in this magical holiday season with photo ops, meet and greets, and breakfasts with your little ones. Dress your kids in cute holiday outfits and take pictures with Santa for lasting memories. Capture candid photos with Santa at tree lightings, holiday festivals, or mealtimes; or reserve a professional photo shoot at a local mall. In some instances, you can even bring Fido for a Santa photo!

41 Kid-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Atlanta

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 11/01/2024 - 6:55am

Alta Toro offers a Thanksgiving buffet with a delicious Latin twist. Photo courtesy Alta Toro by Sarah Newman

Don’t wear yourself out or stress about cooking a huge Thanksgiving meal! Check out our list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Atlanta, great for kids. And if you truly want to host a gathering at home, many of these Atlanta restaurants offer pick-up options.

We've included Atlanta restaurants open on Thanksgiving that will accommodate both large and small groups. These Atlanta restaurants offer a variety of foods (satisfying picky eaters) with Thanksgiving menus and buffets to make the day special. From casual meals to five-course creations, our list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving covers options for every family budget. Book reservations now as slots fill up quickly.

14 Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Atlanta

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 10/25/2024 - 11:54am

Take a festive ride on the Holiday Express for a memorable train ride experience. Photo courtesy of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Take a train ride to see Santa at the North Pole with hot cocoa and holiday singing! Kick off the magical holiday season with a real-life Polar Express and Christmas train rides near Atlanta. Our list includes holiday train rides in neighboring states since most are within three hours of metro Atlanta. You can combine your visit with one of these Atlanta winter day trips to the north Georgia mountains, Chattanooga, or surrounding areas. Bring your camera to take an Instagram-worthy shot of your kids on the train. FYI, Christmas train rides sell out fast, so buy tickets early!

18 Eerily Fun Ghost Tours in Atlanta & Georgia

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 10/18/2024 - 11:32am

Step into the shadows of St. Mark Church, where history and mystery intertwine. Photo courtesy Atlanta Ghost Tours

Halloween is almost here, and there are great Atlanta ghost tours awaiting brave souls...alive and dead! Blending historical facts with hair-raising ghost stories, Georgia ghost tours allow families to explore prominent landmarks after the sun sets. If your Halloween calendar is already booked, many of these ghost tours occur year-round!

We’ve rounded up the best ghost tours around Georgia, including Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah (ranked as one of the most haunted U.S. cities!). While some ghost tours welcome kids of all ages, it may be best to leave toddlers and preschoolers at home due to tour length, required walking, limited restrooms, and spook factor. Purchase tickets now as many tours sell out close to Halloween.

Best Halloween Events and Activities for Toddlers in Atlanta

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 10/11/2024 - 11:10am

Monster Mash is back at the Center for Puppetry Arts this Halloween! Photo courtesy of the center

Toddler Halloween activities are tried and true ways for young kids to exercise their creativity by dressing up as anything they can imagine. And these Atlanta toddlers get to score lots of candy in October! We’ve rounded up a list of not-too-scary, toddler Halloween activities in Atlanta perfect for younger kids.

To introduce toddlers to Halloween in Atlanta, visit Pumpkin Patches Near Atlanta or check out the Atlanta Halloween Guide for Kids for more toddler Halloween inspiration, craft activities, costume ideas, and much more. And get into the season with our helpful Atlanta Fall Fun Guide!

The Georgia State Fair Welcomes Families for Fall Fun

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 12:19pm

The largest fair in Atlanta is back! Photo courtesy of the Georgia State Fair via Shutterstock

The Georgia State Fair, the oldest fair in the state, is an annual tradition guaranteed to entertain the entire family from toddlers to teenagers to adults. With cooler temps in Atlanta, be to block some time off to visit the Georgia State Fair running this fall. We’ve got the scoop on everything you need to know to make your visit to this year’s Georgia State Fair terrific!

Use our Fun Fall Guide for Atlanta Kids for even more opportunities to enjoy the season, by visiting corn mazes, apple orchards, and more! And sign up for our free Mommy Poppins newsletters to stay up to date on exciting activities throughout the rest of the year in Atlanta.

19 Hayrides and Corn Mazes Near Atlanta Perfect for Fall

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 09/13/2024 - 9:05am

Discover fields of sunflowers, explore the corn maze, and see giant pumpkins at the Pumpkins at Callaway Gardens fall event. Photo by author

Enjoy corn mazes and hayrides near Atlanta at farms this fall! Atlanta hayrides and corn mazes are fun seasonal activities, just like apple picking and pumpkin patches. Bring your camera for perfect fall photo ops! In addition to outdoor physical activity, corn mazes encourage the use of problem-solving skills and team building —the ultimate escape "rooms!" And many of these Atlanta farms offer additional outdoor activities, including slides, jumping pillows, and petting zoos.

For more fall activities, check out our Fall Fun Guide for Atlanta Kids!