Are you looking for the perfect place to spend a weekend of fun with kids close to Upstate, SC? You should consider Alpharetta, Georgia. Tucked between the Georgia mountains and downtown Atlanta, Alpharetta is a city with close proximity to many attractions and also with a number of local significant events, delicious dining options, and plenty of things to do for the whole family.
To prove it, here’s our list of over 10 fun things you can do with kids in Alpharetta.
We visited Alpharetta as guests of Awesome Alpharetta, Alpharetta’s Convention and Visitors Bureau. This article includes both our suggestions for activities based on our visit as well as suggestions from our readers. Prices and fee information are subject to change.
Find a place to stay in Alpharetta, GA. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
Big Creek Greenway
FREE
The Big Creek Greenway offers 8 miles of paved trail that connects Forsyth, Alpharetta, and Roswell. We entered the Greenway at the entrance near North Point Mall (6698 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30022).
At this entrance point, you can choose to rent a Zagster bike. To rent a bike, you will need to download the free Zagster app and enter a credit card. The first three hours of your rental are free. Be aware though that you can only rent one bike per app downloaded and that only adult-size bikes are available. You will also need to bring your own helmets.
The trail had plenty of space for bike riders and walkers and offered many scenic views of the river. We also discovered a couple of side paths for pedestrians only that entered the surrounding marshland.
Learn more about the Big Creek Greenway.
Painting with a Twist Alpharetta
Painting with a Twist Alpharetta is a family-owned painting studio that offers family painting classes, birthday parties, adult classes, and more. You can bring your own snacks or purchase snacks during your visit.
Even if you have never taken a painting class before, you won’t have any trouble settling right in. Painting with a Twist takes each step and makes it simple enough for a child (or non-artsy adult) to recreate. We were surprised by what our family could create with a little bit of encouragement and also by how relaxing and fun painting is in a group.
You will need to sign up for a class or come during an open studio time to paint at Painting with a Twist.
Find the schedule at Painting with a Twist
11770 Haynes Bridge Rd, #801, Alpharetta, GA
Odyssey Escape Game
If you have never taken your kids to an escape room, you are missing out. There’s about nothing that will encourage even your teens to put away their cell phones faster than a ticking clock and a goal to prove your intelligence by solving a puzzle faster than time can run down.
Odyssey Escape Game Alpharetta is one of only two Odyssey Escape Game locations and offers unique escape room themes including Titanic, Prison Break, Jack the Ripper, Towering Inferno.
We peeked into all of the rooms. Jack the Ripper was particularly gruesome and I bet a bit spooky to solve, but Titanic — The Final Hour was the room that we set out to solve. We were impressed from the beginning by the accuracy of the room decorations and the history that the clues taught our kids.
For those that are not as familiar with escape rooms, you are not actually locked into the room but you do have at least one or more doors in each room that you must unlock by solving puzzles in order to escape.
The Titanic was particularly challenging due to the amount of puzzles. We did escape with a little extra help and a couple of extra minutes of time. Considering the room is built for up to 12 people and we only had 2 adults, we considered that success even with the extra help.
If you are an escape room fan, Odyssey Escape Game is definitely worth the drive. The rooms are unique and fun and it’s a great family bonding activity.
Be sure to reserve your spot ahead of time as rooms do fill. Find the schedule on Odyssey Escape Game’s website.
1111 Alderman Dr, Suite 210, Alpharetta, GA
For an additional escape room option, check out Urban Escape Games in Alpharetta.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
Our family really loves ice cream, so we were really looking forward to visiting the famous Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Avalon but even with high expectations, we were still blown away.
The ice cream spread included so many artisan and popular flavors that it was almost impossible to choose. We were also delighted to learn a bit about the history and quality of the ice cream from our server.
If you can’t make a decision, the menu does offer a 10 half scoop ice cream flight for under $20. I tried to talk my kids into trying it to no avail. They wanted their own ice cream cones and as much as I like ice cream, I can’t eat 10 half scoops on my own.
From our choices, we voted that the Salted Caramel and Peanut Butter ice cream were favorites of ours. The waffle cones were also unusually delicious. We might visit Alpharetta again just for the ice cream.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream is located at Avalon in Alpharetta. Avalon is a walkable community that includes shopping, residential, entertainment, and dining. In addition to Jeni’s and the other shops and dining, you will find a massive green turf where the kids can play, plenty of seating, and a large Regal Theatre.
800 Avalon Boulevard, Alpharetta, GA
This shopping center is so well thought of. You feel like you’re abroad. Family friendly, gorgeous landscaping,lots of nice shops and boutiques plus Container Store, Crate and Barrel to name a few. I’d go back in a heartbeat!
Zachaira in reference to Avalon
Four Fat Cows
For another popular local ice cream option, check out Four Fat Cows. Four Fat Cows offers hand-crafted ice cream, homemade waffle cones, and other desserts. Flavors include specialty ice creams such as strawberry balsamic, huckleberry cobbler, and chocolate pecan. You can also order dairy-free and gluten-free ice cream.
64 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA
Main Event Entertainment
Main Event Entertainment is an arcade plus entertainment venue that offers laser tag, a ropes course, billiards, bowling, and more in addition to a large arcade collection.
The laser tag room had two floors and space for a large group to play. The ropes course spanned over the arcade room and was challenging. You could also eat lunch at a full-service restaurant.
We always like deals and we were excited to find that Main Event Entertainment offers several seasonal deals that you can find on their website. We took advantage of a deal that allowed our kids to play as much laser tag, ropes course, bowling, and billiards as they wanted for under $15/person. The website also has deals on arcade games and more.
10700 Davis Dr, Alpharetta, GA
Wacky World Playground at Will’s Park
FREE
This large wooden playground resembles a castle and includes slides, monkey bars, bridges, towers, and swings. Pack clothes that can get dirty because this play area also has sandboxes.
11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA
Da Vinci’s Donuts
This reader recommended donut shop bakes fresh cake donuts that are hand-dipped at the counter.
131 S Main St Suite F, Alpharetta, GA
Places to Eat with Kids in Alpharetta
Here are some suggested places for dining in Alpharetta based on our trip and reader suggestions.
Secreto Southern Kitchen & Bar
Secreto Southern Kitchen & Bar offers high-quality dishes with farm-to-table ingredients. We ate there for lunch and both sandwiches and entrees were available. There is not a kid’s menu, and the food options may be adventurous for some children. The food was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented and our children really enjoyed it.
6195 Windward Pkwy Suite 102; Alpharetta, GA
House of Hummus Mediterranean Cafe
House of Hummus Mediterranean Cafe serves traditional Mediterranean entrees such as gyros, falafel, hummus, lentil soup, and more. We liked how it was easy to order small portions of different types of foods so that our kids could easily try different things without having to eat a full portion. We loved everything we tried.
5950 North Point Pkwy #127, Alpharetta, GA
Antico Pizza
We did not get to personally try Antico Pizza but after hearing the locals recommend it enthusiastically, we won’t miss eating there next time. We hear that the Margherita Pizza is to die for.
Antico Pizza is also located at Avalon, so be sure to save room for dessert at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.
3185 Avalon Boulevard, Alpharetta, GA
Smokejack BBQ
Smokejack BBQ was another local spot that was highly recommended to us by locals. The meats are smoked for 12 hours and you can order everything from nacho appetizers to pork, sausage, beef brisket, smoked turkey, chicken, baby back ribs, and spare ribs. We hear though that if you eat there, you must try the burnt ends. These pieces of brisket are smoked overnight, cubed, wood grill charred, and sautéed in Smokejack’s KC sauce. For dessert, try the Coca-Cola cake and banana pudding.
29 S Main St, Alpharetta, GA
We love Crust and Smokejack. When we visit my sister in Alpharetta, we go there over and over again. We love to play at Cogburn and Webb Bridge Parks.
Deirdre
The El Felix
This popular Tex Mex restaurant is located at Avalon.
Buca di Beppo
Buca di Beppo serves traditional family-style Italian dishes that you can share.
335 Mansell Rd, Alpharetta, GA
Embassy Suites by Hilton in Alpharetta
We stayed at Embassy Suites by Hilton during our trip. We liked that our room had a door between the bedroom and sitting area which made putting kids to bed at a reasonable time much simpler. A full breakfast including fresh to-order omelets was included with our room.
Events in Alpharetta for Kids
Alpharetta has a number of fun family annual events each year. Here are some of our favorites.
Events may be rescheduled or postponed
Touch a Truck
Every child’s imagination will soar as they venture through the parking lot filled with trucks of all shapes and sizes! Kids can see, touch, and explore a fire truck, dump truck, school bus, 18-wheeler, limo, police vehicles, and more. This free event includes animal balloons, face painting, inflatables, and festival food for purchase.
Scarecrow Harvest, September 28-October 30th, 2023
Over 100 life-size scarecrows along the streets of downtown Alpharetta, inspiring fall spirit! A family street party that continues throughout the day offers inflatables, groovy music, hayrides, quirky face painting, artsy activities, and delicious food. More info can be found on the Alpharetta Government page.
Bethany Winston
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