Elsa Simcik

Latest posts by Elsa

16 Best Swimming Pools in Atlanta: From Public Pools to Hotels with Day Passes

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 07/15/2022 - 10:07am

W Atlanta Downtown offers day passes for families looking to beat the heat at this luxe swimming pool. Photo courtesy of the hotel

Nothing beats jumping into cold water when it's summertime in Atlanta. We have tons of public swimming pools, in addition to Swimming Lakes and Beaches Near Atlanta that are fun for families. Many of these local swimming pools have diving boards, water slides and splash areas for little ones, making them more engaging than your typical swim/tennis neighborhood pool. And did you know that you can hang out at certain Atlanta hotel pools without staying overnight? It's true. Several Atlanta hotels offer day passes for folks just looking to enjoy the posh amenities. Several Atlanta hotels offer day passes to their facilities or even day use rooms (including access to the hotel pool) so families can enjoy a daycation.

Many of the public swimming pools near Atlanta listed here have set times for open swim sessions, so be sure to check the schedule and pool rules before you go. For more ways to cool off this summer in Atlanta, check out 35 Ways to Beat the Heat in Atlanta and 13 Great Spraygrounds and Splash Pads in Atlanta for Kids.

11 Family-Friendly Summer Day Trips from Atlanta

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 06/24/2022 - 9:10am

Visit Cartersville, Georgia and head to Tellus Science Museum for awesome STEM activities. Photo by Melanie Preis

When Atlanta parents need a solution for summertime boredom but aren't quite ready for a Disney-level extravaganza, why not plan a summer day trip? Yes, just one full day that is sure to entertain and wear out the kids. Luckily, Atlanta is centrally located between lots of fun, easy-to-visit destinations. Our criteria for this summer day trip list? They are located about two hours by car from Atlanta; the destinations include summertime activities (preferably water-based ones); and they don't require overnight stays. All distances and times are from downtown Atlanta.

Best Drive-in Movie Theaters in Georgia and Tips to Throw Your Own Outdoor Movie Night Party

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 05/13/2022 - 10:01am

Enjoy a wholesome drive-in movie at Trenton's Wilderness Theater in northwest Georgia. Photo courtesy of the theater

Drive-in movie theaters are a blast from the past; a nostalgic reminder of days gone by. All of the drive-in movie theaters in Georgia are historical and have been around since the 1960s, some even as far back as the '40s! But don't let the age fool you —these drive-in theaters are well maintained, have modern movie screens, and show first-run movies. Bonus? The drive-in movie theater offers yummy concessions, often more elaborate than your run-of-the-mill, modern indoor movie theaters. We've gathered the drive-in movie theaters in Georgia for your next family adventure.

Can't make it to one of these drive-in theaters? Check out our tips below for throwing your own outdoor movie party! Creating a neighborhood or backyard outdoor movie night is a great way to enjoy the thrill of outdoor movie watching with the comfort of home!

Best Summer Day Camps in Metro Atlanta, Georgia

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 04/22/2022 - 9:42am

Camp Kingfisher has been a part of Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) for more than 25 years. The summer day camp is popular with kids of all ages! Photo courtesy CNC

There are so many options for summer camps in Atlanta, How does one choose the best one? We've picked our favorite amazing day camps for Atlanta kids —most of these are traditional summer camps with outdoor games, crafts, and swimming. All these Atlanta day camps run 9am-4pm (some even have extended hours if you need them). Camp themes typically change week to week so summer campers stay engaged and make awesome memories.

If your child prefers one specific focus at summer camp, perhaps choose a specialty camp (like STEM, arts, and sports all listed in our Camp Guide). Find all our top recommendations and summer camp listings in the Mommy Poppins Atlanta Summer Camp Guide.

Get Pumped for Peppa Pig Live! Coming to a Theater Near You

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Mon, 04/11/2022 - 12:59pm

Peppa Pig is coming to your town for a live theater experience that delights kids. Photo by Shore Fire Media

Peppa Pig fans are squealing with delight because their favorite pig and her friends (George, Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep, and Gerald Giraffe) are coming to a live theater near you in Peppa Pig’s Adventure. The show is making stops in Red Bank, NJ on Wednesday, April 13 before heading up to Lowell, MA on April 16 and then stopping in Boston on May 1. We had the privilege of seeing the show when it stopped in Atlanta. Dressed in matching pink shirts adorned with their names, my crew headed to the theater with lots of giggles, anticipation, and cries of “How much longer until we see Peppa?”

Read on for the inside scoop on this show that's sure to delight your favorite preschooler.

Best Arts Camps in Metro Atlanta Including Theater, Music and Dance Camps

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 04/01/2022 - 11:18am

Summer camp at the High Museum of Art is a haven for art-loving kids. Photo courtesy of the museum

Atlanta has tons of options for art camps, whether your kid likes drawing and painting or drama, music or dance. We've put together a list of the best summer camps from all areas of Metro Atlanta and options for all ages. (We didn't forget about the preschoolers and teens!)

Need more summer day camp ideas to fill your calendar? Check out our Atlanta Summer Camp Guide, which breaks it all down for you with lists like the Best Sports Camps Near Atlanta, Free and Affordable Summer Camps Near Atlanta, and the Best Atlanta Camps for Preschoolers.

The Best Pigeon Forge Hotels and Hotels in Gatlinburg, TN for Families

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sat, 03/26/2022 - 12:00pm

Stay right on Dollywood's property at the DreamMore Resort & Spa.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee and its neighbor, Pigeon Forge, offer a wonderful mix of outdoor adventure, yummy Southern food, and tons of family fun (Dollywood, here we come). Just read our post about 70 Fun Things To Do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN to see all of the kid-friendly activities in these eastern-Tennessee mountain towns. It's no surprise, then, that there are also a ton of family-friendly Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge hotels.

Many of the hotels in Pigeon Forge, TN and Gatlinburg are more than just places to crash. Many Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge hotels also have amenities like water slides, playgrounds, kids' activities, and on-site restaurants. Several are located just north of Pigeon Forge in Sevierville, TN, a great option for families visiting Dollywood and Pigeon Forge attractions.

Read on for our list of the best Gatlinburg hotels and hotels in Pigeon Forge, TN for families. While you're in vacation-planning mode, be sure to also check out our Family Travel Guide for more ideas for fun family getaways.

Best Sports Camps near Atlanta

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 03/06/2022 - 9:02am

Fellowship Christian School summer camps introduce kids to a variety of sports. Photo courtesy of the school

Many kids in Atlanta need to burn off energy at summer camp and stay out of their parents hair during the long break —luckily, Atlanta has tons of summer camp options, including sports camp. Whether your kid is into soccer, baseball, basketball, cheer, or another sport, there is an entertaining sports summer camp near you that will wear them out. Or, for the kid who likes all the sports, Atlanta also has oodles of multi-sport summer camps. We've narrowed down sports camps here, so you can spend less time researching and get right to registering.

Want more summer camp ideas? Check out our Summer Camp Guide for Atlanta Kids, which has up-to-date features like the Best Atlanta Camps for Preschoolers, and our personal favorite, the Best Free and Affordable Summer Camps near Atlanta.