ALONG COMES MARY

Do you have somewhere you visit that feels like “home”? I’ve been so fortunate to see a lot of California, and slowly more of the USA. Thinking about places I love to visit, one spot that really feels like a home away from home is Georgia. I was reminded of this on my recent partnership with Discover Atlanta and Visit Roswell. While Atlanta offers everything you could want in a city, Roswell is all about taking a step back and catching your breath. A perfect example of this is when you visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center.

The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell, Georgia

Chattahoochee Nature Center offers so much to anyone visiting Georgia. With 127 acres, they continue to incorporate new, exciting adventures that you can add to your itinerary. From learning about animals to hiking, there’s something for any age when you pay a visit. Read on to learn 5 reasons why you should this summer.

1. Sundays on the River

Every 2nd Sunday of the month through September has music filling the air at the center. Sundays on the River finds the grounds open until 9pm, and a concert at their beautiful event space over looking the Chattahoochee river. With the warm, humid weather during the day, what’s more relaxing than hearing some music with a glass of wine? That river view isn’t bad, either.

2. Zipline over the River

One of the coolest additions to Chattahoochee Nature Center is their partnership with Banning Mills. Known as the world’s largest zipline adventure parks, their newest place to take a canopy tour adventure is at no other than the nature center. Whiz over the river and between the gorgeous trees as you take flight over Roswell. Reservations are required (and there are fees in addition to center admission) as spots fill up quickly, so check out the excursion options HERE to plan your day.

3. They rehabilitate injured wildlife

Since the center opened in 1976, they’ve had a phenomenal impact on helping injured wildlife through their Wildlife Department. While the goal is to rehabilitate so the animals can return to their natural habitat, those with more complex concerns become permanent residents of the center. What I love about Chattahoochee’s dedication to those who stay there is treating them as animals, not pets. Unlike some zoos, the center chooses not to name their animals and ensures they get to live their best life and as close to the great outdoors as they can.

They’re committed to educating visitors about the importance of native wildlife, and even have one of the best nature educational programs I’ve ever heard of. Which brings me to…..

4. The Nature Exchange

The center’s Nature Exchange is a terrific trading program to get children learning about nature and what’s in their own backyards. Visitors bring in items from nature, earn points for what they find, and use points to take home fun little goodies. From geodes to fossils, they have it all.

Joining The Nature Exchange is included with center admission. Trading hours are daily, Monday to Saturday 10am to 530, and Sunday noon to 5:30pm.

5. Final Month for the Butterfly Encounter

I must admit, I was most excited to return to the center and experience their Butterfly Encounter. For their 6th consecutive summer, admission to the center includes visiting their beautiful butterfly pavilion. The Butterfly Encounter invites visitors to get up close and personal with hundreds of native butterflies surrounded by colorful nectar plants. It’s an Instagrammer’s dream as the beauties swirl and flutter all around you. My favorite part was the opportunity to feed them Gatorade on a Popsicle stick!

You’ll even have the chance to bring some butterflies home with you as guests are welcome to purchase nectar and host plants to start your own butterfly garden or supplement your existing garden.

The Butterfly Encounter will be at the center through July 31st.

Plan your Visit

This is just a few of the dozen plus options you have awaiting you at Chattahoochee Nature Center. They also have several hiking trails and canoeing on the lake. If you’re local to the Atlanta area, this is a must-visit for you. If you’re like me and from out of town, don’t miss this wonderful non-profit in the heart of Georgia providing such fun adventures all while making a difference. Learn more and plan your visit HERE. xo

(*Disclosure: I was a guest of Chattahoochee Nature Center on behalf of story purposes. All opinions are my own and this is a true gem.)