The Tellus Science Museum combines educational experiences and fun. The museum features a mineral gallery, a science in motion gallery, and a fossil gallery. Take your children to explore and learn about the creatures that are found in a typical Georgia backyard. This year-round exhibit helps children learn about earth science.

If you and your children are fascinated by dinosaurs, you shouldn’t miss the fossils exhibit at the Tellus. This exhibit shows off a Tyrannosaurus rex and the jaw of a prehistoric shark. The gigantic fossil is larger than an SUV. The museum’s underwater exhibit displays some of the largest fish found in Georgia.

Those of you who are curious about the solar system can sit back and learn about our galaxy. The museum’s planetarium show is an extra fee with a paid admission into the museum. There are two shows daily. The first show is $3 and the second show is $2.  There are actually several shows from which to choose.  You can find the titles and show times on the Tellus Museum website.

The Tellus Museum is open fro 10 am to 5 pm daily. The cafe, where you can get sandwiches and other munchies, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photo of of Tellus exhibit by R Amezaga

Are you looking for an indoor attraction to enjoy with the family? Legoland Discovery Center Atlanta  opened in March 2012 in Phipps Plaza in Buckhead. The center includes a factory tour, which helps visitors see how the bricks are made. The center also has a 4D cinema , complete with LEGO studios features. Differing from 3D movies, 4D productions allow visitors to feel sensations associated with the production. So, if rain or snow are on the big screen, you might have the chance to feel the accompanying sensations right from your seat.

Don’t be surprised if you see some familiar structures during your visit to the Legoland Discovery Center. Some of Atlanta’s most familiar buildings have been recreated with the bricks. During the months leading up to the grand opening, people were given the chance to vote for the buildings that they’d like to see recreated with Lego bricks.  In MINILAND, you’ll see the High Museum, the Georgia Aquarium, and Stone Mountain all replicated using Lego bricks. The city in MINILAND lights up and has tiny cars and public transportation, too.

Legoland Discovery Center also has rides, party rooms, play areas and a store. Because the attraction is targeted to children, adults attending the center must be accompanied by a child, but adults can attend adult nights, held the second Thursday of every month.

Photo Courtesy of Legoland Discovery Center Atlanta

If you simply cannot get enough of the natural beauty in Georgia’s parks, consider extending your visit. Several of the parks have lodges or cabins that provide a great option for personal or group retreats. Amicalola Falls, for example has a beautiful lodge, a great fit for people who enjoy the outdoors, but would rather not camp outdoors for the night.

Photo Credit:Georgia Department of Natural Resources

The lodge at Amicalola Falls has 56 rooms. There are also 14 cottages in the park. Wireless internet service is available. The lodge has a restaurant on-site as well as meeting facilities and rooms for special events.

Photo Credit: Georgia Department of Natural Resources

George T. Bagby State Park

George T. Bagby State Park has a fully-equipped lodge ready to host visitors. The park offers access to golf, a beach, pool, nature trails, and tennis.

Photo Credit: Georgia Department of Natural Resources

James H. Floyd Park, Photo Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources

While staying in a cabin at the James H. Floyd Park, visitors have easy access to the lake.

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The Barnsley Gardens Resort  is larger than I expected, but the resort isn’t so big that you’d feel as though you can’t walk to the restaurant, spa, or other buildings on the grounds. I loved the size. The green areas were gorgeous, and the horticulturist takes great care in planning the landscaping. Bring some walking shoes in this pedestrian-friendly resort, and you’ll be fine. During occasions when you do not wish to walk, you can always request that you are escorted via golf cart.

Speaking of golf, the resort has an impressive golf course; Conde Nast Traveler ranked it #2 in the Southeastern United States. Barnsley Gardens also has horseback riding, tennis, and lawn games like croquet, badminton, horseshoes, bocce, volleyball and golf. The resort also has a large Grecian-style pool. You can rent a bicycle, or take a tour of the resort’s gardens.

Many people come to resort to get married on the grounds.  Ruins of the founder’s once-glamorous manor still stands, and couples often exchange their vows in the still-beautiful ruins of the manor. Guests can learn more about the resort’s intriguing history by visiting the museum which is adjacent to the ruins.  The museum was formerly the manor’s kitchen. By the way, although I didn’t bring my dog with me during this trip, Barnsley Gardens is a pet-friendly resort. There are specific cottages where pets are allowed. Barnsley Gardens Resort  is located north of Atlanta, off of Interstate 75. The resort is about an hour’s drive from Atlanta.

Photo courtesy of Barnsley Gardens Resort. Complimentary dining and accommodations were provided.

Don’t expect to have sushi at a raw food restaurant. Living food is vegetarian. Simply put, when you eat fruits, vegetables, and fresh, unprocessed nuts and seeds, you are probably eating living foods. Here are a couple of living food venues in Atlanta and surrounding areas that you might want to try.

Lov’n It Live in East Point serves organic living foods, prepared by an experienced raw foods chef. Try the stuffed avocado, cabbage taco, or nori rolls as appetizers. For entrees, you might wish to sample the Nubian salad, slice of pizza (prepared with a kamut breat crust) or the mock chicken strips prepared from mushrooms and topped with a special pine nut crust.

Living foods are fun to learn to prepare at home. Lov’n It Live operates Lov’n It Live Hue’niversity where you can learn how to make living food yourself. You can also learn all about living food and how to prepare it from the Living Foods experts at Sprout Raw Food. Sprout Raw Food has recipe books, too, and great information on the benefits of drinking fresh juices created from whole fruits and vegetables.

Photo by Sprout Raw Food

The Apex Museum is an African American Panoramic Experience Museum that various aspects of Africa and African Americans. Exhibits include Africa: The Untold Story, W.EB. DuBois: The Georgia Negro, Yates and Milton Drugstore, and lookout for a new exhibit on the legacy of Evelyn J. Frazier, an Atlanta businesswoman.

Atlanta is the home of Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, and Spelman College. Do not forget to visit these historically black colleges and universities during your stay. The universities frequently have guest speakers, presentations, cultural performances, and festivals throughout the year.

Photo by Bill Rand

A new 1.2 million square foot international terminal, the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International terminal will open at Hartsfield Jackson airport in March 2012. The terminal adds 12 gates to the airport and will increase the number of restaurants and shopping boutiques at the airport. Healthier foods as well as gourmet dishes will also be offered in the new terminal. One of the biggest benefits to the new terminal is that international travelers who are arriving into Atlanta as their final destination do not have to recheck their baggage once they arrive. Once they go through immigration and customs, they can grab their baggage and leave the airport.

Appearance

The terminal’s use of glass metal accents make the terminal both aesthetically pleasing and memorable. The insulated glass in the terminal makes it naturally light and brighter, which can have a positive impact on visitors’ moods. Think about going from a darkened airplane into a brilliantly lit terminal during the daytime hours.

Environmentally Friendly

According to Hartsfield Jackson, the construction incorporates sustainability. For example, recycled materials and materials from the region are used. Special paints and carpets with reduced toxins and emissions are used in the terminal. The terminal filters the rain, too. Rainwater is collected on the roof and is filtered before becoming ground water, therefore it’s cleaner when it hits the ground. Among the list of sustainability efforts, the terminal will also have a reduced impact in the environment through reduced gas emission.

Parking

People who drive electric vehicles will find that they will be rewarded with closer parking spaces in the hourly parking spaces. Similar spaces are available for vans and carpoolers. The rates for the lots have not been released. In all, 3,500 parking spaces will be added in the two new decks, that will be built to handle the anticipated international traffic. Parking spaces for the new terminal include hourly, Gold Reserve, and Park and Ride spots. Travelers will have to register for the Gold Reserve parking spots. For most other passengers with long-term parking needs, the park and ride spots, a three-minute shuttle ride away from the airport, it their best bet. The free shuttles that take passengers to and from the airport and the parking lot are slated to be available 24 hours a day.

Remember that the new international terminal, terminal F serves only international flights. If you end up in the international terminal and you are taking a domestic flight, you can take a shuttle that will transport you to the domestic travel terminals.

Watch a video of Atlanta Airport’s New International Terminal.

Photo by This is Bossi

The Red Top mountain state park is short drive outside of Atlanta. You can get to the mountains in about an hour, and thankfully the drive is an easy one, if you take Interstate 75. Even if you are not an experienced hiker, Red Top Mountain might be an option for trying out your hiking shoes. The mountain has a paved trail, which is perfect for people who like to walk but are afraid of stumbling on the more natural trails. You might also choose to walk along the 4-mile trail that offers views of Lake Allatoona.

Turn your trip into a cozy get-away for two or a weekend adventure. Georgia Parks oversees 18 cottages on the mountain. Activities include miniature golf, tennis, and a cool Geocaching Adventure treasure hunt game that you can play with your GPS device. Take your bike, and ride along the Iron Hill Trail, a 4-mile ride in Red Top Mountain’s state park.  On mild-weather days, you can hang out at the beach, known to people who live in Acworth and other nearby towns. Venturing further north from the park, you can head out to Cartersville and see the Booth Western Art Museum. The Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic site is also located in Cartersville.

Two Urban Licks

Two Urban licks is yet another restaurant that offers inspiring views of the city.  Eat on the patio for stunning sights. The restaurant is located in a remodeled warehouse, and it is easy to miss if you are not looking for it. Once you find it, Two Urban Licks will become your go-to place to hang out with friends. Two Urban Licks has blues performances five nights a week, Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Nikolai’s 

High above the city inside the Hilton hotel, is Nikolai’s roof, a Four Diamond restaurant that also has impressive views. Enjoy a candle-lit dinner and bask in the city’s lights from the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows. The view inside the restaurant is also something to behold. Nikolai’s is designed in a mix of opulent French and Russian décor with elegant reds and blue hues.

Photo by Mattlem Mon

Whether you like it or not, the New Year is approaching. Why not begin to make your resolutions (and plans to keep them) now? Do you feel that you traveled enough in 2011, or do you regret spending so many beautiful, sunny days indoors.  Let’s not repeat the past. Make your travel resolutions now.

Perhaps there is a new attraction that you’d like to see. Make your plans now. If traveling isn’t in your budget, you need to make a plan to save the money that you need to get where you’d like to go. Maybe you need to increase your finances, because your budget is stretched too thin. A side job might be your answer.

Are you trying to travel to some of the great destinations outside of Atlanta? Are you thinking about getting together with your friends for a special weekend? Plan your road trip now. You can probably save money if you book hotel rooms far in advance.

An effective list of travel resolutions will go beyond listing your dreams. Put some power and thought into your list, by including details on how you will achieve your goals. These details can consist of getting that side job to pay for a trip, calling up your friends for a get-away, and making some reservations.