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Day One: Friday
Atlanta Motor Speedway Track Tour
Atlanta Motor Speedway is one of the fastest tracks on the NASCAR circuit and steeped in history. In addition to the annual NASCAR race, they host summer racing series, driving schools and offer track tours. Track tours are an inexpensive way to get a taste of the speed and athleticism required to be a stock car driver. The tour includes three laps around the track in a tour van and a behind the scenes look at NASCAR Control, a suite, the garages and Victory Lane. If getting in the driver’s seat of a race car is on your bucket list, Atlanta Motor Speedway also provides several opportunities for that with one of the many driving schools that hold events at the track.
Noah’s Ark Walk on the Wild Side Tour
When you’re feeling a little wild, take a Walk on the Wild Side Tour at Noah’s Ark.
You’ll be in good company hanging around the numerous animals who call the animal sanctuary home.
This behind-the-scenes tour lets you go inside the first set of fences for a more face-to-face meeting with Doc the tiger or Anna Lou the young Grizzly bear.
As you snap pictures and marvel at these beautiful animals, a trained guide will share each animal’s story and how they came to live at Noah’s Ark. Guided tours must be booked in advance.
Lunch
After your tour you are sure to have worked up an appetite. Lovin’ Oven Pizzeria has cold craft beer on draft, gluten-free menu items and free entertainment in the form of high-flying dough. Watch as the dough is tossed into a perfect pizza, topped and baked in the oven. Along with great pizza, they also offer salads, sandwiches and pasta. For those with a sweet tooth, take a stroll to Lupita’s Ice Cream! Lupita’s is a family owned business that has been providing the City of Stockbridge with authentic Hispanic desserts for over five years. The dessert shop serves fresh fruit, homemade drinks, slushies, smoothies and milkshakes.
Dinner
Enjoy dinner at Rutabaga’s Market & Café delivering their selection of soups, salads and sandwiches to The Yard. Just across the corner is the patio leading to Tierra Mia which serves authentic Mexican cuisine or take a short stroll down the street to feast on sushi or hibachi dishes at Yumi Japanese Steakhouse.
Day Two: Saturday
Breakfast
Start the day off right with homemade biscuits and sausage gravy at Country Cooking Depot. Darlene’s special gravy is so popular, plan to go early to ensure it’s not sold out. While biscuits and gravy are a favorite, you will find other traditional favorites like pancakes, French toast, hash browns and homemade cinnamon rolls.
Army Aviation Heritage Foundation & Flying Museum
Helicopter tours are great ways to get a different perspective, but what if you could fly in one of the most iconic aircraft of the Vietnam era flown by Vietnam War veterans? This is the experience that the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum offers. While you can visit the hangar and talk to the veterans who volunteer there for free, book a ride in either a Cobra or Huey helicopter for one of the most memorable experiences of your life. The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation has ride events at the Atlanta Speedway Airport once a month or you can find them at air shows all over the country. Better yet, get a group of at least 6 together and book a private ride event!
Lunch
See where the Shane’s Rib Shack franchise started at The Original Shane’s Rib Shack on Highway 155. This little shack, complete with outhouse and screen porch was the first in what has grown to be a rapidly expanding franchise of 70 restaurants in 10 states. Try their famous BBQ pork, ribs and fried okra, but be sure to save room for their homemade peach cobbler and brownies.
Looking to add some “spice” to your life?!?! Masala Cottage: A True Indian Cuisine offers entrees of traditional Indian culture 11:30am to 8:00 pm every day except for Sundays. Their chefs pride themselves on using rich spices and aromatic herbs to transform vegetables, lentils, and rice into tasty meals.
Tree Climbing at Panola Mountain State Park
Bring on the nostalgia with a modern take on the childhood past time of tree climbing. A certified tree climbing instructor will literally show you the ropes of tree climbing as he fits you with a harness and demonstrates how to climb into the canopy of a 200 year old willow oak using a pulley system of ropes and knots. Climb, swing and even hang upside down from your harness or reach a branch and take a seat to survey the surrounding area. Intro to Tree Climbing classes are usually taught at least once a month. For those who want to ratchet up the adventure, Panola Mountain State Park also offers a ZZZ’s in the Trees program where after the tree climb portion, you settle into your hammock, known as “tree boats” for a peaceful snooze up in the trees.
Day Three: Sunday
Brunch
Fun at Southern Belle Farm
Before heading home, stop at Southern Belle Farm to enjoy picking fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or peaches in the spring and summer. During the fall let the kids navigate the corn maze, play on the jumping pillow and cheer on the pigs during a pig race before taking a hayride around the farm. Finish your visit with a trip to the market for some of Mimi’s homemade poundcake, cobbler or ice cream. Enjoy the time savoring your sweet treat with your loved ones while rocking on the front porch in a rocking chair.
Check out more things to do while in Henry County.