From archery to airplanes, Henry County brings its A-game when it comes to family fun
Set your sights on adventure in Henry County, only 30 minutes south of Atlanta. From archery to airplanes, this easily accessible destination is only a stone’s throw from Atlanta and offers affordable adventure for all ages, whether you’re seeking a weekend or week-long getaway.
Ready, set, aim
Practice archery at Panola Mountain State Park, which offers a static range and a 3D range. BYOE (bring your own equipment) and purchase a pass to practice on your own. Or, if you’re more of a novice, learn archery basics during one of the Park’s regular classes.
Zoom towards adventure
Atlanta Motor Speedway (1500 Tara Place, Hampton) offers several opportunities to express your need for speed. Participate in a driving school class and ride along in a real race car or try on a fire suit and take control behind the wheel.
May through August, O’Reilly Auto Parts Friday Night Drags is a heads up, street-style drag racing series on Atlanta Motor Speedway’s eighth-mile pit road. The popular event averages 225 drag racers and 90 show cars in front of nearly 5,000 fans nightly. Drag racing action is open to any automobile and any driver possessing a valid driver’s license. In addition to the on-track drag racing action, a Show-N-Shine car show also takes place each Friday night. All vehicles are welcome to enter and awards are given for the top-three finishers in each class. Pit gates open at 6 p.m. for competitors and grandstand gates open at 6:30 p.m. for fans. Show-N-Shine entries are accepted until 7:15 p.m. and a mandatory drivers meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Spectator entry is $10. Competitors pay $20 to drag race or enter the Show-N-Shine, or a combo-ticket to enter both can be purchased for $30.
Also at Atlanta Motor Speedway, heat up summer nights with Thursday Thunder, every Thursday night from early June into late July and on Saturdays in early August. Drivers as young as eight-years-old come from all over the nation to battle each night in eight different classes for the right to be called champions. Join in a smorgasbord of games, contests, giveaways and hot on-track racing excitement. Grandstand tickets are $5 for adults and ages 5 and under are admitted free for each evening of fun and grass-roots racing on the paved quarter-mile track. Gates open at 6 p.m. and feature races start at 7:30 p.m.
Catch a thrill
From two-year-olds to expert riders, BMX lovers can practice skills at the Sandy Ridge BMX (1200 Keys Ferry Court, McDonough), open to the public seven days a week. New to the sport or want to improve? Sign up for a clinic to help improve speed and skills like pumping, jumping, passing and cornering. The Park requires an USABMX license as well as proper race gear, including a helmet, long-sleeved shirt, race pants, jeans or shorts with full shin guards. Check the website, www.SandyRidgeBMX.org, or call 678-448-6155 to confirm the course is open, as it closes for races and weather.
Goal!
Cheer on the Georgia Revolution FC, a minor league soccer team playing in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), which operates in the 4th Division of the U.S. Soccer pyramid. As an NPSL team, this minor league team can participate in the U.S. Open Cup. Catch a home game at Henry County High School (401 East Tomlinson Street, McDonough).
Take your best shot
Hot Shots Paintball & Airsoft at Windy Hill Park (100 Ronnie Stewart Drive, McDonough) is the premier paintball and airsoft facility in metro Atlanta. Along with six paintball fields and a 25,000-square-foot airsoft field, it also offers a 150,000-square-foot “Fort Deadwood” Old West-scenario field. It is a great location for birthday parties, corporate events and family reunions. Call 404-797-0850 for special group rates. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday through Friday by appointment for VIP parties.
More than remote(ly) fun
RC lovers can put their radio-powered prowess to the test at Henry County Remote Control Racing Track, located at Windy Hill Park (100 Ronnie Stewart Drive, McDonough). If you prefer aeronautical adventure, the Henry County RC Club runs remote-controlled airplanes at the Red Hawk Nature Preserve (143 Henry Parkway, McDonough). Participants must be a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) to fly at Red Hawk, but all are welcome as spectators. Head to the Park from 8 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays, weather-permitting, for the best chance to view. https://www.facebook.com/HCRCR/
Making trails
Grab a set of wheels from Atlanta Trek (120 Westridge Parkway, McDonough), which offers rentals for bikes, mountain bikes and electric bikes, and hit the trails throughout Henry County. Or, go off-road with a trail ride at Panola Mountain State Park.
Extend your stay with more ideas about how to seize the season in Henry County.
Visitors can rest easy, choosing from a variety of lodging options, including name brand hotels or sleeping under the stars at one of the beautiful campsites in the area. Whether looking for an adventure-packed trip or an easy-going escape, visitors will leave with lasting memories–and full pockets! www.VisitHenryCountyGeorgia.com