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Stone Mountain,
Georgia has enough attractions to keep you busy for days on end. The mountain itself is one of the “biggest” attractions and is the centerpiece of the State Park. It’s the world’s largest mass of exposed granite, two miles long and one mile wide. In 1923, an ambitious project got underway to design a memorial to the Confederate soldiers of the Civil War. First, Georgia bought 1,613 acres, including Stone Mountain, to establish the State Park. DeKalb County donated another 400 acres, and today the State Park totals 3,200 total acres. A sculpture on the North side of the mountain got underway, which resulted in the world’s largest high relief carving, depicting three heroes of the American Confederacy. Each year, millions of visitors come to Stone Mountain to see this “eighth wonder of the world,” and to enjoy the pristine lakes, forestland, beautiful gardens, nature trails and other attractions inside Stone Mountain State Park. You can also take a breathtaking skylift ride for an up-close view of the famous Memorial Carving.
Stone Mountain State Park is one of the South’s most popular vacation destinations. Outdoor recreational activities abound in the park including miles of trails for hiking, biking, swimming, boating, fishing, tennis and 36 holes of golf. Stone Mountain offers three hiking trails of varying difficulty. There is the Walk-Up Trail to the top of the mountain; The Cherokee Trail around the mountain base; and the Nature Trail and Gardens. It’s one of the most popular hiking spots in the South. Camping is also very popular at the Stone Mountain Family Campground. Here, you’ll find both modern conveniences and primitive camping. The grounds have 441 wooded campsites with 144 full hookups and 254 partial hookups. Tennis fans love the Stone Mountain Tennis Center, which was the site of the 1996 Olympic tennis competition and is the premier tournament center in the Southeastern United States. It features 16 hard, outdoor, lighted courts and an 8,200-seat stadium court. It also features 13 championship courts, two center courts, and a full service pro shop. Other attractions in Stone Mountain include; Crossroads – a recreated 1870s Southern town where you’ll meet fascinating characters and colorful crafters who will show you what life was really like 130 years ago. The Great Barn is an exciting children's attraction. This 1870s barn is filled with four floors of fantastic 21st century fun. There are rope nets to climb, mazes to explore, and super slides that whisk you from ceiling to floor. Also located within the State Park is a Scenic Railroad, Skylift, Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard, a 150-passenger genuine paddlewheel riverboat, the Stone Mountain Antique Car and Treasure Museum and a spectacular Lasershow.
Stone Mountain Village located just outside the State Park also has a number of attractions, including over fifty specialty shops and restaurants and a historic downtown center that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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