Great Escape: Sun Valley Beach

Sun Valley Beach boasts a 1-½ acre pool surrounded by white, sandy beaches. If slip sliding away is your thing, the pool has 10 waterslides. Feeling like Greg Louganis? Try a triple gainer off one of the diving platforms. Perhaps you feel the need to let out a primal yell swinging from the Tarzan ropes and zip line. When was the last time you ate a hot dog and performed feats on a Lumber Jack log roll all in the same afternoon?

If you just want to test the waters, the showering umbrella of gentle rain or the dolphin fountain may be just what you need to stay cool in the pool. You can have it made in the shade -- Sun Valley Beach is tucked away into 40 acres of Georgia pines and hardwoods. Plan to stay for the day and play. There are picnic grills, playground areas and beach lounge chairs, if you arrive early enough to stake your claim. 

Chillin' and grillin' not for you?  Try Hurricane Andrew’s Concession Stand or chill out with a frozen novelty at the Arctic Zone. Need a sweet treat? Shelby Leigh’s Sweet and Such has you covered. Take a break from the water and putt around on the challenging miniature golf course. Sun Valley Beach has something for everyone and a day's worth of fun less than 30 minutes from Kennesaw.

Location: 5350 Holloman Rd., Powder Springs, GA. 30127

Phone: 770-943-5900, Web: http://sunvalleybeach.com/

Hours of Operation: Tues-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-8pm, through Aug. 19, 2011

Closed Mondays except for: July 4 and Labor Day, September 5, 2011

Daily Admission Prices: $20 for ages 12 and up, $17 for ages 2-11, children 23 months and younger are free, $3 parking. Season passes available.