Family-Friendly Things to Do on Your Valdosta Weekend Getaway

At Wild Adventures Theme Park, ride out the drops on Marsh Mayhem, splash through river rapids, watch live shows, and feed giraffes by hand. The on-site water park is packed with slides and plenty of ways to get soaked or simply relax in a cabana. 

Recoil Trampoline Park cranks up the energy with trampoline dodgeball and basketball, plus a trapeze area where you can swing out and plunge into a soft foam pit. There’s also laser tag, an arcade, and virtual-reality experiences. 

Downtown’s Skoll Axe Throwing invites kids 10 and up to try landing a bull’s-eye as friendly competition unfolds across the lanes. Just around the corner, Downtown Social mixes boutique bowling, shuffleboard, and darts, while its Sports Suites bring more excitement with golf simulators and virtual dodgeball battles against zombies.

Catch a show at Theatre Guild Valdosta, with musicals and plays that bring the stage to life. Past shows such as “Alice in Wonderland” and “Madagascar: A Musical Adventure” have been featured. Just be sure to grab your tickets early, as shows can sell out. 

At the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, explore exhibits featuring East African sculptures, tribal drums, and other pieces. Seasonal events are perfect for families, including Music in the Art Park, which hosts live performances that set the scene for spreading out blankets and kicking back.

Another popular event held by the center, ARToberfest celebrates the talents of local and regional artists, as their work is displayed and sold on-site, paired with food and treats. The Levitt AMP Valdosta Music Series adds to the fun with catchy live music from a variety of genres.

Plan a return trip for December 2025, when The Meta Shaw Coleman Children’s Imagination Station opens and will delight families with new forms of art making and other creative activities centered on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, commonly known as STEAM.

For hands-on activities, swing by Valdosta Studio Imagination, where you and the kids can paint on pottery or a canvas with no appointment needed. Choose from items like mugs, plates, or even cookie jars to design with your own colorful touch. It’s a great chance for everyone in the family to get artistic.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned wakeboarder, Valdosta Wake Compound is a wakepark that brings the thrill with expert-led beginner lessons and plenty of splashing action. For something quieter, book a round at Stone Creek Golf Club and enjoy a leisurely game on a course with tee boxes suited for all skill levels. The on-site eatery serves lunch options like chicken tenders, fries, and hot dogs, all easy picks for kids. 

At Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area, stroll the boardwalk past delicate water lilies, turtles peeking up from the water, and the occasional scaly alligators. The observation tower offers a scenic view of the swamp below. For relaxed family time, Drexel Park has thriving native plants, a picnic-friendly lawn, and a playground to keep kids entertained.  

Just north of Valdosta in Hahira, Fancy Girl Farms combines a restaurant, coffee shop, garden boutique, and bakery — all in one inviting location. A quarter-mile walking trail winds through the back of the property, taking you over wooden bridges that cross quiet creeks and past blooming garden beds, with the tinkling sound of wind chimes in the air. Families can get into games of cornhole or connect four, and can settle back in one of the lounging chairs or porch-style swings.

When the crew’s hungry, nothing beats a spot that feels like home. El Paso delivers warm hospitality and crowd-pleasers like beef burritos smothered in enchilada sauce or shredded-chicken quesadillas. In the mood for something else? Woodstack specializes in housemade sauces and mains like chop steak topped with gravy, smoked-and-seared pork loin, or an applewood-bacon cheeseburger.  

Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant is cozy and family run, serving toasted garlic bread that crackles at the edges, plates of pasta, and kid-friendly picks like fresh-fried shrimp. Over at 306 North, the focus shifts to fresh produce and farm-raised meats. Share a margherita flatbread to start, then dig into pan-fried crab cakes or a zesty chicken piccata.

For a sweet treat, stop by Dixie Cream Donut Shop for powdered, sprinkled, or glazed donuts. Kreamkles is another go-to after dinner, known for rolled ice cream topped with fresh fruit like strawberries and fun extras like gummy worms and brownie bites.

From handmade jewelry and pottery to antiques, Kaleidoscope Gallery & Emporium carries distinctive treasures perfect for gifting or keeping. Pop into Mockingbird for more accessories and home accents, including colorful bamboo plates and crystal wine stoppers. Inside Cottonwood Market & Boutique, you’ll find artisan pieces like hand-painted furniture, stylish apparel, and other goods ranging from fedoras to bracelets.

The city has plenty of comfortable places to stay, with hotels offering perks like complimentary breakfasts, swimming areas, and fitness centers. Airbnb options such as Luxurious Historic Home for All and Ginger Trail Retreat work well for families. For something more outdoorsy, the Safari Campground at Wild Adventures Theme Park features RV sites, cottages, and tent camping areas.

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