As a Metro Atlanta family dental practice focused on protecting our patients’ smiles for nearly 40 years, Gentry Dentistry of Suwanee embraces every opportunity to have you share those sparkling smiles with the world. With the holidays approaching, we’ve curated a list of five festive family destinations in Georgia that are sure to put a smile on your faces and help create magical Christmas memories for one and all. Our standing as a family-owned and operated dental office means that our dentists - Dr. Harry Gentry and Dr. Darby Gentry Tompkins – have experienced several of these destinations not only firsthand but also together!
License to Chill Snow Island and Lakeside Lights Spectacular at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
Situated within 13 miles of our office, it’s only natural that Margaritaville at Lanier Islands scores the top spot on our list. During the day, families can enjoy everything from skating on Frosty’s Ice Rink and fashioning a snowman on Snowball Alley to braving the 575-foot-long, eight-story high snow tubing slide on Blizzard Mountain at License to Chill Snow Island. Once the sun goes down, you can roast marshmallows by several fireside stops, go for a spin on a carnival ride, or stroll through the brightly lit Lakeside Lights Spectacular, set to your favorite holiday tunes. Santa Claus will also be visiting this waterfront destination, so photo ops will be a must! In addition to the holiday season, many attractions at License to Chill Snow Island will be open well into February 2025. In addition to single-day passes, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands offers season passes for you to enjoy all Winter long. Learn more!
Callaway Resort & Gardens Fantasy In Lights
Now through January 4, 2025, Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine Mountain will light up the night with an annual tradition Georgia families have enjoyed for the last 32 years. Presented by Georgia Power, Callaway invites you to climb aboard a Jolly Trolley for a dazzling journey along the seven-mile Fantasy In Lights drive-through experience. Your immersive trip through the resort’s 2,500 acres will be illuminated with 10 million twinkling lights and 17 dazzling Christmas scenes! A stop off at the Callaway Christmas Village affords you the chance to experience the all-new Tree of Traditions, a 40-foot Pixel Pine surrounded by a forest of trees beautifully bedecked in twinkling lights. While in the Christmas Village, you can also shop for gifts and holiday décor. Don’t be surprised if you happen upon a Jolly Old Elf and his favorite, red-nosed reindeer while you’re there! Given the fact that Pine Mountain is roughly two hours from Suwanee, you might want to transform your evening at Fantasy in Lights into a seasonal staycation with the choice of several overnight accommodations on the Callaway grounds. Purchase tickets!
Helen's Christmas Market
Well-known for its neon-colored tubes floating down the Chattahoochee River in the Summer and its famous Oktoberfest celebrations in the Fall, the charming village of Helen is rapidly gaining favor as a holiday destination. In addition to its classic Alpine architecture draped in lights, Helen will play host to its 17th annual Christmas Market – formerly known as Christkindlmarkt. Taking place over two weekends, November 30-December 1 and December 7-8, the Christmas Market will boast unique handmade Christmas gifts and decorations along with a selection of savory and sweet foods. This year’s event will be free to attend in the downtown Market Platz and Unicoi Hill Park. The Helen Arts & Heritage Center will also host the Mistletoe Marketplace Festival December 7-8, featuring handcrafted art and fine crafts from local artisans. The following weekend – on Saturday, December 14 – Santa Claus is coming to town during Helen’s Annual Christmas Parade. Learn more!
Stone Mountain Christmas
Open on weekends and during school holidays through January 5, Stone Mountain Christmas has staked a claim on “Atlanta’s Most Heartwarming Holiday Celebration.” Many of your favorite Stone Mountain attractions – including
the Scenic Railroad, Great Locomotive Chase Mini Golf Course, and 4-D Theater featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – are open during the day. As the sun goes down, the lights go up on the Stone Mountain Park Village. You can take in a performance of A Christmas Carol, hear the seasonal sounds of the Crossroads Carolers, snag a premium spot for the Christmas Parade, stroll through the Musical Frosted Forest, share your wish list with the Big Man himself, and be dazzled by the Christmas Drone & Light Show. New this year, the Skyride is transformed into the Magical Flight to the North Pole – poised at the top of Stone Mountain. Learn more and buy tickets!
Dahlonega’s Old-Fashioned Christmas
Rounding out our list is a true classic. The star of the show is a city that dates back to the Georgia Gold Rush in the early 1800s, strung in twinkling holiday lights. Promising a nostalgic noel adventure, events during Dahlonega’s month-long Old-Fashioned Christmas include carriage rides through town, a Festival of Trees, visits with Santa, Christmas teas, performances of A Christmas Carol, a Christmas Market, festive food trucks, historic home tours, and more. There will also be plenty of opportunities to shop the stores, dine in eateries that line the square, and enjoy Christmas card-worthy photo ops. Visit the Calendar of Events to plan your visit. If you’re up for a road trip, Blue Ridge Scenic Railway’s Holiday Express Train in the North Georgia mountains, Savannah Holly Days and Holly Jolly Jekyll along the Georgia Coast, The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, and Christmas at Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville all deserve an honorable mention. A little closer to home, Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden, and The Holidays at Georgia Aquarium are two more true must-sees in Downtown Atlanta.
Before you embark on your holiday adventures, ensure your family's smiles are set to shine as brightly as those holiday lights. Schedule a dental checkup with Gentry Dentistry of Suwanee today! Our experienced dentists and friendly staff are dedicated to providing comprehensive dental care for your entire family. Call us at 770-945-5850 or book an appointment online at www.GentryDentistryofSuwanee.com.
