Chattahoochee Nature Center5510

The Chattahoochee Nature Center is a private non-profit natural science center with 127 acres of trails, native plants, animals - including beavers and raptors.

The CNC offers regular educational programs as well as family-centered events. This is a popular destination for field trips and enrichment for students about their natural world, emphasizing wildlife and plants that are native to Georgia.

Hikes along the two miles of woodland trails and 1/2 mile of marsh boardwalks offer a glimpse into nature along one of Georgia's largest natural resources. Visitors can see five different wetlands found in Georgia, birds of prey aviaries, and a Discovery Center, housing reptiles, small mammals, and creatures from Georgia. The beaver exhibit gives an up close look at non-releasable animals.

Children ages six and older (and their families) can sign up for the Center's canoe trips, offered seasonally on Saturdays and Sundays. The two-hour educational adventure costs $25 for members, and $30 for non-members.

Camp Kingfisher, the winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best Day Camp for Big Kids in the metro area, is offered for children in kindergarten through seventh grade, and is one of the most popular summer and school break day camp programs outside the Perimeter. Space fills quickly, because it combines strong environmental education programs with fun recreational activities like nature hikes, live animal demonstrations, arts and crafts, games, canoeing, swimming, and special guest presentations. Extended care is available, and registration can be done online.

Picnic areas are available on a first-come basis, but you must bring your own picnic. Snacks and beverages are available in the Nature Store.

The Center offers Wild Birthday Parties on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with live animal encounters - snake, box turtle, owl, gopher tortoise, or opossum. A variety of party options and prices are available and typically the cost covers 12 children and four adults and is designed for children ages four to 10. Age appropriate, nature themed party favors are supplied.

The Cowie Weiss Theater, in the new Discovery Center, offers a 65 seat, high definition, surround sound movie watching experience. Memberships begin at $40 for individuals and $75 for families. Pets are not allowed. Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.