10 Forgotten Theme Parks That Once Drew Crowds In Georgia

Georgia once buzzed with the laughter and excitement of theme parks that have now vanished into memory.

From indoor wonderlands to safari adventures, these attractions brought joy to countless families before closing their gates forever.

Some lasted decades while others barely survived a single season, but each left its mark on the state’s entertainment history.

Today, we explore ten fascinating amusement destinations across Georgia that exist only in photographs and fond recollections.

These parks offered everything from Wild West adventures to drive-through animal encounters, creating unique experiences that modern visitors will never know.

Their stories reveal changing tastes, economic challenges, and the inevitable march of time that transforms thriving attractions into forgotten landmarks.

Join us as we revisit these beloved Georgia entertainment venues that once defined childhood summers and family outings.

1. The World of Sid and Marty Krofft

Imagine walking into a building and finding an entire amusement park stacked on multiple floors above your head.

That was the groundbreaking concept behind this Atlanta attraction that opened inside the Omni International complex.

The location now forms part of the CNN Center, but back then it housed something completely unprecedented in the theme park world.

Television producers Sid and Marty Krofft created rides and experiences based on their popular shows, bringing characters to life in three dimensions.

Visitors rode escalators between levels, discovering new fantastical environments at each stop.

The park featured the Pinwheel ride, a crystal carousel, and interactive experiences unlike anything Georgia had seen before.

Unfortunately, ambitious vision couldn’t overcome practical problems.

High admission prices and the unusual indoor format confused potential visitors who expected traditional outdoor fun.

After just six months of operation, the doors closed permanently, making it one of the shortest-lived theme parks in American history.

The space was later converted into an ice skating rink before eventually becoming office and media facilities.

Address: 190 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 (former Omni International complex).

2. American Adventures

Right next to the splashes of Six Flags White Water sat a park designed specifically for younger thrill-seekers and their families.

American Adventures opened its gates in Marietta with a mission to provide scaled-down excitement perfect for elementary-aged children.

The park packed impressive variety into its footprint, featuring spinning teacups, bumper cars, and a towering Ferris wheel visible from the highway.

Go-kart tracks proved especially popular, giving kids their first taste of driving independence under safe conditions.

Miniature golf courses, arcade games, and gentler rides rounded out the offerings, creating a full day of entertainment.

For two decades, Georgia families made it a summer tradition, often combining visits with the adjacent water park for maximum fun.

The park’s closure caught many by surprise, as it seemed perpetually busy during peak seasons.

Economic pressures and changing entertainment preferences eventually made operations unsustainable.

When the final season ended, the property was redeveloped, erasing nearly all traces of the beloved attraction.

Many adults today remember celebrating birthdays there, making it a cherished part of Georgia childhood for an entire generation.

Address: 250 Cobb Parkway North, Marietta, GA 30062 (former location adjacent to Six Flags White Water).

3. Ponce de Leon Amusement Park

Long before modern mega-parks, Atlanta families escaped summer heat at this charming trolley park on Ponce de Leon Avenue.

Trolley companies built these recreational spaces at the end of their lines, encouraging weekend ridership when commuter traffic dropped.

What started as simple picnic grounds gradually evolved into a full amusement destination with mechanical rides and attractions.

The park featured a popular dance pavilion where live bands played, drawing young couples from across the city.

A scenic lake offered boat rentals, while shaded walking paths provided relief from Georgia’s sweltering summers.

As automobiles became affordable, the trolley park concept lost its appeal and competitive advantage.

Families could now drive anywhere they wanted, no longer limited to destinations along streetcar routes.

The park gradually declined through the early twentieth century as attendance dwindled and maintenance costs rose.

By the time it closed for good, a new generation had already forgotten the simple pleasures their grandparents once enjoyed there.

Today, the area has been completely redeveloped, with no visible remnants of the entertainment venue that once thrived on the site.

Only old photographs and newspaper archives preserve memories of this early Atlanta amusement landmark.

Address: Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA (exact historical location now redeveloped).

4. Lion Country Safari

Rolling down your car windows around wild animals would be unthinkable, but keeping them closed was absolutely mandatory at this unique attraction.

Lion Country Safari brought African wildlife to suburban Stockbridge, letting visitors drive their own vehicles through habitats filled with exotic creatures.

The park belonged to a chain of six similar facilities across America, each offering the same thrilling concept.

Families slowly navigated dirt roads while lions lounged mere feet away, occasionally approaching vehicles with unnerving curiosity.

Zebras, ostriches, rhinos, and other species roamed freely in separate sections, creating an authentic safari atmosphere without international travel.

A walk-through area provided closer encounters with smaller animals and featured educational exhibits about conservation.

The Georgia location operated successfully for over a decade, becoming a popular field trip destination for schools throughout the state.

However, insurance costs and liability concerns eventually made the business model unsustainable.

When the park closed, the animals were relocated to zoos and other facilities across the country.

The property was later developed for commercial use, completely transforming the landscape where giraffes once stretched their necks above acacia trees.

Address: 1950 Highway 138 East, Stockbridge, GA 30281 (approximate former location, now redeveloped).

5. Funtown

Screams echoed along Stewart Avenue whenever the Rattler sent riders plummeting down its wooden track.

This aptly named roller coaster served as the centerpiece of Funtown, a park that brought carnival excitement to Atlanta neighborhoods.

Despite some historical confusion about its exact location, the park definitely operated on Stewart Avenue, not in Valdosta as sometimes mistakenly referenced.

Besides the signature coaster, Funtown offered classic midway games, spinning rides, and attractions typical of regional amusement parks.

The park catered to local families seeking affordable entertainment close to home without driving to larger destinations.

Its neighborhood setting gave it a community feel, with many regulars visiting weekly throughout the summer season.

Bright lights and cheerful music created an atmosphere of perpetual celebration that drew crowds on warm evenings.

Economic pressures and urban development eventually spelled doom for this modest but beloved attraction.

When Funtown closed, the land was cleared and redeveloped for commercial purposes, erasing all physical evidence of the park.

Former visitors occasionally share memories online, trying to piece together details of a place that left surprisingly few photographic records.

The Rattler’s distinctive clacking sound lives on only in the recollections of those lucky enough to have ridden it.

Address: Stewart Avenue, Atlanta, GA (specific historical address uncertain, area now redeveloped).

6. Lakewood Park

Adjacent to the bustling Lakewood Fairgrounds, this amusement area provided year-round entertainment beyond the annual fair season.

Lakewood Park emerged in the early part of the twentieth century when the fairgrounds area became a major Atlanta recreational hub.

The park featured a rotating selection of rides that changed over the decades as technology and tastes evolved.

A scenic lake gave the area its name and provided a picturesque backdrop for family photographs and romantic strolls.

During its peak years, the park hummed with activity on weekends, drawing crowds from across the Atlanta metropolitan area.

The adjacent fairgrounds hosted everything from livestock exhibitions to auto races, creating a diverse entertainment district.

As Atlanta expanded and newer attractions opened in other parts of Georgia, Lakewood gradually lost its competitive edge.

The park limped through its final years with aging equipment and declining attendance before closing permanently.

Some structures and the fairgrounds themselves survived longer, but the dedicated amusement park area disappeared completely.

Today, the Lakewood Amphitheatre occupies part of the historical entertainment district, continuing the area’s legacy of public gatherings.

Old-timers occasionally reminisce about summer nights spent riding the Ferris wheel and eating cotton candy by the water.

Address: Lakewood Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 (Lakewood Fairgrounds area, amusement park section no longer exists).

7. Dixieland Fun Park

Salty breezes and carnival music mixed together at this coastal Georgia attraction that brought midway magic to Brunswick.

Dixieland Fun Park opened its gates with classic amusement park offerings tailored to beach-town visitors and local families alike.

The park featured spinning rides, game booths, and attractions typical of boardwalk entertainment found in seaside communities.

Its location near the coast made it a natural stop for tourists already in the area for beach vacations.

Local residents treated it as a regular summer hangout, a place where teenagers could meet and younger children could burn off energy.

For years, the park thrived as part of Brunswick’s entertainment landscape, creating countless memories for Georgia’s coastal communities.

Then disaster struck in the form of severe weather, most likely a hurricane or powerful storm that battered the Georgia coastline.

The damage proved too extensive and expensive to repair, especially for a seasonal business with limited revenue streams.

Rather than rebuild, the owners made the difficult decision to close permanently, leaving the community without its beloved amusement destination.

The property was eventually cleared and redeveloped, removing all traces of the rides and attractions that once stood there.

Former visitors still recall the distinctive atmosphere of a coastal amusement park where ocean air mixed with popcorn and excitement.

Address: Brunswick, GA (specific historical address uncertain, coastal area now redeveloped).

8. Frontier Lands

Cowboys and pioneers came to life in the shadow of Fort Mountain at this Western-themed adventure park.

Frontier Lands transported visitors back to the days of covered wagons and frontier settlements, creating an immersive historical experience.

The park featured a detailed Pioneer Village where actors in period costume demonstrated traditional crafts and pioneer skills.

Staged gunfights and Wild West shows provided entertainment while educating visitors about frontier history.

Children could pan for gold, ride horses, and explore recreated frontier buildings that sparked imagination about life in earlier times.

The mountainous setting near Chatsworth added authentic atmosphere, making it easy to imagine the challenges early settlers faced in Georgia’s wilderness.

Unlike modern theme parks focused purely on thrills, Frontier Lands emphasized education and historical appreciation alongside entertainment.

This approach attracted school groups and families seeking something more substantial than typical amusement park fare.

Despite its unique concept and beautiful location, the park struggled to attract enough visitors to remain financially viable.

Remote location proved both blessing and curse, providing authenticity but limiting accessibility for potential guests.

When operations ceased, the structures were gradually reclaimed by nature, leaving only foundations and memories behind.

Address: Near Fort Mountain, Chatsworth, GA 30705 (specific historical location in mountainous area, now abandoned).

9. Tybee Island Amusement Park

Ocean waves provided the soundtrack at this island attraction that combined beach relaxation with amusement park excitement.

Located near Savannah on popular Tybee Island, the park drew both tourists and locals seeking entertainment beyond sunbathing and swimming.

Classic rides and attractions gave beachgoers something to do during the hottest parts of the day or after sunset.

The park’s pavilions hosted dances and social events that made Tybee Island more than just a daytime beach destination.

Families could spend entire days on the island, alternating between ocean activities and amusement park fun without traveling elsewhere.

For decades, the park remained an integral part of the Tybee Island experience, featured in countless vacation photographs and memories.

Then tragedy struck when fire swept through portions of the facility, destroying irreplaceable structures and equipment.

The damage occurred sometime in the late part of the twentieth century, devastating both owners and the community.

Rebuilding proved too costly, especially given the challenges of operating in a coastal environment with salt air and storm risks.

The remaining structures were eventually removed, and the land was redeveloped for other purposes.

Today, visitors to Tybee Island find no trace of the amusement park that once added carnival excitement to their beach vacations.

Address: Tybee Island, GA 31328 (specific historical beachfront location, structures destroyed and area redeveloped).

10. Crystal Lake

Landlocked South Georgia families found their beach destination at this popular water park in Irwin County.

Crystal Lake offered something unusual for the region: a genuine sandy beach paired with modern water slides and aquatic attractions.

The natural lake setting provided a more authentic swimming experience than typical concrete pool parks.

Families spread blankets on the sand, creating beach days without the long drive to Georgia’s coast.

Water slides added modern thrills while the lake itself offered traditional swimming, fishing, and relaxation opportunities.

For years, Crystal Lake served as the go-to summer destination for residents across several South Georgia counties.

The park hosted countless birthday parties, church outings, and family reunions that became treasured annual traditions.

Then legal troubles began mounting as lawsuits challenged the park’s safety measures and operational practices.

Insurance costs skyrocketed in response to liability concerns, making it financially impossible to continue operating profitably.

Rather than make expensive upgrades or fight ongoing legal battles, the owners chose to close permanently.

The abandoned property gradually deteriorated, with nature reclaiming structures that once echoed with children’s laughter.

Former visitors occasionally return to the location, finding only overgrown ruins where they once created summer memories.

Address: Irwin County, GA (specific rural location, property now abandoned and overgrown).