Stone Mountain and Laser Show in Atlanta, Georgia

On a trip to Atlanta to see some friends and visit the World of Coca-Cola and Centennial Olympic Park, we went to Stone Mountain. It was summer, June 2012, so there were quite a few activities going on, including a laser light show in the evening.  For those of you who have not heard of this place (I hadn’t before our trip), it is a major recreational area in Atlanta, with 3,200 acres of wooded parkland and lakes. In the center of this massive park is a  monument to the Confederacy.  There is a carving on the huge monument which depicts three Confederate figures during the Civil War: Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis. carved out by Gutzon Borglum, the same person who carved Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.  Thought that was pretty interesting.

Stone Mountain Park, which opened on April 14, 1965, has a Civil War Museum, a restored antebellum plantation, the Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad, an open-air train that chugs around the mountain’s base; the Antique Car and Treasure Museum, which displays a collection of cars, clocks, and model trains; and Crossroads, an 1870 rural town, with costumed characters who sing, play instruments, and tell stories.

However, the most impressive-looking thing, besides the monument itself, was the Summit Skyride. The rock’s top attraction is The Summit Skyride. This high-speed Swiss cable car provides a stunning view of the Confederate Memorial Carving as it transports guests more than 825 feet above ground to the top of the mountain. From the top, experience amazing views of the Atlanta skyline, the Appalachian Mountains, and more up to 60 miles away. Sadly we didn’t have a chance to do this, but it is something I would like to do the next time we are in the area.

The main reason we went was that our friends wanted us to see their laser show called. Lasershow on Fire.  They said it was something not to be missed, and we are so glad we didn’t miss it 🙂   Everyone just brings chairs or blankets, sits on the lawn in front of the huge monument, and waits for darkness to descend and the show to start. We actually stopped and got sandwiches on the way to the mountain, then set there and ate until dark. I had a great time people watching and catching up with our friends as it was our first night in Atlanta. 🙂

The show started once it was dark enough, and it was quite spectacular. I heard that they change it up, but there are three flame cannons that add a punch to the show by sending a trio of flames nearly one-hundred feet into the air. Plus, special new fireworks spray multi-colored bursts and dance on the water at the base of the mountain. The one we saw was very patriotic and made me happy to be an American at the time. Needless to say, I really enjoyed the show, and it was a great way to spend our first night in Georgia. The Lasershow is about 45 minutes and runs seasonally from mid-April through October. Visit the Calendar page for specific show dates and times.

Stone Mountain Visitor Information

Address:

1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Phone:

800-401-2407

Hours:

Park Gates are open daily, 5:00 a.m. to Midnight. Attraction hours vary. Visit the Calendar page for attraction hours on the day of your visit.

Prices:

Attractions Pass

Includes access to Scenic Railroad, Dinosaur Explore – An All-New Experience, Historic Square & Mini Golf.

From Downtown/Midtown Atlanta
Take 10th St NE and Monroe Dr NE to Ponce De Leon Ave NE. Follow Ponce De Leon Ave NE and US- 78 E to E Ponce De Leon Ave. take exit 8, the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance. Follow the exit ramp to the East Gate entrance of Stone MountainPark.

From Downtown Atlanta (via I-20)
Take I-20 East to I-285 North. Once on I-285 North, take Exit 39B, the U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel 7.7 miles and take exit 8, the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance. Follow the exit ramp to the East Gate entrance of Stone Mountain Park.

From Dahlonega/Cumming/Alpharetta (via GA 400)
Take GA 400 South to I-285 East. Once on I-285 East, go past I-85 to Exit 39B, the U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel 7.7 miles and take exit 8, the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance. Follow the exit ramp to the East Gate entrance of Stone Mountain Park.

From Snellville/Athens (via U.S. Hwy 78)
Take U.S. Highway 78 West. After crossing the overpass above East/West Park Place Blvd. near the Stone Mountain Tennis Center, exit to the left at the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance, exit 8. Follow this exit ramp cautiously around long curve to the East Gate entrance of Stone Mountain Park.

From Augusta and South Carolina (via I-20)
Take I-20 West to I-285 North. Once on I-285 North, take Exit 39B, the U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel 7.7 miles and take exit 8, the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance. Follow the exit ramp to the East Gate entrance of Stone Mountain Park.

From Birmingham, Alabama (via I-20)
Take I-20 East through Downtown Atlanta. After passing through downtown Atlanta, continue on I-20 East to I-285 North. Once on I-285 North, take Exit 39B, the U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel 7.7 miles and take exit 8, the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance. Follow the exit ramp to the East Gate entrance of Stone Mountain Park.

From Chattanooga, Tennessee
Take I-75 South to I-285 East. Continue on I-285 East to Exit 39B. Take Exit 39B, the U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel 7.7 miles and take exit 8, the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance. Follow the exit ramp to the East Gate entrance of Stone Mountain Park.

From Lake City, Florida / Valdosta, Georgia (via I-75)
Take I-75 North to I-675. Take I-675 North to I-285 East (Augusta). Continue on I-285 East to Exit 39B. Take Exit 39B, the U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel 7.7 miles and take exit 8, the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance. Follow the exit ramp to the East Gate entrance of Stone Mountain Park.

From Greenville, South Carolina
Take I-85 South to I-285 East. Once on I-285 East, take Exit 39B, the U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel 7.7 miles and take exit 8, the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance. Follow the exit ramp to the East Gate entrance of Stone Mountain Park.

From Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
When exiting the Airport, follow signs to I-285. When you get to I-285, take I-285 East (towards Augusta). Follow I-285 to exit 39-B, the U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel 7.7 miles and take exit 8, the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance. Follow the exit ramp to the East Gate entrance of Stone Mountain Park.

Parking:

Parking passes include access to the natural areas of the park including: hiking and nature trails, public picnic areas, 363-acre lake, children’s playground, Grist Mill, Covered Bridge and Quarry Exhibit. To purchase a $20 parking pass online, please click here.