The arrival of summer break fills each child’s heart with anticipation of a season filled with fun and excitement.
The length of the cherished break from school varies depending on your geographical location. No matter how long or short the duration, most children across the United States wish it lasted longer.
That’s true in Georgia, also known as the “Peach State”, as it produces a significant number of peaches.
The typical duration of summer break in Georgia is around 2 1/2 months long. It usually begins in May and concludes in early August. However, it’s important to know that both start and end dates will vary according to different school districts across the state.
As a parent, it’s helpful to know your child’s specific summer break start and end dates.
Whether you’re planning an extended family vacation or quick, intermittent excursions to provide activities away from home, summer breaks can provide enjoyable opportunities for your entire family.
In this article, we’ll explore some fun ways for your family to make the most of summer break while exploring some fantastic vacation destinations in Georgia.
How Long is Summer Break in the State of Georgia?
In the “Peach State,” summer breaks last approximately 2 1/2 months. For school children, it may seem it’s over soon after it’s begun!
Padding in memorable summer break activities will give them experiences they won’t soon forget and provide ways for your family to have fun together.
Generally, summer breaks across the state begin in June. However, in certain cases, it begins in mid-May. Although some summer breaks end in August, there are instances where it will extend into early September.
How Many Weeks / Months Does Summer Break Last in Georgia?
On average, summer break in Georgia generally lasts between 80-90 days or 2 1/2 to 3 months.
Because of the variations in school districts, it may be challenging to plan for the summer if you intend to vacation with family and friends that live in districts outside of yours.
However, if you’re well-informed, you can plan your vacation for dates that work for everyone, as summer breaks in the “Peach State” are similar and overlap.
What is the Final Day of School for Students in Georgia?
While dates for the end of the school year vary by district, they can also vary by grade level. For instance, within the same school district, there may be some variation between elementary and high school year schedules.
School District Calendars in Georgia
Determining when you can take your family vacations or long weekend excursions is challenging, especially if you have children in multiple grade levels or extended families in multiple districts that you’d like to join you.
A suggestion to circumvent any confusion would be to contact the local schools and ask for school year start and end dates.
Or, you may want to contact each district which is the entity that establishes calendars for individual schools in their respective districts. In this way, you’ll be assured that you receive the most up-to-date information regarding school schedules.
Georgia has 181 school districts with over 2,200 schools, educating over 1.6 million students. To get the full picture, be sure to access the Georgia school districts’ website, which will show not only summer breaks but holiday breaks within the school year.
Let’s take a look at several school districts to give you an idea of summer break schedule variations within the state.
| School District | Last Day of School | First Day of School |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Public Schools | May 26, 2023 | August 1, 2023 |
| Dekalb County School District | May 24, 2023 | August 7, 2023 |
| Fulton County School District | May 25, 2023 | August 7, 2023 |
| Paulding County School District | May 26, 2023 | August 1, 2023 |
| Harris Country School District | May 24, 2023 | August 8, 2023 |
| Bibb County School District | May 26, 2023 | August 1, 2023 |
| Clayton County School District | May 24, 2023 | August 1, 2023 |
| Hart County Charter System | May 26, 2023 | July 31, 2023 |
| Cherokee County School District | May 25, 2023 | August 2, 2023 |
| Muscogee County School District | May 26, 2023 | August 8, 2023 |
As you can see, each district has the autonomy to set its own calendar. That’s why it’s so important for you to know the exact summer break dates when planning your getaways. Dates for the following years of those we’ve shared here are similar, depending on the day of the week.
Be sure to keep tabs on any date changes based on make-up days due to school missed because of extreme weather conditions throughout the year.
Usually, the district pads in time for students to miss a few days unexpectedly, and the end-of-school dates seldom change.
It’s Summer Break! Where Should You Go?
If you plan to vacation in Georgia during your summer break, you may already be considering several destinations.
However, there may be other delightful destinations not too far from home that you want to consider, whether you’re planning a day trip or a week or more for your excursion.
While Georgia’s more familiar destinations are Savannah, Stone Mountain, or Atlanta, there are other lesser-known locations ideal for fun and relaxation. Before setting your sites on more distant destinations, be sure to find out about all that Georgia has to offer.
Located in the southern part of the United States, Georgia offers iconic experiences that include sandy beaches, modern cities, and beautiful mountains.
We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised as you discover or re-discover Georgia. That’s why we’re sharing some well-known and not-so-well-known locations that are sure to please.
Atlanta
As Georgia’s largest city and capital, Atlanta welcomes a plethora of summer break visitors as well as business travelers each year.
Founded in 1837, it has grown to the most populous city of the state and is rich in culture. Tourists, not so much the residents, may refer to the city as “Hot ‘Lanta” in reference to a 1971 instrumental tribute to the city released by the Allman Brothers Band.
Here we’re sharing a few of the must-see destinations in Atlanta.
Georgia Aquarium
Is your family interested in creatures under the sea? If so, be sure to put a visit to the Georgia Aquarium on your list for a summer break activity. From African penguins to Tiger sharks, the wonderful world of sea life will fascinate children and adults of all ages.
Be sure to get the scoop on the aquarium before you go to make sure you schedule your visit around any programs or exhibits you’re interested in.
Atlanta Braves Truist Park
With over 40,000 seats, the home of the Braves is certain to please the professional baseball fans in your family. Boasting food, beverages, and over 9,000 game-day parking spaces, it’s located about 15 miles from the downtown area in Cobb County.
If you’re in town for one of their many game days, be sure to catch a game for a memorable family experience.
Movie Filming Locations Tour
From the “Walking Dead” to “Stranger Things,” Atlanta’s film locations boast blockbuster film opportunities.
If you or your family have a favorite movie filmed in Atlanta, this is a fun and informative activity you may want to add to your repertoire when exploring the city and surrounding areas.
World of Coca-Cola
Take the kids for a tour and snap a selfie with the iconic 7-foot tall Coca-Cola Polar Bear. Learn about the origins of the soda created in Georgia and taste some of the 100 flavors from around the world.
With more than 1,200 pieces of memorabilia, there’s something interesting to see at every exhibit.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
If you’re interested in an immersive exhibit, this engaging cultural attraction offers four. When you visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, be sure to allow at least an hour or two to fully experience the thought-provoking exhibit spaces and a continually rotating gallery of items from Martin Luther King, Jr.
Suwanee
Located 3 miles from the Chattahoochee River, a charming but not as popular town, Suwanee offers a rich history as it first began as a Native American village.
With a total population of just over 20,000, Suwanee is a little nook of a town just 30 miles east of Atlanta that you’ll want to explore.
Suwanee Arts Center
A product of a partnership between the City and the Arts Center, the Suwanee Arts Center showcases local artists and offers classes for all ages within a 2,297-foot facility.
As a non-profit organization, it promotes the products of local artisans through festivals, exhibitions, and other media.
Everette’s Music Barn
If you and your family plan to be in town on a weekend, you may want to check out the historic Everette’s Music Barn. Enjoy a nice beverage and some cookies while you listen to talented music bands share their talents in the Bluegrass genre.
Sims Lake Park
A perfect place to have fun with your family on summer break is a park, and Sims Lake Park will not disappoint. As one of Suwanee’s most popular parks, it stretches across 62 acres with a 7-acre lake with a dock.
Your active family members will enjoy the 1.2-mile looping trail. For your younger children, there’s a partially covered playground.
The park boasts a pavilion, picnic tables, and public restrooms for your convenience.
Savannah
Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing
You and your family can experience a relaxing cruise on Savannah’s beautiful waterfront while you enjoy a fabulous southern-style buffet. Listen in as the Captain shares tales and historic facts along the way.
Savannah Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley
Take a 90-minute tour, with 15 stops along the way, as you explore Savannah from a historic trolley.
Your family will enjoy exploring destinations like the world-famous River Street, City Market, Forsyth Park, and Davenport House. Long enough to take in the sites and short enough to keep the kids engaged.
Tybee Island’s South Beach
While not technically in Savannah, if you’re visiting and want some sun and surf, this is one of the best places to go.
Just 20 minutes from Savannah, South Beach is a great family-friendly beach, perfect for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing. If you’re looking for the best time to go and miss the crowds, try a weekday, as weekends are pretty crowded.
The area hosts a pavilion, pier, and the Tybee Marine Science Center that you can explore when you need a break from the sun. Make sure you’re prepared to pay for parking as some spaces are metered.
And you may want to stay at South Beach in an Airbnb!
Summer Break at its Best in Georgia
Summer Camps
All around the state, you’ll find opportunities to treat the kids to summer camps. You can choose from a variety of themed camps to enroll your children according to their interests.
The Suwanee Arts Center offers several summer camps your children may enjoy: Junior Filmmaker Camp, Clay-mation Camp, and a Blown Away Glass Art Camp. It’s a great way for your more artsy kids to spend their summer break.
You’ll also find outdoor camps for your young family members. Check out Camp Toccoa, which hosts Camp Fire, an overnight camp that offers beautiful scenic views, chats around the campfire, and plenty of activities.
Outdoor Concerts, Events & Theme Parks
During summer break, you may find a number of talented musicians and actors showcasing their skills in various parts of Georgia’s communities.
Be sure to keep tabs on festivals, concerts, and plays scheduled throughout the season to make sure you and your family won’t miss an opportunity to be entertained and make lasting memories.
When your crew is ready for some excitement, seek out a theme park. One of our faves is Fun Spot America in Atlanta.
Complete with rollercoasters, go-Karts, and other family-themed thrill rides, you and your children will want to come back again and again.
Treat Your Family to a Sweet Treat
Yogli Mogli
Summer break wouldn’t be complete without treating your family to a fun dessert experience. At Yogli Mogli you can do just that.
This self-serve yogurt bar has several locations within the state of Georgia. The way it works is that you and your children get to choose your favorite yogurt and toppings to fill your container.
I can eat $5 worth easily! It’s that delicious! The best part is you can make it deliciously decadent or deliciously healthy!