Family Things to Do in Cleveland

We've rounded up 12 useful local listings in and around Cleveland — playgrounds, trails, museums, classes, and the events where local families show up.

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Anna Ruby Falls

Cleveland·All ages, best for families with children·Outdoor

Anna Ruby Falls is a water-play outing in Cleveland. It is a good fit for all ages, best for families with children and works well as a water-play outing. Families can expect a stunning double waterfall located in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, trails or walking paths, picnic tables, and parking. Bring Sturdy shoes for hiking, Water bottles, Snacks, and Camera for photos. Picnic areas available. Hours are listed as Open Year Round, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Last ticket sale at 4 p.m.).

Waterfall / Hiking Trail / Nature AreaFull listing →

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Babyland General Hospital (Cabbage Patch Kids)

Cleveland·Indoor·Free

Babyland General Hospital (Cabbage Patch Kids) is a hands-on learning stop in Cleveland. It is a good fit for n/a and works well as a hands-on learning stop. Families can expect a whimsical destination celebrating the famous Cabbage Patch Kids and restrooms. Bring Comfortable footwear, Water bottle, and Snacks. Consider visiting during weekdays for less crowding, and check their schedule for special events that might interest your kids during your visit.

Tourist Attraction / Museum / Kids ActivityFull listing →

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Cool River Tubing

Cleveland·Ages 2 and up·Outdoor

Cool River floats families down the Chattahoochee through Helen, with the tube, life jacket, and shuttle ride all included in the price. Kids can ride from age 2 (the minimum can rise when the water runs high), and you pick a shorter or longer float depending on attention spans. It runs daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather and water level permitting.

River tubingFull listing →

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Dukes Creek Falls

Cleveland·Viewing platform works for all ages; full trail for confident hikers·Outdoor

Dukes Creek Falls drops 150 feet in tiers, and the family-sized version of this hike is the short paved stretch from the parking lot to the upper viewing platform — the full trail down to the base is long and steep, better saved for kids with real hiking legs. This is a viewing waterfall, not a wading one. It sits up the Richard Russell scenic highway past Helen, about half an hour from Cleveland.

Waterfall, National forestFull listing →

Play

Georgia Mountain Coaster

Cleveland·Ages 3+ with a parent; solo drivers 54" and up·Outdoor

The Georgia Mountain Coaster runs gravity carts down the hillside right in downtown Helen, and it works for surprisingly young kids: anyone 38 inches and at least 3 years old can ride in a two-seat cart with a parent driving. Solo driving starts at 54 inches, which older kids treat as a rite of passage. It runs year-round, weather permitting, and the second same-day ride is half off.

Alpine coasterFull listing →

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Helen Tubing & Waterpark

Cleveland·Tubing from age 2; slides require 42 inches·Outdoor

Helen Tubing runs river floats and a small waterpark side by side, which solves the mixed-ages problem: bigger kids do the slides (42-inch height minimum) while littles float or splash. Kids can tube from age 2 as long as they can walk, and Georgia law puts life jackets on everyone 13 and under. Tubing runs 9 to 5 and the waterpark 10 to 6 through the summer season.

River tubing, WaterparkFull listing →

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Helton Creek Falls

Cleveland·Best with steady walkers or a carrier for littles·Outdoor·Free

Helton Creek Falls gives you a double waterfall for a 0.2-mile walk — one of the best effort-to-payoff ratios in the mountains, though the short path has abrupt ups and downs, so this is carrier territory rather than stroller territory. It's free, with an observation deck at the falls and only a small roadside pullout for parking. It's a genuine mountain drive up past Vogel State Park, so fold it into a day in the mountains rather than a quick hop.

Waterfall, National forestFull listing →

Learn

North Georgia Wildlife Park and Safari

Cleveland·All ages·Outdoor·Free

North Georgia Wildlife Park is more structured than a wander-at-your-own-pace zoo. Families choose from wildlife walks, safari drives and bookable animal encounters, so the right ticket depends on how close your crew wants to get and how long little legs will last. Reservations are worth making before the drive to Cleveland, especially for encounters and weekend time slots.

Zoo, Tourist attractionFull listing →

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Smithgall Woods State Park

Cleveland·All ages on the short loops·Outdoor

Smithgall Woods is the quiet cousin of the big-name parks near Helen — a preserve along Dukes Creek with a visitor center and several short interpretive loop trails that suit little legs. Everyone signs in at the visitor center, which is also the place to ask which loop fits a stroller and what the creek rules are that day. It's bear country, so mind the posted BearWise guidance and keep snacks packed away.

State park, Creek and trailsFull listing →

Learn

White County Public Library

Cleveland·All ages·Indoor·Free

White County Public Library is a library outing in Cleveland. It is a good fit for all ages and works well as a library outing. Families can expect a local library offering a variety of resources and programs for the community, a children's area, and parking. Bring Library card (if applicable) and Photo ID for registration. Plan ahead to register for a library card. Check the events calendar before your visit to catch any special programs.

LibraryFull listing →

Play

Woodmen of the World City Park

Cleveland·Toddler to older children·Outdoor·Free

Woodmen of the World City Park features a walking trail, playground, a small ball field, and a pavilion. Woodmen of the World City Park is a flexible outdoor stop in Cleveland, especially when the family needs room to move without committing to a full-day attraction. Families can count on a playground, walking trails, sports fields. Bring water and sun protection, and check the official park page for closures, rentals or scheduled sports before you go.

ParkFull listing →

Play

Yonah Preserve Recreation Center, Splash Pad & Park

Cleveland·All ages·Indoor and outdoor

Yonah Preserve is the rare outing with a rain plan built right in: start outside at the playground and splash pad, then head into the recreation center when everyone needs shade or a change of pace. Inside are two full-size basketball courts that can convert for volleyball and pickleball, plus concessions, a community room and a roomy covered porch. Pack dry clothes and call ahead for splash-pad hours, since the county does not post its seasonal schedule online.

Recreation center, splash pad, playground and parkFull listing →