One Of America's Best Family Amusement Parks For Kids Of All Ages Is A Georgia Gem

It's almost summertime again! Once the bell rings on the last day of school, it's not long before parents start looking for fun things to do to battle boredom in restless kiddos. If you've got a vacation planned (and here are some games that'll help keep your family busy on a long road trip) and your summer travels take you to the beautiful scenic landscapes of Cloudland Canyon State Park or the popular Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee, then you'll be just about a half hour or less from one of the country's best family amusement parks: Lake Winnepesaukah, or Lake Winnie.

Just over the Tennessee-Georgia border in Rossville, Georgia, this longtime favorite has been delighting families for 100 years, since its opening in 1925. One side of the park is a traditional amusement park while the other is a water park called SOAKya. Best of all, there's a train connecting the two sides, so if there are tired little legs (or big legs) in your group, you can have an easier time getting from one to the other.

As long as the littlest members of your crew are at least one year old, there will be plenty to keep them busy at Lake Winnie. Several of the kiddie rides are safe and gentle enough for kids over the age of one and under 36 inches tall, such as Silly Saucers, Sports Cars, Lady Bugs, Kiddie Boats, and Motorcycles. For kids under 48 inches and still young enough to want a parent to ride along, try the Wacky Factory, Ferris Wheel, Balloon Ride, or Antique Cars. Don't miss your chance to go for a spin on the Antique Carrousel. It was created in 1916 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Co. and each of the horses were carved and painted by hand. Thrill seekers will also have plenty of rides to choose from, including the popular Boat Chute, a flume ride built by the original owner in 1926, the Cannonball roller coaster, with a heart-stopping, 70-foot drop, or the Oh-Zone!, boasting a 14-story free fall.

Over at SOAKya Water Park, parents can easily keep track of the kids because of the smaller size of the park, yet there are still plenty of things to keep the little ones busy. Younger kids will love the Soak-N-Slide play area, featuring a zero-depth activity pool and four very tame water slides. Elementary-aged kids will have a blast navigating the Crazy River or Coke Float Cove. Daredevils can race each other on the Winnie 500 racing slides or tube together on Twist-N-Shout.

As you know if you've taken kids to a theme park, it takes a lot of preparation to make sure everyone has a good time (so check out our guide to packing your backpack for a day at a theme park). Fortunately, Lake Winnie has lots of guest amenities that can help facilitate a fun and enjoyable trip. In the theme park, they offer single stroller rentals for $11.77, double stroller rentals for $16.05, and wheelchair rentals for $19.26 (all rentals add a $10 deposit that is refunded when you return the equipment). You can also rent a small locker for $8.00 (plus $10 refundable deposit).  

If you're spending the afternoon on the water park side, you can rent a big locker for $16.00 (plus the $10 refundable deposit). They also have cabana rentals for $129 (plus tax), which includes sunscreen, six bottles of water, and $6 in game cash. Daily ticket prices for 2025 are $31.95 (plus tax) per person, or $22.95 for children age 1 to 2 and for seniors age 65 and over. Season passes for 2025 are $99.99 plus tax per person. The park is generally open between May and October, but times and rides vary depending on the day. Be sure to check the Lake Winnie website before you buy tickets, as they frequently have new specials and discounts for every day of the week.