Tifton Moms

If you homeschool, you know one of the great things about this lifestyle is the flexibility! If you and/or your kids need a break from the bookwork, you can take the learning on the road with you with some of the field trip ideas included in this article. All the places included in this article are two hours or less from Tifton, and they cover science, nature, the arts, history, and so much more in a fun, hands-on way.

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Science & Nature

Looking to learn more about science and/or get outdoors with the kids. Here are our top picks:

• Rutland Farms (right here in Tifton)-Looking to do something fun with the kids without even leaving town? Rutland Farms is a local farm that can offer your children a glimpse at local agriculture this Fall (along with an awesome playground and other just for fun activities). With a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, corn maze, there’s a lot of fun (and learning) to be had, starting in October. Rutland Farms does offer field trips for schools and larger homeschool groups.
• Southern Grace Farms (15 minutes)- Southern Grace Farms in Enigma is another great local farm where your kids can learn about local agriculture through u-pick crops like citrus and grapes in the coming months. There’s also a great playground and lots of unique, local products for sale.
• Reed Bingham State Park (30 minutes)-Just 30 minutes away from Tifton, Reed Bingham State Park offers several miles of trails, nature watching, a beach, playgrounds, mini golf, fishing, and boating. This can be a great opportunity for your children to learn about our local habitats and the animals found here in South Georgia and just have some great outdoor fun. The cost is $5 per car, but you can check out a free state park pass from your local library to get in free.
• Calhoun Produce (30 minutes)- Calhoun Produce in Ashburn is another local farm where your children can learn about local agriculture, pollinators, and more. There’s also a great playground, delicious ice cream, and lunch available if you decide to make a day of it.
• A&M Farms (30 minutes)-A&M Farms in Sylvester is yet another great local farm where your children can interact with animals and just have fun.
• Flint RiverQuarium (1 hour)-The Flint RiverQuarium in downtown Albany is a fun and interactive way to learn about the Flint River, local wildlife, local ecosystems, and more. It is open from 10:00-5:00 Monday-Sunday, and admission ranges from $6.50 for youth to $9 for adults (children 3 and under are free). Make a day of it by packing a picnic lunch for the nearby Turtle Park, and walk down to the Flint River and the Ray Charles statue right next door. The RiverQuarium also usually does a special homeschool day in the fall and spring, so keep an eye out on their Facebook page for that information.
• Chehaw (1 hour)-Chehaw Park and Zoo in Albany is a great way for your child to learn about more exotic animals, natural habitats, conservation, and more. Park only passes start at $2 and zoo passes start at $5. The park is open from 8:00-6:00 every day, while the zoo is open from 9:30-4:30 each day. While you’re there, you can also explore the play park and splash pad, enjoy a picnic lunch, play disc golf, or hike or bike the trails. Chehaw also usually does a special homeschool day in the fall and spring, so keep an eye out on their Facebook page for that information.
• General Coffee State Park (1 hour)-General Coffee State Park in Nicholls is a great way to learn about local wildlife and their habitats as well as some agricultural history about this area. There are several trails you can hike and a lake for boating and fishing, all great opportunities to learn about our local habitats and wildlife. However, there is a lot to learn about our agricultural history at Heritage Farm at the park, with log cabins, a corn crib, tobacco barn, cane mill, and other exhibits. There are also farm animals at this state park including goats, sheep, chickens, and pigs. The cost is $5 per car, but you can check out a free state park pass from your local library to get in free.
• Mark’s Melon Patch (1 hour)-While Mark’s Melon Patch is another agritourism spot, it’s worth the drive to Sasser for their fun fall activities. There’s a lot to learn about all the local produce, farm animals, and lots of opportunities to play as well as a new treasure mine, where your child(ren) can mine for treasure with a sifter in the sluice.
• Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences (1.5 hours)- The Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences is a great way for your child to learn about animals, tropical forests, different civilizations, and outer space all in one place! There’s a planetarium, min-zoo, nature trail walks, gardens, and so much more. While this field trip idea is included in the nature and science category, there’s also history and arts fun to be had here as well. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00-5:00 and admission rangers from $5-10, although your local library has a pass for free admission.
• Alfred B Maclay Gardens State Park (2 hours)-If you’re willing to drive to Tallahassee, you can experience the beauty of Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, which features a picturesque brick walkway, secret garden, reflection pool, walled, garden, and hundreds of camelias and azaleas. There are also two short nature trails for hikers, bicyclists, and/or equestrians. While peak blooming season is in the spring, you can still enjoy the beauty anytime, and there are special programs throughout the year. The cost is $6 per vehicle.
• Tallahassee Museum (2 hours)-Also in Tallahassee is the Tallahassee Museum, which has 52 acres of natural wonders, historic buildings, animal exhibits, and other adventures. There are colorful dinosaur sculptures, animals and their habitats, ziplining, and historic buildings. The museum is open 9:00-5:00 Monday through Saturday and from 11:00-5:00 on Sunday. Admission starts at $11 for children 4-15 (children 3 and under are free) and goes up to $15.50 for adults. They also host special programs periodically, including a homeschool program geared towards K-5 once a month.

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The Arts

Looking for something to do with the kids that will expose them to more arts and culture? These are some great local ideas:

• Albany Museum of Art (1 hour)-The Albany Museum of Art, which offers free admission every day, has a variety of rotating exhibits available for you and your child(ren) to view, as well as a fun scavenger hunt to get your kids more engaged. There’s also the AMAzing Space, which is great if you have younger kids. While you can visit the AMA anytime, they do host a special homeschool day on the second Thursday of the month geared towards K-5 September-May. The cost for this special program is $15 for each child participating. If you don’t want to visit during the homeschool day, you can find the museum open Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00-5:00.
• The Arts Center of Moultrie (30 minutes)-If you want to see some great artwork, but don’t want to drive all the day to Albany, The Arts Center of Moultrie is a great option. They have a variety of exhibitions, and like the AMA, they also have a special children’s space. Admission is free, and they are open Monday-Friday from 10:00-5:30. While they don’t have a special homeschool program, they do have a lot of classes for youth, which you can find here.
• Thomasville Center for the Arts (1 hour)-The Thomasville Center for the Arts is another great local center for you and your family to be exposed to the arts. Admission is free here as well, and the center is open Tuesday-Friday from 10:00-4:00. While they don’t have a special homeschool program, they do have several afternoon options and a special, free event on the second Saturday of the month for families.  
• Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts (1 hour)-Yet another great option for the arts is the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta. They have some permanent collections as well as rotating exhibits, and they offer a variety of classes for youth. While it is not open yet, there is a Children’s Imagination Station planned for the center as well. Admission is free, and the center is open from 10:00-6:00 Tuesday-Thursday and 10:00-4:00 on Friday and Saturday.
• Music and Theatre-While not listed above because performances don’t usually happen during normal field trip hours, Southwest Georgia has some great music and theatre options for you and your homeschooled child(ren)! Some examples include Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, performances through The Arts Center of Moultrie, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Albany, Theatre Guild Valdosta, VSU Theatre & Dance, and South Georgia Ballet.

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History

History, unfortunately, can often be a boring subject for many kids, whether they’re homeschooled or not. A great way to combat that is through hands-on learning, like you can get at some of these field trip destinations in Southwest Georgia:

• Georgia Museum of Agriculture (right here in Tifton)-You don’t have to travel far for this one! The Georgia Museum of Agriculture right here in Tifton is a great hands-on history field trip to show your child(ren) what live was like in the 19^th century South. The museum has lots of historic artifacts and is indoors, and the historic village is a walkable village with buildings from the 19^th century and historic interpreters to help you learn more about what life was like back then. If you go on Saturdays, you can also ride on a Vulcan Steam Train. The museum and historic village is currently closed until September 2^nd, so you can plan a nice field trip later in the year! The cost for admission ranges from $8-10, but you can check out a free pass from your library for free admission.
• Blue and Gray Museum (45 minutes)-If you’re looking to learn more about the Civil War, the Blue and Gray Museum in Fitzgerald is a great place to do that. The museum tells the story of how Yankee and Confederate veterans created the city of Fitzgerald through unique Civil War relics and artifacts. Admission for adults is just $5 and $2 for students. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00-4:00 and Sundays from 1:00-5:00.
• Albany Civil Rights Museum (1 hour)-Looking to learn about Civil Rights history? There’s a great museum dedicated to this just an hour away in Albany. To commemorate the part Albany played in the movement, they have the Albany Civil Rights Institute located in the newly restored 1906 Old Mount Zion Church. Through oral histories, photographs, documents, artifcats, and educational exhibits, they showcase the civil rights struggle. They are open Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Admission starts at $2 for pre-school aged children (children under four are free) and goes up to $6 for adults, although there is a military and senior discount
• Andersonville National Historic Site (1.5 hours)-About a half an hour away from Tifton, you can find another great place to learn about Civil War History: Andersonville National Historic Site and Prisoner of War Museum. Andersonville was home to an infamous prisoner of war camp during the Civil War, where nearly 13,000 men died. While the site can help your child(ren) learn more about the Civil War in particular, it does serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war as a whole as well. The site is open daily from 8:00-5:00, although the National Prisoner of War Museum is open from 9:30-4:30. This site has no entrance fee, making it a free way to make history come alive for your child(ren).  
• Ocmulgee National Mounds (1.5 hours)-In Macon, you can find Ocmulgee National Mounds, which can be a great way for your child to learn more about indigenous people and their culture. There are also several nature trails where you and your family can hike and observe local wildlife. Entrance is also free to this site, and the National Park is open from 8:00-5:00, with the Visitor Center and Earth Lodge open from 9:00-5:00 daily.
• Tubman Museum (1.5 hours)-The Tubman African American Museum is another great field trip destination in Macon. Named after Harriet Tubman, the museum is the largest of its kind in the southeast dedicated to educating people about the art, history, and culture of African Americans. The museum is open 9:00-5:00 Tuesday through Saturday, and admission ranges from $6-9.

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Tifton Moms is a resource dedicated to the moms and families of Tifton, Georgia and beyond to help them find things to do in Tifton, the information they need about events in Tifton and Southwest Georgia, resources in the area like birthday venues, doctors, school options and so much more. We are passionate about all things parenting and our community, and we want to connect you to relevant resources, local businesses, can’t-miss events, and each other! Find more helpful articles at https://tiftonmoms.com/blog/.