Had a great time with my 6 and 9 year old kids last week during "dad camp". The Fulton library has a free pass you can check out for up to 4 people which is great but it is otherwise affordable. I would budget at least 2 hours here or as many as 3 if your kids are going to interact with the butterflies and the turtles and do the scavenger hunt as mine did. The indoor exhibit is small but charming and there are a few native species around. The downstairs education center also does a scavenger hunt every month which is really cool. They've done an amazing job of "gamifying" nature/science learning with their points based rewards system and natural objects exchange. We learned a lot about butterflies and caterpillars on our quest. The points thing goes a long way to motivating little ones that may be more skeptical about "learning" experiences and museums. But if you have kids who are more active and will walk, the variety of local trails contained within the nature center is quite nice. I would recommend coming here for adults without kids too for this reason. I heard there were little fairy houses somewhere too here but. I didn't see them. We saw the beaver, a variety of different birds including hawks and owls, and tons of other local animals. It was cool to see how intentional the design was of the outdoor sections and the map they give you at the gift shop/ticket counter is helpful. I also like how they have lots of play areas built in outside for kids to explore in a less structured way. They also have some nice picnic spots. Staff were friendly and helpful. "Feeding" (with the little sugar sticks) the butterflies was fantastic. Even on a hot summer day, I'm super glad we came and if it wasn't so far from where I lived I would attend more regularly/become a member. read more

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My kids ages 2-7 and I all enjoyed this place. Enclosed animals to see, including a beaver from afar. Lots of boardwalk paths and trails to walk on. We ran out of time! read more

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This nature center is one of my favorite local spots to visit. I recently went for my nieces third birthday, but this visit they only let us stay in a few minutes because they had a camp coming. No notice until we got to the butterfly house, and truthfully it would have been nice to have been told that when we paid so we could have planned out our day better. They told us ten minutes, but their talk they do at the beginning took half of that so we felt pretty rushed. Other animal exhibits include a couple of owls, a beaver, and some vultures. Indoor exhibits were also limited, but at least it was air conditioned. I would not recommend visiting in summer months. Trail is fairly shady, but still brutally hot already. Overall, the exhibit is great and perfect for kiddos. read more

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This is a hidden gem !! Wonderful place for an easy walk/hike. The kids were very entertained by both the indoor discovery area and the walking trails as well as the play areas. Plenty of parking just by the nature center - instagrammable views and very zen ! Will definitely not be our last time there read more

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We came here for the first time the last weekend in September for the native plant sale. I believe they do these a few times a year. The items available were ones that you would plant now for a spring bloom. Although we knew this wouldn't be the cheapest option, we like to support nonprofits and local businesses when we can. There were several staff/volunteers onsite directing traffic and keeping things orderly. All of the items were well organized by type, for example, plants/shrubs for a bog/moist soil versus those meant for areas where there is full/partial shade/sun. The signage was very clear as well. They had very helpful attendants who were more than happy to talk through your specific needs and make recommendations. They provided wagons to make it easy to corral the goods and there was an easy place to pull up and load your car. It wasn't a fancy checkout system, just a handwritten tally on a sheet of paper. You could pay cash or card. We would definitely come back for another one of these. read more

I'll admit I haven't been the the CNC in several years, but I still follow them on social media and it seems like nothing has changed. I don't mean aesthetically, technologically, or that they are stuck in the past, I just mean conservation, rehabilitation, education, and love are still the core factors that has kept the nature center going for years. The employees love and respect animals, and they want to share that passion with others in hopes to make a difference. I cannot tell you the number of animals they have helped over the years, some of which my family brought to them. I also have the best memories of the nature center from seeing a Bald Eagle for the first time, seeing snakes up close and personal but hearing how they got there and learning to feel compassion for these creatures that often seem a little scary, I remember dissecting owl pallets with my Girl Scout troop when I was young, I remember exploring the walking trails with my family and creating memories. I've carried a lot of what I learned from the nature center with me over the years, but the biggest thing I've carried is the compassion and wanting to help protect all creatures the best I can. This place is magical and your visits here will create some core memories! read more

So much fun! It was a rainy day - but we really enjoyed ourselves. So pretty and I LOVED the Enchanted Fairy House walk. read more

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A slice of heaven in the city! I've lived in Roswell for over a year and just recently went to CNC with my husband. I wish we hadn't put it off for so long! Staff is super friendly and the grounds are beautiful. We were lucky enough to see the monarch butterfly exhibit and it was magical! Definitely recommend to anyone who appreciates the great outdoors! read more

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Our first time in the Center in a long time - we came to participate in the 5K Water Drop Dash and fundraiser. What a wonderful organization and great group of volunteers. The race itself was very hilly, very. But was fun and the Center looked great. read more

Chattahoochee Nature Center - Water Drop Dash. Hilly but fun. - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Roswell, Georgia

What a gem of a nature center!! The walking path is well laid out and they have extended it to include a very nice bridge overlooking the main road. Although I have lived in the area for many years, I did not come here until recently. I now recommend a visit to this nature center quite frequently because it is easily accessible to those in the area, never crowded, great value for money, and well maintained grounds. The staff here is also incredibly helpful and quick to answer any questions. You can tell they enjoy working here as much as you'll enjoy your visit here. read more

Tremendous nature center dedicated to preserving wildlife and educating folks here in Roswell. They have a Discovery center with lots of child friendly activities. The main feature is a trading station where kids can do things get points and earn shells and other nature items. Butterflies and turtles and toads are on display. Significantly the aviaries feature raptors. Beautiful. They rehab 800 and more per year. Staff are friendly and informed. Great place! read more

The Chattahoochee Nature Center is a gorgeous protected park area with several trails surrounding a lake and wilderness enclosure. We visited over the summer specifically to see their butterfly enclosure, and we were not disappointed. Be forewarned that, if you are a couple like us pushing 30, one might describe the other participants as nearly two decades younger than yourself. Our friends described the audience as wholesome since, in addition to the butterflies, you'll see some attentive, adorable young toddlers doing their best to keep still and watch their winged friends in flight. The staff will hand you a "nectar stick" which, when held dutifully still, may attract a few butterflies for some close-up photos. Since the butterfly encounter took only about 10-15 minutes, we decided to walk around the nature center with the map the staff gave us at the front desk. The route we went on featured owls, eagles, and other birds of prey. It was amazing to see these birds so close, and the path itself was really well planned out. Chattahoochee Nature Center runs summer camps for children, so if your little ones enjoy the outdoors, this might be a viable choice for locals. read more

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I have been wanting to go to this nature center since moving to the area. Boy was I disappointed. I attended their Christmas BazAr on a raining Saturday morning. After walking through the market and feeling unwelcome, I decided to walk the trails. That was a mistake, the smell, the sad animal exhibits, the smell. It was throughly depressing and I left within the hour of arriving. read more

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We have had a CNC Membership for three years now, ever since our oldest turned 3 years old. CNC is such a great place for people of all ages. I remember taking my baby there and watching her enjoy looking around and taking in "nature". As she got older and started walking, we enjoyed the trails around the center. She loves all things animals and her favorite part is checking out the "birds". My son loves walking over to the platform and watching the turtles swim over to us...we used to try to feed them our snacks, but have cut that out of the routine as he has learned that turtles should not be eating people food, but I think that the turtles understand if there are humans on the dock then food will follow, so they always swim up there. CNC has great event and activities for families...we haven't even scratched the surface of all they have to offer. This is a membership we are sure to renew annually until ... who knows!?! General Admission Tickets are $10 for adults and $6/7 for kids, ages 2 and under are free. There is ample parking in their private lot. Just watch out for camps and kids. We have the Family Plus Membership $150: Membership for 2 named adults & up to 4 children (our kids can bring friends), 4 guest passes ($40 value), Bring a FREE guest on each visit, 4 festival tickets (Butterfly Festival & Halloween Hikes only), Advanced registration for award-winning Camp Kingfisher. It's definitely worth it for us...as we started from the Individual when my oldest was a baby (3) and moved up from there.... read more

I think it was worth the entry price , and going on the short hikes that it offered. The highlight is definitely the 'rangers' that run the place. We met one that took the time to explain the story of the falcon that was perched on her hand. Told us how the falcon come to the residence, its behaviors, and saw it cough up a pellet. Now.. what's a pellet? Well, you gonna have to go ask some of the rangers to explain it. Its pretty cool. The center offers multiple short hikes, and have an aviary of big birds. We saw 2 eagles, quite a few owls, and even a buzzard... The birds are HUGE. The birds are in the center because they were hurt, and are in rehab. Some can be released, while some will have to stay for a while since they cannot survive in the wild anymore. Its worth a visit. Nice to get away from the city, and wander in the nature for a few hours. read more

What a fantastic Nature Center, and we only saw 20% of what they offer! When we got there, knowledgeable and friendly Cheryl Rooker printed out my membership card and gave me membership materials. She told us the movie started at 3PM - in 10 min. We enjoyed the well made 20 min. movie: The Chattahoochee: Reimagine our River. We learned that those who live in Atlanta and surrounding areas get 70% of their drinking water from this river. It also has the best trout fishing. Who knew? Next was the butterfly encounter. We walked through the outdoor butterfly garden to the tented area of flowers and butterflies. Well versed and friendly employees were here, too! Joshua Hoyle gave us sticks dipped in nectar to attract the butterflies. He also told us about the proper behavior in this habitat. Inside, Tory Vornholt pointed out the different species flying about: White peacock, Malachite, Zebra longwing, Monarch, and American painted ladies. When we left the tented area, Joshua checked us for hitchhiking butterflies before we walked outside, to the beaver habitat. A short walk from the butterflies is the home of a rescued beaver who lives in the Camille Creamer Beaver Habitat. We watched the beaver swimming and also pacing at a gated area. Was he waiting for food, or trying to escape? After 2 hours, we had to be on the road again. We are looking forward to our next visit, to see the eagles, raptors, bats, and hike the trails. We might even have time to rent a canoe or try the zip line read more

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This is a beautiful facility. The river walk is beautiful and well maintained. It is a great place to take the kids for a walk as long as they understand stay to the right. The staff truly want you to have a wonderful experience and make suggestions on what to do for you to have an amazing visit. read more

Chattahoochee Nature Center - We got to see nature without being IN nature. Love it! - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Roswell, Georgia

We visited on a Sunday afternoon to see a small art exhibit. We had been once before, several years ago. Parking seemed okay when we went (plenty of spaces) but I'd read about the possibility of the lot filling up and having to park on the adjoining street. Maybe that was pre-COVID (?). Overall, this place was okay. After checking out the art, we toured the 'raptors' area - hawks, vultures, bald eagles, etc. in large enclosures. There were some other animal-exhibits as well. There were some 'nature trails' around a small pond, and apparently some zip-line area (which we did not check out). If you have elementary school-aged kids, they may find some of this interesting. Overall, it seemed a bit 'tired'; maybe it was livelier last year. Certain demographics (i.e., with kids) may find this much more interesting. I think we brought our daughter here when she was around 11 to check out the butterfly garden (which they don't have currently, anymore). YMMV. read more

Family outing review This place is great! When the indoor part is open, the bottom floor offers a lot of educational tools for kids. They also do a "trading" event where kids can trade in rocks and cool things they found in nature and get points. They can redeem the points for things like fossils and gemstones. They can also get points for keeping a reading log. When we went last, they had a scavenger hunt setup which was really fun for the whole family. They we walked on trails and just had a great time enjoying the outdoors. They also have birds that they have rescued to look at as well. read more

Love the facility and all they offer to the public. A little piece of natural wonders in the middle of a metropolitan environment. Nature lovers will adore this place! read more

"I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." -Vincent Van Gogh I gravitate to oceans, rivers and streams every chance I get, but I am new to the canoe and the feeling of being on the water. The Earth Day Canoe Trip at the CNC has been on my list since last year when the trip was canceled due to weather. But this year (4/22/17), the weather could not have been more perfect for a 2.5 hour paddle down the river, followed by a picnic by the campfire with marshmallows and stargazing. We had a group of 12, two nice guides, and most of the people were experienced. Considering my muscle tone is questionable and my friend who sat in the back of the canoe steered us in circles at times, I am hooked. I mean, we only got stuck on a sand dune three times and the branches we ran into didn't scratch that badly. Again, I say! Let's do it again. As the water surrounded us and the sun began to set, I felt at peace and far removed from the city. And while the sky was too cloudy to see much later that night, I know that I saw two twinkling stars. Stop by the CNC and stay a while. read more

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Went here June 2021 to the Roswell location. They have several locations. Ticket for the zipline was $60 and then an additional $15 to the nature center. Easy to locate. Ample, free parking. Clean visitor center with a nice display of things to buy from gemstones, local honey, snacks, books, art to clothing. Beautiful location. They had a butterfly expo going on the day I visited. There's an Aviary that held eagles. There was an area that had Owls. Unfortunately wasn't able to explore much. The zipline experience was nice but short. Compared to the zipline experience at Tree top that I had went to prior this could've been better for the price paid. I did like the fact that the workers went with you thru the course and assisted you with the zipline attachments so you didn't have to worry about error. And helmets were provided. Brief demonstration was given too. They do take photos for you that will be sent to your email after the excursion and that service was free. There were a few aerial obstacles and about 6 ziplines. They said the location at Banning Mills had the longest zipline (1500 ft) within the Screaming Eagles franchise. The time it took to complete the course was definitely less than 90 mins. It was a good experience overall. I was just slightly disappointed that it ended so quickly. There were 2 ziplines that were really fun and fast! read more

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How it works: You pay an admission fee ($10 per person) at the Nature Center and then will have access to the trails -- bc there are no other access points. There will be a gate code so that you can enter the wetlands area that's across the street. Sooo if you're just wanting to walk then you can just do the boardwalk outside of the Center -- you will see what I mean when you get to the area. There are bike lanes so biking is another option. It was a good place to mosey around and see some animals; our moseying took 2 hours. There were plenty of families and children around. We even saw a group of girl scouts identifying plants and animals. The hike itself was not strenuous at all. There were multiple trails, and altogether it was about a 2 mile hike that was thru the woods, by a lake, and near the animal area. The downstairs area of the Nature Center had some really cool animals on one side and various learning stations on the other: rocks & minerals, plants, and finally animal & insects. In addition to these touch and feel areas, there was a play area with stuff animals and things for coloring. There was also a small theater that showed two short movies at various timeslots; the schedule is posted at the entrance. Though it was a fun place to browse and take a walk, I don't think I would come back since admissions were $10. Useless ish info: If you're venue hunting for a wedding spot, the lakeside pavilion has some good ratings on The Knot's Website. read more

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My 7 year old and I went to Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventures and did course A and B. We had an amazing time! Robert and Izzy were so kind and patient with my anxious little one. He was nervous at first but once he got the hang of it, we ran through both courses in a couple of hours. It was great seeing him gain confidence with every obstacle and zipline. read more

Had a friend buy a season pass here, and was given a couple of free tickets to go explore when my family was in town. I had no idea that this place existed. Well, not that it existed so much as how extensive its existence really is. They have spaces for birthday parties and weddings and anything else you may need a rental space for... and each of them is so picturesque that I can't imagine a bad photo being taken anywhere. This is also a sanctuary for some larger birds, and a beaver, who have been surrendered or otherwise cannot make it on their own in the wild due to injuries. Owls, turkey vultures, bald eagle? You name it, there isn't a bad seat in a house to see these amazing birds up close. On top of that is the trails that lead you up, down, and around the Chattahoochee River area. You can see an old Civil War gravesite, and old homestead, the river and its surrounding wetlands. Pick a direction and go. Every sight is beautiful and every trail is pretty well marked. The best bathroom is the one in the visitor center, but there are a few more out and about. Just make sure you get a map from the desk before you go, it'll be much easier to find your way about as you explore. This is a great full day or half day or even an hour or two activity, depending on what you want to accomplish. read more

I stopped by to see what this place was about. Being one of the colder days of the month, I didn't feel like I wanted to spend $10 per person to walk around. I'd like to return in the summer when it's warmer and experience the walking paths. COVID stuff: Visited February 2021. We walked into the visitor center and used the restroom. Staff wore a mask. Signs were posted that the facility requires masks to be worn at all times. read more

Really appreciate how great this place was to visit! I also appreciate that money goes to help wildlife!

I decided to visit the nature center for their butterfly festival. Their parking lot was full so we parked on the street near by and walked up. They did have shuttles that ran as well. There were plenty of volunteers to direct the way inside. I thought it was strange that they charged tax on the entry fee. Inside we immediately visited the butterfly release. It was beautiful. The vendors were few but they had an interesting selection. We went to the theater and learned so much about the journey of the monarch butterflies! The butterfly encounter was also really amazing. The guides were extremely knowledgeable! They also have some great local wildlife conservatories as well! All of the animals were so cute! I feel like I learned so much during this visit! read more

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It was my friends wedding and everything was awesome everyone was kind, courteous, and so very pleasant.

Helpful and knowledgeable staff. The grounds are beautiful and well kept. The gift shop area is cute too.

My child went here for a field trip and I got to chaperone. This was an experience. I'm not sure if it was the school or the the district who Put this trio together but to have 1st graders out there in January was not so fun. It was cold and our guide kind of blew threw it because of the weather. I did like the fairy houses those were all so cutee and our guide did a great job of showing the kIds different touch and smell things so that was nice. The indoor animals were great. I loved the owl it was so cute and tiny. I would revisit during the summer because my sons allergies are terrible in the spring. This would have been a better trip if the weatheR was nicer but I did have a good time and would revisit on my own time. read more

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Surprisingly well run for a small garden. Had animals and garden. Nice way to spend a few hours. Also nice alternative to Atlanta Botanical.

Relaxing place. Many special events for all ages. There's always something happening year round. Concerts to camps for kids. Check it out.

Love this place. Always something to explore with the changing seasons and their naturalists are fantastic.

This place is AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Beautifully done exhibit on the inside that gives history and information about the Chattahoochee natural areas, there is also some adorable animals downstairs (such as the snoozy possum). Outside there are great enclosures with birds (including bald eagles) with a ton of information (plus a beaver!). Lots of plants as well, and a cool boardwalk around the Chattahoochee. I love this place, it's definitely worth going to, especially with children. read more

What a great place to spend a sunny afternoon with the fam! This sanctuary, right in the OTP burbs, is amazing! The trails are awesome to walk through with the kiddos. If your lucky you'll spot some GA wildlife. They have a Nature Center which houses animals as well as learning stations which are super cool! They also have monthly activities that are listed on their website. If you're looking for a fun family outing check them out! read more

Great experience. Will be back with more family. Definitely want to host an event at the pavilion one day!

*** CANOE REVIEW *** The Chattahoochee Nature Center seems like a nice place, but we didn't get to see much of it. My wife and I signed up for the "Date Night on the River" canoe tour that is offered on Friday's from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (June 2, 2017 - August 18, 2017). THE SCENE You must register at least 2 days in advance at a cost of $30/person to the general public or $25 for CNC Members. We arrived early, around 5:15pm and decided to walk the grounds. The Discovery Center was closed, so we walked the trails instead. Along the Wildlife Walk trail we found a habitat for beavers, a butterfly house, and several enclosures for raptors such as Copper Hawk, Red-Tailed Hawks, Red-Shoulder Hawks, Barn Owls, Gray-Horned Owls, Black Vultures and even Bald Eagles, which took me totally by surprise. I read in one review that the birds here can not be released back to the wild due to damaging injuries. However, I must say the aviaries (in my opinion) are inadequate in size. The Cooper Hawks, for example, were slightly agitated by my presence and flew back and forth in their aviary so quickly that you could barely count to one before they were to the other side and back. The Bald Eagle aviary was the largest, but still tiny in comparison to the size of this bird. The eagle also seemed agitated by human presence and made a weird series of sounds almost like he was talking to me. It sound nothing like I expected from such a majestic raptor, but more like a small parakeet that an awesome predator. Sound of a bald eagle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t14zqCKWCyA THE CANOEING EXPERIENCE We were told to park in the bus parking area and meet in front of the Scheduling Office. Here we met up with CNC "Naturalists", which in my mind meant they may possibly show up nude! Sorry, I'm twisted like that!!! Here is where my disappointment begins. Our team of guides were nice, but they spent probably 20 minutes discussing local radars showing bad weather moving in by 7:30... which would arrive in the middle of our canoeing trip down the river. This apparently is a bad thing and the great debate was if we should go out or not. Ultimately the guides took a "lets just walk down to the river and reassess there" sort of attitude, which I was okay with because I really wanted to have my date night on the river with my wife. We spent another 30 minutes getting geared up, walking a quarter mile to the canoe launch site and receiving instruction on how to paddle and what to do if you capsize. By the time we were getting the canoes off the racks, it began to thunder, winds picked up and we felt random drops of rain, with flashes of lightening in the distant dark clouds. Our head Naturalist said "the clouds are moving east as most storms do and we are heading west." With this justification, we began to launch our canoes out into the "HOOCH" one by one. We travelled about a half mile downstream before the guides gathered us together and said we would be turning back because the clouds were getting too ominous. He mentioned rescheduling us, but after we returned our gear, he gave no further instruction. Most of the other couples left, but myself and two other husbands asked "how do we go about rescheduling?" The tone went from talks of rescheduling to calling the office to see if they would possibly be willing to grant us a reschedule, because the guides themselves have no authority to reschedule. They further went on to say "it doesn't hurt to call and ask" and "we will let them know what happened and advocate for you." That sounded lovely, but bottom line, we hadn't got what we paid for nor were we told that IF we launch out for ANY amount of time, there is no requirement to reschedule if the weather goes bad. They advertise a 2.5 hour canoe ride, however, we experienced about a half hour: NOTES * We arrived 15 minutes earlier than our 6pm tour time. * My photo of the first canoe in our group to launch was @ 6:54pm. * By the time all the canoes were on the river it was 7:17pm. * We returned to the launch area @ 7:54pm (about 37 minutes on the water). * By the time we cleans the canoes, put them back on the rack and returned our gear it was 8:30pm. FINAL THOUGHTS Not exactly the "Date Night" we expected, but it has great potential. The brief time we were on the water was fun and definitely will test your relationship skills as a marital team. We did well, but were just happy we didn't capsize. I'm also happy to report that a week later they refunded our canoe tour fee, which was more that what I expected. I assumed they would just reschedule us on a different day, but happy to have the refund as well. We do plan to book another date night canoe tour and I will update the review once we get a chance to have the full experience. PS - The weather passed and it never rained 2017/112 read more

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After wanting to come visit for a long time we finally made it out here last weekend to check out the live butterfly exhibit (on all summer). This nature center is huge! It has a series of short looping trails butting up to the Chattahoochee and a small aquarium area inside the welcome center with an educational focus. Inside the welcome center is a small stage area for children's programs and the trading area for kids. Not far from the center is a grassy lawn and a pavilion where other programs take place. We were able to catch a live encounter with a Barred Owl. The butterfly tent is just that, a tent with flower and butterflies inside (mostly monarchs). On entry, you enter the first flap and are given a stick with nectar to attract the butterflies and instructions to be gentle when you enter. Once inside you pick a spot and stay still and the butterflies come to you! When you're ready to leave, after exiting the first flap you have to check for straggler butterflies before you exit completely. Fun! This is a really well managed nature center with lots of very well maintained trails and tons of kid-centric programs/events. When my tiny tot gets a bit older we'll most certainly consider a membership here! read more

This place is such a great spot for families. They are a non profit so I really feel good about the work they do. They have more than just trails and reptiles etc.. they host special events, summer camps and my son and I just went to a beginning canoe class. The class was great. A great value. read more

Chattahoochee Nature Center - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Roswell, Georgia