10 Forgotten Georgia Amusement Parks Slowly Being Reclaimed By Nature
Echoes of laughter still seem to drift through the trees, fading with the rustle of leaves where rides once spun and lights once glowed. Wooden tracks crumble beneath moss and time, their stories swallowed by the southern air.
Across Georgia, the remnants of old amusement parks rest quietly beneath canopies of green.
Tilt-a-Whirls, Ferris wheels, and midway signs lie scattered like relics from a dream half-remembered. What was once a celebration of motion now feels frozen in stillness – beauty found not in the thrill, but in what remains after the crowds have gone.
1. Starcadia Entertainment Park (Macon)
Once a beacon of family entertainment in Central Georgia, this venue closed its doors unexpectedly, leaving behind arcade games and party rooms. Weeds now push through cracked parking lots where excited children once raced inside.
The building’s exterior shows signs of weather damage and neglect. Local explorers report seeing faded signage and empty game rooms through dusty windows, creating an eerie atmosphere of interrupted celebration.
2. Ponce De Leon Amusement Park (Atlanta)
Opening in the early 1900s, this park featured a grand dance pavilion, swimming pool, and various attractions that drew Atlanta’s residents for decades. The property closed long ago, making way for urban development.
Today, few physical traces remain of this historic entertainment destination. Historical photographs show elaborate wooden structures and crowds dressed in period clothing, offering glimpses into Georgia’s amusement park heritage before modern theme parks existed.
3. Lakewood Park (Atlanta)
This fairground hosted the Southeastern Fair for generations, bringing carnival rides, livestock shows, and concerts to South Atlanta. Economic challenges and changing entertainment preferences led to its eventual closure.
The sprawling grounds now contain deteriorating buildings and empty exhibition halls. Nature fills spaces where crowds once gathered, and the property awaits redevelopment while serving as a nostalgic landmark for longtime Atlanta residents who remember its glory days.
4. Thunderbolt Park (Savannah)
Named after the nearby Thunderbolt community, this coastal park offered Savannah residents escape from summer heat with rides and entertainment. Competition from larger attractions eventually led to declining attendance and closure.
Salt air accelerates decay of remaining structures, while coastal vegetation wraps around forgotten infrastructure. The location reminds visitors how seaside amusement parks once dotted Georgia’s coastline before consolidation into fewer, larger entertainment destinations.
5. White City Amusement Park (Atlanta)
Operating in the early twentieth century, this park featured elaborate white-painted buildings that inspired its name, along with various rides and attractions. Fire and financial difficulties contributed to its eventual demise.
The site has been completely redeveloped over the decades, leaving no visible traces of the original park. Historical records and old photographs preserve memories of this once-popular destination that entertained Atlantans during a different era of American leisure.
6. Crystal Lake Waterpark (Irwin County)
Rural South Georgia families found relief from scorching summers at this waterpark, which featured slides, pools, and picnic areas. Changing economics and maintenance costs made operation increasingly difficult over time.
Empty pools now collect rainwater and debris while slides fade under the sun. The abandoned facility shows how even water-based attractions struggle to survive in smaller markets, especially when competing against larger regional destinations with more resources.
7. American Adventures (Marietta)
Families flocked here for go-karts, mini golf, and water slides during its heyday in the northern Atlanta suburbs. The park shuttered after years of operation, leaving attractions to face the elements alone.
Vines creep across mini golf obstacles while trees grow taller around silent ride structures. The site serves as a reminder of how quickly entertainment venues can fade when the crowds stop coming and maintenance ceases.
8. Joyland Park (Atlanta)
This mid-century attraction offered Atlanta families affordable entertainment with classic carnival rides and games. Changing neighborhoods and competition from larger parks led to declining attendance and eventual closure.
The site has been repurposed over the years, erasing most physical evidence of the original park. Only photographs and memories preserve this chapter of Atlanta’s amusement park history, showing how urban landscapes constantly evolve and erase their entertainment past.
9. World Of Sid And Marty Krofft (Atlanta)
In the heart of Atlanta, the World of Sid and Marty Krofft stood as a unique attraction. Opened in 1976, it was a psychedelic playground inspired by the creators’ whimsical TV shows. Despite its creative flair, the park was short-lived, closing after just six months.
Today, its vibrant structures are cloaked in greenery, slowly succumbing to time. This park remains a fascinating piece of pop culture history, remembered by those who once walked its colorful paths. Its legacy lingers in the overgrown vines and faded murals.
10. Malibu Norcross (Gwinnett County)
Once a bustling centerpiece of Gwinnett County, Malibu Norcross was the go-to spot for family fun. Its mini-golf courses and go-kart tracks were beloved by locals. Opened in the 1980s, the park eventually closed in the early 2000s, leaving the grounds to nature’s embrace.
Nowadays, the tracks are covered in weeds, echoing past races. The cheerful sounds have faded, replaced by the quiet rustle of leaves. Yet, memories of thrilling rides linger among those who ventured there during its heyday.
