Southeastern Railway Museum
3595 Buford Highway, Duluth
Welcome Santa Claus to town as he arrives by train (duh, the reindeer and sleigh are only for Christmas) on November 19 from 12:30-3:00pm as he pulls into the station at the Southeastern Railway Museum! Take your own photos or have the professional photographer snap a few (Christmas card – DONE).
Sugarloaf Mills
5900 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Lawrenceville
Sugarloaf Mills welcomes ALL the good little boys and girls this year. Photos with Santa begin November 18 and end on Christmas Eve, right before Jolly Old Saint Nick has to hustle back to the North Pole to get ready for the night’s events. Pet photos with Santa occur on November 27 and December 11 from 7-8pm, and Caring Santa (a private event designed for children and young adults with special needs and their families) will make his mark on December 4 from 9:30-11am.
Tannery Row Ale House
554 W Main Street, Buford
Okay, this one may seem bizarre, but take it from a DiG staffer who took her kids last year: The Polar Express is showing on a big screen to entertain the kids while they wait; it’s a tavern, so they serve beer to entertain the parents while they wait; and they have a really nifty old truck full of presents and decorated with greenery that makes for a very unique Santa backdrop. Win-win-WIN, if you ask us.
Atlanta Botanical Gardens
1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta
Red velvet Santa is TOTALLY played out. Up the Christmas photo ante by visiting the Atlanta Botanical Gardens’ majestic dark green-robed and botanical head-wreathed Santa. Sure, your kids may think he’s a Coachella refugee, but all your hipster friends will be totes jelly. Build in some extra time for a spin around the Great Lawn on the Botanical Express Ride-On-Train.
Bethesda Park Aquatic Center
225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville
Dad-bod, ahoy! Who hasn’t wondered what Santa looks like in a swimsuit?! (Umm.…) Have your holiday photo taken with Santa at the pool, and enjoy crafts and pool games while you wait. Parents beware: children six and younger must be accompanied by an adult in the water.