Make Memorial Day plans with rides, slides and savings

Spring is giving way to summer — and around Atlanta, Memorial Day weekend is the kickoff to hotter weather, longer days and cooling off the fun way.

What you need to know: Six Flags Over Georgia is leaning into the season with expanded offerings and fresh ways to cool off, including daily operations and the official Hurricane Harbor season opening on May 22.

• Plus, the park's Memorial Day Sale is live, offering up to 50% off tickets, passes and more that get you perks like free parking and access to some of the region's best water parks.

Why it's important: As Memorial Day weekend demand spikes, travel and multi-destination trips get pricier and harder to coordinate — especially if you're trying to satisfy kids of different ages or friends with different interests.

The solution: Six Flags Over Georgia spans 290 acres — including seven acres of water park in Hurricane Harbor Atlanta — and has more than 40 rides, water attractions and live entertainment options for all ages, making it a one-stop option for both adrenaline and downtime.

First things first: Hurricane Harbor Atlanta is the easiest way to beat the Memorial Day weekend heat, with all-ages attractions, towering water slides and private waterfront cabanas.

• 😱Ride the Bonzai Pipelines at least three times to experience each of the slides the ride has to offer — from 180- and 360-degree curves to a four-story drop.
• 🌊Brave four-foot swells in the Calypso Bay Wave Pool, complete with a shallow end for littler adventurers.
• 🍍Afterwards, get some tropical snacks and refreshing drinks at Paradise Island Snacks, located in the water park.
• 🧜And from May 23 through June 14, catch the SPLASH! Water Parade, complete with colorful floats and interactive water zones to go beyond the rides.

Even better: If Hurricane Harbor's May 22 opening date can't come soon enough for you, nearby Six Flags White Water in Marietta, Georgia, opens May 9 and offers 10x the fun.

• At nearly 70 acres, Six Flags White Water is the largest water park in Georgia and is home to award-winning water slide thrills, kid-friendly splash pads and a relaxing lazy river — all included in a Six Flags Over Georgia season pass.

🎢Here's what else: Save time to dry off on Six Flags Over Georgia's flagship coasters, including:

• Goliath, with a top speed of more than 85 miles per hour and a drop ranked among the world's 10 tallest.
• Twisted Cyclone, with a hybrid vintage feel and a fully horizontal cobra roll.
• Georgia Gold Rusher, a new free-spinning coaster with launches and unpredictable water elements.

The takeaway: Memorial Day plans can spiral fast. Six Flags Over Georgia works because it bundles the thrill, the cooldown and the all-day entertainment into one easier, more affordable option close to home.

Shop the Memorial Day Sale.