Some may take refuge in the serenity of their homes and try to beat the heat with a tall glass of lemonade or sweet tea, but for those looking to get out and celebrate their three-day weekend with something different, a wide range of options are available.

0-15 miles from campus:

• Atlanta Jazz Festival (Free): Let the sounds of smooth jazz relax you during one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country.
• Decatur Arts Festival (Free): Be a patron for a local artist at this MARTA-accessible festival not far from Midtown.
• Atlanta Caribbean Carnival ($10): Connect with the Atlanta Caribbean community at this cultural carnival.
• Atlantic Station (Varies): Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the shops or see one of the three movies premiering this weekend.

16-30 miles from campus:

• Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (Free): Witness this historic landmark and its commemorative Memorial Day display.
• Salute The Troops at Stone Mountain ($28, all day): Celebrate service men and women under the shade of Stone Mountain by day and watch the laser show by night.
• Memorial Day Weekend at Lake Lanier ($10-$35+, all day): Enjoy sun and sand with Beach Access or hit the Lazy River at LanierWorld to experience Georgia’s largest man-made lake.
• Georgia Renaissance Festival ($19.95, all day): Eat a turkey leg before the Renaissance Festival closes its doors for the summer.
• Shoot the Hooch ($27): Spend a few hours riding an inner tube down the Chattahoochee River and the beauty of north Georgia.

30+ miles from campus

• Smithgall Woods State Park (Free): Home of Raven Cliff Falls, Smithgall Woods boasts one of the most popular hiking trails in Georgia.
• Tallulah Gorge State Park (Free): Visit quaint country shops and look out over the gorge or hire a guide to hike along with you.