Disclosure: My experience and overnight at Historic Banning Mills adventure park in Georgia was complimentary.
It’s hard to believe that such a wonderful spot exists just about an hour away from Atlanta but it does! This place is called Historic Banning Mills.
Banning Mills Zipline Tour
I’m going to tell you how to have the best experience at this lovely Georgia adventure zip-lining and treehouse spot.
So, if you love zip lining you can most certainly make a day trip out of this and you will have an incredible time. But you are really in for a treat if you come and stay overnight at Banning Mills. We made our way up here on a Saturday afternoon in November and now I can’t wait to return!
History of Banning Mills
A bit about Historic Banning Mills: This was once a mill town that even produced its own electricity. But as things evolved, Banning eventually became a ghost town. However, the owners decided that there was still an opportunity to make this a tourist destination and created the adventure centre it is today. And Banning Mills holds a Guinness World Record! How cool is that?
Guinness World Records: one for the largest zip line canopy tour and adventure destination, and one for the tallest freestanding artificial climbing wall.
What does a treehouse room like?
After arriving at Banning Mills in the late afternoon we checked in and got settled into our treehouse lodge. I know it sounds silly, but it has always been on my bucket list to spend the night in a treehouse.
When I was a kid, I always wanted a treehouse but we never had one, so maybe that’s why I’ve always thought they were so cool. Plus, the tree houses at this adventure park in Georgia have everything you need – a queen bed, television, large tub for a bubble bath!
But you know what my favourite part about the treehouse stay was? It was the back deck. Yes, these tree houses even come with a deck overlooking the water.
After we got to our room and were settled in a bit, we made our way back to the main lodge where dinner is served. You can choose to dine here or you can take a drive to a nearby restaurant, but I’d encourage you to stay on-site and just dine at their restaurant.
It is super cosy and the steak we had was delicious. Plus, there’s also an adjacent room with a pool table. Glen and I started playing and thought we’d just play one game but we were having so much fun we ended up playing three games of pool that evening before retiring to our treehouse for the evening.
Fun Time – Banning Mills Adventurous Zipline
The next morning we got up and took advantage of the breakfast buffet that is included in our stay. I highly recommend you fuel up if you’ve signed up for a full day of zip-lining.
Eggs, bacon and all the fixings were offered on this buffet. And our adventure day of zip lining began at 10.
You can choose your own adventurous zip line
You may wonder, Where can I go for all-day zip-lining action? I really like that you can choose your level of zip lining at Banning Mills.
Levels of Ziplines at Banning Mills
Banning Mills has 4 levels of ziplines which come with increasing difficulty levels, speeds and lengths of the zipline.
Starting from:
Level 1: Forest or Woodland Tour
It contains 9 ziplines, 2 sky bridges and 1 very cool tower.
| Minimum Age | 8 Years |
| Minimum Weight | 50 lbs |
| Maximum Weight for Women Maximum Weight for Men | 250 lbs 285 lbs |
| Approximate Time | 1 – 1.5 Hrs |
| Price | $59 |
Level 2: The Flight Pattern Zipline Canopy Tour
This includes Level 1 before moving to Level 2.
| Minimum Age | 10 Years |
| Minimum Weight | 90 lbs |
| Maximum Weight for Women Maximum Weight for Men | 250 lbs 285 lbs |
| Approximate Time | 1.5 – 2.5 Hrs |
| Eligible Adds-on | Power Free Fall and Terminator Corner |
| Price | $89 |
Level 3: The Flight Pattern Plus Zipline Canopy Tour
This includes Level 1 and Level 2 before moving to Level 3.
| Minimum Age | 10 Years |
| Minimum Weight | 90 lbs |
| Maximum Weight for Women Maximum Weight for Men | 250 lbs 285 lbs |
| Approximate Time | 2.5 – 3.5 Hrs |
| Eligible Adds-on | Flight of the Falcon, Power Free Fall, Ridge Runner and Terminator Corner |
| Price | $109 |
Level 4: The Extreme Zipline Canopy Tour
This includes Levels 1, 2 and 3 before moving to Level 4.
| Minimum Age | 10 Years |
| Minimum Weight | 90 lbs |
| Maximum Weight for Women Maximum Weight for Men | 250 lbs 285 lbs |
| Approximate Time | 3.5 – 4 Hrs |
| Eligible Adds-on | Flight of the Falcon, Power Free Fall, Ridge Runner and Terminator Corner |
| Price | $169 |
The All Day Rush (ADR) Tour
This includes Levels 1-4 or as many as you can do in one day.
| Minimum Age | 10 Years |
| Minimum Weight | 115 lbs |
| Maximum Weight for Women Maximum Weight for Men | 250 lbs 285 lbs |
| Approximate Time | 8 Hrs |
| Eligible Adds-on | Flight of the Falcon, Power Free Fall, Ridge Runner and Terminator Corner |
| Price | $279 |
There are many more options you can check here
But for full-on thrill seekers, you have to do the level four tour, which is what Glen and I did. This 4-hour tour includes the famed Screaming Eagle 2,500-foot-long zip line which reaches speeds of 70-75 mph!
You’ll also get to traverse a 600-foot-long suspension bridge that hovers above Snake Creek (see pic below).
Other adventures you can have at Banning Mills adventure park in Georgia include kayaking, hiking, horseback riding and a rock climbing wall. Oh, and if you visit in the summer, there’s a pool there too!
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Awesome Guides at Banning Mills
I can’t tell you how fun the guides are at Banning Mills adventure park. It really made the five hours fly by. See what I did there?
Plus, they take pictures of you and email them to you within a day of your trip. I love that this feature is included with your zip-lining experience at no extra cost.
Check out the photo above. They did this for each couple/family in our group and it was really appreciated!
Here are the best tips for making the most out of your visit to Banning Mills (home of the longest zip line in Georgia)
1. Stay overnight
So you can enjoy more of the amenities at this adventure centre in Georgia. Sure, it is doable to drive here to Banning Mills, spend the day zip-lining, hiking and head home.
We even zip-lined with a father and son who were catching a plane out later that day. Believe me, you will not leave here disappointed. But it is so peaceful and relaxing at Banning Mills adventure park you will want to spend the evening enjoying yourself.
2. Book your tree house in advance
Stay in advance at this Georgia adventure site. So, if you have decided to spend the night at Banning Mills, you have several options – there is a lodge and the rooms are very comfy.
But if you are going to be an adventurer, shouldn’t you go all out and stay in the treehouse? Of course, you should!
But be aware there are only a handful of tree houses at Banning Mills adventure centre in Georgia, so you’ll want to book well in advance if you want to stay in one.
3. Enjoy the lovely cuisine in the kitchen at Banning Mills Restaurant
The chef is very creative at Banning Mills – so make sure you have dinner there during your stay. It is much easier than going off-site, plus the cuisine is great.
Pro tip: Unlike other restaurants, the menu is small and limited and you must order at least 24 hours in advance.
We didn’t know this, so thankfully the chef set aside steaks for us. They truly were melt-in-your-mouth delicious. So be aware if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies you should tell them well in advance.
4. Bring your own wine to enjoy – you’ll need it after a day of zip-lining adventures
If you plan to enjoy wine (or any other adult beverage with dinner or later on) bring it yourself. I’ll be the first to admit, our service was pleasant during our visit, but this is not the place you’ll find a full bar or a huge wine selection. If this is important, pack your own.
5. Visit in the fall (mid to late November) for great weather at this adventure park with fewer crowds.
During our visit, we asked the guides about their busy season. Spring and especially summer find this adventure park in Georgia full of thrill seekers.
It is so busy, if you are looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, you may not find it during its peak time. But if you go during the fall, you are in for a treat.
Bonus: Go during the week on a fall day you will probably have a guide to zip lining all to yourself (so say the guides).
Historic Banning Mills Map
