Things to Do in Lithia Springs

Ten minutes from the bustle of Atlanta, hummingbirds and dragonflies buzz around gardens, and horses crunch leaves under their hooves as they amble down dirt-covered trails leading to a private pond. Fruition Farm beckons visitors to relax at this idyllic refuge, whether by swaying on the porch swing with a book in hand or trapping sleepy friends in a hammock draped between two trees.

Communing with nature is reflected in the farm's approach to horseback riding—natural horsemanship, which fosters a special rapport between equestrians and steeds based on respect and trust, motivating horses to obey commands without riders threatening to expose their secret pasts as cows. This philosophy encompasses all activities at Fruition, from lessons and camps to weekend retreats and creative excursions such as moonlight rides and Tea on Tuesdays, which pairs laid-back rides with a catered lunch at the farmhouse.

Two Wheel Adventures owner Chris Carr's love of motorcycles has driven him to adventures including becoming the 2011 AHRMA Middleweight Superbike National Champion, careening into authordom with Street Riding Secrets, and bestowing his knowledge of motorcycle handling on budding enthusiasts with a series of introductory classes. Together with a team of moto-enthusiasts, he leads courses that run the gamut from two-hour introductions to motorcycling or scooter skills to two-day basic riding courses, motorcycle street-savvy sessions, and licensing courses. For certain courses, students can borrow one of the motorcycles from Two Wheel Adventures' stable of 250cc Kawasaki Ninjas, Honda Nighthawks, and Yamaha XTs, rather than scrounging up a borrowed bike or attaching a motor to a unicycle.

Since 1959, East Cobb Stables' 3.5-acre parcel of Georgian countryside has served as an idyllic classroom for students to learn the timeless, unconditional bond between a man and his steed. The resident horses enjoy vigorous exercise on two outdoor rings, where visitors learn to saddle up and perfect the techniques of the hunter-jumper style. Imparting grooming, tacking, and riding techniques during lessons, a stable of five instructors molds pupils from all backgrounds and age groups into bona fide equestrians, calling upon years of varied experience to share the secrets of taming the wild puppeteers that live within each horse.

A Roswell native, River Through Atlanta owner Chris Scalley grew up on the Chattahoochee River, which he proudly still calls home. It's not unusual for Chris to spend 200 days or more on the Hooch, as he and his affiliate guides constantly lead fly fishing instruction, boat trips, and wading trips on the river. Because of his lifetime of experience, Chris has accumulated a unique knowledge of the local ecology, behavior of the trout, and how frequently they vote on American Idol. Though he has fished at destination rivers all over the world, Chris still feels that the Hooch holds its own with regard to angling and aesthetics. To preserve these aesthetics, Chris led efforts to protect the Chattahoochee and its sport fishery, earning him recognition in 2007 as a Hero of Conservation in Field & Stream.

Hidden just east of Cobb Parkway, a complex of low, slate-blue warehouses shelters a community of textile workers, sculptors, and graphic designers intent on refining their art. Beads by Design's shop and atelier contributes to this creative wellspring, and today the Southern Flames—a society of glass-bead makers—gather there for their monthly meetings. The shop opened in 1998, displaying a wealth of Japanese Delica seed beads, fire-polished and pressed glass beads, pearls, gemstones, and glittering Swarovski crystals under the high, exposed-metal roof. Visitors can pick up notions or tools, or stick around for jewelry-making classes. These begin with the basics of knotting wire rings and stringing necklaces and expand into the creation of broad, beaded cuffs inspired by Ndebele jewelry and macramé techniques for braiding copper wire. To give students complete creative control of their work, instructors provide propane torches attached to work tables, and safely teach how to fabricate glass beads and intimidate nay-saying critics.

In Tennis founder Chris Peck conducts private, group, and team coaching geared toward the sport he played for four years during college at his four-court facility. Peck's credentials include USPTA certification as a tennis professional and the position of tennis director for the city of Smyrna. He initiates young people into the world of racquet sports by helming afterschool programs for children as young as 4. Once they have mastered backhands, forehands, and strategy through years of practice, high-school and college competitors can sign up for the In Tennis tournament academy, where students compete to earn state, regional, and national rankings.