Things to Do in Scottdale

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.

Inflatables abound inside the family-owned indoor playground of HippoHopp, where kids leap about in bounce houses, glide down slides, and navigate their way through obstacles courses. Free air hockey and foosball keep kids of all ages busy, and play castles and age-appropriate bouncers entertain youngsters in the toddler area. While the tots are busy, free WiFi and magazines are available to parents, who join their children at the bistro-style café for snacks such as paninis made each morning, fresh-ground fair-trade coffee and biscotti, and kid-friendly options including chicken nuggets and grilled-cheese sandwiches. Along with encouraging health-conscious exercise in kids, the staff at HippoHopp maintains an eco-conscious space by cleaning its facility with nontoxic, biodegradable products and only using windstorms to inflate the bounce houses.