Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s hours, admissions, operations, programs, membership, group rates, and more.
Still have questions? Scroll to the bottom to reach out.
general
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Monday-Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
Sunday: Noon – 5PM
Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
To see if CNC is closed due to inclement weather, please check our Facebook page or call us at 770-992-2055, x238
Please note that The Nature Exchange is open 10AM – 4:30PM.
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The last tickets are sold 30 minutes prior to closing. CNC’s buildings and grounds, including the River Boardwalk, close at 5PM. If you arrive after 4:30PM, you are welcome to browse the upper level of the Discovery Center, but please visit another day to experience our Exhibit Halls, Wildlife Walk and Grounds.
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General Admission:
$20 Adults
$16 Seniors (Ages 65+) & Students (Ages 13 -18)
$14 Children (Ages 3 -12)
Children 2 & under are free
Group rates are available for parties of 15 or more.
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CNC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to connect people to nature. We are not a part of the National Park Service or affiilated with the City of Roswell.
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CNC is open rain or shine. Sorry, no rain checks.
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Sorry, only service animals as defined by the ADA guidelines are allowed. Guests with service animals should alert our Visitor Services Associates upon arrival. While service animals have generally been socialized for most public settings, touring a nature center, especially for the first time, can be an unusual experience. To ensure the safety of our animals and to provide an enjoyable visit for both you and your service animal, please read the following information:
Service animals must be properly leashed or harnessed.
Please notify an employee upon entry to the nature center. Animal care staff will be notified for the safety of all of our guests and animals.
Please be sure to clean up and dispose of any waste your service animal may leave behind.
Please watch for any indications that the enclosed animals are upset. These behaviors may include excessive flying or vocalizing. Should you see any of these behaviors, please step away from the animal in question.
If you are looking for a great hike with your pet, check out the nearby Chattahoochee National Recreation Area or The Roswell Riverwalk.
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We hope you enjoy your visit so much that you decide to become a member! You can apply your admission fee towards the cost of a membership, provided that the membership is purchased on the same day the admission fee was paid.
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Parking is free for CNC visitors!
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There are roughly 2.5 total miles of hiking trails at CNC, which range from 0.16 miles to 0.5 miles each. There are also picnic tables centrally located on the property. We also have plenty to do indoors, including exploring our River Resources and Watershed Galleries, browsing our Nature Store, trading natural items through The Nature Exchange program, and relaxing during a daily showing of “The Chattahoochee: Re-Imagine Our River.”
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We have five forested trails as well as our River Boardwalk and several paved paths. Of our forested trails, Beaver Pond Trail and Kingfisher Pond Trail are the most stroller-friendly, however, please keep in mind that there are some hills and exposed roots. The paved paths, including the Wildlife Walk and Butterfly Gardens, provide a smooth surface. There are a limited number of strollers and wheelchairs available to check out free of charge from the Admissions desk.
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Plan to spend at least 2 hours. If you plan to picnic or take in a program, give yourself even more time!
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We love bikes, but not on our walkways and trails. We encourage you to ride your bike to visit CNC–but please leave your bicycles, tricycles, scooters and other wheeled transportation devices locked in our bike rack or secured in your car.
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Absolutely! CNC is a great place to have a picnic. There are also snacks available to purchase from our Nature Store. We have several outdoor, uncovered picnic areas that are available on a first come-first served basis. A nearby covered picnic area is available with advanced reservation through our Rentals Department.
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CNC is a smoke-free facility. No smoking is permitted on the property.
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For the safety of our guests, employees, and animals, the Chattahoochee Nature Center prohibits the possession of firearms, explosives, or weapons of any kind on the Chattahoochee Nature Center property.
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Proper attire, including shirts and shoes, must be worn at all times while on CNC property. CNC reserves the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or attire that could detract from the safe, family-friendly experience of other guests. Guests dressed in sexually explicit or revealing clothing will not be permitted into CNC.
membership
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Yes, click here to purchase a new or renew your CNC membership.
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You will receive an email with instructions on how to download a digital membership card within a week of your membership purchase. We do not distribute physical membership cards, however you are welcome to check in with a photo ID.
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In addition to all the benefits of the Family level, with the Family Plus you get the added benefits of 4 free festival tickets and a “bring a guest” option. The 4 free festival tickets are valid for use on Halloween Hikes and/or Flying Colors Butterfly Festival. The “bring a guest” benefit gives Family Plus members the freedom to bring a FREE guest each time they visit and the guest does not need a one-time use guest pass. The additional guest can be an adult or a child. The Family Plus member must accompany the free guest in order to use the benefit.
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If you would like to renew your membership at a different level online, you must select the “NEW” button above your desired level. You may also upgrade your membership by calling the membership office. We do not offer downgrades on current memberships (ex: changing from Family Plus to Family). If you choose to upgrade your membership while your current membership level is active you will not lose time on that membership. The remaining months on your current membership level will be transferred to the new upgraded membership level.
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Yes! Gift memberships are available at all levels and can be purchased online, in person at the Visitor Services Desk, by phone through the Membership Office at 770.992.2055 ext. 225.
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For a CNC membership, a child is anyone eighteen years old or under.
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Add-on memberships are available for any level of membership. Add-on memberships are $25 and admit one additional person. Add-on membership may only be purchased in person or over the phone.
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CNC no longer issues physical membership cards. If you lose a previously issued card, you may request a digital card or check in with your photo ID.
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No, if you choose to not name a second adult, you may bring an unnamed guest each visit. Only the person named on the card will be able to use the membership.
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Yes! CNC is a member of the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) which offers reciprocal discounted or free admissions and other benefits for CNC members. Click here for a list of participating nature centers.
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Beginning June 1, 2022 all guest passes will be tracked electronically. If you would like physical guest passes to give to friends or family, please contact the Membership Office using the form below. Physical guest passes are only necessary if you will not be visiting with your guests.
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No, guests may come on their own using member guest passes. The guest must present the physical guest pass when visiting in order for it to be used for free admission and must complete the name and email address portion of the pass before entering the Center. Guest passes can be used for general admission on regular operating days (excluding Flying Colors Butterfly Festival and Halloween Hikes).
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Festival admission tickets are included with Family Plus, Naturalist and Giving Society level memberships. These are one-time-use tickets. Family Plus members receive 4 festival admissions per calendar year and Naturalist and Giving Society members receive 6 festival admissions per calendar year. They can be used for one festival or spread out over all festivals. The Festival ticket benefit expires on the date the membership expires and do not carry over with renewal.
All CNC members have the benefit of member festival ticket prices and/or advanced ticket sales when available.
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Yes! Show your photo ID at the Visitor Services Desk in the Discovery Center and we will verify your membership for admission.
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Show your photo ID at the Visitor Services Desk in the Discovery Center and we will verify your membership for admission.
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All CNC members receive digital one-time use guest passes that can be shared with family and friends. Guest passes can be used for general admission on regular operating days and are not valid for fundraising festivals (Flying Colors Butterfly Festival and Halloween Hikes). If you would like to bring a different guest each time you visit, please consider purchasing an add-on membership for $25. Guest must accompany member for free general admission when using the add-on membership.
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No, memberships are valid only for the persons whose names appear on the cards. Memberships are non-transferrable and non-refundable.
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Family level memberships and higher allow one adult caregiver or nanny to accompany your children in your place. The caregiver must visit with your children, present your membership card and you must have completed the online form authorizing the caregiver to visit with the member children. Please click here to complete the form prior to your caregiver visiting with your children.
Please note: Caregivers are not allowed to visit CNC without the member’s children, unless they are the second named adult on your Family level or higher membership.
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All or a portion of your membership contribution may be tax deductible as allowed by law. You should consult your tax preparer with specific tax questions.
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You can reach the Membership Office at 770.992.2055 ext. 225, by email at membership@chattnaturecenter.org, or by mail at P.O. Box 769769, Roswell, GA 30076. For general membership questions, you may also contact the Visitor Services Desk at 770.992.2055 ext. 238. Please also feel free to use the contact form below.
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Membership dollars directly support CNC’s operation and we are unable to refund memberships. However, check with the local nature centers in your new area for reciprocal offers through the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA).
Digital Membership Card
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Access the email from your smartphone and click the “Download” button. Then click “Add to Wallet” and “Add”. The card will automatically go to your iPhone’s Apple Wallet. It can be accessed in Wallet at any time.
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Android users need to download Wallet Passes from Google Play. After you have the app, access the email from your smartphone and click “Download” in the membership email and the card will automatically go to your Wallet Passes app where it can be accessed at any time.
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If you have an iPhone, the card will automatically download to Apple Wallet. Check the app for your new card (scroll through any cards that are already there – it may be hiding!). If you have an Android, you will need to download Wallet Passes from the Play Store prior to downloading the card.
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Navigate to the back of the card (click the “…” at the top right or the “i” on the bottom right if you are on an older operating system) and use the “Share Pass” button to send the card to your secondary member or click the ↑ symbol in the top right hand corner.
If you are on a newer system, first click the “…” at the top right corner then click the ↑ symbol at the top right corner.
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Your membership benefits are listed on the back of your digital pass (click the “…” at the top right or the “i” on the bottom right if you are on an older operating system). If you have further questions, please contact membership via the contact form below or phone at 770-992-2055 extension 225.
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You are always welcome to check in with your photo ID.
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You are always welcome to check in with your photo ID.
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Please contact the membership department by using the contact form below or by calling 770-992-2055 extension 225.
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We are in the process of rolling out this exciting new option. With that in mind, digital membership cards will be made available when you renew your current membership or join at a new level.
Birthday Parties
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Yes, you will receive a digital invite via email for you to distribute to your party guests. Please use these invites for your child’s special day at CNC.
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If it is raining you will have several different options:
- If is not raining hard and the children are properly dressed, the naturalist will be prepared to take them on the trail as usual.
- If it is too wet, the naturalist will take the children on a short hike staying on the paved paths close to the building. Doing this, you will be able to visit the Beaver Habitat, the Aviaries, and the Butterfly Garden.
- If it is raining too hard for this option, the naturalist will do a short educational program with bio-facts, play an educational game such as Bat and Moth (similar to blind-man’s-bluff), and have an animal presentation.
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Yes. Feel free to use one or more of the outdoor picnic tables located behind the birthday party room or on the meadow. In case of rain, however, there is no inside space to have lunch. The other classrooms and the gym are reserved for rentals and other programs on the weekends.
If after your picnic, you would like to visit CNC, please go back through the building (A&E Building) to the parking lot. Go left to enter the grounds through the Discovery Center Admissions area so we may orient you to the grounds.
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Yes. However we cannot allow pizza, fast food, or anything that will create additional mess. This is to maintain the room for the people who are having their child’s party after you.
We suggest dry, non-sweet food (pretzels, nuts, etc.) or finger sandwiches. We CANNOT allow: Cake (frosting gets ground into the carpet), Drinks that stain (Kool-Aid, punch, etc.), Gum or Sticky Candy.
Please keep in mind that this will cut into your actual party time. Eating before or after may work best.
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Yes. Ice cream can be stored in the freezer in the downstairs refrigerator. However, we cannot guarantee that freezer space will be available. You must bring your own serving containers and spoons.
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Yes. You will have access to the party room or picnic area 15 minutes before the party begins to drop off gifts, view the room set up, place additional favors, etc.
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No. The Chattahoochee Nature Center Birthday Party Room is painted and decorated to be fun, energetic, and educational. Balloons and streamers are unnecessary and not allowed. Outdoor areas cannot be decorated either. Besides, one of the reasons you came to us is so that you wouldn’t have to spend time and money on decorating.
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Yes. If you would like to tour the birthday room or picnic area, contact the Birthday Coordinator at 770-992-2055 ext. 249.
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No. Piñatas are not allowed at CNC.
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Yes. You may have up to 20 participants (children AND adults) with your child’s party. Based on the experience of CNC staff, 16 is the best number of party children that can be educated and supervised effectively.
Additional participants (children AND adults) up to 20 are $12 each. Going over 20 total participants will incur a $25 fee per participant up to a maximum of 25 participants based on fire code regulations. Free admission passes may not be used in place of payment for extra participants.
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The maximum occupancy for our birthday rooms (based on fire code) is 25.
If you are interested in having a party that needs to accommodate more the 25 people, you may want to consider renting the Plaza Conference Room. Information on rentals can be found on our website at https://www.chattnaturecenter.org/venue/. This will not include CNC programming.
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Can we make special requests for trails to hike or exhibits to see while we are with the naturalist?
Yes. The naturalist’s primary goal is to provide you with a fun and educational experience while at the Nature Center. They will make every attempt to satisfy any special request while staying within time limit and following the rules of the Nature Center. However, we recommend that you heed suggestions from the naturalist about length of trails, age of children, fun things to see, etc.
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Inform parents/guardians that this is intended to be a drop off party. Children and adults that participate in the party count as guests and therefore may be subject to additional fees.
CNC designs parties to be drop off so that the focus of the day is on the children – too many adults can distract from the party experience.
For guardians that are dropping off children, the invitation can be used as free admission for 1 person to CNC. Guardians must present their invitation at admissions in the Discovery Center.
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No. We are the Chattahoochee Nature Center and the outdoor, natural areas are what make our parties special. We will always do the program outside if weather permits.
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Yes. But the basic cost will remain the same. We cannot credit this cost towards any other expenses.
Modifications to the cookie for dietary or other needs may incur additional costs.
You cannot bring your own cookie/cake. Our cookies come from Ali’s Cookies, a local bakery. Here is the information they provide regarding allergies: “All of our baked goods are made in the same bakery. Though nuts are not a part of every recipe, trace amounts of nuts or nut oils can be in any of our desserts. We recommend those with severe nut allergies refrain from eating our products. We use eggs, butter, cream and flour in our baked goods and currently do not have any gluten or sugar free products.” All cookie cakes and dairy from Ali’s Cookies are certified kosher by the Atlanta Kashruth Commission.
Please contact CNC if you have questions regarding the cookie.
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The cookie from Ali’s Cookies feeds 20 participants. If you wish to order a second cookie for your party the fee is $48.
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This really depends on the child. However, we do suggest snake, turtle, or gopher tortoise for the younger children and snake, turtle, gopher tortoise, opossum, or owl for the older children.
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Cancellations or reschedule requests must be received in writing (via e-mail) at least 15 business days prior to your program date and are subject to a $25 processing fee. We are unable to refund cancellations made less than 15 business days in advance. Refunds will be returned to the original form of purchase.
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If the weather allows, we encourage your group to use our picnic tables outside. If the weather is not suitable for an outdoor gathering, you and your guests will have access to our Birthday Room. Certain animals require a minimum temperature to be shown outdoors.
Groups Group rates offer reduced admission prices to CNC, and include access to daily programs that are "free with admission." Group rates do not guarantee an animal encounter and are subject to availability.
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Your Chattahoochee Nature Center group rate visit includes admission to the Discovery Center, Wildlife Walk, woodland trails, River Boardwalk, gardens, rotating exhibits, and daily free-with-admission programs.
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Stop by the Visitor Services Desk or call Group Reservations at 770.992.2055 ext. 237.
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A $75 non-refundable deposit per date is required to hold your reservation. The remainder is due on the day of your visit. Please prepare to pay with one form of payment for the entire group.
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The Chattahoochee Nature Center is fun in rain or shine. If weather or other circumstances cause you to change your visit date, we are happy to assist you. However, we do not issue any refunds within five business days of your reservation date, and the $75 deposit is non-refundable. Should an unusual event cause the Center to be closed on your reservation date, we will notify you and reschedule your visit, or refund your payments (including deposit).
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If your group arrives with more or fewer than the original planned number of people, your balance will be adjusted and you will still receive the group rate. However, no part of the deposit will be refunded.
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If your group arrives with fewer than 15 people, your group is not eligible for group rates. Your group may still attend and will be charged the general admission rate, and your deposit will still be applied.
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We have four uncovered picnic areas available on a first-come, first-served basis. You are welcome to bring food and non-alcoholic beverages. A covered picnic area is available for advanced reservation through our rentals department. For more information on rentals, call 770.992.2055 ext. 250.
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Yes! Parking is free at the Center.
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Yes! Motor coach and buses may park in our bus parking area and unload there. Visitors can then walk over to the Entrance Plaza to the Discovery Center.
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The Chattahoochee Nature Center offers fantastic Naturalist-led programs for schools and scout groups, and the best birthday parties around! Please call our scheduling office at 770.992.2055 ext. 237 for more information.
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Historic Roswell has many dining, shopping and touring opportunities. To find out how to enhance your visit, please visit the Historic Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.visitroswellga.com