Use to be a happening place but the flood of ’94 fucked that up. Only thing it’s good for now is for families/couples to take pictures here. Beautiful scenery… even in winter.
Richard R.
Place rating: 4 Suwanee, GA
When I first discovered Georgia has a ‘Seven Natural Wonders’ list, I made it my goal to see all of them with my family. So far we’ve visited five and this was the first one to leave me a little disappointed. HIGHLIGHTS — The color of the water is a fascinating layering of blues. If the tree that shadows over the viewing area wasn’t so large as to block sunlight, you might actually be able to see clean through the cavern because the water is so clear. — The gardens are a simple yet beautifully elegant use of native plantings. — The observation deck allows different views of the wetland area. — The nearby park and lawn area looks like a great place to spend time throwing a frisbee or relaxing on a blanket. — Extensive family photo opportunities — Peaceful, quiet, serene. Pictures don’t do it justice! Check out this video:
FACTS * It is the largest natural spring in the state of Georgia * The spring flows at a rate of 70,000 gallons per minute * It has a consistent temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit year-round * The spring is part of an extensive underwater cavern system * There was once a casino and resort spa located here * Access to the springs closes @ 5pm daily. We were not aware of this and had to return the following day which killed my opportunity to drive an alternate way home to include Warm Springs, one of only two remaining ‘Wonders’ on our agenda. The«Casino» area wasn’t much to see. I think this space would have been better served as a visitor center where it could have recreated the look of the original building on a smaller scale. Old photos, footage and artifacts from more popular times would have made the connection here much more interesting. Not to mention the radium craze that swept the country in the early 1900’s would add some real spice to the history(I wish I had room to detail it for you in this review). THEVERDICT Although not as spectacular as many of the other«Natural Wonders», if you couple your visit here with other area attractions it makes for a nice afternoon. Our family wasn’t as wow’d as I thought we would be, but I can certainly appreciate city & local association efforts to restore Radium Springs to its former glory. I suppose what I didn’t like most was the water near the spring looks swampy and not quite as clean and picturesque as it did in some old pics I found online. It’s kinda hard to believe this was a very popular swimming hole back in its heyday. There was once a beach here that is still detectable through the overgrowth. My biggest complaints would be the information plaques could use a refreshing and overall, the white iron gate that surrounds the entrance for some reason made me feel like I was entering the courtyard of an insane asylum… LOL!!! It just has that sort of vibe. Overall I’d still say it’s worthy of visit, but could be so much better.
