Save on Summer Fun with Discount Movies, Park and Zoo Passes and More

By LATINA EMERSON, Special to The Coweta Shopper

School is out for summer break, and children are looking forward to days filled with fun and leisure. Many families are on a budget, and parents are seeking affordable activities to get the most for their money. Parents can entertain their kids this summer through special deals at local movie theaters, gyms, parks, museums, zoos, theaters and other venues. Learn more:

Regal Summer Movie Express

Through early August, families can enjoy a selection of kid-friendly movies for only $1 through Regal’s Summer Movie Express. At theaters nationwide, the $1 movies will be shown at 11 a.m. each Tuesday and Wednesday. In Coweta County, moviegoers can view the films at Regal Georgian Stadium 14, 32 Newnan Crossing Bypass in Newnan, Ga.

“The Summer Movie Express is back in a big way this year with all movies now only $1,” John Curry, SVP of Commercial at Regal, said in a press release. “We are excited to welcome families, daycares, clubs, and all moviegoers back to Regal for this annual summer tradition. We have a great selection of movies each week providing endless entertainment at an affordable price.”

The 2024 Summer Movie Express lineup features two PG movies each Tuesday and Wednesday morning through Aug. 7. Tickets can be purchased at theatre box offices and kiosks, on the mobile app, and at REGAL MOVIES. A portion of the $1 per ticket admission fee will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Here’s the Summer Movie Express schedule:

7/2 & 7/3: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and PAW Patrol: The Movie

7/9 & 7/10: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie

7/16 & 7/17: Clifford the Big Red Dog and Sonic the Hedgehog

7/23 & 7/24: Trolls Band Together and Sonic the Hedgehog 2

7/30 & 7/31: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and Kung Fu Panda 3

8/6 & 8/7: Minions: The Rise of Gru and Sing 2

Summer Movie Express guests can also get discounts on refreshments. They can purchase a $5 Snack Pack, which includes a junior-sized drink, snack-sized popcorn, and fruit snacks with an optional $3 Dippin’ Dots add-on.

Visit Your Local Library

The Coweta Public Library System is presenting a variety of events this summer for people of all ages, including a Summer Reading Challenge, yoga for elementary students, story time, hands-on workshops for kids, BINGO for everyone, craft projects, creative art projects, movie time, STEAM classes, and other activities specifically designed for babies, toddlers, children and teens.

In addition, Coweta County library patrons can get free passes or discounts to a variety of venues. Anyone with a valid Coweta County library card can borrow a Georgia State Park “ParkPass” and Historic Site Pass, Go Fish Education Center Family Pass, Zoo Atlanta Family Pass, Alliance Theatre Library Pass, Center for Puppetry Arts “Passport” and Michael C. Carlos Museum Family Pass from any Coweta Public Library System branch.

Georgia State Park and Historic Sites “ParkPass”: These passes are good for free parking and admission at any of the 63 parks and historic sites statewide for up to seven days. The ParkPass admits up to two visitors for free admission to any state park or historic site in the state. Passes are available for a one-week checkout at each branch location.

In addition, a backpack kit is available for checkout, which includes a sturdy backpack containing a pair of 5×30 binoculars, a guide to Georgia’s State Parks & Historic Sites and foldout Pocket Naturalist Guides to Georgia Wildlife, Georgia Birds and Georgia Trees & Wildflowers.

Go Fish Education Center Family Pass: This pass is available for checkout and admits up to four visitors to the Go Fish Education Center in Perry, Ga., which is open to the public Friday through Sunday. Visitors can explore Georgia’s underwater habitats, see alligators and aquatic wildlife up close, cast for and catch a real fish, and visit the hatchery.

Zoo Atlanta Family Pass: One DVD is available for a one-week checkout at each Coweta Public Library System branch and may be checked out once per year, per household. The DVD must be checked out at the library front desk and can’t be placed on hold. When the DVD is returned, the library patron will receive a Zoo Atlanta Family Pass receipt. This receipt is required for zoo admission.

The pass receipt can be redeemed Monday through Sunday, excluding blackout dates. The pass is redeemable for four free admissions (general admission only) and must be redeemed within four weeks (28 days) of the date the pass was issued. Patrons receiving the pass receipt are encouraged to call the zoo or visit the zoo’s website for hours and any new information.

Alliance Theatre Library Pass: The Alliance Theatre Library Pass is good for up to two admissions/tickets for performances designated for the Hertz Stage and the Coca Cola Stage or for four admissions/tickets for performances designated as Family Series. Tickets for performances are available on a first come, first served basis.

Center for Puppetry Arts “Passport”: Library patrons can also take advantage of the Center for Puppetry Arts “Passport,” which allows for free museum admission for up to four people and qualifies the holder to purchase show tickets at a 25 percent discount. One pass is available for a one-week checkout at each Coweta Public Library System branch. A copy of the Center for Puppetry Arts Guide featuring performance schedules, show times, workshops and a list of museum exhibitions is also included.

Michael C. Carlos Museum Family Pass: The Michael C. Carlos Museum Family Pass is a partnership with Georgia Public Library System and the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University. The passes are available for check out for seven days and allow free admission for up to six visitors.

For more information, visit the Coweta Public Library System’s website by clicking  HERE.

Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass

Through Aug. 31, Planet Fitness is offering free summer gym memberships to teens ages 14 to 19. With the High School Summer Pass ’24, Planet Fitness is waiving membership dues to promote youth health and wellness and improve the physical and mental health of teens.

Teens can register for the program at PLANET FITNESS SUMMER PASS. Individuals under 18 can sign up online or in-club with a parent or guardian. To get the digital club pass, teens should download the Planet Fitness app to create an account using the email address they used to register.

Then, they can work out at a Planet Fitness location near them through Aug. 31. Participants must work out at the location where they sign up and aren’t permitted to use other locations.

All participants will have access to free fitness classes offered through Planet Fitness. They can visit their local club to view the class schedule and sign up for classes. The Planet Fitness app also features a variety of workouts that are categorized by fitness level.

Parents can also work out at Planet Fitness with a free day pass, which they can obtain by stopping by a participating Planet Fitness location with a valid ID.