Gwinnett Daily Post

File Photo Medieval Times

School may be back in session, but that's not the only place for your children to learn a few things. Here are eight places around Gwinnett that are educational and fun at the same time without being stuck in a traditional classroom setting.

Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center

• Address: 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford

• Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays

• Website: Visit www.gwinnettehc.org

The GEHC is known for teaching children science lessons with hands-on activities in educational exhibits, which change during the year. Recently, the center opened its latest traveling exhibit called Crime Lab Detective, which teaches children -- and adults -- the important keys to the scientific process while at a crime scene by learning how to collect, sort and analyze evidence and data to solve the crime.

Gwinnett Braves tour

• Address: Coolray Field, One Braves Ave., Lawrenceville

• Hours: Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. depending on the day

• Website: Visit www.milb.com

Several times a month during the season, the Gwinnett Braves offer free group tours of its home, Coolray Field during non-game days. Each tour lasts 30 minutes. To be considered for a tour, you must complete an official request form on the team's website. The last three days to sign up are Aug. 15, 16 and 22.

Hudgens Center for the Arts

• Address: 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 300, Duluth

• Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays with some workshops on Sundays (times vary), closed to the public Sundays and Mondays

• Website: Visit thehudgens.org

Besides displaying art galleries throughout the year, the Hudgens offers fine art classes for children that are taught by established artists and educators, like drawing and cartooning, pottery, acrylic painting and teen portfolio development. Other educational options include art camps and outreach programs.

Lawrenceville Ghost Tours

• Address: Aurora Theatre, 128 Pike St., Lawrenceville

• Hours: 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays today through September, times change in October

• Website: Visit www.scarystroll.com

OK, a ghost tour may sound like hocus-pocus instead of educational, but during this walk participants learn about Lawrenceville's past with stories of ghosts and paranormal activity within aging buildings. If you've taken the tour before, think about trying it again because each year Anthony Rodriguez and the Aurora staff add more information and facts to the tales.

Medieval Times

• Address: Discover Mills Mall, 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 517, Lawrenceville

• Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 7 p.m. Sundays

• Website: Visit www.medievaltimes.com

This family friendly dinner attraction is inspired by an 11th century feast and tournament with jousting, horses and knights. The two hour show also displays swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat and horsemanship and falconry while set in Medieval Spain. Guests are served a four-course meal (and eat with their hands) while cheering for one of six knights competing.

Rancho Alegre Farm

• Address: 2225 Givens Road, Dacula

• Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, Fridays, noon to 2 p.m. Thursdays, closed Saturdays and Sundays

• Website: Visit ranchoalegrefarm.com

Rancho Alegre is a family owned and operated farm that offers seminars and clinics about sustainable living and homesteading, farm summer camps for children, Girl Scout events, hosts Camp Gwinnett every year and weekday field trips for day care centers, public and private schools, home schooled groups, play groups, families and any other groups interested.

Southeastern Railway Museum

• Address: 3595 Buford Highway, Duluth

• Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, closed Sundays through Tuesdays, dates change in September

• Website: Visit www.srmduluth.org

This Duluth Museum has been in operation since 1970 and features a rolling stock of historic Pullman cars and classic steam locomotives, plus other. The center offers self and guided tours that lead you through each of the exhibits explaining the historical significance while describing what it was like to ride the rails during the Age of Steam.

Yellow River Game Ranch

• Address: 4525 U.S. Highway 78, Lilburn

• Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday of the week, times and dates change after Labor Day (Sept. 3)

• Website: Visit www.yellowrivergameranch.com

At the Yellow River Game Ranch, children can feed all types of animals (deer, black bears, rabbits and more) while learning about how the animals live, survive and eat in the wild. During August, attendees can watch Whitetail Deer munch at "The Salad Bar" in the Barnyard daily from 4 to 4:30 p.m.