Downtown Crabapple in Milton, Georgia, works well with children because the stops are close: Broadwell Pavilion’s playground is about 4 minutes on foot from The Green and about 6 minutes from the Milton Library (measured along OpenStreetMap streets and paths at about 3 mph). Add a treat, a bookstore story time and one of this fall’s free family events.
Play
- Broadwell Pavilion, 12615 Broadwell Road: the City of Milton lists a picnic pavilion and playground. The City’s older facility page also lists restrooms and a small green; it has not been reconfirmed this year.
- The Green at Crabapple Market: open lawn across from City Hall, and the stage for many free family events.
- Friendship Community Park, 12785 Birmingham Highway, about 8 minutes on foot from the pavilion: per the City’s older facility page, it has a pavilion, walking path, half-court basketball and a play field, and it is shared with Fulton County Schools, so it is closed to the public in school hours and open after school until dusk. Not yet reconfirmed by the City.
- A short drive: Bell Memorial Park has a playground and walking trails, and Milton City Park and Preserve has a 2.5-mile trail loop. See parks and trails.
Milton city parks are open from sunrise to sunset unless otherwise posted or permitted. (Milton Parks & Rec, checked Oct 18, 2026)
Read, make and learn
- Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road: Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday 10 to 6, closed Sunday, per Fulton County Library System. A good rainy-day stop.
- Poe & Company Bookstore on Heritage Walk hosts story time, per Poe & Company; check its site for the schedule. Closed Sundays.
- Creative Journey Studios teaches polymer-clay classes in Crabapple Market, Wednesday to Saturday noon to 6 or by appointment.
Eat
- B&B Tavern Crabapple: Crabapple Market’s directory lists a kids’ menu and arcade games such as skee-ball. Open daily from 11 a.m. (10:30 Sunday).
- Peace Love and Pizza: daily from 11 a.m.
- MilkShake Factory: handspun shakes daily noon to 10 p.m.
- Playa Bowls: fruit bowls and smoothies daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
All the family-friendly places, with an open-on-the-day filter:
Restaurant
B&B Tavern Crabapple
Family-friendly American tavern in Crabapple Market; the market lists burgers, wings, shrimp and grits, flatbreads, a kids' menu, a bar and arcade games such as skee-ball.
- Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
- 12620 Crabapple Road, Suite 101, Milton, GA 30004
- (678)-587-5117
- Directions
Source: B&B Tavern Crabapple official website (Hours block + schema.org openingHoursSpecification), checked Oct 18, 2026
Park
Bell Memorial Park
City athletic park with baseball and softball fields, lighted and rectangular sport fields, a playground and walking trails.
- Sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted or approved by permit (City of Milton park rules)
- 15245 Bell Park Drive, Milton, GA 30004
- Directions
Source: City of Milton, checked Oct 18, 2026
Park
Broadwell Pavilion
City-owned 40-by-52-foot open pavilion with picnic tables and restrooms, a small green and a playground; home of Christmas in Crabapple.
- Not published (city parks: sunrise to sunset unless posted)
- Free to visit; rentable (rates not published on the page)
- 12615 Broadwell Road, Milton, GA 30004
- Directions
Source: City of Milton (archived page), checked Oct 18, 2026
Park
Friendship Community Park
City and school-system park between Crabapple Crossing Elementary and Northwestern Middle with a pavilion, walking path and half-court basketball; closed to the public in school hours.
- Closed during school hours; open after school until dusk
- Free
- 12785 Birmingham Highway, Milton, GA 30004
- Directions
Source: City of Milton (archived page), checked Oct 18, 2026
Bakery
MilkShake Factory (Milton)
Milkshake and chocolate shop in Crabapple Market serving handspun milkshakes with homemade ice cream and chocolate bark, per the market directory.
- Daily 12-10 p.m.
- 12660 Crabapple Rd Ste 110, Milton, GA 30004
- 770-829-0269
- Directions
Source: MilkShake Factory official website, Milton location page, checked Oct 18, 2026
Park
Milton City Park and Preserve
137-acre city property, 130 acres of it passive nature preserve with a 2.5-mile trail loop opened in April 2022, plus the city pool, tennis center and community center.
- Sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted or approved by permit (City of Milton park rules)
- 1785 Dinsmore Road, Milton, GA 30004
- Directions
Source: City of Milton, checked Oct 18, 2026
Library
Milton Library (Fulton County Library System)
County library branch on Mayfield Road with bike racks, meeting and study rooms, an after-hours book return and early voting.
- Mon-Tue 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wed-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun closed
- Free
- 855 Mayfield Rd., Milton, GA 30009
- (404) 613-4402
- Directions
Source: Fulton County Library System, checked Oct 18, 2026
Restaurant
Peace Love and Pizza (Milton – Crabapple Rd)
Pizza restaurant in Crabapple Market, one of several metro Atlanta locations of the local pizza chain.
- Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
- 12640 Crabapple Road, Suite 100, Milton, GA 30004
- 706-810-8888
- Directions
Source: Peace Love and Pizza official website, Milton location page, checked Oct 18, 2026
Cafe
Playa Bowls (Crabapple – Milton)
Acai, pitaya and coconut bowl, smoothie and juice shop in Crabapple Market.
- Open every day 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
- 12660 Crabapple Road, Milton, GA 30004
- (678) 594-2008
- Directions
Source: Playa Bowls official website, Crabapple – Milton location page, checked Oct 18, 2026
Shop
Poe & Company Bookstore
Family-owned bookstore in downtown Crabapple that hosts story time, book clubs and author readings, per its website.
- Mon-Wed 10-5; Thu-Fri 10-7; Sat 10-5; Sunday closed
- 1890 Heritage Walk Suite P101, Milton, GA 30004
- Directions
Source: Poe & Company Bookstore official website (Our Hours), checked Oct 18, 2026
Landmark
The Green at Crabapple Market
Landscaped event lawn with an open-air stage at Crabapple Market across from Milton City Hall, used for community events and rentable for private events.
- Private event rental generally $500-$2500 plus a refundable security deposit (case-by-case)
- Crabapple Market, 12650 Crabapple Rd., Milton, GA 30004 (across from Milton City Hall)
- 678-209-0378 (market events contact)
- Directions
Source: Crabapple Market, checked Oct 18, 2026
Hours are as each business posts them, checked Oct 18, 2026; call ahead.
Family events this fall
- Saturday, October 24, 1 to 4 p.m.: Crabapple Market’s sixth annual Halloween Costume Party & Trick-or-Treating on The Green, free. DJ and costume parade until 2:30, then trick-or-treating at market businesses.
- Saturday, October 24, 4 to 7 p.m.: Carvin’ in Crabapple at Broadwell Pavilion. Bring your own pumpkin; the City provides carving and painting tools, per the City of Milton. Milton Police run a Trunk or Treat in the Crabapple Government Center lot, and there is a costume contest, face painting and inflatables. Tip from the City: bring a gallon bag to save the seeds.
- Friday, November 13, 1 to 5 p.m.: the Holiday Market on The Green, with free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and adoptable pets from FurKids.
- Saturday, December 5, 2 to 6 p.m.: Christmas in Crabapple and the Milton Tree Lighting at Broadwell Pavilion. Santa visits with no reservations needed, and there is ornament and cookie decorating. New in 2026, a Kids Market for sellers aged 5 to 17, per the City of Milton.
- Saturday, December 12, 8 to 11 a.m.: Pancake Breakfast with Santa at Fire Station 44, 13690 Highway 9, outside downtown Crabapple. No registration.
- Monday, December 21, 9 to 10:30 a.m.: Tea Party with Mrs. Claus in City Hall Council Chambers. Tickets are free but required for each attendee; registration opens December 1 for residents and December 15 for non-residents, per the City of Milton.
Halloween Costume Party & Trick-or-Treating
Published by the organizerCrabapple Market's sixth annual party: DJ and costume parade 1-2:30 p.m., then trick-or-treating at market businesses 2:30-4 p.m.
Source: Crabapple Market, checked Oct 18, 2026
Carvin' in Crabapple
Published by the organizerBring your own pumpkin; the City supplies carving and painting tools. Milton Police Trunk or Treat in the Crabapple Government Center lot, costume contest, crafts, face painting, inflatables, food trucks and a big screen for college football.
Source: City of Milton, checked Oct 18, 2026
Holiday Market Shop, Sip & Stroll
Published by the organizerAbout 75 local artisans and makers, live holiday music, free pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus, and adoptable pets from FurKids. (The calendar view lists 1-6 PM; the event description says 1-5 PM.)
Source: Crabapple Market, checked Oct 18, 2026
Christmas in Crabapple & Milton Tree Lighting
Published by the organizerMilton's kickoff to the holidays: Santa photos (free, no reservations), face painting, ornament and cookie decorating, Milton High chorus, a new Kids Market, and the official tree lighting at dusk.
Source: City of Milton, checked Oct 18, 2026
Pancake Breakfast with Santa
Published by the organizerPancakes served by Milton firefighters, balloon animals, a raffle and a Grinch visit; no registration. Not in the Crabapple district.
Source: City of Milton, checked Oct 18, 2026
Tea Party with Mrs. Claus
Published by the organizerTreats, tea, hot chocolate and coffee, stories read by Mrs. Claus and photos. Free tickets required for each attendee; registration opens Dec 1 (residents) and Dec 15 (non-residents).
Source: City of Milton, checked Oct 18, 2026
Crabapple Fest, held October 3, 2026, had a KidZone and a Children’s Entrepreneur Market behind The Green. The 2027 date is not posted yet; see Crabapple Fest.
Practical
- Restrooms: the City’s older facility page says restrooms are just outside Community Place on the City Hall grounds; not yet reconfirmed, and hours are not published.
- Bikes and scooters: city park rules allow bikes, skateboards and similar only in designated areas, not on walkways.
- Parking: see parking. More ideas: things to do and dog-friendly Crabapple.
Questions people ask
Is there a playground in downtown Crabapple?
Yes. The City of Milton lists a playground at Broadwell Pavilion, 12615 Broadwell Road, about 4 minutes on foot from The Green at Crabapple Market (measured along OpenStreetMap streets).
Source: City of Milton, checked Oct 18, 2026
What kid-friendly restaurants are in Crabapple?
Crabapple Market's directory lists a kids' menu and arcade games at B&B Tavern Crabapple. Peace Love and Pizza, MilkShake Factory and Playa Bowls are also in the market.
Source: Crabapple Market, checked Oct 18, 2026
When is Carvin' in Crabapple 2026?
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Broadwell Pavilion. Bring your own pumpkin; the City supplies carving and painting tools.
Source: City of Milton, checked Oct 18, 2026
Do I need tickets for Tea Party with Mrs. Claus?
Yes. Tickets are free but required for each attendee at the Dec. 21, 2026 tea party in City Hall Council Chambers; registration opens Dec. 1 for residents and Dec. 15 for non-residents.
Source: City of Milton, checked Oct 18, 2026
