Cartersville, Georgia, is a vibrant, earthy town with a historic downtown area ideal for a fun vacation exploring with your family.
This historic town is home to the historic Etowah Indian Mounds and the Tellus Science Museum, which you can visit.
This guide provides the best and most fun things to do in Cartersville, to ensure you have the best vacation experience.
Things To Do In Cartersville
1. Visit The Tellus Science Museum
The Tellus Science Museum features interactive science exhibits, technology, and transportation exhibits, and galleries for minerals and fossils.
You can watch a show at the 120-seat digital Bentley Planetarium, which offers astronomy programs, family activities, stargazing events, and a variety of 45-minute shows throughout the day.
You should also explore the Weinman Mineral Gallery, which houses one of the largest collections of minerals, gems, and rocks in the Southeast.
2. Visit Booth Western Art Museum
The Booth Western Art Museum has galleries showcasing everything from western illustrations, western movie posters, and presidential letters and portraits to Civil War art, historic Western art, and contemporary Western American art.
The Booth Western Art Museum is home to the largest, sole, permanent exhibition of Western art in the United States.
You should visit the Sagebrush Ranch, a hands-on gallery where you can learn everything about art and western America.
Then, stop at the theater to watch the acclaimed production of The American West, which is presented every 20 minutes.
3. Visit Roselawn Museum
The Roselawn Museum, a gorgeously restored Victorian mansion, displays the writings and memorabilia of Rebecca Latimer Felton, the first woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, and evangelist Sam Jones.
You can learn about roses and even visit the Schoolhouse, Coachman’s Quarters, and Carriage House while the Jones family rose gardens are being restored.
You can also attend Rose Lawn’s Annual Arts Festival if you’re in town in September to explore the finest original works of art and traditional crafts from the Southeast.
4. Visit Bartow History Museum
The Bartow History Museum is a great place to travel back in time and learn all about Cherokee life, the Civil War, and what happened in the early 20th century.
By using oral histories, archives, and artifacts from the early 20th century, the museum beautifully preserves the agricultural, industrial, and cultural heritage and history of Bartow County as well as Northwest Georgia.
5. Visit Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site
The Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site was home to thousands of Native Americans from the 10th to the 16th century and interprets life in the historic Etowah Valley District.
The Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site is one of the most intact sites of the Mississippian culture in the Southeast.
The 54-acre historical site is home to six earthen mounds, the largest of which is over 63 feet tall, covers an area of three acres, and also includes a defensive ditch, borrow pits, a village site, and a plaza.
The Etowah River, which is located behind this impressive archaeological museum, is where you can see the original Indian fish traps.
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6. Visit Allatoona Lake Visitor Center & Museum
During your vacation, you should visit the Allatoona Lake Visitor Center and Museum which is situated at the top of the Allatoona Dam and tells the history of the Corps of Engineers that existed during the Revolutionary War.
The museum also provides details on hiking trails and beautiful views, as well as a multimedia presentation on the construction of Lake Allatoona.
7. Watch Performances At The Historic Grand Theatre
The Grand Theatre, which was founded in 1910, debuted in 1929 under the name Greenwood Theatre and served as the county’s cultural hub.
The Grand Theatre presents and showcases a variety of performances, including annual entertainment series, acting classes for seniors and young people, and summer music theatre camps.
8. Eat At The City Cellar And Loft
The City Cellar and Loft is one of Cartersville’s best music and dining venues with a moody, dark atmosphere that is both classy and casual.
You can eat delicious meals like Buffalo Wings, Beans & Greens, Spinach & Artichoke Stuffed Portabella, Chicken Sandwich, and Vegetarian Pasta.
You can eat all this while watching fantastic comedy shows the venue frequently presents.
9. Eat At Sixes Tavern
Sixes Tavern has incredible food, live music, and an electrifying atmosphere that will guarantee you a great time in Cartersville.
In addition to beer and cocktails, this locally-owned restaurant serves up delicious dishes like Philly Mac N’ Cheese, Pollo Loco Chicken, Southwest Egg Rolls, Shrimp Po Boy, Guinness Fish N’ Chips, Chicken Tenders, Hamburgers, and Quesadillas.
10. Explore Lakepoint Sports Community
LakePoint Sports Community is close to Lake Allatoona and at the base of the breathtaking North Georgia mountains.
LakePoint Sports Community has numerous, well-equipped sporting venues on the property for travel sports.
The ultimate stay-and-hub, this sports park has a full complement of modern sports facilities, entertainment venues, eateries, restaurants, cafes, and on-site hotels.
11. Hike The Gorgeous Pine Mountain Recreation Area
Cartersville’s highest point, Pine Mountain, which looks out over downtown Cartersville, is 1,562 feet high.
The East and West loops of the mountain offer difficult, rocky hikes to the summit, making up the mountain’s two loops.
The 4.5-mile Pine Mountain Recreation Area trail is part of the 13,000-acre region that was once Mark Anthony Cooper’s Iron Empire.
12. Explore Red Top Mountain State Park
Red Top Mountain State Park is the ideal location to spend a perfect day with your family in the great outdoors in Cartersville.
You can also enjoy a picnic on a perfect sandy swimming beach that is surrounded by trees, nestled in a cove in the park, while the lake itself is ideal for fishing, water skiing, and swimming.
The area is a well-known hiking haven and includes a lakeside yurt, a large campground, and rental cottages.
13. Visit Pettit Creek Farms
Pettit Creek Farm is a 32-acre farm and home to 21 camels, honeybees, rabbits, macaws, ducks, emus, peacocks, chickens, pigs, donkeys, horses, ponies, cows, alpaca, llamas, sheep, goats, Santa’s reindeer, kangaroos, a wallaby, and a porcupine.
During your visit, a farmhand will share some interesting farm information and you can pet and feed the incredibly sweet and gentle animals.
14. Explore Cooper’s Furnace Day Use Area
The only location of the town of Etowah from the 1830s that is still standing is Cooper’s Furnace Day Use Area, which is listed on the National Historic Register.
With its cozy picnic areas, playgrounds, surrounding lush green forests, and numerous hiking trails, this area is now a great place to go picnicking.
It has pine, hickory, magnolia, dogwood, black gum, maple, and oak trees, as well as a variety of other plants and animals.
15. Play Water Sports At Terminus Wake Park
The Terminus Water Park has everything you and your family needs for a thrilling day spent in the water, including a brand-new Aqua Park.
In addition to being Georgia’s first full-size cable wake park, Terminus is also the largest cable wake park in the entire nation.
You can enjoy a wet and wild day on the water by participating in activities like kneeboarding, waterskiing, wakeskating, and wakeboarding.
16. Visit Allatoona Dam
Allatoona Dam features incredible views of more than 1,000 secluded tent and RV campsites, dozens of sailboats, and lush greenery all around and in the 12,000-acre Lake Allatoona.
You can even visit the Visitors Center, which has a wealth of informational maps about the lake, the surrounding area, the Civil War, Native American culture, the local geology, and the lake.
17. Explore Dellinger Park
Dellinger Park is an 11- acre park with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, which is a haven for swimmers.
Tennis courts, softball fields, football fields, playgrounds, outdoor basketball courts, walking trails, picnic shelters and areas, and even a stunning 4-acre lake with an island gazebo are among the park’s numerous additional amenities.
18. Camp At Superb Bartow Gatewood Park
Bartow Gatewood Park has hilly, winding, and narrow roads, which are paved and simple to navigate, and an old, well-kept, and tidy campground.
Every location has picnic tables, fire rings, and recycling bins, making it simple to set up camp anywhere.
19. Explore Hamilton Crossing Park
If you’re traveling to Cartersville with kids, go to Hamilton Crossing Park to enjoy a wonderful day at the playground.
Hamilton Crossing Park has a gym, tennis and basketball courts, baseball, softball, football, and soccer fields, kid-friendly playground areas, picnic shelters, and outdoor batting cages.
20. Take Photos With The World’s Very First Coca-cola Wall Ad
A Coca-Cola-authenticated sign that is also the first painted wall outdoor Coca-Cola advertisement in history is located on the east wall of the Young Brothers Pharmacy in downtown Cartersville.
The sign, which dates back to 1894, was made using a paintbrush by a diligent Coca-Cola syrup salesman, making it the first of its kind.
You should visit the sign early in the day to take pictures as the sun rises over it from the east.
21. Stop At Jzs Taste Of Georgia
JZs Taste of Georgia is a charming little family-run tasting room located right in the center of downtown Cartersville.
They feature, stock, and even host tasting events for a variety of Georgia-produced wine and craft beer.
You can shop for farm meats and cheeses, as well as locally made art and crafts in this lovely, relaxed store.
22. Shop At Burger’s Farmers’ Market
The Burger’s Marke sells all things like farm-fresh produce, honey, fruit, fresh flowers, crafts, jellies, and jams.
This lovely market opens at 7 a.m. in the downtown parking lot next to the fountain across from City Hall.
You can shop for a wide range of goods like vintage sodas made with real sugar, seasonal plants like squash and tomatoes, local honey, sorghum syrup, glass soda bottles, and hanging baskets.
23. Get Spa Treatment At Greenleaf Day Spa
If you’ve spent all day exploring Cartersville, you’ll feel happy, calm, and reenergized after getting a spa treatment at Greenleaf Day Spa.
At Greenleaf, services that promote self-love, self-care, and wellness use only pure, organic skincare products and essential oils that are sourced from indigenous world regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top attractions to visit in Cartersville?
Booth Western Art Museum
Tellus Science Museum
Red Top Mountain State Park
Etowah Indian Mounds State Park
Pine Mountain Recreation Area
What are the most popular things to do in Cartersville with kids?
Booth Western Art Museum
Tellus Science Museum
Red Top Mountain State Park
Etowah Indian Mounds State Park
Pine Mountain Recreation Area
What is Cartersville Georgia known for?
Cartersville Georgia is known for the Booth Western Art Museum.
Is Cartersville Ga considered Atlanta?
It is located within the northwest edge of the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Is Cartersville nice place to live?
Living in Cartersville offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Cartersville there are a lot of parks.
Is Cartersville GA in the mountains?
Cartersville is a gateway to the metro area and the North Georgia mountains with easy access from Interstate 75.
What is Cartersville GA close to?
Cartersville GA is close to Acworth, GA. Kennesaw,
Is Cartersville GA a good place to raise a family?
Parents looking up schools in Cartersville will find the area hosts its own Cartersville City School District.
What is the elevation in Cartersville Georgia?
The elevation in Cartersville Georgia is 240m.
How old is Cartersville GA?
The city is included in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Cartersville was founded in 1850.
Visit Cartersville
In Cartersville, it’s simple to find fun things to do and you can discover a little about the area’s history while exploring this charming city’s top attractions.
You should start planning to visit Georgia with your family and friends for the best vacation experience.
If you want to see the best of Cartersville, you can always consult this guide.
Have a great day.
