Top 26 Things To Do In Cartersville, Georgia

things to do in Cartersville GA
Malavika
Malavika 
Updated
| 12 min read

The Etowah River cuts through the Georgia gem that is Cartersville, a vibrant, earthy town with a historic downtown region. This quiet little town is less than an hour away from capital Atlanta. Originally established as Birmingham when the first original English settlers arrived, it was incorporated as Cartersville in 1854. The historic Cartersville was the centre for an important group of Native American people and was once even a booming cotton-growing area. While it is most known for being the backdrop of the Tellus Science Museum, the historic town is also where the historic Etowah Indian Mounds lie. Check out the many amazing things to do in Cartersville, Georgia.

1. Catch a jaw-dropping astronomy show at the Tellus Science Museum


With more than a 125,000 sq. feet (11,613 sq. metres) of space devoted to hands-on science experiences, technology and transportation, fossils, and minerals galleries, the Tellus Science Museum is probably the biggest attraction in Cartersville. Don’t miss a show at the 120-seat digital Bentley Planetarium, which hosts a variety of 45-minute shows throughout the day, family activities, stargazing events, and astronomy programs for those in love with the sky and stars. Also explore, the Weinman Mineral Gallery showcasing one of the Southeast’s largest collections displaying more than 4,000 minerals, gems, and rocks.

Tellus Science Museum

Address: 100 Tellus Dr, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: Tellus Science Museum

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

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2. Revisit the past at Booth Western Art Museum


The world-class institution that is the Booth Western Art Museum is one that shouldn’t be missed. The museum houses the largest, singular, permanent exhibition of Western art in the United States, with galleries featuring everything from western illustrations, western movie posters, and presidential letters and portraits to Civil War art, historic Western Art, as well as contemporary Western American art. Do visit the Sagebrush Ranch, an interactive gallery where for learning all about art and western America, and the theatre playing the award-winning “The American West” every 20 minutes.

Booth Western Art Museum

Address: 501 N Museum Dr, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: Booth Western Art Museum

Opening hours: Tue, Thu, Fri & Sat: 10am - 5pm; Wed: 10am - 8pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)

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3. Admire the remnants at Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site

things to do in cartersville ga | admire the remnants at etowah indian mounds state historic site
Source: instagram

Known for being the most intact site of the Mississippian culture in the Southeast, the Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site was home to thousands of Native Americans from the 10th to the 16th century and interprets the life in the ancient Etowah Valley Historic District. The 54-acre (21.8 hectares) huge site houses 6 earthen mounds, the largest of which covers an area of 3 acres (1.2 hectares) and is more than 63 feet (19 metres) tall, and also houses a defensive ditch, borrow pits, a village site, and a plaza. Behind this impressive archaeological museum lies the Etowah River where one can also view the original Indian fish traps.

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site

Address: 813 Indian Mound Rd SE, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

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4. Watch a performance at the historic Grand Theatre

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by The Grand Theatre - Cartersville on Monday, April 20, 2020

Originally established in the year 1910, the Grand Theatre was originally opened as the Greenwood Theatre in 1929. This elegant performing arts centre and elegant theatre served as the cultural centrepiece for Bartow County where Cartersville lies for more than a century. The Grand Theatre presents and showcases many shows including summer music theatre camps, acting classes for youth and senior citizens, educational programs, and even an annual entertainment series.

Grand Theatre

Address: 7 N Wall St, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: Grand Theatre

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5. Attend a comedy improv evening at The City Cellar and Loft


With a moody, dark atmosphere that is equal parts classy and casual, the City Cellar and Loft is one of Cartersville’s best music and dining venues with a one-of-a-kind copper bar for the centrepiece which reflects light shimmers all around. Do try the tender Buffalo Wings, Beans & Greens, Spinach & Artichoke Stuffed Portabella, the “Cellar” and “Harry’s” Salads, “Mojo Chicken” Burger, Chicken Sandwich, the “Fried Green Tomato BLT, the "Big Cowboy Burger,” Vegetarian Pasta, and more. Finish off your meal with the delicious Candied Pecan Bread Pudding. Dig into all this while enjoying an amazing comedy improv performance, which he venue hosts regularly.

The City Cellar and Loft

Address: 110 N Museum Dr, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: The City Cellar and Loft

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm (closed on Sun)

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6. Play a sport at Lakepoint Sports Community


If you’re a sports lover, head to Cartersville’s top-tier destination of LakePoint Sporting Community for a sporty, fun-filled vacation. With multiple, well-equipped sporting venues within the premises, LakePoint has transformed into a must-visit destination for travel sports in Bartow County. This large, unique travel sports park has complete state-of-the-art sports facilities, entertainment venues, eateries, restaurants, and cafes, and on-site hotels, making it the ultimate stay-and-hub. Head to this amazing facility right next to Lake Allatoona and at foothills of the gorgeous North Georgia mountains, making your Cartersville vacay a memorable one.

Lakepoint Sports Community

Address: LakePoint Pkwy, Cartersville, GA 30121

Website: Lakepoint Sports Community

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

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7. Hike the gorgeous Pine Mountain Recreation Area


At 1,562 feet (476 metres), Pine Mountain is Cartersville’s highest point, overlooking the beautiful downtown Cartersville. The mountain has two loops - the East and the West loop - both of which make for challenging, rugged hikes to the top of the mountain. Part of the 13,000-acre (5,261 hectares) area which was once Mark Anthony’s Cooper’s Iron Empire, the 4.5-mile (7.2 km) Pine Mountain Recreation Area trail can be hiked daily, with the East loop even open for mountain biking.

Pine Mountain Recreation Area

Address: Cartersville, GA 30121

Website: Pine Mountain Recreation Area

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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8. Pick up some unique things from Burger's Farmers' Market


Farm-fresh produce, honey, fruit, fresh flowers, crafts, jellies, jams - the Burger’s Market, which is the Cartersville Farmer’s Market, sells all of this, and more. This beautiful market kicks-off at 7 am in the parking lot across from City Hall, next to the fountain in downtown. A variety of products are sold at the market, including some very unique and cool products, including old-fashioned sodas with actual sugar, seasonal plants such as squash, tomatoes, etc., local honey, sorghum syrup, glass soda bottles, hanging baskets, and more.

Burger's Farmers' Market

Address: 1572 Joe Frank Harris Pkwy SE, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: Burger’s Farmers’ Market

Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)

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9. Take a snap of the world’s very first Coca-Cola wall ad

2012-08-05_10-31-55.D200.hdr
Source: Photo by Flickr user Aaron Headly used under CC BY 2.0

How amazing is it for an ad for Coca-Cola to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places? In downtown Cartersville on the Young Brothers Pharmacy’s east wall lies a Coca-Cola-authenticated sign which happens to be the very first painted wall outdoor ad for Coca-Cola in the world. Dating back to 1894, the sign was created with a paintbrush by an industrious Coca-Cola syrup salesman, creating a sign which is a first-of-its-kind. Tip: Head to the sign in the morning and snap a photo as the sun illuminates the sign from the east.

World's First Outdoor Coca-Cola Wall Advertisement

Address: 2 W Main St, Cartersville, GA 30120, USA

Website: World’s First Outdoor Coca-Cola Wall Advertisement

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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10. Get a glimpse of Southeast's history at Roselawn Museum

Posted by Rose Lawn Museum on Monday, 5 March 2018

Step back in time at the beautifully restored Victorian mansion that is the Roselawn Museum, which is home to the writings and memorabilia of evangelist Sam Jones and the first woman in the U.S. Senate Rebecca Latimer Felton. While the Jones family rose gardens are undergoing restoration, travellers can learn about the roses and even see the Schoolhouse, Coachman’s Quarters, and the Carriage House. If you’re visiting in September, don’t miss Rose Lawn’s Annual Arts Festival, which only accepts original art and heritage crafts of the highest quality from across the southeast.

Roselawn Museum

Address: 224 W Cherokee Ave, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: Roselawn Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 10am - 12pm, 1pm - 5pm; Fri: 10am - 12pm (closed from Sat - Mon)

Price: 7 USD

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11. Have a picnic at Red Top Mountain State Park


Best known for being home to the 12,000-acre (4,856 hectares) Lake Allatoona, Red Top Mountain State Park is the ideal place to spend a heavenly day in the outdoors in Cartersville. While the lake itself is perfect for fishing, water skiing, and swimming, travellers to this place can also enjoy a picnic on a perfect sandy swimming beach which is surrounded by trees, nestled in a cove in the park. The place also features a lakeside yurt, a spacious campground, and rental cottages, and is even a popular hiker’s paradise!

Red Top Mountain State Park

Address: 50 Lodge Rd SE, Cartersville, GA 30121

Website: Red Top Mountain State Park

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

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12. See Georgia's largest camel herd at Pettit Creek Farms


Who’d have hoped to find Georgia’s largest camel herd in Cartersville? The 80-acre (32.4 hectares) Pettit Creek Farm is home to 21 camels, as well as a plethora of surprising animals including honeybees, rabbits, macaws, ducks, emu, peacocks, chickens, pigs, donkeys, horses, ponies, cows, alpaca, llamas, sheep, goats, Santa’s reindeer, kangaroos, a wallaby, a porcupine, a lemur, capybara, zebra, and a giraffe! Pet and feed the super sweet and gentle animals as a farmhand shares a few fun facts about the farm.

Pettit Creek Farms

Address: 337 Cassville Rd, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: Pettit Creek Farms

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm; Sun: 11am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)

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13. Learn about early 20th century American history at Bartow History Museum

Old Bartow County Courthouse (1869)
Source: Photo by user GenGal 05 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Located in an 1869 courthouse “under the bridge” in historic downtown Cartersville, the Bartow History Museum is a great place to step back in time and learn all about the Cherokee life, the Civil War, and what really went on in the early 20th century. The museum perfectly preserves the agricultural, industrial, and cultural heritage and history of the Bartow County as well as Northwest Georgia, offering a glimpse back in time using oral histories, archives, and artefacts of the early 20th century.

Bartow History Museum

Address: 4 E Church St, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: Bartow History Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

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14. Have a picnic at Cooper's Furnace Day Use Area


How’d you like to picnic at a beautiful, lush green, historic site in Cartersville? The National Historic Register site of Cooper’s Iron Works happens to be the only remaining site of what was the 1830’s town of Etowah. Today, the place, which is also known as Cooper’s Furnace Day Use Area is a great place to go picnicking, what with the comfy picnic facilities, playgrounds, lush green forest areas around, and tons of hiking trails. Admire the lovely thick forest around, which features pine, hickory, magnolia, dogwood, black gum, maple, and oak trees, which are home to a variety of fauna too.

Cooper's Furnace Day Use Area

Address: 1052 Old River Rd SE, Cartersville, GA 30121

Website: Cooper’s Furnace Day Use Area

Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)

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15. Enjoy thrilling water sports at Terminus Wake Park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


If you’re a water baby, then the Terminus Water park is the destination for you! Complete with a new Aqua Park, Terminus has everything one needs for spending a thrilling day in the water. Not only is Terminus the country’s largest cable wake park but it is also Georgia’s very first full-size cable wake park. Enjoy a wet and wild day out in the water indulging in kneeboarding, waterskiing, wakeskating, wakeboarding, and more.

Terminus Wake Park

Address: 171 LakePoint Pkwy, Cartersville, GA 30121

Website: Terminus Wake Park

Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 1pm - 8pm; Sat - Mon: 12pm - 8pm (closed on Tue)

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16. Admire the views from Allatoona Dam


More than 1,000 secluded tent and RV campsites, scores of sailboats, and lush greenery all around and in the 12,000-acre (4,856 hectares) Lake Allatoona - spy all of these excellent views from Allatoona Dam. You can even stop at the Visitors Centre which offers detailed maps of the lake and the areas around, including the Civil War, the Native American Culture, the geology of the region, and the lake itself. Enjoy soaring, 360-degree views of the massive Allatoona Lake, the Etowah River, and the greenery.

Allatoona Dam

Address: 1052 Old River Rd SE, Cartersville, GA 30121, USA

Website: Allatoona Dam

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 4:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

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17. Go swimming at Dellinger Park


The 111-acre (45 hectares) Dellinger Park is the perfect place to spend an outdoorsy day in historic Cartersville. The biggest draw of the facilities at Dellinger Park is the Olympic-sized swimming pool, which is a haven for swimming enthusiasts. The park also has a host of other facilities including tennis courts, softball, soccer/football field, playground areas, outdoor basketball courts, running/walking trail, picnic shelters and areas, and even a spectacular 4-acre (1.6 hectares) lake with an island gazebo.

Dellinger Park

Address: 100 Pine Grove Rd, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: Dellinger Park

Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)

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18. Set a camp at the superb Bartow Gatewood Park


If you want to enjoy the great big outdoors of the southeast in Cartersville, there’s no better way than to go camping at the Bartow Gatewood Park. This old, neatly-kept, and clean jewel of a campground features hilly, twisted, and narrow but paved and easily navigable roads, making it perfect to take your rigs in. The presence of fire rings and picnic tables with recycling bins at each spot making it easy to set up camp anywhere. What’s more, the views of the lake from certain sections of the campground are absolutely stunning and beautiful.

Bartow Gatewood Park

Address: 224 Bartow Beach Rd SE, Cartersville, GA 30121

Website: Bartow Gatewood Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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19. Lower your bait at Thompson Weinman Dam


The first 3 miles (4.8 km) of the Etowah River is actually a lake formed by the boat ramp, where the canoe trips on Lake Allatoona begin, and historic Thompson Weinman Dam. Built in the early 1900s, the Thompson Weinman Dam was the very first power plant which generated electricity for the town of Cartersville. By the late 1900s, power generation from the dam had stopped, and today it is but a remnant relic of the past. Head to the portage route to the left of the dam where there’s a nice, cosy cove for tying your canoe/boat and fishing.

Thompson Weinman Dam

Address: Etowah River, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: Thompson Weinman Dam

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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20. Pay homage at the Allatoona Pass Battlefield


One of the American Civil War’s bloodiest battles, as well as the inspiration for the hymn “Hold the Fort,” is the 1864-fought Battle of Allatoona Pass. Today, the former Battlefield, which is also ironically one of the most pristine in the country, features two original trench works and earthen forts, and monuments commemorating both armies. Take your time to explore the place which can be covered in a day and is now maintained by Red Top Mountain State Park. Walk through the historic site which not only serves not only as a sentinel to history but also as a legacy of the rich history of the United States.

Allatoona Pass Battlefield

Address: Old Allatoona Rd SE, Cartersville, GA 30121

Website: Allatoona Pass Battlefield

Opening hours: 9am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free entry

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21. Spend a day with your children at Hamilton Crossing Park


If you’re visiting Cartersville with your children, then head to Hamilton Crossing Park for spending a wonderful day at the children’s play area. Remember to pack a bag with your children’s toys and a nice picnic basket, and you’re set. Apart from the play area, Hamilton Crossing Park also features tennis and basketball courts, soccer, football, baseball, and softball fields, youth playground areas, picnic shelters, outdoor batting cages, a lighted, paved walking trail, and even a gym.

Hamilton Crossing Park

Address: 429, 155 Hamilton Crossing Rd NW, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: Hamilton Crossing Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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22. Attend an event at iconic Vaughan Cabin

Red Top Mountain State Park homestead log cabin
Source: Photo by user Thomson200 used under CC0

Till date, the Vaughan Log Cabin, which was the childhood home of Sherlin Brooks Vaughan, serves as the nucleus for numerous events at Red Top Mountain State Park. The 1860s-built log cabin was purchased by his parents prior to the end of World War II, being used as hay storage earlier. The two-room log cabin was but a dogtrot with a couple of added rooms and was relocated in 1993-95 to Acworth Avenue in Cartersville. Today, the log cabin is at Red Top Mountain Park, allowing travellers to get a glimpse of the pioneer iron mining community of the region. Multiple events, including Christmas at the cabin, Harvest at the Homestead, Pioneer Spring Cleaning, and Summer Bluegrass.

Vaughan Cabin

Address: Lodge Rd SE, Cartersville, GA 30121, USA

Website: Vaughan Cabin

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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23. Explore glorious history at Allatoona Lake Visitor Center & Museum

things to do in cartersville ga | explore glorious history at allatoona lake visitor center & museum
Source: instagram

Visit the Corps of Engineers Visitor Center, a.k.a. the Allatoona Lake Visitor Center and Museum, which is located at the top of the Allatoona Dam and which tells the origin story of the Corps of Engineers who existed during the time of the Revolutionary War. For more than two centuries, the Corps of Engineers showed bravery on and off the battlefield both. It was they who built the Allatoona Dam, a first of its kind in many ways, and which was to become a model for almost all Corps Dams in the future. The museum also features a multimedia presentation on the building of Lake Allatoona as well as information about hiking trails and scenic views.

Allatoona Lake Visitor Center & Museum

Address: 1138 GA-20 Spur, Cartersville, GA 30121

Website: Allatoona Lake Visitor Center & Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 4:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

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24. Taste premium wines at JZs Taste of Georgia

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

In the mood for something sweet? Try Currahee's Ole Blue! Now available at JZ's!

Posted by JZ's Taste of Georgia on Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Cartersville newest gem is JZs Taste of Georgia, which is a beautiful little family-owned tasting room right in the very heart of downtown Cartersville. A must-visit for wine and beer aficionados, JZs features, stocks, and even hosts tasting sessions for a selection of Georgia-made wine and craft beer, which is an absolute must-do. This beautiful laidback store also stocks and features farm meats and cheeses, as well as homemade art and crafts from local artists.

JZs Taste of Georgia

Address: 17, E Main St, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: JZs Taste of Georgia

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 8pm; Sun: 12:30pm - 6pm

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25. Enjoy live music at Sixes Tavern


Let your hair down at the unique, one-of-a-kind Sixes Tavern, where live music, amazing food, and an electric, energy-packed atmosphere ensures that you will have a great time. Some of the must-have foods at this locally-owned spot include Philly Mac N’ Cheese, Pollo Loco Chicken, Southwest Egg Rolls, Shrimp Po Boy, Guinness Fish N’ Chips, Chicken Tenders, Hamburger, and Quesadilla, while you sip on amazing beer and cocktails. What’s more, they have amazing bands playing during the weekend.

Sixes Tavern

Address: 650 Henderson Dr #507, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: Sixes Tavern

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 2am; Sun: 11am - 10pm

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26. Have a relaxing spa at Greenleaf Day Spa


End your Cartersville vacation with a relaxing day at the spa. If you’re tired out of your mind exploring Cartersville (and even if you are not), relaxing at Greenleaf Day Spa in a safe, relaxing environment will leave you happy, calm, and energised. At Greenleaf, only organic and pure skincare products and essential oils sourced from indigenous world regions are employed for services, which foster self-love, self-care, and wellness. So, if you’re visiting Cartersville, don’t forget to book an appointment here!

Greenleaf Day Spa

Address: 22 S Erwin St, Cartersville, GA 30120

Website: Greenleaf Day Spa

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 5pm; Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

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Charismatic Cartersville

West Main Street, Cartersville, GA Dec 2017 2
Source: Photo by user Thomson200 used under CC0

Civil war era art and history, amazing bars and restaurants, historic mansions and structures, parks, dams, lakes and more - Cartersville has every attraction possible for a well-rounded vacation. Read the article to create an itenerary that suits your need. Have a fine vacation ahead!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Malavika, a freelance writer and coffee enthusiast, is well-versed in Kopfkino. Her interests include engaging discussions on New Zealand, the domino theory, dystopian fiction, and Harry Potter.

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