Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Roswell, GA

Absence of extraterrestrial beings notwithstanding, Roswell, Georgia, is replete with sunshine and southern hospitality.

Essentially a suburban extension of Atlanta to the south, Roswell is divided from the state capital by the Chattahoochee River.

Characterized by affluent, tree-lined streets, courtesy of its thriving tech industries, Roswell seamlessly blends green spaces with nationally recognized museums and contemporary attractions.

Established in the 1830s on former Cherokee territory, the city witnessed occupation and partial destruction by Union forces during the American Civil War. Luckily, many of its charming historic structures have been preserved for public enjoyment.

Discover the top attractions to explore in and around Roswell, Georgia.

1. Archibald Smith Plantation Home

This charming clapboard residence was constructed shortly after Roswell’s founding in 1845. It served as the home of Archibald Smith, a city founder, along with three generations of his family.

Now functioning as a museum, the property allows guests to navigate the house as well as its carriage house, delving into over two centuries of historical significance.

Regarded as one of the state’s prime examples of regional architecture, this two-story farmhouse hosts many original furnishings and personal artifacts from the Smith family, offering insight into the lives of Georgia’s upper classes prior to the onset of the American Civil War.

2. Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Sky Zone Trampoline Park is an indoor entertainment venue that enables adults to experience the type of enjoyment typically reserved for children.

Apart from the wall-to-wall trampolines for Freestyle Jump, there is a trampoline dodgeball court, a Ninja Warrior course, and a Foam Zone, among various other attractions.

This setting allows you to evaluate your acrobatics skills with the assurance of a soft landing.

3. Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Positioned at Roswell’s southern limits, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area encompasses a series of green spaces and parks spread over 47 miles, with the closest access a mere ten minutes from the city center.

Designated as the first National Water Trail in the United States, this area is an extraordinarily scenic locale for a few hours of outdoor exploration in relative tranquility.

Nevertheless, ample opportunities for adventure abound. During summer, visitors can rent tubes and float along the river from Power Island to Paces Mill. Additionally, activities like boating, kayaking, and rafting are available.

A stocked trout river housing over 20 species of game fish, the area also features a three-mile fitness trail at Cochran Shoals, along with the remnants of the Marietta Paper Mill at Sope Creek.

4. Bulloch Hall

Registered on the National Register of Historic Places, Bulloch Hall was the youth residence of socialite Martha Bulloch, mother of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States and Nobel Prize laureate, who visited in 1905.

Erected in 1839, the building exhibits Greek Revival architecture, complete with a portico featuring four multi-story Greek columns to welcome visitors.

The exhibits are categorized between those detailing the lifestyle of the upper classes in the 19th century and the upstairs rooms documenting Civil War events.

The grounds are adorned with a captivating garden and pond, alongside a reconstruction of typical slave quarters from the era preceding the Civil War.

5. Computer Museum of America

This contemporary museum was inaugurated on the 50th anniversary of humanity’s first lunar landing in 1969. It stands as the largest establishment dedicated to computing and technology along the East Coast and aims to become the largest globally.

Its collection encompasses significant milestones in home computing, including the Commodore 64 and the Apple 1.

Moreover, it houses supercomputers such as Clay-1, used at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the birthplace of the atomic bomb during the 1970s.

Additional notable exhibits include an Enigma coding machine from World War II, which was ultimately decoded for the Allies by British engineer Alan Turing, regarded as the father of the modern computer.

6. Chattahoochee Nature Center

The Chattahoochee Nature Center’s goal is straightforward: to educate both residents and visitors regarding the local flora and fauna indigenous to this region of Georgia.

The facility’s greenhouse offers display examples of local plant species, which are also featured in the gardens. Its aquaria and aviaries showcase a variety of reptiles such as corn snakes, amphibians, and raptors—many of which were rescued and cannot be rehabilitated for release back into the wild.

Chattahoochee Nature Center is located along the banks of the river bearing its name, encompassing an area of just over 50 hectares.

7. Atlanta

Situated just a half-hour south of Roswell, Atlanta serves as the state capital of Georgia and was the host city for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.

Despite experiencing significant destruction by General Sherman during the American Civil War, the city rapidly reconstructed and now showcases numerous noteworthy landmarks.

These landmarks range from the glass and steel structure of the World of Coca-Cola to the historical home where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. spent his formative years. The city also houses the Georgia Aquarium, recognized as the largest indoor aquarium globally.

In addition, Atlanta is home to the Carter Center presidential library and the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, honoring the life and contributions of the author of Gone with the Wind.

8. Barrington Hall

Another significant remnant of Roswell’s early history is Barrington Hall, built in the same year and style as Bulloch Hall.

It served as the primary residence of Barrington King, who, along with his father, Roswell King, recognized this location in Georgia as ideal for establishing a new city.

Intentionally situated at the city’s highest elevation, it remained with the family until 2003, at which point it underwent a major restoration and subsequently opened to the public as a museum.

It features the only pre-Civil War antebellum public garden in the area, spanning nearly three hectares, while the interiors showcase original architectural details, flooring, and paintings.

9. Faces of War Memorial

Constructed to honor those who served in the Vietnam War, the Faces of War Memorial reflects upon a somber chapter in American history.

Located centrally within the community, directly in front of the grand City Hall, it is crafted from red brick that encircles a three-dimensional bronze plaque, depicting a young child guiding a soldier away from a jungle battlefield.

This memorial possesses the distinctive quality of commemorating both military and civilian casualties of the war.

10. Morgan Falls Overlook Park

Morgan Falls Overlook Park is situated in Sandy Springs, approximately 15 minutes south of central Roswell by vehicle. It represents one of the region’s newest public spaces, having opened in 2010.

Positioned along the banks of Bull Sluice Lake, the park offers a family-friendly outdoor environment featuring walking trails, a picnic pavilion, and a playground for children.

During the warm summer months, visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards for aquatic adventures. Moreover, the park is well-regarded for its picturesque sunsets, appealing to those seeking a romantic experience.

11. Roswell Mill

The establishment of Roswell was prompted by the potential for milling, which inspired Roswell King to select this location for founding the city. At its peak, the collection of mills that comprised Roswell Mill became the largest cotton mill in northern Georgia.

The area sourced its textiles from locally grown cotton, subsequently expanding to include wool and flour milling.

The mill continued operations until its closure in 1975 and was powered by the waters of Vickery Creek since its inception in 1836.

During the Civil War, it produced Roswell Gray cloth for the Confederate army, and this significant history can be explored via the walking trails leading to the mill’s remnants in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

12. Variant Brewing Company

Variant Brewing Company represents a contemporary establishment characterized by modern wood and metal design, providing an interesting contrast to the more historic breweries in the Roswell area.

Since its inception a few years ago, Variant has operated as an independent craft brewery, distinguishing itself by creating distinctive and captivating flavors.

In addition to traditional imperial stouts, patrons can find innovative options such as Compos Mentis, which is barrel-aged with vanilla in used Bourbon casks, alongside an English-style barleywine.

The brewery is situated on Norcross Street, in the heart of Roswell.

13. Canton Street

Positioned at the center of Roswell’s historic district, Canton Street is a delightful blend of the old and the new.

Adorned with vintage street lights and mature trees that provide shade along the sidewalks from spring through early autumn, this area features cafes and restaurants with outdoor dining options that are perfect for observing the local ambiance.

Additionally, its sheltered buildings host a variety of boutique shops, complemented by a vibrant bar scene that emerges in the evening.

This atmosphere extends to the regularly scheduled street events during the summer months, bringing the community together.

14. Roswell Fire Museum

A must-visit for families, the Roswell Fire Museum is located within an active fire station (please note that unavailability may occur during emergency responses).

The museum exhibits a range of captivating vintage posters, coupled with a historical overview of the city’s volunteer fire service.

Additionally, a highlight of the exhibit includes a 1947 Ford American LaFrance Pumper fire engine, enhancing the interactive experience for visitors.

15. Presbyterian Church Historic Sanctuary

Constructed in the favored Greek Revival architectural style of the 1830s and 1840s, Roswell’s Presbyterian Church Historic Sanctuary is anything but ordinary.

As the first church and place of worship in the city, it was established in 1840. During the Civil War, it functioned as a hospital for wounded Union soldiers.

Artifacts from this period, including a checkers board fashioned from a cupboard door, can be observed in the designated History Room.

Other intriguing items include the church’s original Bible, marked by graffiti from a soldier, alongside galleries that were constructed for enslaved individuals to worship.

Whilst visiting, pay attention to the bell in the tower, which was cast in Philadelphia in 1827.