Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Carrollton, GA

Summary:

Carrollton is a city located in northwest Georgia with a population of approximately 30,000 residents. This city is strategically positioned between the border of Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia’s capital.

Founded in 1829, Carrollton is named in honor of Charles Carroll, the last surviving signatory of America’s Declaration of Independence.

Having escaped the significant turmoil of the American Civil War, Carrollton gradually prospered, primarily due to its thriving textiles industry.

Surrounded by rural agricultural communities, Carrollton today stands as a well-managed college town, conveniently accessible to attractions in both Georgia and Alabama.

Here are the 15 most notable experiences in and around Carrollton, Georgia.

1. Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum

Quilting, the intricate hand sewing of decorative bed covers, remains a vital aspect of Southern culture in the United States.

Since its inauguration in 2012, the Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum has showcased a variety of contemporary and historical quilts and textiles through both permanent installations and temporary exhibits.

Situated in a repurposed cotton warehouse, the museum features exterior art installations of ‘metal quilts’ by the renowned sculptor Gordon Chandler, enhancing its visual appeal.

The museum is conveniently located a short walk from the historic center of Carrollton at Adamson Square.

2. Carrollton Center for the Arts

This contemporary facility was designed to serve as a permanent artistic hub for Carrollton, and it has successfully achieved this goal since its establishment.

Constructed at a cost of $5.2 million, the Carrollton Center for the Arts features a 300-seat theater, offering a diverse range of performances, including contemporary dance and comedic plays.

The center also boasts a 185-square-meter exhibition area suitable for displaying artwork, as well as a permanent gallery.

In addition, the Maurice K Townsend Center for the Performing Arts serves as another venue dedicated to music and theatrical presentations in Carrollton.

3. Little Tallapoosa River

Flowing for 156 kilometers from Georgia’s Piedmont mountains into Alabama, the Little Tallapoosa is a tributary of the Alabama River.

The river meanders through Carrollton, showcasing some of Georgia’s most beautiful landscapes.

It is primarily navigable, offering multiple access points for launching boats, kayaks, or canoes. Additionally, the presence of three varieties of black bass makes the river a favored destination for fishing enthusiasts.

The lawns of East Carrollton Park provide scenic views of both the river and Lake Carroll, popular among vacation homeowners.

4. Road to Tara Museum

With references made in Margaret Mitchell’s renowned novel Gone with the Wind, the Road to Tara Museum located in Jonesboro is a must-visit for those exploring the region.

This museum integrates artifacts from the Oscar-winning film with significant Civil War memorabilia, delineating the historical contexts that inspired Mitchell’s popular narrative while distinguishing fact from fiction.

Special exhibits are dedicated to actors Hattie McDaniel (who portrayed Mammy) and Butterfly McQueen (who played Prissy). Notably, they were unable to attend the film’s premiere due to segregated screening venues.

Jonesboro is located approximately an hour’s drive east of Carrollton.

5. Carrollton Greenbelt

Measuring nearly 30 kilometers in length, the Carrollton Greenbelt represents the most extensive conservation initiative undertaken by city officials, as well as the largest paved loop trail in Georgia.

This continuous linear park provides an alternative means of traversing many distinct neighborhoods, parks, and shopping areas without reliance on motor vehicles.

Moreover, it serves as a crucial habitat for local wildlife.

The Carrollton Greenbelt can be accessed at multiple points, with the most convenient entryways located at East Carrollton Park, Lakeshore Park, and Hobbs Farm Park.

6. Historic Banning Mills

Historic Banning Mills, situated approximately 30 minutes southeast of Carrollton, offers an extraordinary combination of historical interest and adrenaline-inducing attractions typically found at theme parks.

This location provides a variety of thrilling experiences, such as trekking and horseback riding through scenic woodlands, kayaking along natural waterways, and tackling challenging climbing walls.

The highlight of Banning Mills is the Screaming Eagle zipline, recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest in the world. However, visitors also have the option to relax in the on-site spa.

7. West Georgia Textile Heritage Trail

The significance of the textile industry in shaping the identity of Carrollton is clearly evident to anyone who visits the Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum.

This heritage is further illuminated through the West Georgia Textile Heritage Trail.

Spanning from Dalton to Columbus, the central portion of the trail includes Carrollton, highlighting several mills that enabled the transformation of raw cotton fibers into finished clothing, facilitated by improved transportation through railroads.

Prominent landmarks along this trail include the Maryon Hosiery Mill, as well as other privately-owned sites, such as the historic Mandeville Mill, established in 1899.

8. Hills and Dales Estate

Constructed from wealth accumulated by the Callaway family’s textile enterprise, the Hills and Dales Estate features an exquisite residence and gardens inspired by Italian architecture.

Completed at the peak of the region’s textile industry in 1916, the estate’s landscaped gardens, originally designed in the late 1800s by Sarah Ferrell, represent some of the best-preserved nineteenth-century garden designs in the United States.

The villa, an expansive three-story structure, is open for visitors to explore, complemented by a 15-minute documentary that delves into the estate’s remarkable history.

The estate is situated in LaGrange, approximately 70 kilometers south of Carrollton.

9. Talladega National Forest

Crossing the border into Alabama presents an opportunity to transition from the cultivated gardens of Hills and Dales Estate to the wild beauty of Talladega National Forest.

This forest encompasses 1,500 square kilometers of the Appalachian Mountains and protects several wilderness zones.

Notably, Cheaha Wilderness contains some of the most pristine natural landscapes, while Dugger Mountain Wilderness is dedicated to sustaining wildlife around Alabama’s second-highest peak.

Visitors to the forest may even encounter some of the South’s most fascinating wildlife, such as black bears, coyotes, and raccoons.

The forest is roughly a 45-minute drive from Carrollton.

10. Historic City Cemetery

Spread across two hills, Carrollton’s historic cemetery offers insights into the city’s first two centuries.

The Park Street area of the cemetery features the graves of various founders and early inhabitants, with the oldest readable dates appearing in the 1700s.

Over time, gravestones have evolved to include more elaborate designs, such as the poignant angel memorial for Georgia Price, the first freed African-American woman to own a business in the city.

Graves related to the Civil War can also be found here, including that of Confederate Colonel William E Curtis.

11. John Tanner State Park

The scenic John Tanner State Park features two lakes and boasts the largest sandy beach of any state park in Georgia, all within its 56 hectares.

Situated ten kilometers west of Carrollton, the lakes are well-regarded for pedal boat rentals and fishing opportunities, providing a delightful outdoor environment for families and friends.

Visitors can enjoy walking and nature trails, along with options for overnight camping in cabins or campsites available within the park.

The park is named after a local entrepreneur who developed it as his personal retreat from 1954 to 1971.

12. Sewell Mill Textile Exhibit

A visit to Sewell Mill provides an opportunity to explore the significant history of the textile industry that contributed to the prosperity of this region of Georgia.

The museum features a remarkable collection of artifacts from this era, including archival photographs and a time clock used for worker attendance.

Visitors embark on a guided journey through the displays, learning about the manufacturing processes that facilitated the production of clothing worn across the nation a century ago.

Sewell Mill is located 20 minutes north of Carrollton.

13. West Georgia Museum

Located a further 15 minutes east of Bremen, the West Georgia Museum in Tallapoosa, while smaller than Carrollton and Bremen, offers diverse and engaging exhibits for visitors of all ages.

Highlighting its entrance is a life-size replica of a T-Rex, towering over the other dinosaur displays found within the museum.

Visitors can explore artifacts dating back to the 1800s, including various vintage vehicles, such as a horse-drawn buggy from the pre-automobile era and a 1923 Ford.

Additionally, the museum features recreations of historical storefronts, enhancing its charm and educational value.

14. McIntosh Reserve Park

Situated on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, McIntosh Reserve is named in commemoration of William McIntosh Jr., a Creek Indian leader of mixed Native American and Scottish descent.

The reserve includes a recreated two-story log home that reflects his historical context. Unfortunately, his legacy is marked by tragedy, as he was executed by his own tribe for signing a treaty that ceded Creek land to the federal government.

His burial site is located across the road from his house, approximately 30 kilometers south of Carrollton.

15. Six Flags Over Georgia

While only half the size of McIntosh Reserve Park, Six Flags Over Georgia still commands attention with its impressive attractions.

This amusement park features 11 roller coasters, including the highly-rated Goliath and Mind Bender, which are popular on both regional and national levels. With over 30 unique rides and attractions, it also encompasses a water park named Hurricane Harbor.

Fans of superheroes will appreciate that many rides are themed around characters from the Marvel and DC universes, including the Superman: Ultimate Flight.

Located on the western periphery of Atlanta, Six Flags Over Georgia is approximately a 45-minute drive from Carrollton.