Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Milton, GA

Milton is a city situated in Fulton County, Georgia. Established in 2006, it forms part of the extensive northern suburbs of Atlanta.

With a semi-rural location, Milton conveniently offers access to both urban and natural attractions.

Affluent in nature, Milton boasts one of the highest living standards in the state, and it is consistently ranked among the finest places to reside in Georgia, known for its safety and community.

Here are the 15 premier activities to engage in while visiting Milton, Georgia.

1. Milton History Trail

Despite its incorporation as a city in the early 2000s, the history of settlement in the Milton region spans centuries.

The initial interactions between Native Americans and Europeans are documented as early as the sixteenth century.

The 28 markers along Milton’s history trail illuminate some of the city’s most significant historic structures.

These include Hopewell Baptist Church, a building erected in 1851, the Phillips Homestead from 1862, and even the older Providence Baptist Church.

This last religious site can trace its origins back to a church service held shortly before Christmas in 1830.

2. Former Milton Country Club

This 55-hectare expanse of parkland was previously a private country club. Following its acquisition by the city in 2018, plans are underway to transform it into a prominent open space for residents and visitors alike.

The majority of the former club is now designated as parkland, with extensive glades and woodlands to be connected via several hiking trails that weave through the trees and around the lakes.

A smaller section features a public swimming pool, tennis courts, and the remnants of the old clubhouse.

3. Sawnee Mountain Preserve

The Sawnee Mountain Preserve is located in Cumming, approximately 30 minutes northeast of Milton by car.

The visitor center offers in-depth information regarding the surrounding landscapes. With nearly 400 hectares at your disposal, this area provides ample room to escape the crowds and enjoy a day or two immersed in this beautiful wilderness.

Highlights of the preserve include Indian Seats, a natural rock formation at the summit of the trail system, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the North Georgia Mountains.

On the path to Indian Seats, visitors will come across entrances to abandoned gold mines and the region’s characteristic flora and fauna.

4. Lake Sidney Lanier

Visible from various vantage points within the Sawnee Mountain Preserve, Lake Sidney Lanier is an artificial lake formed in the 1950s.

Named after a celebrated Georgian poet, the lake emerged from the damming of the Chattahoochee River, which gradually submerged the adjacent valley banks.

The outcome is a stunning landscape that attracts approximately 10 million visitors annually.

These visitors are drawn to breathtaking views from the extensive shoreline, white sandy beaches reminiscent of the Caribbean, and a family-friendly water park.

5. Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Sky Zone Trampoline Park is located in nearby Roswell and features attractions suitable for individuals of all ages.

Among its offerings is a ninja warrior course, allowing adults to challenge both their strength and agility.

Other options include the Foam Zone, where guests can hone their acrobatic skills while ensuring a soft landing.

Many patrons visit Sky Zone for the exhilarating trampoline experiences. The Freestyle Jump zone is equipped with wall-to-wall trampolines and padded walls.

The facility also features a dedicated trampoline dodgeball court for those seeking a competitive edge.

Roswell is located approximately 9 miles south of Milton.

6. Southeastern Railway Museum

First opened to the public in 1970, the Southeastern Railway Museum now showcases nearly one hundred examples of railway stock and related engineering artifacts.

As Georgia’s official transport museum, the 12-hectare site features the restored Duluth passenger depot, itself a significant historical item dating back to 1871.

In addition to exploring historic steam locomotives and Pullman passenger coaches, visitors can enjoy a ride on a refurbished caboose that traverses a short track section.

This museum is located approximately half an hour from Milton, within the Atlanta suburb of Duluth.

7. Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

The Chattahoochee River has been recognized as a site of national importance through the establishment of a recreation area encompassing 15 distinct segments along the riverbanks described as ‘units’.

These units extend along 47 miles of the river flowing from the dam at Lake Sidney Lanier to Atlanta.

Among these, Cochran Shoals Park is one of the largest units and is noteworthy as the location where Unionist troops first crossed the Chattahoochee during the American Civil War.

Conversely, the Island Ford unit, located between Sandy Springs and Roswell, is often the preferred choice for first-time visitors, featuring the recreation area’s headquarters and visitor center.

It is roughly the same distance from Milton as the Southeastern Railway Museum.

8. Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area

Sitting on the southern periphery of Atlanta, many visitors are pleasantly surprised to discover the stunning mountain landscapes of Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area in close proximity to a major urban center.

Merely an hour’s drive from downtown Atlanta, Arabia Mountain features pristine woodlands typical of northern Georgia, sprinkled with 400-million-year-old granite outcrops.

In between, a network of walking trails guides explorers around historic sites dating back to the region’s early European settlement.

Included are quarries where stone was meticulously hand-cut, with some of this stone utilized in constructing the Brooklyn Bridge across the East River in New York.

9. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

While Arabia Mountain is certainly worth exploring, it would be remiss not to visit downtown Atlanta, which boasts numerous significant landmarks.

This is particularly relevant given the array of attractions available, including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.

This park encompasses buildings such as King’s childhood home and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was baptized and where his father served as minister.

The onsite visitor center integrates a museum that offers insights into King’s life and the Civil Rights Movement, which he instrumentalized.

The park also includes the grave of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, where he was laid to rest following his assassination in 1968 at the age of 39.

10. Alpharetta Historic District

Downtown Atlanta is not the only area with an abundance of historical sites; the center of the now-independent city of Alpharetta, located between Milton Avenue and Academy Street, is home to numerous historically significant structures, some dating back to the early 1800s.

Among these, be sure to visit Mansell House. Although constructed nearly a century later than some of the city’s earliest buildings, in 1912, it showcases a unique Queen Anne style.

Its preservation is notably crucial as many of Alpharetta’s oldest buildings were destroyed and now exist only in photographs.

For instance, the Webb Building and hotel were demolished as recently as the 1970s to create a small urban park.

Downtown Alpharetta is just five miles south of Milton.

11. Archibald Smith Plantation Home

Another fortunate survivor of modern urban development and the American Civil War, Archibald Smith Plantation Home was constructed in 1845.

Situated in Roswell, near the Sky Zone Trampoline Park, this clapboard structure is recognized as one of Georgia’s finest representations of regional architecture.

The residence of one of Roswell’s founders, Archibald Smith, remained with his family for three generations.

Now serving as a museum, the two-story farmhouse retains much of its original furniture and personal items belonging to the Smith family.

This home serves as a valuable testament to what life was like for both the affluent white inhabitants and their enslaved Black workforce prior to the Civil War.

12. Treetop Quest

Slightly further south toward Atlanta lies Dunwoody, roughly 16 miles from Milton. Although suburban in nature, Dunwoody is home to Treetop Quest.

This outdoor adventure center transports visitors into the tree canopy, reaching heights of 16 meters above the ground.

Once elevated, participants can navigate walkways, zip lines, nets, and bridges to remain above the forest floor.

With four distinct levels of difficulty, Treetop Quest offers a family-friendly experience, accommodating individuals from the age of four up to test their limits.

13. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Kennesaw Mountain, situated west of Milton, is the highest elevation in the metropolitan Atlanta area, reaching just over 500 meters.

Its forested slopes provide an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts that are eager to lace up their hiking boots.

Additionally, Kennesaw Mountain holds significant historical relevance; it served as the site of a crucial battle during the Civil War.

Visitors can gain insights into the mountain’s role in this pivotal chapter of American history through display boards distributed throughout the preserved battlefield, where reenactments of artillery positioning have been recreated.

The mountain is located approximately 25 miles from Milton.

14. Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art

One could argue that the historical main post office occupied by the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art is just as captivating as the art it contains.

Constructed in a Greek Revival style, this site served as the backdrop for courthouse scenes in the 2014 film Selma and features a striking portico adorned with tall columns that gracefully welcomes visitors into its inviting gallery spaces.

What truly distinguishes the museum is its unique focus as the sole institution in the metropolitan Atlanta area dedicated exclusively to American art.

Its permanent collection encompasses the entirety of American art history, spanning from its earliest manifestations to contemporary works.

The gallery is comparable in distance from Milton to Kennesaw Mountain.

15. Six Flags White Water

Covering an expansive area of 280,000 square meters, Six Flags White Water is recognized as one of the premier water parks in the United States and is situated just 40 minutes from Milton.

Featuring a variety of sections, younger children can enjoy pools and attractions tailored to their age group, ensuring a fun-filled day for the entire family.

Meanwhile, older visitors have an array of water slides and rides at their disposal, including the Atlanta Ocean wave pool and the Little Hooch lazy river.

Dive Bomber stands out as the tallest single slide, located within the Flash Flood Canyon section of the park.