Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Rome, GA

Rome is the largest city in Floyd County, situated on the state boundary with Alabama, and also the most populous in the entire northwest region of Georgia.

Positioned at the foothills of the legendary Appalachian Mountains, its numerous waterways initially attracted the Creek and Cherokee nations.

European settlers arrived in the 1830s, displacing Native Americans from their territories, leading to the development of Rome across seven hills, reminiscent of its Italian counterpart.

A trading center since its conception, the city has evolved to embrace modern industries, creating a prosperous community that intricately weaves together its historical legacy and contemporary life.

Here are the 15 premier attractions in and around Rome, Georgia.

1. Chieftains Museum

Formally known as the Chieftains Museum / Major Ridge Home, this charming clapboard structure was the residence of Major Ridge, a Cherokee leader who facilitated the cession of his people’s ancestral land to the United States. 

He believed this was the lesser of two unacceptable options—the alternative being the forcible removal of his people from their land.

However, this choice ultimately cost him his life, as he was assassinated by fellow members of the Cherokee nation.

This intricate history is detailed within the museum, which has its origins in a smaller log house dating back to 1792, mere years following the American Declaration of Independence.

It is a significant site on the Cherokee Trail of Tears, connecting locations linked to the expulsion of the Cherokee from their historic territories.

2. Historic Clock Tower

Situated on Neely Hill, also referred to as Tower Hill, the Rome Clock Tower was constructed in 1871 as a water tower, which accounts for its somewhat atypical design.

The water tank was approximately 20 meters tall and 8 meters wide, capable of accommodating nearly one million liters of water.

Its four-faced clock was incorporated a year later, with each face measuring over two meters in diameter.

Visitors are invited to ascend the 107 steps spiraling within the tower, leading to a viewing platform that provides breathtaking panoramas of the city.

The original water tanks now serve to exhibit the creations of local artists.

3. Myrtle Hill Cemetery

Situated on one of Rome’s seven hills, Myrtle Hill Cemetery is a burial ground profoundly connected to significant events in the city’s history.

Housing the remains of over 20,000 individuals, the cemetery was utilized for the interment of soldiers who perished in the American Civil War, including several hundred who fought for the Confederate side.

The Veterans Plaza hosts the Tomb of the Known Soldier, one of the few US servicemen from the First World War to be interred on domestic soil. Private Charles Graves’ grave is marked by three Maxim guns from that era.

Myrtle Hill Cemetery also features the grave of Ellen Axson, the first wife of President Woodrow Wilson. She was raised in the city and remains the only First Lady interred in the state of Georgia to this day.

4. Rome Area History Museum

The Rome Area History Museum is housed in a splendid red brick building along the Oostanaula River, just before it converges with the Etowah River to create the Coosa River.

Its exhibits and artifacts guide visitors through the city’s history and the broader region, dedicating exhibition areas to the most pivotal periods in local history.

The collection of historical documentation, photographs, maps, and personal artifacts focuses on European colonization, as the Chieftains Museum addresses the region’s Native American heritage.

Notably, it has important sections focused on the Civil War era and the agricultural lifestyle that persisted well into the twentieth century.

5. Rome Braves

Rome is home to a minor league baseball team known as the Rome Braves.

While they operate one tier below the major league teams, which have attained worldwide recognition, such as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, attending a game at the Braves’ home stadium provides an unparalleled experience.

As one of the most popular sports in the nation, purchasing a ticket to a game unveils the rich traditions and cultural significance of baseball in American society, as well as the regional pride many hold for their hometown teams.

6. Between the Rivers Historic District

Centered around Broad Street, the Between the Rivers Historic District features a collection of preserved structures from Rome’s Victorian era. This area encompasses both private residences and commercial establishments.

Although it spans a mere few blocks, it represents the largest concentration of Victorian architecture in the state of Georgia.

Among the various buildings, visitors will discover a plethora of boutiques, antique shops, and dining establishments that serve as excellent havens for lunch or dinner.

Additionally, along the Oostanaula River side of the district, the Lock Bridge (or Robert Redden Foot Bridge) is worthy of mention.

Originally constructed as a swing bridge essential for the Central Georgia Railway, crossing it allows access to the scenic riverside trails forming the Heritage Trail System.

7. Appalachian Mountains

Extending all the way from Alabama to New York State, the Appalachian Mountains constitute one of the greatest mountain ranges globally.

With Rome nestled in their foothills, it would be a missed opportunity not to explore some of the natural beauty they offer during your visit to this Georgia city.

The closest attractions to Rome include the Coosa Valley and the northern Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains.

At Springer Mountain, you’ll find the southern terminus of the renowned Appalachian Trail, which stretches approximately 2,150 miles and typically requires around six months to traverse.

If six months isn’t feasible, the summit of Springer Mountain can be accessed via an 8.6-mile trek from the visitor center at Amicalola Falls State Park.

This journey is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Rome.

8. Oak Hill & The Martha Berry Museum

Although the educator Martha Berry may not be widely recognized outside the Rome area, her namesake museum, alongside the surrounding grounds and historic farmhouse, is worth exploring.

Collectively, this site spans nearly 70 acres around a Greek Revival-style mansion. The original farmhouse, dating back to 1847, served as a barracks for Union soldiers during the Civil War’s Atlanta Campaign and was later reconstructed into its present form when it evolved into an educational institution.

The extensive gardens feature an All-American Selections Display of flora, along with various historical structures that constituted the initial classrooms at the location.

9. Etowah Indian Mounds

Situated along the northern bank of the Etowah River, the Etowah Indian Mounds represent an archaeological site inhabited by the Mississippi Culture of Native Americans between 1000 and 1500 AD.

Regarded as one of the most well-preserved sites in this region of the United States, it features three primary grass-covered platform mounds and three smaller mounds.

The tallest mound reaches almost 20 meters in height, equivalent to that of a six-story building, and was historically believed to have been adorned with ceremonial structures.

Additionally, the site includes a museum showcasing significant discoveries made at the location, including stone sculptures, jewelry, and pottery artifacts.

Etowah Indian Mounds is located merely 30 minutes south of Rome via Highway 411.

10. Rome Axe Throwing

For a unique experience, consider engaging in axe throwing. This activity serves as an excellent method to release stress while acquiring a new skill.

At Rome Axe Throwing, instructors are available to demonstrate the necessary techniques to successfully embed your axes into the hardwood targets. 

11. Statue of Romulus and Remus

Prominently positioned at the forefront of Rome City Hall is a bronze sculpture depicting the legendary founders of Rome, Italy—namely, the twins Romulus and Remus.

This replica resembles a renowned statue of the boys being nursed by a she-wolf, originally located on Capitoline Hill and presented to the city in 1929 by the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

In 1996, the Olympic Torch traveled past the statue en route to Atlanta for that year’s Olympic Games.

After admiring the statue, ensure to also appreciate the architecture of City Hall and the century-old Carnegie Library adjacent to it.

12. Little Canyon River National Preserve

Approximately 60 kilometers east across the state line in Alabama lies the Little Canyon River National Preserve.

Established in 1992, this untouched wilderness comprises over 6,000 hectares of forest and is home to the nation’s longest mountaintop river, misleadingly named the Little River.

The Preserve is situated at the apex of Lookout Mountain, the site of the Cherokee nation’s final battle against American pioneers, as well as a location for a Civil War battle.

Featuring one of the Southeastern United States’ deepest canyons, with walls soaring 180 meters, the expanse is best viewed via the scenic route known as Little River Canyon Rim Parkway.

13. Alhambra – Home on the Hill

Another historic survivor, the Alhambra house was constructed in 1832 during the initial wave of European settlement that led to the establishment of Rome.

This residence was built by one of the city’s four founders, a North Carolina planter named Philip Walker Hemphill.

Notably, this house served as the location where the city’s name was determined, supposedly through a random drawing process.

As the oldest surviving structure in Floyd County, it now forms part of Darlington School.

14. Dahlonega

Located two hours east of Rome, Dahlonega is recognized as the site of the first significant gold rush in American history, which initiated in 1828. At the city center, the Gold Museum is situated within the Lumpkin County Courthouse.

From its steps, members of the Dahlonega mint endeavored to persuade miners to remain in the city rather than abandoning it for California, thereby coining the phrase, “there’s gold in them thar hills.”

The museum exhibits gold-panning tools for extracting gold from riverbeds, coins minted in the city, and even natural gold nuggets in their original state.

Visitors can also find several vineyards throughout the city, contributing to the significant American wine industry.

15. Cave Spring

The ideal remedy for a hot summer day in Rome is a visit to the stunning underground formations found in the nearby city of Cave Spring, just 20 minutes southwest of Rome.

One of the main attractions of Rolater Park, the caves extend beneath the surrounding landscape, showcasing impressive stalagmite formations, including one known as the Devil’s Stool.

This destination also offers a glimpse of the spring after which the city was named, creating a scenic reflective pool and swimming area at the surface.

While in the park, make sure to visit the Cave Spring Baptist Church, whose bricks were meticulously crafted by African-American slaves during the 1850s.