Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Cartersville, GA

Renamed in 1854, Cartersville is a relatively small city located on the northwestern edge of the metropolitan Atlanta region, approximately 70 kilometers from the downtown area of the state capital.

As the county seat of Bartow County, Cartersville has an estimated population of around 20,000 residents. The city was designated as the seat after the city of Cassville was intentionally destroyed during the American Civil War, yet it did not achieve city status until 1872.

Over the past 150 years, the city has gradually transformed into a prosperous suburb of Atlanta, managing to intertwine several centuries of history with modern museums and exceptional outdoor venues.

Below are the 15 premier attractions in and around Cartersville, Georgia.

1. Bartow History Museum

Bartow History Museum is housed in a grand brown brick building that showcases the rich history of Bartow County.

Covering the complete spectrum of the region’s past, its permanent collection consists of archival materials, photographs, and artifacts that date back to when the area was a part of Cherokee territory.

Thoroughly elucidating significant historical periods from the expulsion of the Cherokee to the American Civil War, 200 years of history are clearly articulated within the historic environment of an old courthouse.

The museum’s well-lit rooms and modern displays feature a variety of reconstructions and exhibits depicting life in the county throughout various eras.

2. Lake Allatoona

A glance at a map of Cartersville reveals the winding shorelines of Lake Allatoona, also referred to as Allatoona Creek.

Created through the damming of the Etowah River, the primary function of the lake is to serve as a source of potable water for the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Nonetheless, its shoreline and surface waters have also become a favored retreat, just minutes away from the downtown environment.

Eight marinas and two yacht clubs cater to those interested in venturing out onto the water on larger vessels. Public boat ramps facilitate easy accessibility for both novices and experienced boaters. Moreover, camping and hiking have gained popularity in this picturesque setting.

3. Historic Downtown Shopping District

The downtown district of Cartersville is one of the city’s most enchanting areas. Commercial establishments dating back several decades, and even centuries, provide a treasure trove for those in search of unique items.

The independent and often family-operated boutiques offer a diverse range of products from fine art to aromatherapy oils, catering particularly well to enthusiasts of antiques and collectibles.

While renowned as a shopping venue, the downtown area is also home to numerous significant historical landmarks.

One of these landmarks is the Grand Theater, which has been beautifully restored to its former 1920s splendor and now serves as the community’s premier venue for performances.

4. Booth Western Art Museum

The ‘western’ in Booth’s title pertains to the Western United States, establishing it as the only museum in the southeastern United States dedicated to this segment of North America.

Encompassing 11,000 square meters, the Booth Western Art Museum hosts the largest permanent collection of Western art in the entire country and ranks as the second-largest museum in Georgia.

The collection features Native American artworks, Civil War memorabilia, vintage movie posters, and an extensive array of pieces by notable western artists such as Charles Marion Russell and Howard Terpning.

5. Pine Mountain

Visible from much of Cartersville, the forested slopes of Pine Mountain reach an elevation of 476 meters above sea level.

The third highest mountain in Bartow County, tree cover diminishes as one approaches its summit, which is characterized by various rock outcrops that offer panoramic views of Lake Allatoona and even Atlanta.

Two primary trails guide visitors towards the summit, which, although featuring multiple switchbacks, can be reached within approximately 1.5 kilometers of walking.

Starting from either side of the mountain, the trails are referred to as the East and West Loops and are part of the extensive Pine Mountain Recreation Area trail network.

6. Terminus Wake Park

The expansive pools and four floating zones at Terminus Wake Park accommodate individuals of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to seasoned experts.

For those unfamiliar with wakeboarding, it is analogous to snowboarding in relation to skiing, with riders securely strapped to a single large board being towed by a motorboat or cable.

Recognized as the largest cable wake park in the United States, Terminus features a learn-to-ride cable for those apprehensive about trying wakeboarding, as well as an inflatable aquatic obstacle course named the Aqua Park for those preferring a more playful experience.

The facility is located less than 10 kilometers southeast of Cartersville, in Emerson.

7. Tellus Science Museum

Situated a similar distance north of Cartersville, Tellus Science Museum spans over 36,000 square meters, making it more than three times the size of the Booth Western Art Museum, and concentrates on natural history.

As a result, it boasts a substantial fossil gallery, with visitors greeted by a striking brontosaurus skeleton prominently displayed in the main lobby.

The Vault gallery showcases local mineral discoveries and artifacts from prehistoric times, complementing the offerings of the Weinman Mineral Gallery.

Additionally, the facility features the Millar Science in Motion Gallery focused on transportation, as well as the Bentley Planetarium.

8. Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site

The Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site is located a short distance south of downtown Cartersville along the banks of the Etowah River.

It encompasses a 22-hectare archaeological site containing remnants from three periods of Native American settlements, dated between 1000 and 1500 AD.

Regarded as the best-preserved settlement of the Native American Mississippi culture in the region, the site displays three primary platform mounds and three additional smaller mounds.

The tallest of these mounds rises to nearly 20 meters and, like the others, was historically topped with either sanctified or other significant structures. The artifacts unearthed during excavations can be appreciated in the onsite museum.

9. Leake Mounds Interpretative Trail

Leake Mounds represents an even older Native American site constructed by the Swift Creek Culture, dating back to the Middle Woodland period between 300 BC and 600 AD.

The interpretative trail consists of 18 markers covering roughly three kilometers, detailing archaeological findings from excavations and their significance for understanding this historical era.

The trail incorporates remnants of three mounds, as well as a notable semi-circular ditch or moat, and a midden—a prehistoric landfill site.

10. Rose Lawn Museum

Housed in an impressive Victorian mansion, the Rose Lawn Museum is adorned in authentic cream, grey, and rust red colors.

This residence has been converted into a museum that chronicles the life of Samuel Porter Jones, who resided at Rose Lawn with his wife for approximately 30 years. Jones is primarily recognized as a Christian revivalist, today commonly referred to as an evangelical Christian.

Additional exhibits explore the life of another notable Cartersville resident, Rebecca Latimer Felton, a suffragette and the first woman to serve in the US Senate, albeit for just a single day.

11. Cooper’s Furnace Day Use Area

Often referred to as Cooper’s Iron Works, this parkland is registered as a National Historic Place, representing the only surviving remnants of a town known as Etowah.

This location was destroyed in 1864 by Union General Sherman during his campaign towards Atlanta.

Trails wind around the iron works, which include picnic pavilions and a small playground for children.

Featuring views of the dam that retains the waters of Lake Allatoona, it is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, who also oversee the adjacent Allatoona Lake Visitor Center and Museum.

12. Cooper’s Friendship Monument

The same Mark Anthony Cooper who owned the aforementioned iron works, was a prominent southern industrialist who experienced significant financial challenges.

During this time, he was supported by 38 friends and colleagues, prompting the installation of the Friendship Monument in downtown Cartersville.

Considered to be the only monument of its kind globally, it was commissioned in 1857 and currently stands proudly in Friendship Plaza.

Additionally, Cartersville is home to the world’s first outdoor Coca-Cola sign, which, originating in Atlanta, adorns the side wall of Young Brothers Pharmacy.

Despite the passage of over a century, it remains recognizable from cans and bottles of this globally favored beverage.

13. Pettit Creek Farm

This 30-hectare farm has been in the Allen Family’s possession since 1945. It offers insights into a traditional southern farm through walking tours, hayrides, and pony rides.

Moreover, it features unique attractions uncommon in the southeastern United States; Pettit Creek is home to kangaroos, zebras, and lemurs, in addition to typical farm animals such as cows, chickens, and goats.

Boasting the largest camel herd in Georgia, it also offers two separate zip-line courses for adventurous visitors seeking thrills.

14. Red Top Mountain State Park

Located on the opposite side of Lake Allatoona from Cartersville, Red Top Mountain State Park is considered one of Georgia’s most popular state parks.

It derives its name from the abundant iron ore present in the mountain’s soil, particularly found in the northwesternmost part of the park. Throughout the area, remnants of former mining operations can still be discovered.

The park features a sandy swimming beach along the lakefront, with fishing opportunities available from both the shore and by boat in the lake’s center.

The six-kilometer Iron Hill mountain biking trail offers lakeside vistas, while a total of 20 kilometers of hiking trails are categorized as easy to moderate, ranging from one to nine kilometers in length.

15. Noble Hill-Wheeler Memorial Center

This museum dedicated to the African-American history of the area is appropriately located within the former Noble Hill Rosenwald School.

Constructed in 1923, during a period of racial segregation in the southern United States, it was the first school designed to educate black children in northwest Georgia.

The appealing whitewashed clapboard structure now serves as a venue emphasizing the lives of Georgia’s African-Americans from the early twentieth century to the present day.

The interior features a replica of the school’s previous environment, alongside displays of household items and other historical artifacts.