From cowboys and Indians to historic sites, a total eclipse to aqua adventure–make memories that last in Cartersville, Georgia
This summer, find adventure in Cartersville, Georgia, conveniently located 45 miles north of downtown Atlanta via I-75.
With a friendly population of just over 20,000, Cartersville-Bartow County embodies small town charm with a “Cowboys and Indians in Georgia” vibe, welcoming visitors to embrace its Southern hospitality coupled with unexpected big city offerings. This July, Cartersville is the place to celebrate the National Day of the Cowboy as the Booth Western Art Museum celebrates with a trio of events:
July 20
- Painting Red Rocks Country, Past and Present Gallery Walk, Opening Reception & Artist’s Discussion
- Music from Red Rock Country with Kenny Hall
July 22
- National Day of the Cowboy festivities on the museum’s festival grounds
In between festivities at the Booth Museum, visit Tellus Science Museum, July 21, for their special exhibit From Clay to Copper: Minerals & Artifacts of Etowah and see artifacts from the Smithsonian collection excavated from the Etowah Indian Mounds in Cartersville a century earlier. Then, pay a visit to the ancient Indian city–Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site to explore more of this Woodland period culture. The Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site is a major Mississippian Period Cultural Center that was home to several thousand Native Americans from 1000 to 1500 AD. The largest mound stands over 63 feet high and covers three acres. The impressive archaeological museum interprets life in what is now known as the Etowah Valley Historic District.
NEW! While in Cartersville, take time to explore the interpretive signs now in place at George Washington Carver Park, founded in 1950 as Georgia’s first state park for black Americans. The beach opens Memorial Day weekend and will feature extensive renovations made after the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau took over management of the park.
Total Eclipse + Night at The Museum–There’s no better place to catch the August 21 total eclipse than at Carterville’s Tellus Science Museum. Through September 8, catch “Totality” in the Planetarium, a program all about eclipses, from lunar to total solar, how they occur and what happens when they do. Visiting earlier in the summer? Check out Night at the Museum, 6-10 p.m., August 12, suitable for all ages. Kick off the school year by celebrating science education with a fun Night at the Museum. Meet actors portraying historical figures like Albert Einstein and Alexander Graham Bell and let them impress you with their scientific discoveries, while fictional science characters like Wonder Woman and Thor explain how science was important in their “lives.” Then, head into the Theater for a crowd-pleasing show by the Tellus Madd Scientists and see how wacky science experts’ experiments explode with fun. Everyone will receive an autograph book to help find all the characters and commemorate this special night of time travel. Children 12 and under are also encouraged to dress up as their favorite science or science fiction character. Cost is $15 for members and $25 for non-members.
NEW! Aqua Park at Terminus Wake Park–Challenge yourself with H2O adventure at Terminus Wake’s new Aqua Park featuring Aqua Glide inflatables with four floating zones of increasing intensity. Bounce along with friends and family or swing yourself into a new dimension on the catapult for a wet and wild adventure like no other. Also at the park, a cable system gives guests the thrill of towed watersports without a boat. Choose your sport–wakeboarding, wake skating, kneeboarding or water-skiing–and let the 32-foot high running cable be your guide. No experience? No problem. Terminus has a small training lake, a beginner’s lake and an advanced full-size lake for skilled riders. Open daily, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; park may close in inclement weather. Aqua Park adventure is open to all ages above five; $15 weekdays and $20 weekends. Wakeboard packages may be booked at an additional cost. Rental boards and safety gear available on site.
Georgia Mountain Summer Outdoor Adventure–Head outdoors and hike Pine Mountain Trail. Nearby, enjoy the lake life with boat rentals at one of five local marinas on Allatoona Lake. Lakeside RV and tent camping is also available at Red Top Mountain State Park and Allatoona Landing Marine Resort. Float away on the Etowah River with Euharlee Creek Outfitters, supplying complete tube and kayak rental and shuttle service. Have your own kayak? Make use of the Etowah River Trail sites surrounding Cartersville. Want to land a big one? Book a fishing trip with Cartersville’s Cohutta Fishing Company. Allatoona Lake brims with bass, catfish, crappie, bream and carp.
Find more adventure at VisitCartersvilleGA.org.