Cartersville is about 45 miles northwest of Atlanta, and for a town its size it has an outsized collection of things to see: two of the best museums in Georgia, an ancient mound site, a big lake and a covered bridge, all within a few miles of a downtown where trains still rumble through about twice an hour. Here are the best things to do in Cartersville.
- From AtlantaAbout 44 miles, 55 minutes without traffic
- CountyBartow County (county seat)
- Known forTellus and Booth museums, Etowah Indian Mounds, Lake Allatoona
- Getting thereI-75 north to exit 288 or 290
Top Things to Do in Cartersville
1. Tellus Science Museum
Fossils, gems and minerals, a planetarium and a hands-on science gallery. One of the best rainy-day stops in north Georgia.
2. Booth Western Art Museum
A huge museum of Western art, presidential letters and Civil War art. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays. Admission is free one Thursday evening each month.
3. Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site
The most intact Mississippian culture site in the Southeast, with mounds you can climb, a museum and a nature trail to the Etowah River. Adults are $6.
4. Red Top Mountain State Park
A 1,776-acre park on Lake Allatoona with a swimming beach, boat ramps, trails and an 1860s log cabin.
5. Lake Allatoona
An 11,686-acre Corps of Engineers lake with beaches, campgrounds and marinas. See our Lake Allatoona guide.
6. Euharlee Covered Bridge
An 1886 covered bridge over Euharlee Creek, a short drive west of town, with a small historic district around it.
7. Downtown and the depot
A historic main street with shops and restaurants, and the old depot at Friendship Plaza, where about 50 trains a day roll through town.
Events and Seasons
Spring and fall are the best seasons for Etowah Mounds and Red Top Mountain. Summer is lake season on Allatoona. The museums make Cartersville a good rainy-day or winter trip.
Nearby and Trip Planning
Cartersville pairs well with Rome, about 30 minutes west, and Marietta on the way back to Atlanta. See our Bartow County page and Bartow County map for more.
Make this trip yours
Turn this guide into a day-by-day plan for north Georgia, with a map, directions and stops you can swap.
Plan my tripCommon Questions
What is Cartersville, GA known for?
Cartersville is known for the Tellus Science Museum, the Booth Western Art Museum, Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site and nearby Lake Allatoona.
How far is Cartersville from Atlanta?
Cartersville is about 44 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 55 minutes by car without traffic.
How much is Etowah Indian Mounds?
Adult admission is $6, with lower prices for seniors, youth and children.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked against official sources and our own detailed pages. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing and do not include traffic. Hours, prices and event dates change, so confirm before you go:
- Booth Western Art Museum: hours, free Thursday evenings
- Georgia State Parks: Etowah Indian Mounds: admission
- Tellus Science Museum: exhibits, planetarium
- Visit Cartersville: attractions
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.