The Perfect 24-Hour Getaway in Cartersville, GA

The Best Place to Entertain Everyone on Your List

The holidays are coming, and if you’re entertaining out-of-town guests or looking to spend a little more time with friends and family, I’ve created the perfect 24-Hour getaway that will satisfy everyone — art and architecture for the culture lovers, hands-on fun for the kids, history and nature for the explorers, and refined Southern hospitality for those who want to relax and enjoy a little luxury.

There is a little bit of everything here, and it's only an hour from Atlanta! Here’s how to spend the perfect 24 hours in Cartersville, Georgia:

Disclosure: This content was created in partnership with Only in Cartersville Bartow. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting this page! 

DAY ONE

Morning: Visit A Museum

They don’t call this Museum City for nothing! In fact, Cartersville is home to not one, but two Smithsonian-affiliated museums -- the Booth Western Art Museum and Tellus Science Museum. You can't go wrong with any of the museums here. Some of my favorites include:

🦖 Tellus Science Museum | 100 Tellus Dr.

Perfect for kids (and curious adults). You can dig for fossils, pan for gems, and explore the brand-new West Gallery that has an immersive space exhibit and a dollhouse replica of the International Space Station.

🚗 Savoy Automobile Museum | 3 Savoy Ln.

For the car lover in your group, this is a MUST. The exhibits rotate often, and there is always something interesting here, like the Cannonball Run exhibit they had during my visit.

🏠 Rose Lawn Museum | 224 W Cherokee Ave.

Architecture buffs and history lovers will appreciate this beautifully preserved Victorian home, once owned by preacher Sam Jones. Tours run Tuesday–Thursday, 10 AM–12 PM & 1–5 PM ($7 cash only).

🤠 Booth Western Art Museum | 501 N Museum Dr.

Art enthusiasts will be blown away by the largest collection of Western art in the country — right here in Georgia! And if you have kids, don’t miss the adorable play area called the  Sagebrush Ranch tucked away in the basement.

Midday: Treat Yourself

Step back in time at The Jerks (8 South Wall St.), a late-Victorian era soda fountain concept that serves nostalgic treats with a twist. They are known for their specialty sodas and hand-spun milkshakes (I loved the Rice Krispies Treat Milkshake), and they also offer sandwiches.

Afternoon: Stroll Downtown

Cartersville is a very walkable downtown, and you’ll find lots of cute boutiques, including Tis The Season, where it is Christmas every day. Don’t miss the hidden spots under the bridge and inside the Bartow History Museum and the oldest Coca-Cola mural in the world!

TIP: Both the Booth Museum and Rose Lawn Museum are just steps from downtown, so if you missed them earlier, now is a perfect opportunity.

Evening: Stay + Dine at Barnsley Resort

Barnsley Resort (597 Barnsley Gardens Rd NW, Adairsville) is one of the most unique resorts in the entire South and honestly deserves its own post. There is so much on offer here — spa, golf, trails, archery, evening s'mores, free bike rentals, and so much more.

They also just opened a new farm-to-table restaurant called Jules, located inside a beautifully restored 19th-century farmhouse. The cocktail lounge is beautiful, and the innovative, chef-driven menu will impress the foodies in your group.

TIP: You don’t have to be an overnight guest to dine here — all the restaurants are open to the public.

DAY TWO

Sleep in or wake early and wander the grounds at Barnsley — enjoying sunrise at the ruins is especially beautiful.

If you have extra time before your journey home, here are some final stops to round out the perfect trip

🚙 Old Car City USA | 3098 Hwy 411 E, White, GA

The world’s oldest junkyard might sound quirky — and it is — but it’s also a photographer's paradise. In addition to the largest styrofoam cup art collection (yes, really), you’ll find over 6 miles of trails surrounded by more than 4,000 vintage cars slowly being reclaimed by the forest.  Tickets are $30/person, and if you like eclectic places, it's worth it.

🛖 Etowah Indian Mounds | 813 Indian Mound Rd. SE

Nature lovers and history buffs will enjoy this 54-acre archaeological site. Climb to the top of the largest mound for sweeping views of the Etowah River Valley.

🧁 Goodies & Grace Bakery | 650 Henderson Dr.

I love to end my trips with a visit to a local bakery so I can bring some treats home (it makes the trip feel longer). This pink-themed bakery is owned by a Food Network Champion, and it’s an adorable spot. My favorite treats were the pumpkin spice coffee cake cookie and the s'mores cookie. And, don’t miss the bathroom — it really is pink everywhere!

Make sure to save this 24-hour itinerary for Cartersville, GA, for the next time you need an easy getaway that's entertaining for everyone on your list!

I hope you found this helpful!

xoKerry