Escape to Northwest Georgia

Less than 1 hour from Atlanta -- The Best Day Trip You Didn't Know You Needed

Don't sleep on the hidden gem of Cartersville, Georgia! Known as "Museum City" because of its amazing cultural offerings (not one, but TWO Smithsonian-affiliated museums), this charming town also delivers big-city vibes with its food and drink scene.

I recently teamed up with Only in Cartersville Bartow to experience their annual Christmas parade, and I got to spend the entire day exploring this cute downtown! From museums to must-try eateries, here are all the stops I made during my day in Cartersville!

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! 

Stop 1: Coffee and Breakfast

My first stop when exploring a new town is always, always coffee and/or breakfast, especially if one of those spots is in a cool converted space like Noble and Main. Once a gas station, this vibey cafe is now a beautiful coffee shop with lots of seating (including an outdoor patio and additional workspace). It's located in the heart of downtown Cartersville, just a few doors down from Nagel's Bagels, which was filled to the brim with bagels made fresh that morning -- everything from classic sesame to fun specialties like their "s'mores" bagel. I lean savory when it comes to bagels so I chose the tomato basil breakfast sandwich and grabbed a seat by the bar to watch the passerbys. Both the cafe and bagel shop are the kind of places that make you want to linger so arrive early and plan to spend some time relaxing here.

Stop 2: Visit a Museum

This is the "Museum City" after all! Did you know that Cartersville is home to not one but two Smithsonian-affiliated museums? The first one is the Booth Western Art Museum, and the other is the Tellus Science Museum. While the Savoy Automobile Museum is not a Smithsonian affiliate, its immaculate space and highly curated car exhibits definitely make it worth adding to your list!

I spent the day at the Booth Museum because I cannot resist an art gallery, and it had been years since my last visit. We took our three kids there when they were younger, as the museum has an incredible children's area called Sagebrush Ranch located on the lower level. As for me, my favorite part is the modern art section, and also the presidential exhibit, which features letters from every U.S. President. It's an impressive collection!

Before you leave, check out the gift shop, which is filled with unique items -- perfect if you're looking for something a little different this holiday season!

Stop 3: Do a little shopping

One of my favorite things to do is to park my car and walk everywhere -- and this is definitely something you can do here! Cartersville has the most adorable downtown, perfect for spending a couple of hours strolling in and out of shops.

If you visit, don't miss Tis the Season, a magical store dedicated to all things Christmas. Vintage lovers will also enjoy their sister shop, It's About Time Boutique, located right next door.

Be sure to explore the shops nestled under the bridge as well, where you will find lovely stores that have been staples in the town for decades. Just beside the bridge, you'll find the Bartow History Museum, located in a beautifully refurbished courthouse with a wonderful gift shop on the lower level.

I loved shopping in downtown Cartersville! There's something for everyone -- from clothing boutiques, gorgeous baby shops, a cozy bookstore, antiques, vinyl, outdoor outfitters, bakeries, and even two shops with hidden bars in the back (Olive Tree & Vine and Southern Cove).

Stop 4: Coca Cola Mural

Fun fact: the first-ever Coca-Cola mural in the entire world is located in downtown Cartersville! This is a must-do photo opp while you're in town. Originally covered by layers and layers of paint, the mural was painstakingly restored and authenticated by the Coca-Cola Company. You'll find it across from Freedom Plaza and on the side of the former Young Brothers Pharmacy, soon to be a Kilwins ice cream shop.

Stop 5: Let's EAT!

When it comes to food options, Cartersville has plenty of great choices, from the Ross Diner, an old-fashioned counter-service restaurant to family-favorites like Swheat Market. I decided to try Table 20 because I love seasonal ingredients and rotating menus. There were so many tempting dishes here, but I ultimately went with the beef stroganoff, as I had seen a photo of it on their Instagram, and could not get it out of my head.

You could tell the waitstaff had a lot of pride in the food served here. My waiter was excited to share the details of my dish including the homemade horseradish cream, imported noodles, and beef braised for hours. And let me tell you, the hype did not disappoint. The meal was delicious and definitely one of the highlights of my trip! Plus, the portion was huge, so I got to enjoy it for three more days once I got home.

I'll definitely be back to try more of their menu. I hear the deviled eggs are a must!

Stop 4: Art Gallery Under a Bridge

Once upon a time, I was a member of a small art commission, and we created an art gallery in an underground parking lot, so I am a huge fan of showcasing art in unexpected places! That's why I absolutely love the concept of Cartersville's Art Gallery Below the Bridge. It's such a unique spot to experience art, and I'm excited to see what rotating exhibits they'll feature next!

You'll find this gallery next to the Bartow History Museum.

Stop 5: Sweet Treat

Try as I might, I cannot resist a visit to a local bakery when I am exploring a town. I had three on my list to visit while I was here. The first was Agan's Bakery, which has been in business for over 60 years! This explains why there was a line of people ordering Christmas cookies -- I planned to go back, but unfortunately I didn't make it before they closed. I just made it to Heaven Scent Cupcakes in time to get the most delicious blueberry cupcake with lemon frosting. The cake itself was filled with plump blueberries and was absolutely delicious and at just $3, the price was just right.

On my next visit I plan to make the short drive to check out Goodies and Grace the new (and very pink!) bakery in town. As of this writing, the owner is currently competing on a Food Network show!

Stop 5: Social Lounge

My last stop before heading to the annual lighting of the Cartersville Christmas tree and the Christmas parade was a visit to the new social lounge, Elevate. The space is absolutely stunning, with high ceilings, beautiful wood floors, and an apothecary-style back wall that perfectly accents the bar area. There are plenty of cozy spots, but I opted for a seat at the bar to watch the bartender craft holiday cocktails -- complete with fire, flair and a Santa hat.

Next time I'm in town, I'll be trying their "build-your-own" mimosa flight, which comes with a bottle of chilled Prosecco and grapefruit, orange, pineapple, and cranberry juices.

Stop 6: Lighting of the Tree + Parade

This parade is one of the biggest in North Georgia, and I knew it was coming as soon as I arrived in town and saw the chairs lined up in anticipation of the big event. I was a little nervous I wouldn't have a good vantage point with no spot reserved, but I found plenty of places to enjoy the parade. I was even able to move around and enjoy it from different vantage points. My favorite part was the Polar Express float complete with "snow" that somehow managed to float over the whole town. But nothing compared to watching the absolute JOY on the kids' faces when they saw Santa! It felt nice to be part of this community's Christmas magic.

I had such a great time exploring Cartersville during the holiday season! It was the perfect mix of small-town charm (with shopkeepers wishing you a Merry Christmas while you browse) and big-city vibes with its museums, bars and dining.

I am already planning my return to explore more of their outdoor offerings and to spend more time in the museums. If you're looking for a fun, easy getaway in Georgia, make sure to add this to your list!

Visit Only in Cartersville Bartow to start planning your trip!

Thank you again, Only in Cartersville Bartow, for hosting this trip and supporting this page!

xoKerry