For a trip to Cartersville, art, science, history and the performing arts offer different areas of focus to choose from. Museums and historic sites have distinct emphases, from Western American art and science to earthen mounds and a restored Victorian mansion. First decide which subjects matter to you. Take changing exhibitions and event dates into account when planning the specifics of your trip.

Art, Collections and History

The Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution and covers 120,000 square feet. Its collections include contemporary Western American art, portraits and letters from U.S. presidents, Civil War art, and more than 200 Native American artifacts. Artworks, letters and artifacts offer different ways to explore the museum's subjects. The same building is also home to Sagebrush Ranch, an interactive gallery where children of all ages can learn about art and the American West.

The Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site offers a different perspective on history. It covers 54 acres along the Etowah River and protects six earthen mounds, a central plaza and remnants of village life. Here, the focus is not on collection pieces, but on the protected earthen mounds, the plaza and the remnants of village life.

The Rose Lawn Museum is a meticulously restored Victorian mansion. Rose Lawn was the home of evangelist Samuel Porter Jones. Its architecture and former residential function give the site two specific historical connections. The annual Arts Festival at Rose Lawn takes place on the second Saturday and Sunday after Labor Day in September. As event details may change, check the specific dates before your trip.

You'll also encounter art outside a museum in Cartersville's historic downtown: free public art sculptures are scattered throughout the area. This offers a different emphasis from the collections at the Booth Western Art Museum and gives art its own place in the downtown area.

Science and Changing Programs

The Tellus Science Museum is located in Cartersville right off I-75 at Exit 293 and covers 120,000 square feet. Its four main galleries include the Weinman Mineral Gallery, the Fossil Gallery, Science in Motion and The Collins Family My Big Backyard. It also has a 120-seat digital planetarium and an observatory with a state-of-the-art 20-inch telescope. While the Booth Western Art Museum focuses on art and history collections, the galleries, planetarium and observatory define the scientific focus at the Tellus Science Museum.

The Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville features changing exhibitions and offers educational programs for students. Exhibition plans may change, so check the current program before your visit. The Grand Theatre hosts an annual Entertainment Series featuring professional ensembles from a wide range of genres. Its schedule may also change. If you want to plan your stay around a performance, check the dates before your trip.

Landscape and Trip Planning

The East Loop Trailhead is connected to the shore of Lake Allatoona and is at an elevation of 1,562 feet above sea level. Hiking is available on the Pine Mountain Trails; mountain biking is restricted to Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you plan to use these trails, check the current usage guidelines beforehand.

Event dates are especially important when planning a trip around fixed dates: the annual Entertainment Series and the Arts Festival offer different reasons to plan than a visit focused primarily on art, history or science. Check the specific program dates before planning your stay around them.

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