Rivers, cultural history and nature experiences make for a wide range of discoveries in Rome. In Heritage Park in Downtown Rome, the Etowah and Oostanaula Rivers meet. The Etowah, Oostanaula and Coosa Rivers also flow through the city center. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Rome, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your visit: city and Cherokee history, the history of the rivers, or trails through nature? The following topics offer practical guidance; you can compare individual hotel locations to suit your own plans.
River Landscapes and City History
The rivers are more than a geographic reference point. Trips with Sulzbacher Roman Holiday show how the Etowah, Oostanaula and Coosa Rivers shaped the city’s history. This gives the history of the rivers a distinct place alongside museums and historic sites, and offers a way to see Rome from this perspective.
At the Rome Area History Center, permanent exhibits span Indigenous peoples and early settlers, the founding of Rome and the Civil War, through to later local culture and industry. The collection includes original maps, building plans, photographs, correspondence and business records. These different kinds of sources complement the exhibits’ broad time span: Alongside the periods covered, documents from the city’s history are also a central focus.
Another historical perspective is offered by the Chieftains Museum & Major Ridge Home, an official site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. The museum tells the story of the Cherokee, from their origins to their forced removal. The grounds also include a demonstration garden with native plants and traditional Cherokee crops. Historical narratives and knowledge of plants come together at this site.
Restored clockworks and murals are located on the lower level of the Rome Clocktower. The murals tell the story of Rome from its founding to the present day. Nearby, Oak Hill & The Martha Berry Museum offers tours of the Oak Hill house, historic gardens and outbuildings. You can choose between exhibits, a historical depiction in the Clocktower and guided tours.
Nature and Trails Around Rome
Marshall Forest is near Rome in northwest Georgia and is one of the last remaining old-growth forests in the Ridge and Valley Province. The area’s pine-oak, chestnut oak and mixed hardwood forests are home to more than 300 plant species and 55 tree species. Visitor facilities include two nature trails, the ADA Braille Trail and plant identification signs. The variety of tree species and forest communities makes this a different kind of nature experience from the trails in the parks.
There are other trails to choose from for a range of activities. AdventHealth ECO Greenway is suited to walking, running and especially cycling. Garrard Park & GE Trails offer 11 miles of mountain biking trails across several scenic loops. There is also a 1.2-mile hiking trail along the outer edge of the park. You can compare the trails by their lengths and permitted uses.
The Ridge Ferry Park Pump Track adds a dedicated track for bicycles, scooters, skateboards and roller skates to these trails. Its gentle dips, rollers and flowing curves set it apart from the longer mountain biking loops and hiking trail. If you enjoy including different forms of activity in your trip, you can weigh these options against one another based on the activity and trail format.
Find the Right Accommodation for Your Interests
To choose a hotel in Rome, you can first decide which topics matter to you: exhibits and historic sites, the history of the rivers, or trails through forests and parks. The Georgia’s Rome Welcome Centers provide information about attractions, events, activities and maps, and can book local tours. They’re a useful place to get oriented as you choose which cultural and scenic offerings to make part of your own itinerary.
For an overview of the wider trip: Floyd.
