Booth Western Art Museum

4 Reasons to Take the Kids to Cartersville

North of the city, off I-75, is the quaint little town of Cartersville. There are tons of things for the kids to do here- more than I could report in one story. But, here are four of our favorite places.

Booth Western Art Museum. If your kiddo loves cowboys and horses, this is a wonderful place for a visit. The 120,000 sq ft space houses the largest permanent exhibit of Western art in the US. More than that, it also includes Civil War art, Presidential portraits, movie posters and more. Kids will love Sagebrush Ranch, an interactive gallery where they can learn about art and America’s Western culture.

One of our favorite fall events is the Southeastern Cowboy Festival & Symposium, coming to the museum at the end of October. It’s a wonderful experience filled with great children’s activities. 

Tellus Science Museum. Some people call it the “space museum,” other call it the “rock museum,” and still others know it for the planetarium. It’s all this- and more. My kiddos adore the Fossil Gallery, with dozens of dinosaur fossils including a large T-rex and (our favorite) a 9-foot wide Megaladon jaw! Don’t skip the fossil dig and gem mining for kids in the back of the museum.

Night at the Museum is one of their biggest events of the year. You just missed it in early August, but be sure to mark your calendar for next year.

 

Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville
Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville

 

Red Top Mountain State Park. Red Top is special to us because it is the place my son received his first Jr. Ranger Badge. From hiking to camping, there is so much to do here. Stay overnight in a cabin or yurt, swim in the lake, Geocache, play miniature golf or explore the Mountain Cove Discovery Room. We also enjoy the myriad events and programs here, including Iron Pours, Harvest at the Homestead and the upcoming Halloween Hayrides.

Pine Mountain Recreation Area. Candy Cook, Explore Georgia’s Outdoor Explorer, first shared the West Loop with me last year, and it has become a favorite. It’s a rugged trail, but still do-able with high-energy kiddos. The reward, of course, is the spectacular view from the top. Any time is a great time for this hike, but the fall color enhances the view.

What are your favorite Cartersville adventures?

 

Published: August 2015
Written by: Lesli Peterson
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