Spread the love!

Get Your Fun On: Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in Dalton, Georgia!

Dalton sits in the foothills, which means the town is flat and everything around it is not. Downtown is walkable. Haig Mill Lake Park, the George Disney Trail and Rocky Face Mountain are each a short drive out, and the effort scales from a lakeside stroll to a granite outcrop. Nothing here is hard to reach. What Dalton actually offers is a town where people talk to you without wanting anything, which is worth more on a weekend than a view is.

Are you planning a trip to Dalton, Georgia? This is a working town with more going on than its size suggests, covering activities, landscape and a few experiences you will not get elsewhere. Family, friends or on your own, Dalton accommodates all three without making a fuss about it.

History buffs get a lot out of Dalton. From the Civil War through to the carpet industry, the town has a past you can walk through in its museums and historic sites. The landscape is the other half. Haig Mill Lake Park, surrounded by wooded hiking trails, is where the town goes to be outdoors. You can fish, launch a kayak or canoe, and eat a picnic while the afternoon goes past.

For something more active, Dalton Falls Fun Center is the place to start. The family-friendly center runs a mini-golf course, RC drift cars and laser tag. For anyone with an artistic streak, Dalton’s Creative Arts Guild runs classes and workshops across a range of disciplines. Work through the local food and drink while you are here, and take a look at the shops downtown.

Key Takeaways

• Dalton, Georgia has a rich history and beautiful natural scenery to explore.
• Fun-filled activities, artistic experiences, and delicious food and drinks await you in Dalton.
• From hiking to shopping, Dalton has something for everyone to enjoy.

A Romp Through Dalton’s History

You cannot talk about Dalton, Georgia without its history. This is the town that played a pivotal part in the American Civil War. Dalton’s past runs wider than that, and it is worth the time to work through it properly.

Start at the Dalton Freight Depot and Visitors Center. This historic rail depot was built in 1852 and is the oldest serving commercial structure in the city, which makes it the right place to begin. You can learn the town’s part in the Civil War, see the exhibits on the Trail of Tears, and take a tour of the depot itself.

For more on Dalton’s role in the Civil War, head to Dug Gap Battle Park. The park is the site of one of the more significant Civil War battles fought in Georgia. There are walking trails, interpretive signage and a museum covering the battle and the men who fought it.

For local history, do not miss the Bandy Heritage Center Museum. The museum is part of Dalton State College and exists to preserve the history of Northwest Georgia. You can work through the area’s Native American history, the exhibits on the town’s industrial past, and the Civil War artifacts.

For a look at life in Dalton in the 19th century, visit the Blunt House. The home was built in 1848 and now works as a local history museum. It is named after Ainsworth Emery Blunt, a leading Dalton resident who served as a colonel in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

No trip to Dalton is complete without Prater’s Mill. This 19th-century gristmill and cotton gin is the stop for anyone interested in the town’s industrial past. You can watch the mill working, pick up things at the general store, and time your visit around one of the events held there through the year.

History buff or somebody looking for a decent way to spend an afternoon, Dalton has the historic sites to fill it. From the Civil War battles through to the industrial past, there is a good deal here to work through.

Dalton’s Natural Beauty

You do not have to go far to find the landscape around Dalton, Georgia. Hiking trails through to scenic drives, and the outdoors starts more or less at the town limits.

Haig Mill Lake Park is where to start. This 85-acre park holds a lake, walking trails and picnic areas. It is the right place for a slow afternoon of fishing or a family picnic, and nobody will hurry you along.

For a harder walk, head to the George Disney Trail. This 4-mile trail runs through the woods and opens out onto the surrounding mountains. Wear proper shoes and bring plenty of water, because the climb is real.

For a drive, take the Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway. This 54-mile route runs through the heart of the Appalachian Mountains and gives you the countryside without any of the effort.

For a climb, head to Rocky Face Mountain. The granite outcrop is a popular spot for rock climbing and the view from the top covers the whole area.

However you choose to see the landscape around Dalton, take your time over it. You may turn up something worth finding along the way.

Fun-Filled Activities in Dalton

Looking for something to do in Dalton? Here are the options worth your afternoon, and none of them require booking.

Dalton Falls Fun Center

For a family day out, head to Dalton Falls Fun Center. The center covers a mini-golf course with 27 holes, RC drift cars and laser tag. When you are done playing, the hand-dipped ice cream is the correct finish.

The Great Locomotive Chase

For a history buff, The Great Locomotive Chase is unmissable. The event reenacts the Civil War-era train chase that took place in Dalton. You can take part in the 5K race or stand and watch the reenactment, and both versions are good company.

Gym and Disc Golf

For a more active day, head to a local gym or play a round of disc golf. Dalton has several gyms running classes and equipment, so you will find a session that suits. And for disc golf, the courses at Heritage Point Park are the ones to play.

Outdoor Laser Tag

Looking for something different? Try outdoor laser tag. Dalton has several locations running it, including Dalton Falls Fun Center and Battle Park. Gather whoever you came with and go and be undignified for an hour.

Dalton Ghost Tours

For something spooky, check out Dalton Ghost Tours. The tour takes you through the town’s haunted locations, including the historic Wink Theater. You hear the stories of ghostly encounters and pick up the city’s eerier history along the way. Bring a flashlight.

Dalton’s Artistic Side

If you want to make something, Dalton is well set up. The city runs an active arts scene that tends to leave people feeling inspired. Here are the artistic stops worth making:

Creative Arts Guild

The Creative Arts Guild is the hub of artistic activity in Dalton. This nonprofit runs art classes, workshops and events for all ages and skill levels. Seasoned artist or complete beginner, you will find something at the Creative Arts Guild that suits. The guild also hosts art exhibits through the year, showing the work of local and regional artists.

Bandy Heritage Center

The Bandy Heritage Center is unmissable for history buffs and art lovers alike. The museum holds a collection of artifacts telling the story of Dalton’s history, from Native American settlements through to the city’s industrial boom. What sets the Bandy Heritage Center apart is the attention it gives to the art and culture of the region, with exhibits and events through the year including parades and buskers.

Jonas Hall

For a music lover, a concert at Jonas Hall is worth planning around. This performance venue hosts a range of musical acts through the year, from classical to contemporary. The acoustics in there are top-notch, so you hear every note the way it was meant to sound.

Sculptures and Sculpture Garden

Walk through Dalton’s downtown and you will pass sculptures and public art installations along the way. Whimsical animals through to abstract pieces, and there is plenty worth stopping for. For somewhere quiet to sit, the sculpture garden at the Creative Arts Guild is the spot, and nobody will mind how long you stay.

Performing Arts

Dalton is also home to a thriving performing arts scene. From theater productions to dance performances, there’s always something happening on stage in Dalton. Check out the Dalton Little Theatre for a night of laughs or catch a ballet performance at the Dalton School of Ballet. No matter what your tastes, you’re sure to find a performance that will leave you feeling entertained and inspired.

Dalton’s artistic side is worth finding. Seasoned artist or somebody who simply likes looking at things, this city has enough in it to keep you occupied for a day.

Everything in Dalton orients off the depot. The Dalton Freight Depot and Visitors Center sits downtown and is the oldest serving commercial structure in the city, which tells you where the town started. The Creative Arts Guild, the restaurants and the shops are all within walking distance of it. Drive out for the rest. Dug Gap Battle Park, Prater’s Mill and Haig Mill Lake Park all sit a short way out in different directions, and none of them takes a full day.

Food and Drinks in Dalton

You cannot explore Dalton on an empty stomach. There are plenty of options here for good food and drink, and most of them are within walking distance of each other.

Start the day at Oakwood Cafe, where the fluffy pancakes and the omelets are both the right order. Take a cup of coffee with it and sit for a while.

For pizza and beer, head to Cherokee Brewing + Pizza Company. The pizza and the meatballs are top-notch, and the room takes a big group of baseball players or a loud bachelorette party without anybody getting flustered about it.

Looking for something more casual? Sol De Mayo Tacos does a good taco and a cold beer. The Butchers Market is the other one, for a sandwich or a deli salad that will actually fill you up.

No trip to Dalton is complete without the local spirits. Dalton Distillery makes moonshine from locally sourced ingredients and is worth the stop. Dalton Brewing Company is the other one, for craft beer and a conversation with staff who are genuinely pleased you came in.

Whatever you are in the mood for, Dalton will feed you. Pace yourself, because there is more on the list than a single afternoon accommodates.

Shopping in Dalton

You might think shopping in Dalton is antiques and souvenirs, and there is a good deal more to it than that. Unique gifts or something for yourself, the town has the options.

Start with the Downtown Dalton Farmers Market. This is where the fresh produce, the homemade jams and jellies and the rest of it are, and you are buying from the people who made it. That is the whole appeal.

For souvenirs, head to Downtown Dalton. There are plenty of stores selling Dalton-themed t-shirts, magnets and other trinkets, which is a straightforward way to take the town home with you.

For antiques, the Dalton Antique Market is unmissable for anyone building a collection. And for vintage clothing, 2 Antique Shops By Dgha1967 is the other one. You never know what will turn up in either.

Whatever kind of shopping you are after, Dalton has it covered. Go ahead and buy yourself something, since you walked all this way.

Unique Dalton Experiences

You may think you know Dalton, and there are genuinely unusual things waiting here. From the history of the carpet industry through to the landscape around town, there is a good deal to work through.

For a history buff, the Hamilton House is unmissable. This antebellum home is the stop for anyone interested in Greek Revival architecture and the history of the region. And for the Civil War, the Cherokee Heritage Center and the site of the Unionist raid are both worth the visit.

For anyone who wants to be outdoors, Dalton has plenty. Hikers get the walking trails around the area, and mountain bikers get the trails at Prater’s Mill Country Fair. And for something genuinely different, the waterfall and ponds at Burr Performing Arts Park are worth finding.

Music lovers will also find plenty to keep them entertained in Dalton. The Visitor Centre hosts a variety of musical performances throughout the year, while the Archives is home to a collection of regional artists and instructional classes.

No visit to Dalton is complete without the town’s carpet industry history. Visit Dalton Falls Fun Center and read up on the Norfolk-Southern Railways and CSX, both major players in the industry. And work through the Points of Interest and Landmarks around town, including the Monument to the Carpet Industry.

Here for a marathon or here for a weekend, Dalton holds a few surprises either way. Come down and find out what the town is actually like.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most romantic spot in Dalton, GA?

You might not think of Dalton as romantic, and there are places here that will do the job. Walk the gardens at Prater’s Mill, or take a picnic to the Resaca Battlefield Historic Site. For something more intimate, take a bottle of wine to Chatsworth’s Cohutta Springs Winery.

Where can I take my kids for a fun day out in Dalton?

Your children will get a lot out of the Creative Arts Guild, where they can take art classes and get their hands into something. Take them to the Dalton Freight Depot for the city’s railroad history. And stop at the Dalton Green, where they can run around in open space while you sit down.

What are some free activities to do in Dalton?

On a budget, Dalton has plenty that costs nothing. Hike the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, or work through the Dalton Depot and Visitors Center. The Dalton Green is the other one, along with a walk through the historic downtown.

What’s the best way to spend a night out in Dalton?

If you’re looking for a night out, start with dinner at one of the many restaurants in downtown Dalton. Afterward, catch a movie at the Carmike 12 Cinemas or take in a show at the Dalton Little Theatre. If you’re feeling lucky, head to the Lucky Dog Casino for some gaming fun.

What’s the most fun thing to do in Dalton today?

There is generally something on in Dalton. Check the latest exhibit at the Creative Arts Guild, or hike at Fort Mountain State Park. And for something with more nerve in it, try ziplining at the Historic Banning Mills.

What’s the best place to go shopping in Dalton?

For shopping, head to Walnut Square Mall, which carries a range of stores and restaurants. For something more unusual, the local boutiques in downtown Dalton are the ones to walk into, particularly The Filling Station and The Market at The Mill.

Frequently asked questions about Dalton, Georgia

Which Dalton park works for a lazy afternoon rather than a proper hike?

Haig Mill Lake Park. It runs 85 acres around a lake with walking trails and picnic areas, and fishing is the main activity for anybody who wants one to get on with. The wooded trails around it go on for a long way if you change your mind halfway through. Nobody rushes you.

How hard is the George Disney Trail compared with the scenic byway drive?

The George Disney Trail is the harder option by a distance. It runs 4 miles through woods and climbs enough to need proper shoes and a full bottle of water. The Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway is 54 miles of driving through the Appalachians with none of the effort attached. Take the byway on a hot day and save the trail for the morning.

Is Dalton Distillery or Dalton Brewing Company the better stop for an evening?

Depends what you drink. Dalton Distillery makes moonshine from locally sourced ingredients and is comfortably the more unusual of the two visits you could make. Dalton Brewing Company runs craft beer and staff who are genuinely pleased you walked in. Distillery first.

Spread the love!