The best of a historical site…read more Easy to navigate. Specific and interesting signs and small museum. A piece of Georgia history work seeing. Bring some water. The mounds expose you to the sun with no shade. The river walk is all shade. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I'll never forget bringing my friend from out of town to visit.

My son and I chose a beautiful Saturday in October to explore the Etowah Indian Mounds on the…read morescenic north end of the Etowah River near Cartersville, Georgia. The site is an easy drive about an hour north of Atlanta, with plenty of free parking in a lot at the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center has restrooms and a small gift shop. The fee for adults to enter the 54-acre archeological site is only $6 per person. Built and occupied in three phases, from 1000-1550 CE, the prehistoric site is tranquil and calm. One can almost hear whispers of Native Americans as the breeze ripples through the tall grasses. There are three mounds (A, B, and C), that are accessible by wooden steps and hand rails. The mounds are well maintained and there were families picnicking on blankets at the summit of Mound A. Several picnic tables are also available near the river. The nature trail is tidy with signs educating the public on native woodland creatures and birds in the area. We saw many bluebirds and a couple Monarch butterflies lingering towards the end of fall. Definitely worth a peaceful morning or afternoon exploration and historical hike. The grounds are open 7am-5pm. Note: Plenty of dining options in Bartow County. We had brunch at the popular Doug's Place (about a 10 minute drive.)

This is my second time here and I really enjoyed the newest additions since the last time we came…read morehere. I enjoy the chill environment of museums, and love space and geology, so the fact that there's both here makes me. Very happy. Looking forward to our next visit!

Terrific museum for kids but also for adults. It's so well thought-out and super interesting with…read moregreat interactive activities, not overwhelming at all, just right. Appreciated that they have DO touch and DO NOT touch signs so it's very clear. Panning for gems was a massive hit. We also did the time traveler movie in the planetarium....i had a nice little snooze haha (comfy reclined seats) but the kids liked it. Would definitely recommend this great place!!

There is a very good reason you see five stars throughout the review section for the Booth. One…read morething for sure. You will likely be overwhelmed by the beauty and scope of this museum. The WEST comes alive here in a way you've never experienced. You'll want to come back again and again!

I could not believe the collection! What an absolute gem. We only had an hour-ish here due to…read morefamily commitments but my spouse loves western art. I could have stayed a few hours & he could have stayed all day. Well worth a visit.

We scheduled a museum tour and had a wonderful experience. The museum is wheelchair accessible and…read morevery accommodating. Our guide was friendly and welcoming, as was each person we met. The tour was very informative and geared towards the group. They answered all of our questions, and they gave us plenty of photo opportunities. The museum has a wide variety of items on display and is sure to capture the interests of both children and adults.

Fabulous museum for people of all ages! We went with our son and grandson and we all loved it.read more

This was one of the more impressive-looking buildings on Kennesaw State's campus. It is free to…read moreenter, though they did ask for my name. The building is a performance space and has a nice-looking concert hall. The actual art amounted to a couple of rooms and a spread-out open area as one enters. There were some interesting pieces there, but I was surprised there wasn't more art within the amount of physical space we're talking about. It's certainly a place I would check in now and then were I a student here, but as a visitor, it was only a short diversion, not something that I would come a long way to see.

Super progressive museum that is focused and dedicated to bringing art and understanding to…read morevisitors... and for free!!

I recently visited the Town of Cartersville, GA and came across a number of important sites…read morehighlighting African-American History. I was pleased to discover my 2nd Bench By The Road after recently (and quite accidentally) finding my first one on Hilton Head Island inside Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS SITE To commemorate the role of African-Americans in building the historic W&A railroad and the Carterville Train Depot. Starting in the 1840's, enslaved men, women, and children toiled in the construction of the railroad and the depot. After the Civil War, African-American convict lease laborers repaired and expanded the tracks. During the GREAT MIGRATION, these same railroads provided the first steps to freedom for blacks in Cartersville who were seeking a better way of life in the north and the west. Throughout the South, rail lines and the train depots that facilitated their use are important sites of memory in African-American history, as they document the labor of those who were enslaved and the pathways of freedom & return for their descendants. [quoted from plaque below bench] *** The Bench by the Road Project is a memorial history and community outreach initiative of the Toni Morrison Society. The Project was launched on February 18, 2006, on the occasion of Toni Morrison's 75th Birthday. The name "Bench by the Road" is taken from Morrison's remarks in a 1989 interview with World Magazine where she spoke of the absences of historical markers that help remember the lives of Africans who were enslaved and of how her fifth novel, Beloved, served this symbolic role: "There is no place you or I can go, to think about or not think about, to summon the presences of, or recollect the absences of slaves . . . There is no suitable memorial, or plaque, or wreath, or wall, or park, or skyscraper lobby. There's no 300-foot tower, there's no small bench by the road. There is not even a tree scored, an initial that I can visit or you can visit in Charleston or Savannah or New York or Providence or better still on the banks of the Mississippi. And because such a place doesn't exist . . . the book had to". Because the Toni Morrison Society wanted to be a place where scholars and readers could, through their engagement with Morrison's novels, remember not only slavery but also many of the forgotten moments in African American history, the Society chose, when it was founded in 1993, "A Bench by the Road" as its motto. The Bench by the Road Project extends the Society's mission. While there have been several notable African American history and slavery museums built since 1989, as well as a number of outstanding state and federal initiatives honoring the stories of the African American past, the goal of the Bench by the Road Project is to address the lament that Toni Morrison expressed in her interview by placing Benches and plaques at sites commemorating significant moments, individuals, and locations within the history of the African Diaspora. [quoted from TMS website] *** OTHER BENCH SITES 1st - African Slave Trade Point of Entry Sullivan's Island, SC 2nd - Site on Underground Railroad Oberlin, OH 3rd - Mississippi Freedom School Hattiesburg, MS 4th - The 20th Arrondissement Paris, France 5th - In Memory of Caesar Robbins Concord, MA 6th - Lisner Theater, GW University Washington, D.C. 7th - First Congregational Church Atlanta, GA 8th - Freedom Park Mitchellville, SC 9th - Walden Woods Lincoln, MA 10th - In Honor of Aime Cesaire Fort-de-France, Martinique 11th - Eden Cemetery Collingdale, PA 12th - Margaret Walker Center, JS University Jackson, MS 13th & 14th Bench Placements Middletown, DE 15th - In honor of Cynthia Hesdra Nyack, NY 16th - Hosanna A.U.M.P. Church Lincoln University, PA 17th - Baton Rouge Bus Boycott Baton Rouge, LA 18th - Inquirers Book Club - Woodruff Library Atlanta, GA 19th - Cozad-Bates House Cleveland, OH 20th - Schomburg Center for Research on Black Culture Harlem, NYC 21st - Library of Congress Washington, DC 22nd - Site on Underground Railroad Adrian, MI 23rd - South View Cemetery Atlanta, GA 24th - Home of Frederick Douglass New Bedford, MA 25th - Howard University Washington, DC 26th - Lincoln University Pennsylvania 27th - Cartersville Train Depot Cartersville, GA *** Morrison passed away 8/5/19 at the age of 88. She was the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. The idea and thought behind the Bench by the Road Project touched my heart and I look forward to seeing where they will place future benches and subsequently learn of the story behind the placement. 2021 / 10 Black History Series

Every fall I make a special effort to see the Booth Photography Guild show and exhibit at the Booth…read moreWestern Art Museum. That's how I discovered the Downtown Gallery this year. The gallery, located just a block or two from the museum, is an effort by the museum to "highlight the talents of local and regional artists...." They have a pretty cool, and commendable, goal of making Cartersville a more art focused community. They go about doing that by selling original art by members of the Booth Artists Guild and the Booth Photography Guild and supplement it with prints, posters, books and sculptures of artists who are part of the Booth's collection. All art work is framed and having spent a small fortune on framing the art I own, I was amazed at how reasonable prices are. Even better, I don't have to wait for the Booth Photography Guild show to see some of the great work its members produce. Work gets rotated every three months and since I don't get to Cartersville that often, I'm guaranteed of seeing something fresh when I go. The Downtown Gallery is a nice addition to Cartersville's historic downtown.

Abner's in Good Hands -- Champ's Clocks is a Treasure…read more Some businesses are more than just a service -- they're a tradition. Champ's Clocks is exactly that. I first met Nick in 2021 when my grandfather clock stopped working. When the same clock needed attention again recently, reaching out to Champ's Clocks was an easy call. Nick worked me into the schedule without hesitation, and what followed reminded me why small businesses like this one are so special. Nick's father joined him on the second visit, and the experience became something far more meaningful than a simple repair. He shared the rich history of the business -- how the craft was passed down from his own father, and how they've been serving their community with this rare and deeply respected knowledge for quite some time. Listening to him explain the parts and the mechanics of a clock that has been in my family since 1984 was genuinely fascinating. I also had the privilege of experiencing their annual event, held the day before we spring forward, where the chimes ring out in celebration. It was a wonderful moment that perfectly captured how Champ's Clocks has become a true staple of their local community -- a business that genuinely appreciates the people it serves. During the event, we also had the chance to browse their inventory -- which was incredible -- and found the perfect clock for an upcoming milestone birthday. It was a reminder that Champ's Clocks isn't just a repair shop; it's a destination. Most recently, the pendulum became detached. I sent a photo of the part, and Nick not only had it on hand but came out the very next day. I had a scheduling conflict and couldn't be there -- no problem. They came in, completed the repair, sent a photo of the finished work, left the invoice, and had the clock set to the correct time before they left. That kind of trust and professionalism is rare. What also speaks to their integrity is that they could have easily recommended a full rebuild -- but instead they focused on preserving what I have, replacing only the parts that made sense to do together rather than attempting a repair that wouldn't serve me long term. They have always been mindful of cost and genuinely have my best interest at heart. That kind of honesty is everything when you're entrusting someone with something irreplaceable. Our grandfather clock -- named Abner, after my great-grandfather -- is the heartbeat of our home. Its rhythm, its chime, its presence through life's most meaningful moments makes it irreplaceable. Knowing it's in the hands of Nick and his father gives me tremendous peace of mind. In a world increasingly defined by technology and disposability, Champ's Clocks is a reminder that some things are worth preserving -- and that the people who dedicate their lives to that preservation deserve our deepest appreciation. Thank you, Nick, and thank you to your father and the entire Champion family.

WOW!!! What an amazing experience. Andy and Chevy gave us a tour of the store and were very…read moreknowledgeable about all of the inventory. We happened to be there at the top of the hour when all of the chimes went off...GOOSEBUMPS! We took [pictures and have been showing them to everyone who will look at them. If they do not have the clock for you, then you don't need a clock. We left our clock for repair and we were told up front that it may be several months before they could complete the work. We were OK with that. Thanks Andy and Chevy for a great experience.