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Dalton is a city of about 34,000 people in northwest Georgia, set in a valley at the foot of the Blue Ridge foothills about 30 miles south of Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is known as the Carpet Capital of the World: since the mid-1900s the area's mills have made a large share of the world's carpet, a business that grew out of the region's early tufted bedspread craft.
Downtown Dalton has a revived Hamilton Street with restaurants, shops and the Wink Theatre, a restored 1940s movie house. The historic 1852 railroad depot, now a restaurant, and the Hamilton House Museum, the city's oldest home, recall its railroad and Civil War past; Dalton saw fighting and was a winter camp for the Confederate army in 1863. The Creative Arts Guild offers galleries and classes, and Dalton State College has a campus on a hill above town.
The Dalton Convention Center hosts events, and the city's trails include the Mountain Creek greenway. The Chattahoochee National Forest and the Cohutta Wilderness, with rugged hiking and the Jacks River Falls, are a short drive east, and Fort Mountain State Park offers lake swimming, trails and a mysterious ancient rock wall. Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain are about 35 minutes north.
Downtown Dalton centers on Hamilton Street, with historic brick buildings holding restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and galleries. The district hosts concerts, festivals and holiday events. Walk Hamilton Street and stop at the historic depot and the Wink Theatre during your visit.
Dalton State College is a public college at the base of the ridges west of Dalton, with a modern campus that hosts lectures, sports and arts events open to the public. The setting offers views of the nearby mountains. Check the events calendar for concerts and exhibitions during your visit.
The Wink Theatre is a restored 1940s movie theater in downtown Dalton with a distinctive neon sign, now used for concerts, comedy, films and special events. Its art deco style makes it a downtown landmark. Check the event schedule, and take an evening photo when the marquee is lit.
The Creative Arts Guild is a community arts center in Dalton with galleries, a pottery studio, dance and art classes and a busy schedule of exhibitions and performances. It also organizes public art events in town. Visit the galleries for free, and check the calendar for workshops and art festivals.
The Dalton Depot is a historic railroad depot built in the 1850s on the Western and Atlantic line, which saw Civil War action during the Great Locomotive Chase era. It now houses a restaurant and is close to active tracks. Sit on the patio to watch trains roll by while you eat.
The Hamilton House Museum is one of the oldest brick houses in northwest Georgia, built around 1840 near a spring that was an early water source for Dalton. Run by the local historical society, it shows period rooms and local history. Check opening hours and walk the grounds by the spring.
Crown Gardens and Archives is based in a former Crown Cotton Mill building and holds exhibits on the history of Dalton's textile and carpet industry, along with genealogy archives. It is run by the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society. Call ahead to confirm hours, especially for research visits.
Prater's Mill is a historic gristmill built in 1855 on Coahulla Creek north of Dalton, with a mill pond, covered bridge, country store and other old buildings. It hosts the Prater's Mill Country Fair with crafts and music. Visit during the fair, or stop for photos of the mill on a drive.
Dug Gap Battle Park preserves stone breastworks on Rocky Face Ridge where Confederate soldiers fought Union troops in 1864 at the start of the Atlanta Campaign. A short trail leads along the old defenses with views over the valley. The access road is steep; drive slowly and bring a camera.
Rocky Face Ridge Park is a county park on the ridge west of Dalton with hiking and mountain biking trails, rock outcrops and Civil War earthworks. The climb rewards hikers with views over the valley and city. Trails are rugged, so wear good shoes and carry water on warm days.
Fort Mountain State Park near Chatsworth is named for a mysterious ancient stone wall on the mountaintop. It offers hiking trails, a lake with a beach, mountain biking, cabins and camping, and a stone fire tower built by the CCC. Hike the short trail to the wall and overlooks for great views.
The Cohutta Wilderness is a large protected area of the Chattahoochee National Forest east of Dalton, known for rugged mountains, clear rivers and trout fishing. The Jacks River Falls trail is a favorite hike. Roads are gravel and remote, so carry a map, water and supplies, and expect no cell service.
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