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Rome is a city of about 38,000 people in northwest Georgia, built on seven hills where the Etowah and Oostanaula rivers join to form the Coosa River. Founded in 1834 and named after the Italian capital because of its hills, it was an important river town and later a mill and college city, and it remains the main center of the region between Atlanta and Chattanooga.
Downtown's Broad Street is lined with Victorian storefronts, restaurants and shops, and the Clocktower, a 1871 water tower on one of the city's hills, is open for tours with views over the rivers. In front of City Hall stands a bronze copy of the Capitoline Wolf, a gift from Rome, Italy, in 1929. The Heritage Trail system follows the riverbanks with paved paths, and the Chieftains Museum preserves the home of Major Ridge, a Cherokee leader, on the Oostanaula.
Berry College, just north of town, has one of the largest college campuses in the world, more than 27,000 acres of forests, fields and Gothic-style buildings, including the Ford complex and the Old Mill wheel. Shorter University sits on a hill above downtown, and Myrtle Hill Cemetery holds the grave of Ellen Axson Wilson, first wife of President Woodrow Wilson. The Ridge Ferry Park and the State Mutual Stadium, home of the Rome Emperors baseball team, are nearby.
Broad Street is downtown Rome's main street, a wide avenue lined with Victorian commercial buildings housing restaurants, shops, galleries and the historic DeSoto Theatre. Its median has trees and benches. Walk its length in the evening, and look up at the ornate upper facades of the old buildings.
Berry College has one of the largest college campuses in the world, with Gothic stone buildings, forests, fields, a waterwheel mill and many deer. Visitors can drive or bike the scenic campus roads. Visit the Ford Buildings and Old Mill for photos, and watch for deer in the early morning and evening.
Shorter University is a private Christian university on a hill west of downtown Rome, with a scenic campus overlooking the city. Its music and theater departments present concerts and performances that are open to the public. Drive up for the view and check the events calendar for shows.
The Rome Clocktower is a historic water tower built in 1871 with a clock added later, standing on one of Rome's seven hills above downtown. It is the city's best-known symbol. A small museum inside opens on some days, and the hilltop offers wide views over downtown and the rivers.
The Capitoline Wolf Statue outside Rome City Hall is a bronze copy of the famous Roman sculpture of the she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, given to the city by Italy in 1929. It celebrates the town's name link to Rome, Italy. It is an easy photo stop on a downtown walk.
Myrtle Hill Cemetery is a historic terraced cemetery on a hill above downtown Rome, with Victorian monuments and views of the river confluence. It holds the grave of Ellen Axson Wilson, wife of President Woodrow Wilson, and a tomb for a World War I unknown soldier. Wear good shoes for the steep paths.
Rome's Heritage Trail system follows the Etowah, Oostanaula and Coosa rivers, linking downtown, parks and neighborhoods with paved paths and bridges. It is popular for walking, running and cycling. Start near downtown at the river and follow the loops past Ridge Ferry Park and the levees.
Ridge Ferry Park is a riverside park along the Oostanaula River near downtown Rome, with walking trails, a playground, picnic areas and boat access. It hosts festivals and outdoor events through the year. It sits next to the Chieftains Museum, so bring a picnic and combine the two in one visit.
Oak Hill and the Martha Berry Museum preserve the plantation home of Martha Berry, founder of Berry College, with original furnishings, gardens and a museum about her life and the school's history. Guided tours cover the house. Check tour times, and stroll the formal gardens and grounds after.
Chieftains Museum is the former home of Major Ridge, a Cherokee leader, and tells the story of the Cherokee Nation and the Trail of Tears. It is a site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Allow about an hour for exhibits, and walk down to the riverbank where Ridge once operated a ferry.
The Rome Area History Museum on Broad Street covers the history of Rome and Floyd County, from Native American life and the Cherokee to the Civil War, river trade and the city's growth. Displays are compact and easy to follow. Allow about an hour, and combine it with a walk along Broad Street.
The DeSoto Theatre is a restored 1929 theater on Broad Street, now home to community theater productions, concerts and special events. Its historic auditorium and marquee add charm to downtown Rome. Check the schedule for shows, and book tickets ahead for musicals and holiday productions.
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