Photograph courtesy of Visit Acworth
The nickname “Lake City” is a clue to what makes Acworth special. “The lakes are probably our greatest asset,” notes Taylor Aubrey, marketing coordinator with the city, located 33 miles north of Atlanta off I-75. Two bodies of water—the nonmotorized Lake Acworth and the well-known Lake Allatoona—draw visitors for kayaking, wakeboarding (including pro tournaments), stand-up paddleboarding, and picnicking on the beach. Beach? you may wonder. In fact, Acworth has four sandy stretches along the water.
The charming downtown is a close second for top attribute, with its historic architecture (no surprise, Hallmark has filmed movies here) and chef-driven restaurants. It’s a classic railroad town, with brick businesses paralleling the tracks. Henry’s Louisiana Grill, located on Main Street in a historic building, has been going strong for more than 20 years, thanks to accolades such as “Favorite Local Chef in America” by ABC.
What’s to love?
A DIY history center
The Acworth Depot Park—a freestanding replica train depot located along the railroad tracks downtown—is a self-serve, high-tech way to learn about the town’s history. This new and free museum has displays with more than 50 oral histories. Notable fact: Acworth was burned by General Sherman in 1864 and rebuilt, although a few antebellum structures remain.
Mill District
The 1870s-era Cowan Mill is now a wedding venue, with a budding mixed-use district nearby that includes Red Top Brewhouse, Appalachian Outfitters GA, and Hippie Kids clothing boutique.
Small-town fun
Popular activities include a weekly farmers market, a Juneteenth concert on the green, Fourth of July fireworks, classic car cruises (held in April, July, and October), and the Smoke on the Lake BBQ Festival every spring.
Historic architecture
Dozens of Victorian houses, mill-worker cottages, and antebellum homesteads are all over downtown. “These are quality historic homes,” says Trevor Beemon, executive director of the Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society, and an Acworth resident. The older homes are so desirable—many situated within walking distance of both downtown and the beaches of Lake Acworth—that they rarely go on the market, adds Beemon. “To get our house, we rented there for a while and got word through a friend of a friend.”
Outdoor activities
In addition to water sports, there are miles of walking trails and Cobblestone Golf Course, one of the most popular public courses in metro Atlanta.
This article appears in our June 2023 issue.
