Photo courtesy of Visit Acworth
The nickname “Lake City” is the clue that sets Acworth apart. “The lake is probably our greatest asset,” said Taylor Aubrey, marketing coordinator for the city, 33 miles north of Atlanta, off I-75. Two bodies of water – non-motorized Acworth Lake and the famous Lake Allatuna – attract visitors for kayaking, wakeboarding (including professional championships), stand-up paddle boarding and beach picnics. beach? You may be wondering. In fact, Acworth has four sandy patches along the water.
Charming downtown is a close second, with its historic buildings (unsurprisingly, Hallmark filmed a movie here) and chef-run restaurants. It’s a classic railroad town, with brick businesses juxtaposed with railroad tracks. Henry’s Louisiana BBQLocated in a historic building on Main Street, it’s been going strong for over 20 years, thanks to accolades like “America’s Favorite Local Chef” from ABC.
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DIY History Center
this Acworth Depot Park– A freestanding replica train station along the tracks in the city center – a self-guided, high-tech way to learn about the town’s history. This new, free museum features more than 50 oral histories. Notable Fact: Acworth was burned down and rebuilt by General Sherman in 1864, although some pre-war buildings still stand.
Mill District
1870s cornmill Now a wedding venue, there is an emerging mixed-use precinct nearby, including Red Roof Brewery, Appalachian Sporting Goods, GAand hippie kid Clothing boutique.
small town fun
Popular events include the weekly farmers’ market, the 1st Green Concert in June, July 4th fireworks, the Classic Car Parade (held in April, July and October), and Smoke on the Lake each spring BBQ festival.
Historic Buildings
Dozens of Victorian homes, factory worker cottages and antebellum homesteads dot the downtown area. “These are quality historic homes,” said Trevor Beemon, executive director of the Cobb Landmark and Historical Society and an Acworth resident. Older homes are so popular — many within walking distance of the city center and Lake Acworth beach — that they rarely come on the market, Beemon added. “We rented there for a while to get our house and got word through a friend of a friend.”
Outdoor sports
In addition to water sports, there are miles of trails and cobblestone golf courseone of the most popular public courses in the Atlanta metro area.
This article appears in our June 2023 issue.
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