Dalton is located in the state of Georgia. It is the county seat of Whitfield County and the principal city of the Dalton Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Whitfield and Murray counties. Dalton is a great place to visit and has plenty to offer. Here are a few suggestions for things to do in Dalton.
Lake Chatuge
If you’re looking for a lakeside retreat in the North Georgia Mountains, you might want to try visiting Lake Chatuge in Dalton, Georgia. This man-made lake is surrounded by towering mountains and has clear mountain waters. During the summer, visitors can enjoy a relaxing day on the lake or take part in a variety of water sports.
Visitors can go boating on Lake Chatuge, where they can rent canoes and kayaks to explore the surrounding area. The park also has restrooms and ample parking. Hikers and nature lovers will enjoy exploring the area’s trails, which wind past the lake. The park is open daily from 7:30 am to sunset.
Real estate around Lake Chatuge includes multi-million dollar custom-built lakeside homes, charming log cabin style homes, and luxurious residential condominium developments. Prices range from around $250,000 for a three-bedroom condo to over $500k for a fully furnished 2-story condo in the exclusive Ridges resort community.
The eastern shore of Lake Chatuge is home to the Georgia Mountain Fair. This event attracts thousands of visitors every Labor Day weekend. During the fair, you’ll find live bluegrass music, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and children’s activities. Another popular attraction in the area is Lake Blackshear State Park, which is just outside of Dalton in Fort Gaines. Home to many types of wildlife, the park features an 18-hole golf course and five hiking trails. The park is also home to a campground and cabin rentals.
Mount Rachel walking and biking trail
The Mount Rachel walking and biking trail is a 1.6-mile loop with restrooms and running water near the trailhead. The wide trail is perfect for group runs or bike rides and is wide enough to accommodate five bikes side by side. It starts on Park Street and gradually climbs up Mount Rachel, with sharp switchbacks and views of Dalton.
The first phase of the project would be funded by a $1 million grant, with the city providing a 20 percent match. The first leg would connect the downtown area with the Mount Rachel walking and biking trail, and would be split into three paths. The trail would then connect with Haig Mill Lake and Heritage Point Park. Eventually, the greenway would end at a city park that is planned for downtown Dalton.
Mount Rachel statue
Protests over the Confederate statue in Dalton, Georgia, began during the summer. After local residents rallied in support of the statue, the United Daughters of the Confederacy moved the statue to a new location on private property. Protesters wanted the statue to be placed in the proper historical context. However, locals favored the move.
When visiting Dalton, Georgia, be sure to visit the downtown area. There are several historical and cultural landmarks to explore. If you’re a history buff, you can take a ghost tour conducted by Connie Hall-Scott, author of “Haunted Dalton, Georgia.” Hall-Scott guides tours of the town’s mythical past. For ninety minutes, you’ll be immersed in the city’s legends. Alternatively, you can explore the town’s rich cultural history at the Bandy Heritage Center.
If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll want to head to the local park to play. It has plenty of playgrounds and a boating dock. There’s also a 1.6-mile hiking trail that you can take to explore the area. The trail is easy enough for a group to hike together and has restrooms with running water and electricity. The trail also features plenty of scenic views of the Dalton area and sharp switchbacks along the way.
The Atlanta Ladies Memorial Association commissioned the statue in 1894 and dedicated it on Confederate Memorial Day. In June 2020, the city of Atlanta erected a marker on state-owned property to contextualize the statue’s position on state property. However, rioters vandalized the statue and damaged its intricately carved face.
Hamilton House
Located on the main street of Dalton, Georgia, the Hamilton House is a historic home and museum. It was built by John Hamilton in 1840, long before the city was established. John was a civil engineer who had spent several years in Kingston, Tennessee, before settling in Northwest Georgia. He later married his wife Rachel in Kingston and the couple later moved to Dalton. They bought the land for the house from Absolum Holcomb, who bought it through the Cherokee Land Lottery.
While staying in Dalton, take in the sights and sounds of the town. There are plenty of things to do and see around the area. If you’re a foodie, check out the local restaurants. A number of popular places offer meals with Southern accents.
The Dalton Freight Depot and Visitors Center is another great spot to spend some time. Here you can view Civil War-era trains and explore exhibits that focus on railroads and the Civil War. The depot also offers a train-viewing platform and a gift shop.
The city itself is a great place for outdoor activities. It has several hiking and off-roading trails and plenty of natural parks and campsites. Modernity has also brought fun amusement parks and arcade game zones in the town. You can also find a number of shopping malls in the area. The local government has also done a good job of preserving the historic buildings of the town.
Lake Winne Amusement Park
The lake Winnepesaukah, also known as Lake Winnie, is located in Rossville, Georgia, just south of Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was opened in 1925 by Carl and Minette Dixon. On that first day, the park hosted more than five thousand visitors.
The park’s Native American exhibit is filled with artifacts from the early 1830s, as well as from the Mississippian culture. Other interesting sections include the Civil War, the Textile Industry, and Modern Georgia. The park is open to people of all ages, and there are regular discounts available.
For those looking to take a break from the rides, there are a variety of restaurants and cafes available. Cafe Ostro is a popular family-owned restaurant that offers Mediterranean dishes and is known for its homemade ingredients. There are both indoor and outdoor seating areas. The menu is extensive and features a variety of Mediterranean delicacies. A special plant-based menu is also available.
Another unique amusement park in Dalton, Georgia is SoakYa, which opened in 2013. The park features rides and a water park. It is the perfect spot for a summer day. It’s open seven days a week, and it offers rides and games for all ages.
Lake Winnie is not required to post information on citations, but it would be a good idea to let customers know about any recent incidents. In the past week, the amusement park has received citations for three separate incidents. One of the cases involved a woman who broke her foot on the water ride “The Boat Chute.” The amusement park was not notified of the injury until 17 days later.
Dalton Distillery
Located in Historic Downtown Dalton, Georgia, Raymond Distillery is a moonshine distillery with roots dating back five generations. The family still makes moonshine the way their ancestors did over a hundred years ago, and today they legally sell it. They also offer tours and can arrange private events for groups.
Raymond Dalton, who passed away in early 2021, loved distilling and left his family a legacy that continues today. Today, Dalton Distillery produces small batch craft spirits made with natural botanical blends and celebrates the Dalton family’s devotion to the craft. Visitors are welcome to tour the distillery and sample some of their creations.
Dalton Distillery is a unique destination in Dalton, Georgia. It was started by Raymond Butler, who worked with his father during the prohibition. He wanted to expand the family business and pursue it legally. He approached the Chatsworth mayor, but was turned down. He then contacted the mayor of Dalton and was connected with the Dalton Downtown Development Authority, which gave him the green light to start his distillery. He named the company Dalton Distillery.
The Dalton Distillery opened in 2015, and its Master Distiller, Raymond Butler, is credited with creating the award-winning Raymond’s Reserve moonshine, which is an iconic spirit in Northwest Georgia. The company has also launched TazaRay, a sunflower seed-distilled bourbon that is gluten-free. Visitors can tour the distillery and sample the bourbon.