11 FREE (or Cheap!) Things To Do in Rome GA You’ll Love

We live about an hour from this small town, but find ourselves there often because it’s a great little city! Read on for our list of FREE things to do in Rome GA, with a surprisingly large number of things to do.

While this isn’t even the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fun in Rome, Georgia, it is a grand collection of fun things to do for FREE…or at least inexpensively!

FREE THINGS TO DO IN ROME GA

SPLASH AT CAVE SPRING

Rolater Park in Cave Spring is only a short 15-10 minute drive from Rome.  The park has a natural spring where people come to fill water jugs, etc. How cool is that? You can’t play right in the drinking water collection area, but you can splash a little downstream.

If you’d like to enter the actual cave on site, It is a nominal $2 per person. There is also a seasonal pool – no chlorine, just fresh water – opened Thu – Sun for a $5 admission fee. Be prepared for chilly waters!

MEDIATE AT THE ROME LABYRINTH

Did you know there is a Labyrinth in Rome? It was originally an amphitheater, but a citizen worked with the local government to salvage the remnants. 5,490 bricks create the fun space. We walked the path three times, and then played a few games here.  With two energetic boys, using it as a meditation tool was difficult, but I didn’t mind.  It was fun! If you’re in the area, I highly recommend stopping here.  Right up the hill is the Rome Visitor Center where you can learn about several other places to visit.

A visit here is FREE!

HIKE THE JACKSON HILL TRAIL SYSTEM

The Jackson Hill trailhead is located by the Visitor Center (and the Labyrinth). A series of unpaved trails cover the site of old Fort Norton, the site of a series of earthen forts that defended Rome during the Civil War. The longest loop is a short 1.8 miles.

A visit to the trails is FREE and ample FREE parking is also available.

EXPLORE THE OLD MILL AT BERRY COLLEGE

Berry College is a beautiful campus with woods and wildlife to admire. We regularly see deer when visiting. Be sure to head to the back of the grounds near Camp Winshape to view the Old Mill. You can also hike over 40 miles of trails on campus!

HAVE A HISTORY LESSON AT MYRTLE HILL CEMETERY

Myrtle Hill Cemetery is the second oldest cemetery in Rome (it dates back to 1857), but it is arguably one of the most intriguing in Northwest Georgia. If you are looking for the historic, surreal, quintessential southern cemetery, Myrtle Hill is it. You will find peace and beauty here, along with amazing views of downtown Rome.

Notable burials include Martha Berry’s parents, Woodrow Wilson’s cousin and first wife, and one of the founders of Rome.

WALK TO PAVED DOWNTOWN HERITAGE TRAIL SYSTEM

There are 16 miles of trails along all three of Rome’s rivers. Hike the .6-mile Kingfisher Trail along the Coosa River, which begins at the Myrtle Hill Cemetery. Or try the Armuchee Connector Bike Lane, which crosses the river. Two downtown bike shops also make this an ideal place to rent a bike and see it all.

PLAY AT RIDGE FERRY PARK

Ridge Ferry Park includes a Wetlands Demonstration Garden a “treehouse” from which to see the river, ECO River Education Center and a magnificent playground that is in the shade. You can picnic here, throw the ball around and have a great time. This is also a trailhead for the Heritage Trail System, and only a short walk to the Chieftains Museum.

WATCH CAKES BEING CREATED AT HONEYMOON BAKERY

Beautiful (and delicious) concoctions are created behind a glass window at Honeymoon Bakery. There’s even a wooden bench for kids to climb to see the magic. While the view is free, the treats are not. Luckily, there are affordable options for kids – a great “baby” gelato cone or mini cupcakes are only a couple of bucks. I dare you to try just one!

STOP BY ADMIRAL TOWERS PLAZA

You will want to visit the Admiral Towers Memorial Plaza, which is dedicated to the memory of Admiral John Henry Towers, a native of Rome, Georgia and known as “the Father of Naval Aviation.” The Plaza is located adjacent to Rome City Hall and Auditorium. The life-size bronze statue and surroundings tell his amazing story.

AFFORDABLE THINGS TO DO IN ROME GA

VISIT THE CHIEFTAINS MUSEUM

The Chieftains Museum, also known as the home of Major Ridge, a Cherokee leader. The home is one of only a few private entities certified by the National Park Service as a site on the Trail of Tears. Major Ridge lived in Rome, Georgia, and was one of the signers of the Treaty of New Echota, which resulted in the forced relocation of the Cherokee people.

Today, Chieftains Museum features permanent and temporary interactive exhibits, educational programs, and special events pertaining to the Ridge family and Cherokee history and culture. 

The tomb of Major Ridge, a Cherokee leader, and his son is in Polson Cemetery in Delaware County, Oklahoma.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME

The Rome Braves are a minor league baseball team in Rome, Georgia, and play all of their games at AdventHealth Stadium. Thought not a free activity, it’s always fun to take in a ball game with the family during baseball season.

OAK HILL AND THE MARTHA BERRY MUSEUM

Tour this Greek Revival-style home and see where it all began. Located on the campus of Berry College, the Martha Berry Museum is one of Georgia’s prized attractions. If you’ve ever wanted to hear about Rome, Georgia’s history, and the origins of Berry College, this Rome area history museum is for you.

Museum staff tells the story of Martha Berry and Berry College through tours of the historic home, exhibitions, and events.

DISCOVER MORE ROME AREA HISTORY

Located on Broad Street in downtown Rome, Georgia, visitors can find the Rome Area History Center. Dedicated to displaying and preserving Rome’s rich history, visitors can explore permanent exhibits by walking through time, starting with early settlers through the Civil War, and then developing Rome’s culture, life-ways, and industries.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION IN ROME GA

I cannot recommend Hampton Inn & Suites more highly! It offers spacious, clean, and open rooms and suites that are easy to get to from Rome’s lovely downtown district!

Bonus? FREE internet and FREE breakfast! And don’t forget the incredible FREE Roman Chariot that will pick you up at the hotel (and other places about town) easily so you don’t have to worry about parking or having a second beer!

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