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Canton, Georgia · Cherokee County

Things to do in Canton, GA: a downtown guide

The short answer

Things to do in Canton, GA start downtown at Cannon Park, 130 East Main Street, the park with a gazebo. Within a few blocks you can see a show at the Canton Theatre, 171 E. Main St., tour the Cherokee County History Center at 221 E. Marietta St. (Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and see the 1928 marble courthouse on North Street. Then head to The Mill on Etowah or the river parks.

Last checked November 1, 2026

A white octagonal gazebo with a green copper dome stands at the junction of red herringbone-brick paths across a mown lawn. US flags fly from its roof and from tall flagpoles at the left, white wrought-metal benches sit inside it, and a black slatted metal bench and a low brick wall occupy the right foreground. Behind trees and dark red shrubs stands a pale multi-storey stone building with tall windows; a small evergreen and leafy trees fill the middle ground under a bright sky with cumulus cloud.
Photo: Thomson M (Panoramio), CC BY 3.0 (cropped)

This guide covers Canton, Georgia, the seat of Cherokee County, on I-575 and the Etowah River. The top half of this page stays in the downtown blocks around Cannon Park and Main Street. The second half covers places a short drive out. Each stop has its address and the name of whoever runs it, so you know whose hours and rules apply. Pick the stops you want and the day planner puts them in walking order.

Start at Cannon Park

Cannon Park, 130 East Main Street, is the downtown park with a gazebo. City of Canton Parks & Recreation runs it, and City parks are open from dawn to dusk. The City’s own downtown directions end here: from the north, take I-575 Exit 20 (Canton/Riverstone Parkway); from the south, take Exit 16. That makes the park a sensible place to start.

Cannon Park is also where downtown gathers. The City’s May 1, 2026 First Friday listing put the evening in Cannon Park, with food and drink vendors along Main Street, and the City’s downtown tree lighting was held here in November 2025. The 2026 tree lighting is Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, according to the City calendar.

  • Cannon Park, 130 East Main Street, is the downtown park with a gazebo. City of Canton: Parks & Recreation
  • The City's downtown directions use I-575 Exit 20 (Canton/Riverstone Parkway) when coming from the north and Exit 16 when coming from the south. Both routes end at Cannon Park. City of Canton: Downtown Canton
  • City parks are open from dawn to dusk. Hickory Log Creek Reservoir is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day. City of Canton: Parks & Recreation

See a show at the Canton Theatre

The Historic Canton Theatre is at 171 E. Main St., a short walk along Main from Cannon Park. The City of Canton runs its calendar, and the City says the building showed slides and silent movies as early as 1911. Today it hosts local and touring plays, music, comedy and film screenings. Coming up: The Shining on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at 7 PM, Storyteller Night on Oct. 28, and A Dickens’ Christmas Carol by the Cherokee Theatre Company over two weekends in December. The full schedule, tickets and the building’s history are on our Canton Theatre page.

Spend an hour at the History Center

History Cherokee runs the Cherokee County History Center at 221 E. Marietta Street. It covers the whole county, with Native American pottery and artifacts in the Carolyn Smith Galt Gallery and exhibits on the Civil War, moonshining and desegregation. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday. History Cherokee lists adult admission (18+) at $5, and children 18 and under get in free; the two ranges overlap at 18 as published. A self-guided visit takes 45 to 60 minutes, the building is one story and wheelchair accessible, and pets are not allowed inside, though service animals are.

  • The Cherokee County History Center, run by History Cherokee, is at 221 E. Marietta Street, Canton, GA 30114. Phone 770-345-3288. History Cherokee: Visit the History Center
  • The History Center is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday. It is also closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. History Cherokee: Visit the History Center
  • History Cherokee lists admission as $5 for adults (18+). Children (18 and under), History Cherokee members and Southeastern Reciprocal Membership Program members are free. History Cherokee: Visit the History Center
  • A typical visit takes 45 to 60 minutes and is self-guided. The building is one story and wheelchair accessible. Pets are not allowed inside, but service animals are accommodated. History Cherokee: Visit the History Center
  • The History Center covers all of Cherokee County's history. It has Native American pottery and artifacts in the Carolyn Smith Galt Gallery, plus exhibits on the Civil War, moonshining and desegregation. History Cherokee: Visit the History Center

Next door, Brown Park at 251 East Marietta Street is a one-acre City park with a playground, picnic tables and a Free Little Library. In summer it is home to the Saturday farmers market. The 2026 season ended on Aug. 29; the details are on the farmers market page.

Look at the marble courthouse

The Cherokee County Courthouse at 100 North Street was built in 1927 and 1928, after fire destroyed the earlier courthouse in March 1927. It is a five-story Classical Revival building of native marble that the county bought from the Georgia Marble Company in nearby Tate. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1981. We found no published visiting hours for the inside, so plan to see it from the street. Its story, and the rest of downtown’s, is on the history page.

Walk the Legs Through Time mural

On Railroad Street, the Legs Through Time mural tells Canton’s history along a wall 540 feet long and 3 feet high. The City’s Canton Cultural Arts Commission dates it to 2020 and names Shanna Coulter as lead artist. The Main Street page has the full walk.

Eat, drink and skate at The Mill on Etowah

The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, is the former Canton Cotton Mill No. 1, on the southwest side of downtown by the river and the railroad. It is privately run. The Mill’s current hours list includes Reformation Brewery, Whitetail Coffee, Nava Taqueria, Giggle Monsters Craft Donuts, Sweet Joy Ice Cream, Fermented Wine Boutique and The Shoppes at The Mill. From Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, its outdoor ice rink, Rink on the River, is open; admission is $15 and includes skates. Tenants, festivals and the mill’s history are on our Mill on Etowah page.

  • The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, is the former Canton Cotton Mill No. 1. The Mill says the Jones family used the building for warehouse and tenant space after the mills closed in 1981, and local developers bought it in 2018. The Mill on Etowah (official site)
  • Rink on the River is a seasonal outdoor ice rink at The Mill. The 2026 season opens Saturday, Nov. 21. Admission is $15 per person and includes skate rentals. The Mill on Etowah: Rink on the River

Get out on the Etowah River

City of Canton Parks & Recreation runs two big parks on the river. Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, covers 58 acres, with an amphitheater, inclusive playgrounds, a public canoe launch, a public bathroom and a bridge over the river. Its half-mile concrete trail joins the Etowah River Trail and runs on to Heritage Park, 508 Riverstone Parkway, which covers 48 acres and has a one-mile trail of its own. Dogs are welcome on the river trail on a short leash. The City gives the connector lengths but not a total length for the trail, so we do not print one. The river parks page compares every park, and its matcher finds the one with the features you want.

  • Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, covers 58 acres. It has an amphitheater, two community pavilions, inclusive playgrounds, a public canoe launch, a public bathroom and a bridge over the Etowah River. City of Canton: Parks & Recreation
  • Heritage Park, 508 Riverstone Parkway, covers 48 acres. Its one-mile concrete trail connects to the Etowah River Trail and Etowah River Park, and it has soccer field space and a turf-base playground. City of Canton: Parks & Recreation
  • Dogs are welcome on the Etowah River Trail on a short leash. The City provides waste bags along the trail and asks owners to pick up after their pets. City of Canton: Parks & Recreation

Paddle Lake Canton

Lake Canton at Hickory Log Creek Reservoir is a City of Canton water. It covers about 411 acres at full pool, with about 15 miles of shoreline, and the public access area with its one boat ramp is near Bluffs Parkway and Fate Conn Road. The City allows electric-powered boats, canoes and kayaks. Gas motors, sailboats, paddle boards, swimming and alcohol are not allowed. The reservoir keeps its own hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

  • Lake Canton at Hickory Log Creek Reservoir covers about 411 acres at full pool, with about 15 miles of shoreline. The public access area, with one boat ramp, is near Bluffs Parkway and Fate Conn Road. City of Canton: Hickory Log Creek Reservoir
  • Only electric-powered boats, canoes and kayaks are allowed on the reservoir. Gas motors, sailboats, paddle boards, swimming and alcohol are not allowed. City of Canton: Hickory Log Creek Reservoir

We do not print drive times from downtown, because they depend on traffic and the route you take.

Go to a downtown event

Two of the big downtown series are over for 2026: First Fridays ended on Oct. 2 and the farmers market on Aug. 29. Still ahead this fall are the free Jack O’ Lantern Jamboree at The Mill on Oct. 24 and 25, the Fall Plant Festival at The Mill on Nov. 7, and Christmas at The Mill on Nov. 27 and 28. Every dated event, with its source, is on the events calendar. What is known about the 2026 Christmas parade and the downtown tree lighting is on the holiday season page, and the First Fridays page says what happens next spring.

Nov14Sat

Makers Market

Organiser date for 2026
  • 11 AM to 4 PM
  • The Shoppes at The Mill on Etowah (near Sweety's and Suds & Bottles)

A monthly market of local crafters and makers inside the Shoppes at The Mill.

Sat., Nov. 14, 2026 is the only upcoming date on the Explore Canton listing, which says the market is held once a month.

Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)

Source: Explore Canton: Makers Market, checked 2026-10-18

Every place on this page

Questions

Where is Canton, Georgia?

Canton is the seat of Cherokee County in northwest Georgia. The New Georgia Encyclopedia places it at the southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains, on Interstate 575. The City describes it as sitting between Atlanta and the Blue Ridge Mountains, with the Etowah River flowing through town.

Source: New Georgia Encyclopedia: Canton (last edited June 15, 2022)

How far is Canton from Atlanta?

The New Georgia Encyclopedia says Canton is forty miles north of Atlanta on Interstate 575. Drive time depends on traffic and where in Atlanta you start. Coming up I-575 from the south, the City's downtown directions use Exit 16.

Source: New Georgia Encyclopedia: Canton (last edited June 15, 2022)

Which I-575 exit do I take for downtown Canton?

The City's directions use Exit 16 when coming north on I-575: turn left on Highway 140, right on Marietta Street, then continue through E. Marietta Street onto S. Church Street to Cannon Park. From the north, take Exit 20 (Riverstone Parkway), then Waleska Street onto W. Main Street.

Source: City of Canton: Downtown Canton

Is parking free in downtown Canton?

Explore Canton says downtown offers plenty of free parking. Street parking is on North St., Main St., S. Church St., E. Marietta St., Archer St. and Railroad St., and the two-level downtown parking deck on W. Marietta St. has 102 spaces.

Source: Explore Canton: Parking in Downtown Canton

Are dogs allowed in Canton parks?

Dogs are welcome on the Etowah River Trail if kept on a short leash, and the City provides waste bags along the trail. The City says no dogs are allowed in Boling Park. A planned South Canton park on Marietta Highway is to include a dog park; no opening date is given.

Source: City of Canton: Parks & Recreation

What are the park hours in Canton?

City parks are open from dawn until dusk. Hickory Log Creek Reservoir is the exception: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Boats must be out of the water 15 minutes before closing.

Source: City of Canton: Parks & Recreation

What is the Cherokee County History Center?

It is History Cherokee's museum at 221 E. Marietta Street, next to Brown Park. It covers all of Cherokee County's history, including Native American artifacts, the Civil War, moonshining and desegregation. A typical self-guided visit takes 45 to 60 minutes.

Source: History Cherokee: Visit the History Center

What are the History Center's hours and admission?

The History Center is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday and on major winter holidays. History Cherokee lists adult admission (18+) at $5, with children, members and Southeastern Reciprocal Membership Program members free.

Source: History Cherokee: Visit the History Center

Where is Canton City Hall?

City Hall is at 110 Academy Street, in the 1924 brick building that was the first high school serving Cherokee County. The City bought it in 2018. The main number is 770-704-1500. The Police Department and Municipal Court are at 151 Elizabeth Street.

Source: City of Canton: City Hall

Where can I stay near downtown Canton?

The City's lodging list includes Hampton Inn Atlanta-Canton, Comfort Inn & Suites and Country Inn & Suites on Transit Avenue, Fairfield Inn & Suites and TownePlace Suites on Reinhardt College Parkway, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites on Park Center Drive, among others.

Source: City of Canton: Where to Stay

Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Canton

Living here

Like a First Friday on Main Street? See what living near it looks like.

Gold Peach Realty is the North Georgia brokerage behind this guide. If a day downtown has you thinking about a house in Cherokee County, a place near the Etowah or an easier drive to the mountains, our agents will show you what is actually for sale around Canton.

Visit Gold Peach Realty Call Gold Peach Realty (770) 283-1223

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