Rome
Around Rome
Photo: BOB H · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Georgia · 101k people
Rome
“The Rome of the South”, “City of Seven Hills”
Where the rivers meet and the hills remember
CrimsonDodger BlueForest Green
Welcome to Rome, where the seven hills meet the rivers and the pace is just right. Whether you're here for the college, the baseball, or the small-town charm, you'll find a community that loves the outdoors and a good meal. Come say hi downtown and make yourself at home.
Clubs for Rome
No clubs for Rome yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Rome. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Rome. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Berry College Campus Sprawling campus with the world's largest contiguous college campus, open to visitors.
- Riverside Park Along the Oostanaula River with trails and picnic areas.
- AdventHealth Stadium Home of the Rome Emperors minor league baseball team.
- Cave Spring A natural spring and small town with a historic cave and swimming hole.
- The Clocktower Historic clocktower in downtown Rome.
- Historic Downtown Rome Brick streets, shops, and restaurants along Broad Street.
- Outdoors Fish the Oostanaula River
- Outdoors Hike the Berry College trails
- With kids Catch a Rome Emperors baseball game
- With kids Visit the Rome Area History Museum
- Evenings Catch a concert at The Forum
- Evenings Dance at a downtown bar
- Locals love antique shops
- Locals love barbecue joints
Through the year
- Coosa Valley Fair September A classic county fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Rome River Jam Summer A summer music festival along the rivers with local and regional acts.
- Rome Half Marathon Spring A spring race through the seven hills and riverfront.
- Rome Christmas Parade December A downtown holiday parade with floats and local groups.
- Rome International Film Festival November An annual film festival showcasing independent and international cinema.
Rome has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors, with pleasant temperatures and lower humidity. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors, with pleasant temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “The 'Rome' is pronounced 'roam'”
- Locals emphasize the long 'o' sound.
- “The seven hills”
- The hills that Rome is built on.
- “The rivers”
- The Etowah and Oostanaula rivers that meet in Rome.
Getaways
- Cedartown Small-town square and Polk County history.
- Summerville Gateway to the Chattahoochee National Forest.
- Calhoun Historic downtown and the New Echota state historic site.
- Fort Payne Lookout Mountain views and the DeSoto State Park.
Local flavour
Teams
- Rome Emperors High-A East (MiLB)
Eat and drink
- Boiled peanuts A classic Southern snack, often sold roadside.
- Barbecue Pulled pork and ribs with a vinegar-based sauce, typical of Georgia.
- Sweet tea The quintessential Southern drink, served over ice.
- Meat-and-three A local diner style with one meat and three vegetable sides.
- Pimento cheese A spread often served as an appetizer or sandwich.
Where people go
- Historic downtown A classic Southern main street with local shops and eateries.
- Riverside parks and trails Along the Etowah and Oostanaula rivers, offering recreation and views.
- Cave Spring A natural spring and historic village nearby.
- Berry College campus A large, scenic campus with historic buildings and nature.
- Seven hills The city's defining topography, offering overlooks.
Heritage and traditions
Rome, GA, is proud of its seven hills, its rivers, and its deep Southern and Cherokee heritage, from the Chieftains Museum to the historic downtown and the legacy of Berry College.
This time of year in Rome
- Chieftains Museum Native American Festival Fall Fall festival featuring Cherokee dance, crafts, and food.
- Chieftains Museum Native American Festival Fall Held in the fall, this festival celebrates Cherokee culture with dancing, crafts, and food.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — About to do something.
Festivals
- Chieftains Museum Native American Festival Fall Held in the fall, this festival celebrates Cherokee culture with dancing, crafts, and food.
- First Friday Art Walk Monthly Monthly downtown event with galleries open late, live music, and street vendors.
- Berry College Mountain Day Spring Spring tradition at Berry College with games, picnics, and campus celebrations.
Landmarks with a story
- Chieftains Museum / Major Ridge Home The former home of Cherokee leader Major Ridge, now a museum of Cherokee history.
- St. Mary's Catholic Church A historic Catholic church in downtown Rome, built in the late 1800s.
Food traditions
- Sunday fried chicken dinner A Southern tradition of gathering after church for fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
- Church potluck casseroles Community meals where everyone brings a dish – green bean casserole, mac and cheese, and deviled eggs are staples.
- Peach cobbler in summer Georgia peaches are baked into a sweet, buttery cobbler, often served with ice cream.
- Grits and biscuits for breakfast A hearty Southern breakfast of creamy grits, buttermilk biscuits, and sausage gravy.
- Sorghum syrup on biscuits An Appalachian influence, this sweet molasses-like syrup is drizzled over warm biscuits.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and country music Local venues and jam sessions keep the Southern string-band tradition alive.
- Rome Symphony Orchestra A community orchestra performing classical works throughout the year.
- Rome Little Theatre A community theater group staging plays and musicals.
- Cherokee arts and crafts The Chieftains Museum showcases traditional Cherokee basketry and beadwork.
A little history
- 1834 Founded in 1834 and named after Rome, Italy, because of its seven hills.
- 1830s The Cherokee removal and Trail of Tears passed through the area.
- 1861-1865 Served as a Confederate supply depot during the Civil War.
- 1902 Martha Berry founded Berry College, a private liberal arts college.
- Late 19th–20th century The region had a major textile industry, with mills in Lindale and other communities.
Rivalries
- Rome vs. Cedartown football A regional high school rivalry with a long history.
- Rome High vs. Calhoun High football A heated local gridiron matchup.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Tailgating at Berry College football games
- Outdoors Watching the sunset from Neely Hill
- Outdoors Walking the seven hills
- With kids Riding the Rome Trolley
- With kids Visiting the Chieftains Museum
People speak Southern American English with a drawl, using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' There's also a touch of Appalachian vocabulary, such as 'holler' for a valley.
Only here
- The city is built on seven hills, just like Rome, Italy.
- A replica of the Capitoline Wolf statue, a gift from Mussolini in 1929, stands in a local park.
- The Etowah and Oostanaula rivers meet in downtown Rome to form the Coosa River.
- The Clocktower on Neely Hill is a beloved local landmark.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to say 'y'all' and 'fixin' to' – you'll fit right in.
- Try boiled peanuts and sweet tea – they're local staples.
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers; stay hydrated and use sunscreen.
- The city is built on seven hills – wear comfortable shoes for walking.
- The rivers are great for kayaking, fishing, and tubing.
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Part of Atlanta area
Nearby
Every areaCedartownGeorgiaWhere the trail winds through friendly streetsSummervilleGeorgiaWhere the river runs through the hillsCalhounGeorgiaWhere the mountains meet the valleyCherokee CountyAlabamaWhere the hills meet the waterFort PayneAlabamaWhere the canyon singsDaltonGeorgiaWhere the mountains meet the millsGadsdenAlabamaWhere the river meets the mountain, and time slows down.ChattanoogaTennesseeWhere the mountains meet the river, and everyone feels at home.
Rome, GA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.