Guide to Rome
Navigate your way through scenic Rome, Georgia, with these tips for the best things to do, places to stay, restaurants, and events year-round.
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Rome takes its name from the city in Italy. Originally inhabited by local Native American tribes, the city was founded in 1834 and became an important industrial center. Home to Berry College, Rome has a passionate arts community and a great variety of outdoor recreation opportunities with its riverside location.
Things to Do
Berry College
Explore this town's natural surroundings, starting with the lush campus of Berry College, which was founded by Martha Berry in 1902. The world’s largest college campus sits on many acres with historic buildings as well as iconic chapels, a waterwheel and miles of trails. The campus has been used for films like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Remember the Titans.”
Oak Hill & The Martha Berry Museum
Also on the Berry College campus is Oak Hill & The Martha Berry Museum, set in her grand Greek Revival residence. The 170-acre estate boasts stunning gardens and trails along with items from Berry’s time there, including vintage vehicles and furnishings.
Rome Symphony Orchestra
The Rome Symphony Orchestra is the oldest of its kind in the region, first founded in 1921. The performances take place at the Rome City Auditorium, showcasing the work of top-notch musicians.
Rome Emperors
Cheer on the home team at a Rome Emperors baseball game, a Class A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Their season runs from April to September at AdventHealth Stadium, a Roman-inspired building constructed in 2002, complete with full-service restaurants and concession areas. You never know which players you might see before they go to the Big Leagues.
Myrtle Hill Cemetery
Rome's most notable citizens are buried at Myrtle Hill Cemetery, established in 1857 on 32 acres. Home to 20,000 plots, the site was originally a Civil War fort. The Confederate section alone holds more than 300 soldiers. There is an app for self-guided walking tours.
Historic Downtown
Don’t miss the more than 50 historic markers in historic downtown Rome, which you can visit via map on your mobile device. Elsewhere in town, take advantage of geocaching, water trails, and even food tours.
Film Locations
Rome has been used as a backdrop in several movies and TV shows to portray small-town Alabama and Virginia, spooky New Orleans, upstate New York, and several places in between. Berry College, for example, can be spotted in "Remember the Titans," the 2000 movie starring Denzel Washington, and "Constantine," a 2015 series based on DC Comics. Oak Hill was used in "Sweet Home Alabama," the 2002 movie starring Reese Witherspoon, and the Bob Moore Bridge in downtown Rome appeared in an episode of "The Originals," the successful spinoff of the Georgia-filmed CW television series "The Vampire Diaries." The picturesque Myrtle Hill Cemetery was used in the funeral scene in 2014's "Need for Speed," starring Aaron Paul and Dominic Cooper.
Nearby Cave Spring
Only 15 miles from downtown Rome, historic Cave Spring is a small, picturesque town with a number of shops, restaurants, and inns. The namesake limestone cave and surrounding park are must-sees.
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Where to Stay
Enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep at one of Rome’s hotels.
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Rome
The unique location of this Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Rome is in an 1890s brick warehouse with original wood floors and atrium. The lobby has its own salon, cupcake shop and massage therapist, and the hotel has free breakfast, WiFi and a fitness center.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Rome is located near city attractions and a golf course and offers complimentary breakfast, an onsite fitness center and free high-speed Internet.
Courtyard Rome Riverwalk
The Courtyard Rome Riverwalk has an in-house restaurant open all day as well as riverfront views, best enjoyed on the outdoor patio. Rooms have free WiFi, and the hotel has plenty of meeting room and a fitness center.
Country Inn & Suites
Enjoy a night at the Country Inn & Suites, which is close to Rome’s restaurants and stores with stylish rooms, free high-speed Internet, a fitness center, seasonal outdoor pool, business center and free breakfast buffet. There are also complimentary daily cookies and a book lending library.
La Quinta Inn & Suites
At the La Quinta Inn & Suites, guests can enjoy nonsmoking rooms with microwaves, refrigerators, flat-screen televisions and high-speed Internet. All stays come with deluxe breakfasts.
Hampton Inn & Suites
Located three miles from Rome’s attractions, Hampton Inn & Suites has comfortable guest rooms with microwaves, refrigerators and free WiFi. Some rooms even have living areas, a sofa bed and a wet bar. All guests can enjoy the free hot breakfast and fitness center.
Days Inn by Wyndham Rome Downtown
The 105 guest rooms at the Days Inn by Wyndham Rome Downtown include free continental breakfast, free high-speed WiFi, newspapers, cable television, an outdoor swimming pool, guest laundry, free local calls, and complimentary passes to an area spa.
Comfort Suites & Quality Inn
The Comfort Suites Rome offers free hot breakfast, and rooms have flat-screen televisions, microwaves, refrigerators, coffee makers, and device chargers. Similarly, the Quality Inn has an indoor heated pool and fitness center, free WiFi, newspaper, and breakfast.
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Where to Eat
Chow down at one of Rome’s locally owned restaurants.
Honeymoon Bakery
Honeymoon Bakery specializes in sweet treats like cakes, pastries, gelato, and homemade bread. Choose an item from their display case, with items stocked daily, in multiple sizes and flavors. They also have a breakfast menu.
Bella Roma
Inspired by the Italian sister city, Bella Roma is a family restaurant with dishes bringing together the flavors of Italy, Greece, and the Mediterranean. It’s located next to the Rome Braves stadium, making it the perfect spot for a pre-game meal.
River Remedy Brewing
As Rome’s first brewpub, River Remedy Brewing has a menu of favorites like burgers and sandwiches along with house-brewed beer. The historic building has live music and televisions showing various sporting events.
Harvest Moon Cafe
Established as a small bread market in downtown Cave Spring in 1998, Harvest Moon Cafe has gone on to become a community favorite for its homemade sandwiches and funky atmosphere. They now also have two bars and Sunday brunch.
Schroeder's New Deli
Located on Broad Street for over 30 years, Schroeder's New Deli was founded by two brothers. The menu now boasts unique sandwiches, nachos, salads, pizza, calzones, wings, potato skins, and cold beer.
Doug's Deli Downtown & Middle Eastern Grill
Salads and sandwiches are the draw to Doug's Deli Downtown, which also has a bakery. And not far away, the Middle Eastern Grill has authentic dishes like shawarma and hummus.
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Events
Plan your visit to Rome around one of the annual festivals.
Wings Over North Georgia
In October, see demonstrations from air show teams at Wings Over North Georgia. In addition to the shows in the sky, attendees can camp at the site, play in kids' zones, and take rides in vintage airplanes.
Chiaha Harvest Festival
In late October, the Chiaha Harvest Festival features artisans and craftsmen from around North Georgia to raise money for local arts initiatives. The event includes live entertainment and food.
Rome International Film Festival
You never know who you might see at the Rome International Film Festival, which brings together filmmakers, celebrity guests, and fans for screenings, workshops, panels, and galas every November.
Rome Shakespeare Festival
The Rome Shakespeare Festival offers outdoor productions of the Bard’s timeless works like "Hamlet" and "A Midsummer Night’s Dream." Young adults and professionals participate in these plays.
