Eat, Shop & Play at The Mill on Etowah

Set in downtown Canton, on the banks of the rushing Etowah River, The Mill on Etowah is a significant part of the town's history. Stroll the mill’s paved walkways and check out the converted red-brick halls for a glimpse into its previous life as the denim-producing Mill #1 and Mill #2, known as the Canton Cotton Mills. Keep an eye out for sepia-colored portraits of the mills’ founding family and photographs of former workers.

Alongside these windows into the past, you’ll experience plenty of The Mill on Etowah’s exciting present via unique shopping opportunities, a thriving social environment with diverse restaurants, and a green space for events.

Food, drinks & good vibes

The restaurants at The Mill on Etowah offer tasty options for everything from breakfast to after-work sips. Grab your morning java jolt at Whitetail Coffee Company with mochas, lattes, and cold brews. For a sugary start to your day, Giggle Monsters Craft Donuts serves classic and custom-topped doughnuts with everything from gummy worms and sprinkles to coconut flakes and marmalades.

For heartier meals, sample the inventive shake and burger menu at Community Burger with items like the vanilla-chocolate toffee crunch shake, or opt for salmon risotto, tiramisu, and other Italian specialties at Magnolia Villa. Delight in scoops of mint and lemon-cookie ice cream or spicy chicken salad at Sweety’s Café & Ice Cream Bar, and enjoy meatball paninis and slices of wood-fired pizzas at Campania.

When you want to unwind, grab a glass of wine, a pour from the tap, or a frozen treat like a mimosa-float ice cream at Suds & Bottles. Reformation Canton pairs lawn games and line dancing with beverages like the peach-tea vodka lemonade and the Belgian-style tripel Jude. Or try extensive collections of bourbon, whiskey, and cigars at Canton Cigar Company, which also hosts weekly trivia nights.

Shopping

The Mill on Etowah offers shoppers a unique retail experience with its Cotton Mill Exchange, an indoor market featuring more than 150 artisans, designers, and boutique shops in one space. Here, you’ll find walls filled with vintage signs, must-have antiques, magazine-worthy home décor pieces, and stunning jewelry. 

Outside the exchange, treat yourself to a stress-melting massage at Practically Perfect Day Spa & Salon, or get artful floral designs at The Flower Shoppe by 89th and Autumn. Murphs Surf Shop has gear for a day of outdoor recreation, including tubing, SUP, and kayak rentals for trips down the Etowah River. Meanwhile, M&M Mercantile offers painting and crafting sessions along with already made pieces in its makers’ market.

Weekly events

When you’re looking for things to do in Canton, The Mill on Etowah’s green space has something for everyone. Music enthusiasts can kick off the weekend with rockin’ tunes as Friday-night bands play on the covered performance stage, and sports fans can catch games on a massive screen. 

Those looking to relax can bring a yoga mat on warm-weather nights for a free sunset session. You’ll feel more Zen with each deep breath as you stretch out and listen to the breeze moving through the surrounding trees. Families with youngsters ages one to five can take part in Minis at the Mill events with free interactive activities like story time, soccer, and bubble parties.

Annual festivals, holiday fun & more

The Mill on Etowah is a year-round spot for seasonal and signature events. In autumn, celebrate the mill's heritage at Denim Fest, a two-day festival bursting with family fun, like a giggle-inducing kids’ carnival, a melt-in-your-mouth barbecue cook-off, and dance-inducing live jams.

Get your holiday shopping in during Christmas at the Mill (November through December) with the chance to meet The Clauses or skate around the ice rink beneath strings of fairy lights.

In April, help local charities at the fundraising Upriver 5K race and music festival. Animal enthusiasts will love attending March’s Etowah Wildlife Expo, at which they can participate in fishing tournaments, stand in the splash zone of doggy-diving competitions, or watch animal demonstrations with swooping birds and slithering snakes.

In July, celebrate Independence Day with Float on the Fourth, a patriotic trip down the Etowah River.