In the Neighborhood: Canton
A look at the top family-friendly spots in this part of metro Atlanta.
Population: 36,857
Zip codes: 30114, 30115, 30169
Known for: Being the county seat of Cherokee County. The city, nestled between Atlanta and the Blue Ridge Mountains, boasts scenic mountain foothill views.
Lake Allatoona encompasses 270 miles of shoreline connecting Acworth, Kennesaw and Canton, among other cities. The lake is the centerpiece of these communities. As one of Georgia’s largest and most scenic lakes, residents of the area can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, canoeing, tubing and other water sports, plus the beaches, parks and picnic sites along the shore. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began constructing Lake Allatoona in the 1940s, and today it still acts as a reservoir and is the primary source of drinking water for Cobb County.
With a wealth of engaging exhibits and experiences for kids to learn about Cherokee County’s history, The Cherokee History Museum in Canton is the place to go to explore the past from thousands of years ago. The museum’s collection consists of more than 100,000 items on permanent exhibits, and they offer transient exhibits seasonally. On exhibit through the end of February is “A Century of Toys: 100 Years of Play,” featuring nostalgic and vintage toys.
Cagle’s Farm offers more than 25 things to do for kids of all ages year round, including seasonal activities. Kids will enjoy interacting with farm animals in the open-air barnyard, watching sheepdog herding demonstrations, tractor rides and seeing pig races. There’s a large corn maze and a mini maze for tiny adventurers. The on-site cafe has food, snacks and drinks to enjoy while at the farm.
Farm life meets art and creativity at The Art Barn, a fun-filled farm in Canton. Kids will enjoy hands-on interactions with all the animals, explore gardens, learn where honey comes from, and go on hayrides. After exploring the animals and grounds, kids will create a piece of art in The Art Barn to take home with them.
The Cotton Mill Exchange, located in The Mill on Etowah in Canton, is an antique mall in the historic 123-year-old cotton mill. They have interesting displays, such as a vinyl record booth and art depicting Canton’s history, as well as two children’s clothing booths. The event greenspace at The Mill has plenty of family friendly and kid-specific events year-round.
The Mill on Etowah features six restaurants. Kids will love the event greenspace where they can take their food to-go and eat while playing with a variety of games and structures, coloring or listening to live bands.
Minis at The Mill is for ages 1-5 to enjoy a morning of fun designed specifically for little ones. Held on the green at The Mill on Etowah in Canton, this interactive playtime program provides safe and engaging activities that spark curiosity and creativity. Story time, bubble parties and ball play are just a few of the activities for tots.
Etowah River Park is Canton’s dog-friendly community park featuring a spacious playground, paved trail along the historic Etowah River, basketball court, picnic tables and a large field for kids to run or play sports. The park is connected to Heritage Park through a scenic trail ending in another large playground for kids to explore. You can also rent a tube or canoe from Murph’s Surf and take the kids on a scenic tour of the Etowah River.
Cherokee Veterans Park in Canton is the home of the L.B. “Buzz” Ahrens Jr. Recreation Center. Located on 149 acres, it’s one of the largest parks in Cherokee County. The Recreation Center features a two-story rock climbing tower that kids will love, and the park has a unique feature — a large skate park where kids can skateboard or ride bikes. Along with a well-appointed playground, the park also has courts for tennis, pickleball and basketball. Walking trails and a fishing pond make this a great place to explore nature.
Dreamy Cloud Indoor Play has a variety of play areas for imaginary play, including a grocery store, construction zone, spaceship and kitchen area. A separate baby area includes mirrors, grab bars, play mats, sensory toys and more. Parents can relax in the seating area and enjoy complimentary coffee and tea while watching their little one.
The Zayas Family Faves
Edwin, Dahyana, Derek (19) and Isaac (5)
Why we love the vibe/location of our neighborhood: We love Canton, a city with excellent schools. While a growing and vibrant city, it still has a very cozy and secure feel, embracing family. We love Harmony on the Lakes, where we’ve been living for eight years because of the variety of micro communities, a presence of plenty of trees and green spaces to help you connect with nature and our friendly neighbors. The beautiful lakes, pool, gym, clubhouse and gazebo, even the hiking trails, are a treasure. The location is convenient because we have easy access to shopping, dining and parks.
Our favorite playground is: Etowah River Park
Our favorite restaurants are: LongHorn, Taco Mac, Chick-fil-A, Thai Taste and Antico Pizza
You can’t miss this hidden gem: Alma Coffee on Holly Springs Parkway has become a favorite.
-Jackie B. Watson