A woman paints outdoors

ARTS AND CULTURE

Rome has a strong love for the arts, and it’s evident around almost any corner. From murals to sculptures to unique annual or limited-time creations, color and joy can be found anywhere. Especially in our charming downtown, you’ll see a few of these pieces, as well as the occasional art installation in the form of crochet or sidewalk art. Thanks to the Rome Area Council for the Arts enabling local artists, these moments of creativity are present between multiple cultural events. This includes performances from the oldest symphony in the south, the Rome Symphony Orchestra, and productions from two theatre companies, the Rome Little Theatre and the River Arts District Playhouse. Our town is also rich in history, which is available to the public thanks to The Rome Area History Museum, the Chieftains Museum, and Oak Hill & Martha Berry Museum. No matter when and where you’re in our town, you’ll always be able to find something inspiring.

Ford buildings at Berry College

EDUCATION

A true indicator of a great town is its youth, and we have multiple school systems and higher learning institutions for any child to grow and flourish. Our public high schools include Rome City Schools and Floyd County SchoolsDarlington School and Unity Christian School are two great local private options. We also have the Floyd County College and Career Academy, where students are given the opportunity to further their education during high school. Each establishment has its own strengths and benefits, including great academics, athletics, and extracurriculars.

After graduation, there are also three colleges and two universities. Berry College has the world’s largest contiguous college campus, with over 27,000 acres of beautiful mountainous views. Shorter University‘s Baptist roots make it a great option for those who are looking for a Christ-centered college experience. We also have one of five Georgia Highlands College campuses in town, as well as Georgia Northwestern Technical College, and so those looking for a state school experience or a new opportunity can find that right here in Rome. Augusta University, Medical College of Georgia,  has its Northwest Campus here in Rome, as well.

Rome Shakespeare Festival

EVENTS

Many of our events are centered around music, theatre, dance, and more. A few highlights include the Ellen Axson Wilson Arts FestivalFirefly Fling, the Rome International Film Festival, and the Rome Shakespeare Festival. Annual events like the Downtown Block Party series and the Chiaha Harvest Fair ring in the seasons and the entire town can get together for these and other unique events like the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show. Food and drinks also make up a big part of our local culture, as made evident by the Rome Beer Festival. Of course, with our local rivers, we also have outdoor events as well, like the Spirit of the Sun Festival, where kayakers and paddleboarders race down the three waterways in our town. Our community works hard in order to provide entertainment for everyone. Coming together to celebrate art, food, and our beautiful surroundings is just one way to do that!

Two doctors look at scans on a screen

HEALTHCARE

Rome is uniquely positioned as a healthcare-oriented town. We’re home to two hospital systems, a wonderful medical clinic, as well as a slew of other healthcare-oriented businesses. Floyd Medical Center, now Atrium Health – Floyd, has served Rome families for 7 decades. This 304-bed hospital and regional referral center covers multiple needs & specialties. Redmond Regional Medical Center – now Advent Health – Redmond, is home to an incredible, nationally-recognized cardiac center as well as an array of inpatient and outpatient programs that are unique to the northwest Georgia region. Harbin Clinic is the largest privately-owned, multi-specialty clinic in Georgia. They’re a great representation of caring for the whole patient thanks to their 240 medical professionals providing 40 different types of medical care. Throughout Rome, you can also find yoga studios, mental health counselors, and more, so you and your employees are cared for across the board.

People eat outdoors on a small city street

SHOPPING AND FOOD

When it’s time to go out on the town, we have your future haunts waiting for you. If you’re looking to shop in Rome, you’re in luck! Downtown, you’ll find a variety of boutiques and shops featuring locally-sourced wares as well as big-name products. Whether you’re looking for clothing, accessories, home decor, antiques, or even sports & outdoor gear, you can find it on Broad Street! We also have multiple shopping centers, with big-box stores as well as more unique storefronts.

When it comes to food, you’ll be able to find just about anything here. With restaurants spanning from road trip classics to high-end dining, choosing a place to eat is the difficult decision you want to make. Many local staples can be found on Broad Street, but these gems are scattered around town. All that’s left to do is find what you’re craving and place your order!

Woman playing tennis in front of a banner that says ACC Tennis Championship

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Located in the picturesque mountains of northwest Georgia, recreational activities can be found right outside your front door. Take a walk or head out for a hike down one of our many trails, or head to one of our three rivers for floating, kayaking, or paddleboarding. Thanks to Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation, we have beautiful parks made for throwing ball or picnics, as well as a variety of activities and sports available for local kids and adults. Our local YMCA also gives Romans the opportunity to sign up for many classes and programs, and there are plenty of gyms around for those who have a penchant for fitness. Rome is also home to one of the largest tennis facilities in the south, the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College, which has 63 tennis courts waiting and ready for players of any level. Of course, if you’d rather be a spectator than a participant, there’s nothing like game day at the Rome Braves, or supporting our local schools’ sporting events.