Dalton (Georgia)

Founded in 1847, Dalton is often referred to as the Carpet Capital of the World because approximately 80% of the world's tufted carpet is produced within 30 miles of Dalton.

Dalton is along I-75 at exits 333 and 336 approximately 1 hour north of Atlanta and 20 minutes south of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The nearest airport is in Chattanooga and the Atlanta airport is 1 1/2 hours to the south.

While in the Dalton area you need to become familiar with the Dalton By-Pass. This is a large 4 lane highway that circles Dalton - it also carries US Highway 41 today so you can look for those signs as well.
The By-Pass "as locals call it" runs from I-75 at Exit 328 (known locally as the Connector 3 Exit)to I-75 at Exit 336. Exit 333 is West Walnut Avenue that begins at the interstate and runs due east and connects with the By Pass approximately in the middle. Using Walnut Avenue and the By-pass are good ways to get in and around the area.

• Dalton Freight Depot & Visitor CenterThe depot built in 1911 as the Southern Railways Freight Depot was restored in 2009 and know houses the Dalton Area Visitor's Center. Along with maps and brochures of the Dalton area you can explore the exhibits within the depot that explain the civil war in Dalton as well as trains and the local carpet industry.

• Dug Gap Battle ParkYou can see the original stone breastworks from the Civil War Battle fought there in 1864. It also provides a spectacular view of Dalton and the great valley.

• General Joseph E. Johnston StatueErected in 1912 by the Daughters of Confederate Veterans. This monument is the only "out door" statue to the Commander of the Confederate Army of Tennessee. General Johnston was in command of the army during their 5 month winter headquarters in Dalton in 1863-64.

• History Center and Historic HomesThe Whitfield-Murray Historical Society operates several historic homes and sites - including the oldest home in Dalton - The Hamilton House, that was used as headquarters for the Kentucky Orphan Brigade during the Civil War. The Blunt House, and the Crown Gardens History Center and Archives.

• Prater's MillVisit the original 1855 grist mill located in Varnell, Georgia along Georgia Highway 201 approximately seven miles north of Dalton. Civil War soldiers from both sides used it as a camp site and today it hosts the annual Prater's Mill Country Fair each October.

• Western & Atlantic Railroad TunnelThe first major railroad tunnel in the South is in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, a fifteen minute drive to the north of Dalton. Completed in 1850 and built completely by hand the 1/4 mile long tunnel is open to visitor's who receive guided tours and walk its entire length. The tunnel completed the first railroad connection from the Atlantic Ocean to the Tennessee River. You can also explore the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center Museum and Visitor's Center, which houses artifacts from the construction and renovation of the tunnel along with exhibits on the Civil War, Cherokee Indians and the local carpet industry.

• West Hill CemetryWest Hill Cemetery eight blocks to the west of downtown is one of Georgia's oldest cemeteries and houses a confederate cemetery. Pick up a walking tour guide from the Dalton Freight Depot and discover the many celebrities and founders of Dalton.

• Carmike Cinema

  address: 2170 E. Walnut Avenue, Dalton, GA 30721
  New Movie Theater with first run movies.

• Freeman Springs FarmThis working farm has been in the same family since 1836. They also sell homemade butters, jams and jellies and in the fall host a corn maze, hayride and pumpkin festival.

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Tours

Driving Tours

• "War Comes To Dalton" This driving tour outlines the Civil War in Dalton and how the opening battles for the Campaign for Atlanta began here in May of 1864. You can purchase the CD's and guidebook at the Dalton Freight Depot Visitor's Center and the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center Visitor's Center.
• "Federal Road" This driving tour follows the historic Federal Roads that the Cherokee allowed the Federal government to establish through the Cherokee Nation. CD's may be purchased at the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center Visitor's Center.

Walking Tours

• "Downtown Dalton" - There are three different walking tours for Downtown Dalton free guides may be picked up at the Dalton Freight Depot Visitors Center or behind the General Joseph E. Johnston Statue on Crawford Street.
• "West Hill Cemetery" - Take a walking tour of one of Georgia's oldest cemeteries. Free guides may be picked up at the Dalton Freight Depot Visitor's Center or the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center Visitor's Center.

Carpet and Rug Outlets

Since Dalton is the Carpet Capital of the World, it is of course a good place to find deals on carpet and rugs. There are dozens of carpet wholesalers and outlets located throughout the area. The largest concentration being located at Exit 328 along I-75 with almost a dozen carpet outlets on one street.
Access Carpets, Beckler's Carpets, Carpet Alley, Carpet Discount Center, Dalton Wholesale Carpets, FloorMax Factory Outlet, Georgia Carpet Industries, Heritage Rug Gallery, and Capital Carpet are all examples of carpet or rug outlets in Dalton.

Outlet Mall - Market Street Shops

Dalton is also home to a discount outlet mall - Market Street Shops located at Exit 333 along I-75. It is home to Mountain Creek Harley Davidson, Tuesday Morning, Reebok, Hanes, Bass, Rue 21, Rack Room Shoes, Factory Brand Shoes, Carters, Bon Worth, Kitchen Collection, Nautica, Totes, and Van Heusen.

Walnut Square Mall

Dalton's traditional mall - Walnut Square Mall is on the east side of Dalton on Walnut Avenue approximately 5 miles from I-75. It is home to Belk, American Eagle, Books-A-Million, and Aeropostle. There is an AMC 12 screen movie theater behind the mall.

Downtown Dalton

Dalton's historic downtown area has a variety of specialty shops featuring antiques, vintage chenille, arts, crafts and collectables such as The Cherry Tree, Loganberry's, Paper Princess, Peacock Alley Antiques and Gifts, The Pickity Place, Rasberry Row, The Book Nook, and Maryville Jewelers.

Retail Stores

There are Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Lowe's, Kroger, Bi-Lo, and Office Depot stores in Dalton.

Downtown Dalton

The Dalton Depot Restaurant is in the historic Western & Atlantic Depot built in 1852. You can also find traditional southern items at the Oakwood Cafe in operation in the same location since 1924. There is the Filling Station a wonderful lunch buffet built into a 1920s gas station on Hamiltion Street - Dalton's "Main Street". If you are in the mood for New York Style Pizza there is the Iron Gate Pizzeria and next door is the elegant Stone Lion Tavern. There are also many soup and sandwich shops downtown including The Perfect Cup, The Little Dipper and The Peacock Alley Cafe, where you take a pencil and circle the items you want on your custom made salad or sandwich. For a unique experience travel down Hamilton Street to Los Reyes house in a beautiful/authentic stucco building.

Exit 333 on I-75

Exit 333 in Dalton is considered by many travelers as the "Number One Exit on I-75". You will find a vast array of fast food and casual dinning restaurants including Shoney's, O'Charleys, Steak & Shake, Schlotskys, CiCi's Pizza, Captain D's, Long John Silvers, and Sonic and Craker Barrel. For Mexican try the authentic Las Pablos that is in a shopping center behind Chick-Fil-A - it may not look like much but the food is great! For Italian lovers there is Tony's inside the outlet mall and for great Japanese - there is the Kani House also in the outlet mall.

Cleveland Highway area

The Cleveland Highway area of Dalton is located at the corner of the North Dalton By-Pass and Cleveland Highway (GA Highway 71). This area is close to two large baseball facilities - Heritage Point Park (1/2 mile) and Edwards Park (5 miles). In this area you can find fast food for the kids such as Zaxby's, Sonic, Zaxby's, Hardee's, Bojangle's, and the Waffle House. There are a couple of good Mexican places such as Los Reyes, and Emperor of China Buffet next to Kroger. For great sushi or other types of Japanese food, try Yo Yo Ma in the Bi-Lo Shopping Center or the new Blue Fin Grill adjacent to Waffle House.

Walnut Square Mall area

Chik-Fil-A and Las Margaritas are within the mall. In the areas around the mall you can find Zaxby's, Sonic, Logan's Roadhouse, inside Wal-Mart, Krystal, and for something uniquely southern, try Parker's Restaurant located across the street from Pye Nissan. At Parker's you can discover a traditional "meat and three". This is where you pick out one of the meats of the day along with 2 to 3 vegetables or sides.

For evening entertainment you can stop by the Trackside Cafe in the Dalton Depot Restaurant which hosts a variety of activities each evening including live music and karaoke. The Stone Lion Tavern along Hamilton Street provides a sophisticated atmosphere with leather couches and big screen TV's.

Dalton has a great selection of hotels for all travellers and all budgets.
Exit 336 on I-75
Super 8, Motel 6, Baymont and Econolodge.
Exit 333 on I-75
Courtyard by Marriott, Jameson Inn, Country Inn and Suites, Comfort Inn, LaQuinta Inn, Quality Inn, Holiday Inn Express, America's Best Inn, Hampton Inn, Days Inn, Travelodge and the brand new full service Holiday Inn.

On your way out of Dalton going North is the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Battlefield and a variety of attractions in and around Chattanooga.