Dalton, Georgia travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Dalton is a town in the Northwest High Country region of Georgia, founded in 1847.

6 sights

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Dalton

Prater's Mill

Visit the original 1855 grist mill. 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.

Dalton Freight Depot & Visitor Center

The 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 t…

Dug Gap Battle Park

You 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.

History Center and Historic Homes

The 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…

Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel

West Hill Cemetery

West 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 celebritie…

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 88°F; winter lows dip to about 31°F. Wettest: Jan and Mar. (climate data from nearby Historic High Country)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
CHA Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (Lovell Field), Chattanooga — 22 mi away. Directions
PDK DeKalb Peachtree Airport, Atlanta — 73 mi away. Directions
ATL Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta — 84 mi away (major hub). Directions

Dalton is along I-75 at exits 333 and 336 approximately 1 hour north of Atlanta and 20 minutes south of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Dalton Freight Depot & Visitor Center, History Center and Historic Homes
Afternoon Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel

Day 2

Morning Prater's Mill, Dug Gap Battle Park
Afternoon West Hill Cemetery

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

In downtown Dalton you can 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". There are also many soup and sandwich shops downtown like The Perfect Cup. For a unique experience travel down Hamilton Street to Los Reyes house in a beautiful/authentic stucco building.

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 like Craker Barrel.

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Get in

By car

Dalton is along I-75 at exits 333 and 336 approximately 1 hour north of Atlanta and 20 minutes south of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

By plane

Chattanooga Airport (CHA) is the nearest airport with domestic flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, and Washington, D.C.
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the main airport in Atlanta, and is 1½ hours to the south.

Get around

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.

See

See Dalton Freight Depot & Visitor Center

⚠ Last checked May 2018 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See Dug Gap Battle Park

You 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.

Take a drive to the top of the mountain at Exit 333 - Walnut Avenue. Go past the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center (approximately 1.5 miles) to Dug Gap Battle Park⚠ Last checked May 2018 — confirm before you go

Maps

See History Center and Historic Homes

⚠ Last checked May 2018 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See Prater's Mill

Visit the original 1855 grist mill. 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.

in Varnell, along Georgia Highway 201, approximately 7 miles north⚠ Last checked May 2018 — confirm before you go

Maps

See Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel

The 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.

⚠ Last checked May 2018 — confirm before you go

Maps

See West Hill Cemetery

⚠ Last checked May 2018 — confirm before you go

Maps

Do

Shop AMC Classic Walnut Square 12

New Movie Theater with first run movies.

📍 2170 E. Walnut Avenuebehind Dalton Mall💲 $10.99-14.49☎ +1 706-226-0630

Maps Website

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.

Buy

Dalton is 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 at Exit 328 along I-75, with almost a dozen carpet outlets on one street.

Market Street Shoppes, also known as Dalton Factory Stores, at Exit 333 along I-75, is home to Mountain Creek Harley Davidson, Hanes, Rack Room Shoes, and a Goodwill.
Dalton Mall, 816 Walnut Square Blvd (on the east side of Dalton approximately 5 miles from I-75). Although it's not too lively, it's home to Belk, American Eagle, Books-A-Million, and Aeropostle. There is an AMC 12 screen movie theater behind the mall.

Dalton's historic downtown area has a variety of specialty shops featuring antiques, vintage chenille, arts, crafts and collectables such as The Cherry Tree, Paper Princess, Rasberry Row, and Maryville Jewelers.

Eat

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 like Craker Barrel.

Parker's Restaurant, 2800 E Walnut Ave. For something uniquely southern, Parker's allows you to 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.

Sleep

Dalton has a great selection of hotels for all travellers and all budgets.

Exit 336 on I-75

Quality Inn, Motel 6, and Econolodge.

Exit 333 on I-75

Courtyard by Marriott, Country Inn and Suites, Comfort Inn, Super 8, Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, and Days Inn.

Go next

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