If you’re looking for a trip to the American West but don’t have the time or money for a cross-country vacation, we have good news: you can see it all here in Georgia. And we promise you it’s worth the detour!
The Booth Museum of Western Art is 42 miles north of Atlanta in Cartersville. The museum, affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, is dedicated to the art and history of the western United States and is listed as one of the “Best Museums in the South” by Southern Living. The museum opened in 2003 and has continued to add to its collection ever since.
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You will have many options when visiting the Booth Museum: you can go alone, take a guided tour (which is great for families with children), or attend one of their many special events, such as the 20th anniversary Cowboy Festival and Symposium coming soon, October 20-22.
This annual event offers a variety of activities and entertainment for all ages. Re-enactments of the shooting at the OK Corral, live music deeply rooted in Western traditions, Native American dancing, encounters with live animals, free art projects and activities for children, living history camps – the list goes on! There’s also plenty of shopping at book sales and vendors, including western art, jewelry, clothing, food, and pottery.
The Booth is the only such museum in the Southeast, and for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022) has been named USA Today’s 10Best People’s Choice Award for Best Art Museum in the Nation. And at 120,000 square feet and three stories, The Booth is an architectural marvel in itself – designed to look like a modern pueblo and built from Bulgarian limestone.
Other awards and honors include:
- “Best Western Museum in America” - 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards, True West Magazine
- 2016 Escape to the Southeast Travel Attraction of the Year – Southeast Tourism Society
- Member, Museums West Consortium – Top 15 Western-Themed Museums in North America
However, some things are better experienced than explained. So saddle up and head to The Booth for your own adventure. Advance tickets are recommended but not required and can be purchased online. Use discount code “accessatlantaat check-out and receive a $2 discount per ticket for up to four people!
Once you get to the museum, there’s plenty of free parking and a cafe that’s perfect for lunch or a snack – its chicken salad was named “1 of 9 things to try in Cartersville.”
Booth Museum of Western Art
Location: 501 Museum Dr. Cartersville, Georgia, 30120; Hours: Closed Monday, Tuesday-Wednesday 10am-5pm, Thursday 10am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sun: 1pm-5pm; Admission: Adult $13, Senior $11, Student $10, Child (12 and under) free; Website: standmuseum.org; Contact: 770-387-1300
