The Canton, GA Summer Guide

Walks at Etowah River Park, kayaking on Lake Allatoona, and morning pickleball at Kenney Askew — my roundup of favorite local spots and ways to soak up summer in Canton.

There's something special about summer in Canton — walks at Etowah River Park, kayaking on Lake Allatoona, and mornings playing pickleball at Kenney Askew. This is my roundup of favorite local spots and ways to soak up the season.

My summer bucket list

• Pick up fresh pastries from Le Macaron
• Pick your own blueberries at Pleasant Union Farm
• Catch a show at the Historic Canton Theatre
• Buy local at the Canton Farmers Market
• Try a summer brew from Reformation Brewery
• Explore the seasonal blooms at Gibbs Gardens
• Pack a picnic for Etowah River Park
• Eat on the patio at The Holler
• Bike the loop at Blankets Creek
• Do a wine tasting at Big Door Vineyards
• Volunteer at the Downtown Canton Community Garden
• Spend a museum day at the Cherokee County History Center
• Catch Endless Summerfest at The Mill on Etowah

Summer eats & drinks

Coffee: Bizarre Coffee, Stitch Coffee, Cafe Floralia, Sweety's Cafe & Tea Room, and Flourish Cafe.

Drinks: Reformation Brewery, The Holler, and B&B Social.

Restaurants: Tumi Peruvian, Bully Run, POPS, Downtown Kitchen, and Queenie's.

Sweets: Kilwin's, Le Macaron, A Cone To Pick, and The Local Graze.

Staycations & getaways

Staycations: The Mill on Etowah (shops, brewery & live music), Gibbs Gardens (356 acres of seasonal blooms), and Downtown Canton (Main Street shops & bites).

Lake life: Sweetwater Park (sandy swim beach on Lake Allatoona), Victoria Park (beach, picnic area & boat launch), and Lake Allatoona itself (270 miles of shoreline to explore).

Under a 4-hour drive: Blue Ridge, GA (mountain shops & scenic train rides), Helen, GA (Bavarian village & river tubing), and Chattanooga, TN (aquarium, Rock City & riverfront fun).

Summer events

Summer is Canton's liveliest season. Look for the River Rock Concert Series at Etowah River Park, First Friday downtown each month, Endless Summerfest at The Mill, and family movie nights at the Historic Canton Theatre. Check each venue's calendar for this year's dates and lineups.

Farmers markets

• Canton Farmers Market — Brown Park (251 E Marietta St), Saturdays 9am–12:30pm, late spring through summer
• Waleska Farmers Market — 8891 Fincher Rd, Waleska, Thursdays 9am–1pm, May–September
• Woodstock Farm Fresh Market — Main St & Town Lake Pkwy, Saturdays 8:30am–12pm, April–December
• Ball Ground Farmers Market — Downtown Ball Ground, every other Saturday 9am–1pm, June–September

For the kids

Summer camps: Young Artists Studio, Canton's Best Summer Camp, Hide and Seek Day Camp, and The Haven Academy.

Kid-friendly eats: Bully Run, A Cone To Pick, Kilwin's, Queenie's, RCB, and Loaded Bites.

Adventures: Blankets Creek Trails, Etowah River Park, the Cherokee County History Center, and kayaking on Lake Allatoona.