Staff Photo by Doug Strickland/Chattanooga Times Free Press – April 26, 2013. Chris McGuire with Fat Bottom BBQ grills a rack of ribs Friday at the BBQ Boogie & Blues Street Festival in Calhoun, Ga. The festival continues Saturday.Calhoun may be small in size (only 11.7 square miles), but it’s big on things to do.
Got the shopping bug? Calhoun can fix that with over 50 shops at its first-class outlet mall. Hungry? The city has a restaurant so good it doesn’t need a sign. Like big-time high school sports? Calhoun is home to one of the state’s top prep programs. Want history? The New Echota Historic Site is crammed full of it.
There are more reasons to stop in, including a nationally sanctioned barbecue contest and one of the state’s largest country fairs.
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VISIT CHEROKEE CAPITALThe New Echota Historic Site is one of the most significant Cherokee Nation sites in the country. It was home to the first Indian-language newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix; the capital of the Cherokee Nation; and the beginning point of the infamous Trail of Tears.>Today, you can take a self-guided tour through 12 original and reconstructed buildings, including a council house, print shop, an 1805 store and the home of missionary Samuel Worcester. Also among the activities are hikes along the Pond Overlook Tons of Fun Trail and the New Town Creek Nature Trail.The visitors center includes a gift shop and 17-minute film.Tickets cost $5.50-$7, and the park is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. (1211 Chatsworth Highway; 706-624-1321)Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources
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SHOPPER’S PARADISELocated just off Interstate 75, Calhoun Premium Outlets offers shoppers discounts from 25 to 65 percent off. The outlet includes more than 50 shops, featuring everything from high-end clothing to athletic wear, tools, salon services and food.Various coupons can be found at the outlet’s website, premiumoutlets.com.>The outlet is also offering a VIP Shopper’s Club membership, where members gain access to special sales, coupons and news about events. There is no cost to join.Hours for the outlet are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.Source: Calhoun Premium Outlets