When you step onto Broad Street in downtown Rome, you'll immediately feel the energy of one of Georgia's most charming and vibrant main streets. This pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare—the second widest main street in Georgia—serves as the cultural and entertainment hub of the community, lined with beautifully preserved historic buildings now housing an exceptional mix of restaurants, specialty shops, and entertainment venues. Unlike larger cities where entertainment districts can feel commercialized and impersonal, Rome's downtown maintains an authentic character while offering sophisticated dining and shopping experiences that surprise and delight visitors.
The downtown entertainment scene has been further enhanced with the establishment of an open container district on Thursday through Saturday from 11am to 11pm, allowing you to enjoy beverages from local establishments while strolling the downtown area. This European-style approach to downtown enjoyment has created a convivial atmosphere perfect for physicians and their families to unwind after busy work weeks. The Rome Downtown Development Authority regularly organizes family-friendly events throughout the year, from summer concerts to holiday celebrations, ensuring there's always something happening in this energetic district.
Rome's dining scene has undergone a renaissance in recent years, with award-winning restaurants and diverse culinary options that would impress even the most discerning metropolitan physician. Downtown's dining options range from elegant fine dining establishments to casual farm-to-table cafés, with cuisine spanning Southern comfort food to international flavors. Many restaurants emphasize locally sourced ingredients, creating seasonal menus that showcase the bounty of Northwest Georgia.
Standout culinary destinations include Harvest Moon Café, Jamwich, and Honeymoon Bakery. The River District area adjacent to downtown has emerged as another dining hotspot, with establishments like Blossom Hill BBQ offering outdoor dining with river views. For physicians and families relocating from metropolitan areas, Rome's sophisticated yet accessible dining options provide a welcome surprise.
Rome boasts exceptional performance venues that provide cultural experiences typically found only in much larger cities. The crown jewel is the Historic DeSoto Theatre, affectionately known as the "Jewel of Broad Street." Built in 1929 and recently restored, this stunning venue was the first theater in the Southeast designed specifically for sound films. Today, it hosts Rome Little Theatre performances, touring productions, and the Rome International Film Festival.
The Forum River Center and Rome City Auditorium round out the performance space offerings, ensuring physicians and families have access to high-quality entertainment without leaving town.
Throughout the year, Rome's calendar is filled with festivals and events that bring the community together. Highlights include the Rome International Film Festival, Chiaha Harvest Fair, and the Rome Shakespeare Festival. These gatherings celebrate everything from cinema to folk art to classical literature and offer opportunities for artistic enrichment with small-town charm.
Rome's shopping scene blends locally-owned boutiques with the convenience of national retailers. Broad Street and the Between the Rivers Historic District offer unique finds, while Mount Berry Square Mall and Turner McCall Boulevard satisfy daily needs. The River District adds to the experience with shops focused on outdoor living and regional products.
Rome offers all the daily amenities busy professionals need. Grocery options include Publix, Kroger, and Walmart Supercenters. CVS and Walgreens pharmacies, plus home improvement retailers like Lowe's and The Home Depot, are conveniently distributed throughout town. Physicians relocating here will appreciate the ease of daily errands compared to larger cities.
Strategically located services and limited congestion allow you to maximize free time for family, recreation, and rest—enhancing your overall quality of life.
Rome supports a thriving family entertainment scene, with multi-screen cinemas, the Historic DeSoto Theatre for curated film events, and bowling alleys, arcades, and indoor play centers for family outings. Seasonal attractions like Copper Creek Farm round out the offerings with strawberry picking, pumpkin patches, and hayrides.
Living in Rome means you’ll enjoy metropolitan-caliber entertainment with small-town familiarity. From shop owners who remember your name to community-wide celebrations, this city creates a lifestyle that’s as enriching as it is welcoming.
Rome's unique geographical setting—where the Etowah and Oostanaula rivers converge to form the Coosa River—creates an exceptional outdoor playground that physicians and their families can enjoy year-round. Unlike metropolitan areas where meaningful outdoor experiences require extensive travel, Rome places nature literally at your doorstep. The city's three rivers flow gently through the heart of downtown, offering immediate access to some of North America's most biologically diverse waterways. These waterways have become a cornerstone of Rome's outdoor lifestyle, providing endless opportunities for paddling, fishing, and reconnecting with nature after demanding clinical days.
For water enthusiasts, the rivers offer ideal conditions for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding with relatively gentle currents that accommodate both beginners and experienced paddlers. Local outfitters like River Ratz provide equipment rentals and shuttle services, making spontaneous river adventures easily accessible for busy physicians. The city's "Rolling on the River" public riverboat tours offer a more relaxed way to experience the waterways, providing unique perspectives on how the rivers have shaped Rome's history and ecosystem. Unlike crowded recreational areas in larger cities, Rome's rivers provide serene environments where you can often paddle for extended stretches seeing only wildlife rather than crowds.
Rome has developed an impressive network of trails that seamlessly integrate urban amenities with natural environments. The AdventHealth ECO Greenway encompasses over 13 miles of paved, multi-purpose trails that follow Rome's riverways, connecting downtown dining and shopping to area attractions. This trail system allows physicians to easily incorporate outdoor activity into daily routines—whether biking to work, taking an evening stroll with family, or enjoying a morning run with river views.
Beyond the paved trails, Rome offers approximately 10 miles of unpaved trails for hiking and mountain biking. The Jackson Hill trails offer rugged terrain and Civil War history, while Marshall Forest includes an ADA-accessible Braille Trail—making outdoor experiences available to all.
Perhaps Rome's most extraordinary outdoor asset is Berry College—home to the world's largest contiguous college campus with 27,000 acres of forests, fields, and mountains. Located just minutes from downtown, this property offers over 50 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding through diverse ecosystems.
Popular destinations include the House o' Dreams on Lavender Mountain and the Berry Reservoir trails, known for abundant wildlife like deer and the famous bald eagles. These natural retreats offer wilderness solitude and beauty without long drives.
For physicians who enjoy angling, Rome offers exceptional fishing opportunities across its rivers and nearby lakes. The Etowah, Oostanaula, and Coosa rivers host healthy populations of bass, catfish, and sunfish. Rocky Mountain Recreation Area provides well-stocked fishing lakes in a scenic setting.
The Rome area is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and birders. Berry College is famous for its bald eagle webcam and thriving deer population. The Marshall Forest Preserve offers a look at rare old-growth ecosystems, while Rocky Mountain Recreation Area adds to the region's nature exploration offerings.
For physicians who enjoy hunting, the Berry College Wildlife Management Area (WMA) offers 15,609 acres of managed hunting land just minutes from Rome. It supports sustainable game populations of deer, turkey, bear, and more. Additional areas in the region provide year-round hunting opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Living in Rome provides physicians and their families with immediate access to outdoor experiences that are rare in most metropolitan settings. Whether you seek a solo paddle, a family hike, or a simple sunset stroll along the greenway, nature is always just minutes away—enhancing your wellbeing and work-life balance.
Rome boasts tennis facilities that would impress physicians relocating from any major metropolitan area. The crown jewel is the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College, an extraordinary facility featuring 63 courts on a 30-acre site, including six NCAA regulation courts, three stadium courts, and six indoor hard courts. This publicly-owned complex—one of the largest in the nation—ensures that tennis enthusiasts of all levels have access to professional-quality courts year-round. The facility's lodge-like 3,846-square-foot clubhouse overlooks the main courts, creating a welcoming environment for both casual players and serious competitors.
Complementing this premier facility is the Downtown Pickleball & Tennis Center, featuring 14 lighted USTA standard tennis courts and six dedicated pickleball courts in the heart of Rome. These exceptional facilities have established Rome as a tennis destination, attracting regional and national tournaments while providing residents with access to high-quality programming, including lessons, clinics, leagues, and social events for all ages and skill levels.
Rome offers exceptional golfing opportunities in settings that showcase the region's natural beauty. Stonebridge Golf Course, an 18-hole public course designed by Arthur Davis, provides golfers with a challenging yet enjoyable experience set against the Appalachian Mountains. For a private experience, Coosa Country Club offers a classic course and country club amenities including tennis, swimming, and dining.
Rome and Floyd County maintain an extensive network of 27 parks offering recreation for all ages. Ridge Ferry Park is the community's signature park with playgrounds, trails, an outdoor stage, and river access. Neighborhood parks include sports fields and walking paths integrated with natural features.
Rome offers excellent aquatic facilities for year-round fitness and recreation. The Northside Swim Center features an outdoor pool complex for seasonal use, while the Rome-Floyd County YMCA provides an indoor pool with lessons, lap swim, and therapeutic programming.
The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority administers robust programming for youth and adults, from baseball and cheerleading to adult leagues in softball, volleyball, and soccer. The Rome Gymnastics Center offers both recreational and competitive instruction through USAG-sanctioned teams.
Rome-Floyd County YMCA provides comprehensive fitness options including cardio, weights, and group classes. Numerous private fitness centers cater to specific training approaches such as CrossFit, yoga, and personal training, offering affordable and flexible options for physicians.
Rome offers specialized facilities such as the Rome-Floyd ECO Center, which combines recreation with environmental education, and performing arts venues for youth and adult programs in dance, music, and theater. Rome Gymnastics Center further enhances recreation options with state-of-the-art equipment and instruction.
Living in Rome provides physicians and their families with exceptional recreational facilities and programming that rival those of much larger cities—without the cost, congestion, or complexity. The range of options ensures that everyone in your household can find fulfilling activities that enhance health, balance, and community engagement.