King of the mills: Your city guide to Roswell

North of Atlanta, nestled in the northern banks of the Chattahoochee River, sits the booming suburb of Roswell. Named one of the best places to live in Georgia, Roswell is one of metro Atlanta’s oldest towns.

Founded on Cherokee land in the 1830s by entrepreneur Roswell King when looking for gold, the intersection of the Chattahoochee and Vickery Creek proved to be an alluring location for textile development. The city was officially incorporated in 1854. King and his contemporaries built a booming manufacturing town that tripled in size before the Civil War.

With only minor damage after the war, more families moved into town, and Roswell developed into a small suburb. A second mill was built, though both mills were destroyed by 1926. Many small businesses, a library, parks, and other facilities sprung up in the following years, and the mill area was rebuilt into a shopping district and historic site that still exists today. (The old town’s surviving mansions also stand as attractions for visitors and history buffs.)

As Atlanta’s suburbs grew in the late 20th century and the Georgia 400 highway crawled northward, Roswell’s population and development continued. Today, Roswell has 13 parks and 900 acres of parkland. Its historic Canton Street district is home to many acclaimed restaurants and is a great place to relax. But despite all this growth, Roswell still feels like a quiet place for families and nature lovers alike to enjoy.

What can I do for fun in Roswell?

Go beyond Mac vs PC at the Computer Museum of America. Techies and history nerds will find lots to love at this hidden gem nestled in an old shopping mall. The museum has a comprehensive collection of computers and computer-related artifacts collected over 40 years. Highlights include a massive timeline of scientific and computing history (complete with physical artifacts), a giant scale model of the Apollo moon lander, and a complete gallery of magazine covers from Byte magazine. The museum also hosts demo days and a lecture series.

Catch a movie or a hole-in-one at Aurora Cineplex. Forget the big movie chains. Aurora Cineplex has been Roswell’s neighborhood theatre for over a decade. This independent cinema shows everything from the biggest superhero hits to smaller fare. Relax in their jumbo recliners and grab some popcorn or a fresh baked treat. After the show, you and the family can try your hand at a full 18-hole mini golf course outside. It’s perfect for a weekend afternoon out.

Fall in love with Vickery Creek Falls’ views. When you cross this park’s entry bridge overlooking the waterfalls of Vickery Creek, you can see the appeal it had for the city’s founder. Nearly 5 miles of trails through the forest await beyond the creek, and its moderate terrain makes this trail perfect for a relaxing intown hike or a quick getaway from everyday life. While the waterfall area is temporarily inaccessible to guests, there are no bad views along the way, and the Chattahoochee River is a few minutes away for those looking for true water activities.

Fly high at Skyzone Trampoline Park. Prefer going vertical? Check out Skyzone, which has tons of trampolines and active attractions for your airborne pleasure. Go beyond the backyard trampoline and jump into dodgeball, basketball, ziplines, and even a WipeOut-style challenge! It’s perfect for a few hours or a day-long birthday party.

Where are the best places to eat and drink in Roswell?

Doucer de France Bakery

Start your day with a taste of France at this cozy café. Take a seat inside and savor one of their many flaky croissant flavors and a classic eggs benedict. Need a boost before the morning commute? Help yourself to a generous cup of coffee and your choice of fresh baked pastry, like some beignets, a loaded fruit tart, or a vanilla éclair. All their offerings are classy and tasty, without the need for a trip across the Atlantic.

Location: 1173 Alpharetta Street; Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; dining service until 3 p.m. all days; Website: douceurdefrance.com

Hero Boy Sandwich Co.

Break away from the chain sub shops and get these super-powered sandwiches at Hero Boy. All of their lunchtime sandwiches are served on fresh Italian rolls and loaded to the brim with goodies. Whether you want a classic ham and Swiss, a melty Philly cheesesteak, or a chunky chicken parm sandwich, Hero is here to save your lunch hour. Be sure to top off your meal with their crispy waffle fries and some extra spice from the free pepper bar.

Location: 1055 Mansell Road, Unit 100; Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Website: heroboysandwich.com

Tanaka Japanese Restaurant

Buford Highway isn’t the only place to find quality Asian food. This small Japanese restaurant on Highway 9 has all the sushi and seafood you need in a relaxed environment. Stop by for lunch and get an appetizer and combo box with your choice of sushi roll and meat. Or relax for dinner with an array of fried, grilled, and fresh seafood offerings. Pass around sharable bites like takoyaki and shumai dumplings, or dig into a huge plate of crunchy salmon sushi or fried pork katsu. Their accompanying drink menu offers several teas, wines, and sake options as well.

Location: 11235 Alpharetta Highway; Hours: Lunch: Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Dinner: Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Website: tanakarestaurant.com

Roux on Canton

Get a taste of Louisiana right in downtown Roswell with this Creole and Southern café. The cooling weather is perfect for a warm bowl of gumbo and some fried green tomatoes. Share an order of oysters on the half shell with friends while you sip on a funky craft cocktail. Bite into a po’ boy sandwich or juicy burger, and if you’re really hungry, dig into the shrimp n’ grits or a Cajun chicken pasta.

Location: 946 Canton Street; Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Website: rouxoncanton.com

Table & Main

Relax on the patio of historic Canton Street at this acclaimed Southern restaurant. Serving fresh, seasonal Southern dishes, their menu has the classics covered, like collard greens, fried chicken, and North Georgia catfish. But they also have cozy offerings like a pot roast with sourdough bread or “hogs n quilts” with pulled pork in a savory, juicy crepe. Join them on Mondays for a prix fixe selection of favorite dishes, or come on Wednesdays for their prime rib special. Whenever you come, you’ll feel right at home.

Location: 1028 Canton Street; Hours: Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Website: tableandmain.com