Marietta Travel Guide

What are the best things to do in Marietta, Georgia?

Marietta offers a mix of historic attractions, outdoor recreation, arts and culture, local restaurants, and shopping. Start at Marietta Square, then explore nearby attractions such as the Marietta History Center and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.

Marietta Travel Guide: Key Takeaways

• Best for: History, outdoor activities, shopping, dining, and weekend getaways
• Top attraction: Marietta Square
• History: Explore local history at the Marietta History Center and Civil War sites.
• Outdoor recreation: Hike at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park or explore the Noonday Creek Trail.
• Arts and culture: Visit local galleries and the historic Strand Theatre.
• Shopping: Find boutiques, specialty stores, gifts, and locally made products around downtown.
• Getting around: Downtown Marietta is walkable, while a car is useful for exploring attractions beyond the square.

Explore Downtown Marietta

Marietta Square is the center of downtown and a great starting point for exploring the city. The historic square features shops, restaurants, cultural attractions, and community events.

Top Downtown Attractions

• Marietta History Center: Located in the historic Kennesaw House, the museum features exhibits about Marietta and Cobb County history.
• Gone With the Wind Museum at Historic Brumby Hall: Explore memorabilia, costumes, and artifacts connected to Gone With the Wind.
• Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre: This restored historic theater hosts movies, live performances, concerts, and other events.
• Historic Districts: Marietta’s historic neighborhoods feature distinctive architecture and offer opportunities for self-guided walking tours.

Discover Marietta’s Arts and Culture

Marietta’s downtown cultural scene includes galleries, live performances, and community events.

• Art galleries: Browse paintings, sculptures, crafts, and other works by local and regional artists.
• Art walks: Downtown art events provide opportunities to visit galleries and meet artists.
• Live theater: See community productions, concerts, films, and other performances at local venues.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is one of the area’s most popular outdoor attractions. The park combines hiking and nature with Civil War history and includes miles of trails.

Other outdoor options include:

• Noonday Creek Trail: A paved multi-use trail suitable for walking, running, and biking.
• Local parks: Find green spaces for picnics, recreation, and relaxing outdoors.
• Farmers markets: Shop for fresh produce, locally made goods, and seasonal products while enjoying community events.

Eat and Drink in Marietta

Marietta’s dining scene includes Southern favorites, steak and seafood, international cuisine, craft beer, coffee shops, and casual restaurants.

• Craft beer and casual dining: Visit local breweries and restaurants for relaxed meals and drinks.
• Steak and Southern favorites: Restaurants such as Mac’s Chophouse offer hearty dishes and a traditional steakhouse experience.
• International flavors: Places such as Taqueria Tsunami combine global influences with creative Mexican-inspired dishes.
• Coffee and desserts: Downtown cafes and bakeries are convenient stops for coffee, pastries, and sweet treats.

Shop Downtown Marietta

Shopping around Marietta Square focuses on boutiques, specialty stores, gifts, antiques, and locally made products.

• Boutiques: Browse shops such as Sarah Liz Boutique and Eli’s Boutique for clothing, accessories, and gifts.
• Local products: Market with a B. features gift items and specialty products.
• Antiques and unique finds: The Local Exchange offers locally made art, food, and specialty items.
• Gifts and home décor: Doodlebugz features personalized gifts, home décor, and other unique items.
• Marietta Square: Walk between shops, restaurants, cafes, and seasonal community events.

Getting Around Marietta

Downtown Marietta is easy to explore on foot, particularly around Marietta Square. Driving is recommended for visitors who want to explore attractions outside the downtown area, including Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and other nearby neighborhoods and parks.

Parking is available around downtown, although spaces can become busier during weekends, festivals, farmers markets, and special events.

Why Visit Marietta?

Marietta is a convenient destination for travelers looking for history, outdoor recreation, shopping, dining, and small-city charm near Atlanta. Its walkable downtown, historic attractions, nearby trails, and variety of restaurants make it a good choice for a day trip or weekend getaway.

For those moving to Marietta, Public Storage offers storage options that can make moving, downsizing, renovating, or settling into a new home easier.

FAQs

What is Marietta, Georgia, known for?

Marietta is known for its historic downtown, Marietta Square, Civil War history, cultural attractions, restaurants, and proximity to Kennesaw Mountain.

What is the best thing to do in Marietta?

Visiting Marietta Square is a good place to start. From there, you can explore historic attractions, restaurants, shops, and nearby cultural sites.

Is Marietta, Georgia, walkable?

Downtown Marietta is walkable, especially around Marietta Square. A car is more convenient for visiting attractions outside the downtown area.

What outdoor activities are available in Marietta?

Popular options include hiking at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, walking or biking along the Noonday Creek Trail, and visiting local parks.

Is Marietta good for a day trip from Atlanta?

Yes. Marietta is close to Atlanta and offers enough historic attractions, dining, shopping, and outdoor activities to fill a day trip.

What can you do in Marietta for free?

Visitors can explore Marietta Square, walk through historic areas, and enjoy many outdoor spaces without paying an admission fee. Individual attractions and events may charge admission.