The 20 Best Things to do in Marietta, Georgia

Marietta is a town in and the county seat of Washington County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 60,972. According to Wikipedia, homes in Marietta were built by the early settlers before 1824. It’s Georgia’s third-largest county. It has plenty of natural resources, affordable real estate, and historical and cultural assets to discover in this region. Marietta has a very affordable cost of living and a low unemployment rate, making it a great place to live. In addition, this community has an abundance of resources and opportunities within its boundaries, including beautiful outdoor spaces, numerous parks and restaurants, great schools, museums, and theatres. There is no shortage of options for both adults and children regarding things to do in Marietta.

20. Visit Zuckerman Museum of Art

The Zuckerman Museum of Art is a fine art museum that features works from Georgia artists. It has more than 1,000 pieces in its permanent collection and hosts several exhibitions each year. This is a place you can spend hours in. Visitors say the staff is friendly and helpful. The Museum’s gift shop has a great collection of books, posters, note cards, and purchases. The rotating exhibits are sure to keep art patrons busy and engaged for quite some time.

19. Learn History at William Root House Museum & Garden

According to WikipediaThe William Root House was built in 1819 and is the oldest standing house in Marietta. It has been fully restored and is open to visitors. The William Root House Museum & Garden has a variety of exhibits on-site, including an original slave cabin, an 18th-century period room, tinsmithing displays, antique toys, household objects, and quilts. Visitors can also enjoy the impressive garden on the property. It features many plants and flowers and draws visitors year-round due to its gorgeous display.

18. Visit Marietta Cobb Museum of Art

The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art is a small art museum founded in 1990 as the Marietta Arts Center by volunteers from the community. It has continually grown in both size and importance since its beginning. The Museum holds temporary exhibitions, features art workshops, hosts student field trips, and offers public lectures on various topics. It is conveniently located in downtown Marietta just off the square.

17. Marietta History Center

The Marietta History Center is housed in the Kennesaw House, built-in in 1851 by Franklin Whitlock. It is a Greek Revival-style antebellum house that has been restored and turned into a community museum. The home’s garden, slave cabin, and kitchen have also been restored to help tell the story of the history of Marietta. Tours are available for a small fee, and there is a museum store on the property.

16. Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA) has been showcasing art from all over the world since 1979. The Museum hosts three separate galleries within its building, each dedicated to different types of artwork. The exhibitions for the galleries change every month, so be sure to check their website frequently for new exhibits. Visitors can also enjoy visiting the Museum’s sculpture garden, which depicts more than 40 works of modern art created by local artists.

15. Enjoy a Picnic in Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park preserves the site of a Civil War battle on June 27, 1864. This is a great spot for visitors to learn about American history and enjoy a nice picnic lunch. The park has plenty of open spaces and easy-to-follow trails. The visitor’s center is open daily and offers guided tours of the battlefield, exhibits, educational resources, free brochures, restrooms, and more. It’s a perfect place for families to spend the day.

14. Visit Gone With the Wind Museum at Brumby Hall

The Gone With the Wind Museum at Brumby Hall is a unique experience for fans of the movie. According to the Museum’s official website, this 1951 building is home to a private collection compiled by Dr. Christopher Sullivan. It features many items used in the actual filming of “Gone With the Wind” including pieces from Vivien Leigh’s wardrobe, Clark Gable’s shirt, an original Prissy doll, and more. The Museum is set up to allow guests to get a real feel for the movie while learning about its history.

13. Explore Smith-Gilbert Gardens

Smith-Gilbert Gardens are located just outside Marietta and consist of more than 10 acres of natural beauty. The gardens feature rose gardens, over 80 varieties of lilacs, a children’s garden, and many other special areas just waiting to be explored. This is a popular spot for visitors to enjoy nature and take in the fresh air while taking photos of different scenery and flowers. It is also an excellent location for weddings and events.

12. Go Horseback Riding at Chastain Park

With over 268 acres of land, Chastain Park is the largest city park in Atlanta. Of this area, hundreds of acres are used for horseback riding trails where visitors can enjoy spending time outdoors exercising and getting exercise. The stables at Chastain offer daily trail rides to different areas of the property for a small fee. There are also opportunities for visitors who want to take lessons and ride their horses more often. You can even take a swim, play some tennis, or jog.

11. Hike at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

The Cochran Shoals unit is located just outside of Atlanta in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. It’s a section of the park that includes more than nine miles of trails, several scenic vista points, and a long stretch of the Chattahoochee River. This is one of the most popular spots in Atlanta for visitors who want to get outside and enjoy nature while spending time along the river.

10. Visit Six Flags White Water

Six Flags White Water is another great place to have fun while in Marietta. With over 20 different rides and attractions, there’s something for everyone at this water park. You can brave the rapids on the Whitewater Express or take a relaxing ride down the lazy river. Thrill-seekers will love the body slide and the Kamikaze. If you’re looking for a more relaxing day out, there’s also a heated pool and several hot tubs. You can buy tickets online or at the park itself.

9. Atlanta History Center

The Atlanta History Center is a non-profit organization founded in 1926 by Marie Rankin Clarke to preserve documents, objects, and oral histories that tell the story of Atlanta’s past. It was one of the first history museums in America. The center is now a nationally recognized museum with over nine permanent exhibitions, offers educational resources to the public, and even preserves many rare artifacts from Atlanta’s history. While here you can visit the Swan House was built in 1928 and is the largest building on the property of the Atlanta History Center. This historic home built in a Georgian style was the residence for many influential people in Atlanta’s history, including several mayors and politicians. The house has been restored to look exactly how it would have when it was first built. It houses many Atlanta history exhibits and is open to tours on Tuesdays through Saturdays.

8. Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History

If you’re interested in artifacts and relics from the Civil War, this is the Museum. The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History features some of the biggest collections in America related to some aspect of life during that time. Visitors can see several different locomotives, steam engines, vintage firearms, toys, and a lot more. This is the only Museum of its kind in the Southeast and has been featured on several television shows, making it a popular attraction for history buffs, families with young children, and students on school trips.

7. Chattahoochee Nature Center

This 127-acre nature center is located just outside Atlanta and features more than five miles of trails. There are opportunities for visitors to hike, bike, jog, and even ride horses at this location. It features a large wildlife clinic where many injured animals come in for treatment before being released back into the wild again. The nature center works closely with other organizations in Atlanta to offer educational programs for children, adults, scouts, schools, and more to learn about the plants and animals that live in this region.

6. Dine at The Big Chicken

This famous restaurant is located on top of a hill by the Cobb Galleria Centre. It’s shaped like a giant chicken made out of steel with bright neon lighting to make it even more eye-catching. It’s 56 feet tall and was originally built in 1956 before being rebuilt after a storm damaged it in 1993. Visitors can walk inside of the chicken to eat at the restaurant, or you can take your picture with it by driving through. If you like chicken, this is one of the most unique and memorable places to eat it while you’re in Atlanta.

5. Chastain Park Amphitheater

Chastain Park Amphitheater is a popular place for outdoor concerts and performances. This large open-air theater has a capacity of more than 5,000 people, and it’s located next to the Chattahoochee River in one of Atlanta’s largest parks. Many musical artists have performed here, and it’s also the location of several summer movie nights for families to enjoy under the stars. There is a nice picnic area where you can bring your food. Several restaurants nearby have outdoor seating if you want to grab some dinner before enjoying a performance.

4. Swift Cantrell Park

Swift Cantrell Park has a playground, dog park, and trails for people to enjoy. This is a great place for families to visit throughout the year because there are always recreational activities that the whole family can participate in together. The playground has a large wooden fort structure where kids can climb and play with their friends. The dog park has separate areas for big and small dogs so everyone can run around together. There are some nice trails where you can go running, walking, or biking.

3. Marietta Square

Also known as Glover Park, Marietta Square is a nice place to visit if you enjoy traditional city centers. It’s lined with different shops and restaurants catering to tourists coming through this area of Atlanta. The outdoor plaza features music, art shows, live performances, children’s activities, parades, and more for locals to enjoy together. There are several historic buildings to visit nearby as well. The square is surrounded by many different hotels and short-term rental companies that have rooms for rent throughout the year.

2. Andretti Indoor Karting and Games Marietta

The place to go while in Marietta if you want to race go-karts, play video games, or bowl. There are two go-kart tracks at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games Marietta, where you can race against other people in your group to see who gets the fastest time. They have a variety of themed karts, including Disney, single-seat dragster karts, and even electric go-karts for kids to drive themselves. If you’re not in the mood to race, you can always put on your game face and try out some of their other activities instead. The two-story laser tag course is fun for everyone, even if it isn’t competitive. You can also play air hockey or bowl a few rounds while you’re here.

1. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a historic site that preserves a Civil War battleground. The battlefield was the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain site and features trails and monuments to walk through and explore for history buffs. Nearby is The Big Shanty Museum, which houses an interpretive center with Civil War displays. The park was designed to preserve the battlefield for future generations to learn about our country’s history and contains signposts that share information on how the battle unfolded historically. The area has beautiful nature trails where you can go hiking, biking, or running year-round.

Conclusion

These are some of the great things to do in Marietta, Georgia. Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway, there is always something going on in this part of Atlanta. There are many different outdoor activities to participate in and places to dine and shop. This list highlights just some of the best places to go in Marietta. With so many things to do, this city is a great place for entertaining out-of-town guests, as well as a perfect place for you to go on a date with your significant other or bring the kids.

Don’t forget to check out this list of the Best Places to Live in Georgia for a full round up of amazing places Georgia has to offer.

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