Marietta sits about 20 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, and it packs more into a small area than most suburbs twice its size. When people ask about things to do in Marietta, the answer usually starts with the Square, then fans out to Civil War history, mountain trails, a big brewery and a growing food scene.
This guide covers the places locals actually go, roughly how long each takes and how to string them into a half day, a full day or a weekend. It also covers how to get there and around, because parking near the Square on a busy Saturday can eat an hour you would rather spend walking.
Things to Do in Marietta: Start at the Square
Marietta Square, officially Glover Park, is the historic heart of the city and the best place to begin. The park itself is a walkable green with a gazebo, benches and shade, and it hosts festivals, concerts and a Saturday farmers market through much of the year. Around it, a compact grid of streets holds independent shops, coffee, bakeries and a deep bench of restaurants.
Give yourself at least two hours here, more if you plan to eat. The Square is also where you will find the Earl Smith Strand Theatre, a restored 1930s movie house that now hosts films, concerts and community events. Check its calendar before you go; a show can be the anchor of an evening in Marietta.
Parking around the Square is a mix of street meters and public decks a short walk away. On festival weekends and during big events, the decks fill early and streets close, so arriving before midday or booking a drop-off makes the day smoother.
Morning: coffee and a pastry, then a walk through Glover Park and the surrounding shops.
Midday: lunch on the Square, then the Strand Theatre or a nearby museum.
Afternoon: drive to Kennesaw Mountain for trails or the summit road.
Evening: dinner and a drink back on the Square, or a brewery stop on the way home.
History and museums around town
Marietta has a serious claim on Civil War history, and several sites are close enough to pair in one afternoon. The Marietta Confederate Cemetery and the adjacent Marietta City Cemetery are quiet, walkable grounds with markers that reward a slow visit. The Gone With the Wind Museum, devoted to the novel and film, sits in a historic building near the Square and is a quick, quirky stop.
The Marietta Museum of History, also near the Square, covers the city's growth from railroad town to Cobb County seat. For a different angle, the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art occupies a former post office and shows rotating exhibitions of regional and national work.
If you are traveling with a group, these stops are compact and easy to combine. A chauffeured vehicle can drop everyone at the Square and reposition between sites, which saves the parking shuffle. For small groups, an Executive SUV handles six passengers comfortably.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
A short drive from the Square, this park preserves the site of the 1864 battle and offers a museum, earthworks and miles of trails. You can drive most of the way to the summit for a wide view toward Atlanta, or hike up if you have the time and water. The road to the top has limited hours and occasional closures, so check the National Park Service site before you go.
Brunch and dinner on the Square
The Square's restaurant lineup changes, but long-standing spots include Marietta Pizza Company, the Marietta Diner on Cobb Parkway and a cluster of Southern and Italian kitchens within walking distance of the park. Reserve ahead for weekend dinner, and check current hours directly, since many kitchens close between lunch and dinner.
Outdoors: trails, parks and the river
Kennesaw Mountain is the headline, but Marietta has easier outdoor options too. The Mountain to River Trail links the Square area toward the mountain and is popular with walkers and cyclists. Laurel Park and Lewis Park offer ball fields, playgrounds and shaded paths for families.
A little farther out, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area has units with river access, flat trails and picnic spots. These are good for a slow morning with kids or a short hike when the mountain is crowded.
Summers in Georgia are hot and humid, so plan outdoor time for early morning and carry water. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for trails, and fall color on the mountain is a genuine draw. Winter walks are quiet and often the best time to have a trail to yourself.
| Place | Best for | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Marietta Square (Glover Park) | Dining, shops, festivals, farmers market | 2–4 hours |
| Earl Smith Strand Theatre | Films, concerts, date nights | 2–3 hours |
| Kennesaw Mountain | Hiking, history, summit views | 2–4 hours |
| Marietta Museum of History | Local history, rainy days | 1–2 hours |
| Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art | Exhibitions, quiet afternoons | 1–2 hours |
| Chattahoochee River units | Easy trails, picnics, river access | 1–3 hours |
Food, drink and a brewery stop
Marietta's food scene has grown well beyond meat-and-three, though the Southern staples are still done right. Around the Square you will find pizza, tacos, seafood, barbecue and a solid roster of coffee shops. The Marietta Diner on Cobb Parkway is a local institution for late hours and big portions.
For beer, Marietta is home to a well-known craft brewery with a taproom and outdoor space, and a handful of smaller taprooms and bottle shops have opened nearby. Tours and tastings are a popular weekend activity; check each venue's current hours and whether they allow outside food or dogs.
If you are planning a brewery afternoon with friends, a hired vehicle solves the designated-driver problem. Our brewery and wine tours service covers Marietta and Cobb County, and a Mercedes Sprinter fits a group of ten to fourteen. This is general information, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the venue and the state before you go.
Festivals and events on the calendar
Marietta leans into its calendar. The Square hosts a recurring slate of festivals, art walks, concerts and holiday events, and the city's Independence Day celebration is one of the larger ones in Cobb County. The Strand Theatre adds film series and live music throughout the year.
Because dates and lineups change annually, treat any list you find online as a starting point and confirm on the city's official events page or the venue's own calendar. That is especially true for road closures around the Square, which can reroute traffic on event days.
If you are coming from Atlanta or elsewhere in Cobb County for a specific event, plan the trip around the crowd rather than the clock. A chauffeur service with a set pickup time and a drop-off near the Square removes the search for parking when streets are closed.
Getting to Marietta from Atlanta and the airport
Marietta is roughly 20 miles from downtown Atlanta via Interstate 75, usually a 25 to 40 minute drive depending on traffic. From Hartsfield-Jackson, plan on 35 to 55 minutes in normal conditions, longer during rush hour. If you are flying into a private field, the Cobb County and Fulton County airports are both convenient to Marietta.
Rideshare and taxis work, but surge pricing on festival weekends and after big events can make the return trip unpredictable. A pre-booked car with a flat, itemized quote avoids that, and the price is confirmed before you travel.
For airport arrivals, our ATL airport car service tracks your flight, so a delay does not leave you hunting for a driver. Groups arriving together can use a mini bus shuttle for twenty to thirty passengers.
Local airports near Marietta
Cobb County–McCollum Field (RYY) is the closest general aviation field, and Fulton County–Brown Field (FTY) is a short drive south. Both are served by our RYY airport car service and FTY airport limo service with flight tracking and curbside pickup.
Driving and parking tips
Use the public decks a few blocks off the Square rather than circling for street parking. On event days, arrive early or arrange a drop-off. If you are staying in Sandy Springs or Smyrna, Marietta is a short drive and an easy evening out.
Where to stay and how to plan a weekend
Most visitors treat Marietta as a day trip, but a weekend gives you room to slow down. Lodging clusters near the Square and along the interstates, with a mix of historic inns and standard hotels. Book early for festival and graduation weekends, when Cobb County fills up.
A sensible two-day plan: arrive Friday evening for dinner on the Square, spend Saturday morning at Kennesaw Mountain and the afternoon at the museums, then finish with a brewery or a show at the Strand. Sunday works well for the farmers market, a walk on the Mountain to River Trail and a long brunch.
If you are organizing a family reunion, a corporate outing or a wedding party staying in Marietta, group transport keeps everyone on the same schedule. Our group transportation service covers shuttles between hotels, the Square and the mountain, and a party bus suits larger celebrations. Check current hours and reservations directly with each venue before you build an itinerary around it.
Making the trip easy
Marietta rewards a little planning. The Square is walkable, but the mountain, the river and the breweries are spread out, so decide whether you are driving, ridesharing or hiring a car for the day. An hourly chauffeur lets you keep the vehicle with you and change plans without worrying about parking or a return ride.
For date nights, anniversaries and small celebrations, a luxury sedan is the simple choice. For a group night out, a stretch limousine or stretch SUV limousine gives everyone one ride and one pickup point.
Every booking includes a professional chauffeur, and pricing is quoted per trip as one flat, itemized quote with gratuity, tolls and fees listed separately. You can book at any hour, and the exact vehicle is confirmed on your quote. Start with our Marietta limo service page to see options and request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to do in Marietta on a first visit?
Spend the morning and early afternoon at the Marietta Square, then drive to Kennesaw Mountain for the summit view or a short trail. That combination covers the city's history, food and scenery in one day without rushing.
Is Marietta walkable?
The downtown Square area is very walkable, with shops, restaurants and museums within a few blocks. Most other attractions, including the mountain and the river units, require a car or a ride.
How far is Marietta from Atlanta?
It is about 20 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, usually a 25 to 40 minute drive depending on traffic. From Hartsfield-Jackson, plan on roughly 35 to 55 minutes in normal conditions.
What should I do in Marietta when it rains?
The Marietta Museum of History, the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art and the Gone With the Wind Museum are all good indoor options near the Square. The Strand Theatre also runs films and live shows, so check its calendar.
Are there good trails near Marietta?
Yes. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park has hiking trails and a road to the summit, and the Mountain to River Trail connects the Square area toward the mountain. The Chattahoochee River units offer flatter, easier walks.
Do I need a car to get around Marietta?
For the Square alone, no. To reach the mountain, the river and the breweries, you will want a vehicle. A hired car or rideshare is a good option if you plan to drink or want to avoid event-day parking.
When is the best time to visit Marietta?
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather for trails and outdoor events. Summer is hot and humid, so plan outdoor time early, and winter is quieter with smaller crowds on the Square.
