Marietta is about 20 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, close enough for an afternoon and interesting enough for a weekend. Its historic square is one of the liveliest in metro Atlanta, packed with restaurants, a restored movie theater and several museums within a short walk. Kennesaw Mountain, where one of the hardest fights of the Atlanta Campaign took place, is just outside town. And yes, you will be told to turn left at the Big Chicken. Here are the best things to do in Marietta.
- From AtlantaAbout 20 miles, 30 minutes without traffic
- CountyCobb County (county seat)
- Known forMarietta Square, Kennesaw Mountain, the Big Chicken
- Getting thereI-75 north to exit 263 or 265
Top Things to Do in Marietta
1. Marietta Square
Shops, restaurants and Glover Park, with its gazebo and fountain, around the old courthouse square. The square hosts a farmers market and seasonal events, and it is the easiest place in Cobb County to spend an evening.
2. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Earthworks, cannon and monuments where Union and Confederate armies clashed on June 27, 1864. Hike to the summit for a view of the Atlanta skyline, or explore miles of trails across the battlefield.
3. Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum
Costumes, scripts and memorabilia from the 1939 film, now in historic Brumby Hall at 472 Powder Springs St. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4. Marietta Museum of History
Local history from the Cherokee era through the Civil War and the Bell Bomber plant, upstairs in the Kennesaw House on the square, one of the oldest buildings in Marietta.
5. Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre
A restored 1935 movie theater on the square that now hosts plays, concerts, comedy and classic films. Check the calendar and catch a show after dinner.
6. The Big Chicken
A 56-foot steel chicken on top of a KFC at Cobb Parkway and Roswell Road, built in 1963. Locals give directions by it, and it is worth a quick photo.
7. Marietta National Cemetery
A national cemetery a few blocks from the square, with rows of white headstones on rolling hills, established in 1866 for Union soldiers who died in the Atlanta Campaign.
8. William Root House Museum
An 1845 house showing middle-class life in early Marietta, with a period garden. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Events and Seasons
Spring and fall are the best seasons for Kennesaw Mountain’s trails, and the square is busiest on weekend evenings and during holiday events in December. Summer afternoons are hot on the mountain, so hike early. The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art and the Marietta Fire Museum are good indoor options when it rains.
Nearby and Trip Planning
Marietta pairs well with Kennesaw’s Southern Museum, home of the General locomotive, and with The Battery and Truist Park in nearby Cumberland. See our Marietta City Cemetery page, the Marietta historic sites list and things to do in Atlanta for more.
Make this trip yours
Turn this guide into a day-by-day plan around metro Atlanta, with a map, directions and stops you can swap.
Plan my tripCommon Questions
What is Marietta, GA known for?
Marietta is known for its historic town square, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, the Gone With the Wind Museum and the Big Chicken, a 56-foot landmark on Cobb Parkway.
How far is Marietta from Atlanta?
Marietta is about 20 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 30 minutes by car without traffic.
Where is the Gone With the Wind Museum now?
The Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum is now at Brumby Hall, 472 Powder Springs St. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Can you hike Kennesaw Mountain?
Yes. Trails climb to the summit and wind across the battlefield. The park is run by the National Park Service.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked against official sources and our own detailed pages. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing and do not include traffic. Hours, prices and event dates change, so confirm before you go:
- National Park Service: Kennesaw Mountain: battlefield, trails
- Marietta Visitors Bureau: square, museums, Big Chicken
- Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre: shows, address
- Explore Georgia: Gone With the Wind Museum: location
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.