Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

A look at the top family-friendly spots in this part of metro Atlanta.

Population: 34,683

Zip codes: 30144, 30152

Known for: Rich Civil War and railroad history. Kennesaw was the location of the Great Locomotive Chase in 1862 and the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in 1864.

Lake Allatoona encompasses 270 miles of shoreline connecting Acworth, Kennesaw and Canton, among other cities. The lake is the centerpiece of these communities. As one of Georgia’s largest and most scenic lakes, residents of the area can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, canoeing, tubing and other water sports, plus the beaches, parks and picnic sites along the shore. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began constructing Lake Allatoona in the 1940s, and today it still acts as a reservoir and is the primary source of drinking water for Cobb County.

The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, a Smithsonian affiliate, is located in the heart of Kennesaw. The museum features locomotion history, historic railroad artifacts, Civil War exhibits, and interactive learning stations for kids of all ages. There is also a Pre-K area for younger kids to climb and crawl on foam train sets.

Kennesaw’s botanical gardens, Smith-Gilbert Gardens, features 4,000 plant species on 17 acres of lush garden exhibits, koi ponds and garden sculptures. Kids will love learning about plants and flowers, seeing birds and butterflies, and having lots of room to explore. They also have monthly kids’ programs — Little Sprouts and Nature Explorers. The Garden is currently closed for renovations and is expected to re-open in the spring.

Frozen Cow Creamery is a beloved ice cream shop in the heart of downtown Kennesaw. The creamery features an array of tried-and-true ice cream as well as custom flavors, plus dairy-free and sugar-free ice cream options.

Swift-Cantrell Park is Kennesaw’s largest community park and boasts one of the largest inclusive playgrounds in the state. The playground area includes five play structures, swings, bridges, climbers and a pavilion. Situated on 40 acres, there are plenty of lighted trails for kids to explore, and more active kids will enjoy the skate park. During warmer months the park’s splash pad is a great way for little ones to cool off in the 3,200-square-foot amenity featuring a variety of motion sensor water play.

Must See Spot: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park preserves a 2,965-acre Civil War battleground where The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain took place in the summer of 1864. Kids will enjoy guided tours, ranger presentations, live demonstrations, scavenger hunts, as well as the museum and bookstore. The park is perfect for kids to run, explore and learn history. They offer a Junior Ranger program where kids 4 and older receive a free Pee-Wee Ranger book, Junior Ranger book or Spanish Junior Ranger book to complete and earn a Kennesaw Mountain Junior Ranger badge.

-Jackie B. Watson

Check out our ideas for exploring Acworth and Canton.

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