In the Neighborhood: Marietta and East Cobb
Marietta Square
Marietta is known for its rich history, particularly its railroad and Civil War connections. East Cobb is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, highly-rated public schools and well-established neighborhoods.
Marietta Square is not only a central gathering place for the community, but is home to events like the Glover Park Concert Series and seasonal Farmers Market, as well as green spaces, shops, museums, restaurants and much more. A great way to discover all that it has to offer is via the Marietta Scavenger Hunt. It’s an app-guided walking tour to help you discover hidden gems like Glover Park Fountain and larger attractions, such as Marietta’s Theater in the Square. Whether you take part in the hunt or just visit for the day, there is plenty to do that is fun for the whole family. When you get hungry, be sure to check out the 18,500-square-foot Marietta Square Market, a food hall featuring 20 restaurants, three bars and lots of seating.
Kids will love playing at Elizabeth Porter Park & Sprayground in Marietta. The playground features a gravity rail, swings, climbing structures and an obstacle course. The park also has trails and picnic areas. The popular sprayground is open seasonally and entry is $2/person for residents and $3/person for nonresidents.
East Cobb Park is a 13-acre green space that features pavilions, open grass areas, creek overlooks and two playgrounds. The playgrounds include shaded spaces, climbing structures, slides and more. The space is host to Music in the Park, Family Creek Stomp and Movie Nights events, as well as a Lending Book Library.
Sports are a centerpiece at Terrell Mill Park, including sports fields and ultimate frisbee. The large complex also has some great playgrounds – one that is sized for smaller kids – and seating for parents nearby.
A classic Marietta landmark is The Big Chicken. It is a 56-foot-tall steel-sided structure, complete with a moving beak and eyes. It was built in the ‘60s and is still treasured today.
Designed for children between 9-months and 10-years old, The Playroom East Cobb is an indoor playground with a calm environment. There are active play spaces and pretend areas with toys, as well as a separate area for babies and early walkers.
Infants and adults are free at Kids Empire Marietta, and all day play for one child is $19.90. That’s a summertime steal for lots of fun at this indoor playground that has soft slides, toddler-sized trampolines and small bikes to ride on.
A family-owned indoor playground, Wiggle Giggle in Marietta has a dedicated toddler play structure and area for those ages 4 and younger. The Bubble Room fills with bubbles at the top of each hour, plus kids can enjoy the interactive floor, jungle gym, kids’ stationery bikes and more.
Home to Truist Park and the Atlanta Braves, this 2.25-million-square-foot mixed-use destination also features an escape room, movie theater, indoor VR and golfing experiences, music venues, shops and restaurants. Kids will love options like ice cream, pizza and burgers; mom and dad will enjoy grabbing an adult beverage or snack while walking around the outdoor space. The Battery also features a seasonal splash pad and green spaces for kids to enjoy.
If you can’t decide what you want for dinner, head to Avenue East Cobb and decide once you arrive. Peach State Pizza has a unique sourdough crust and lots of fun toppings, including brisket and whipped ricotta. Tin Pin Game Bar is inside Tin Lizzy’s and features retro pinball machines and arcade games. Tin Lizzy’s menu features a variety of tacos and kid-friendly eats like chicken nuggets and quesadillas.
Have fun while you eat at Marietta Melt Yard. The whole family will enjoy the space’s 16 pinball machines (some dating back to the ‘70s), a claw machine, big buck hunter, The Simpsons, and Ms. Pac-Man. All the kids’ meals are $7, and their adult options include wings, burgers, melts, salads and more.
Open 24 hours a day, Marietta Diner is great for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Every time of day features a kids’ menu and you can get breakfast all day long. The extensive menu also includes a variety of salads, Southern favorites, Italian classics and more. Plus, you have to try one of their famous desserts.
Tween girls will love shopping at Doodlebugz. The boutique has age-appropriate clothing and gifts that will keep you trendy without breaking the bank.
For toys, books and gifts, try Learning Express. They also offer free gift wrapping, free personalization, free in-store events and a free Birthday Box gift registry program.
From strollers and car seats to clothes and toys, Chubby Cheeks Resale has everything you need for baby. Follow them on social media to see the latest arrivals before you head to the store.
Get wet and have fun at Six Flags White Water that features four kid-friendly attractions, including small body flume slides and an activity pool. For the thrill seekers in the family, try Tornado or Python Plunge. Open seasonally, be sure to check the website for hours at this classic Marietta attraction.
Miniature golf, go karts, arcade games — Mountasia has it all! The family fun center has been a local favorite for decades and continues to evolve. Their café offers a variety of foods, including funnel cakes, burgers, salads, pizzas, ice cream and more. Plus, they offer a variety of ticketing options depending on how much time and money you want to spend.
Dating back to the 1830s, Marietta has a rich history to explore at a number of local museums that each have their own focus. Check out one or all! They include Marietta History Center, Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, Gone with the Wind Museum, Marietta National Cemetery, Marietta Fire Museum and William Root House.
The Hurffs Family Faves
Jonathan, Elizabeth, Emily (7) and Olivia (3)
We love the vibe/location of our neighborhood because: East Cobb is a warm and welcoming community where neighbors truly look out for one another. There’s a strong sense of community connection through local events and activities, and the top-rated schools make it an ideal place for growing families.
Our favorite playground is: We love spending time at East Cobb Park. It has two playgrounds for the kids, a large pavilion that’s perfect for outdoor events and shaded walking paths. There’s also a large field with a concert stage that hosts plenty of fun summer activities.
Our favorite restaurant is: We really enjoy dining at Super Chix at Avenue East Cobb. Its convenient location lets us enjoy a delicious meal and then stroll through the shops. We like to end our visits with a sweet treat — gelato from Vanilla Café e Gelato.
You can’t miss this hidden gem: The Plaza at Avenue East Cobb is a great place to relax with neighbors and friends, especially during the warmer months. Located between Round Trip Brewing Company and Peach State Pizza — additional must-try East Cobb establishments — it often hosts live music on Friday nights, including live bands and dueling pianos.
-Tali Benjamin
Great family resources in Marietta and East Cobb:
Nia Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
