We spent Saturday in Marietta last weekend and had the best day. Sometimes we get a little craving for small town charm and want to leave Atlanta for the day- an afternoon in Marietta is always the perfect way to slow down and stroll around!
I’ve written about Marietta before here but wanted to share an updated guide for the perfect Saturday in Marietta- here are my favorite spots! This is a great guide if you have family or friends visiting, too (or you’re a tourist yourself!). Most of the below items are dog friendly or can be easily adjusted to bring along your pup, too!
On Your Drive In, Drive by the Big Chicken, Marietta’s famous icon.
Located at 12 Cobb Pkway SE, you can’t miss driving by the 56 ft tall KFC restaurant, formerly a local chicken spot before becoming a KFC. It’s a bit ‘out there’, but totally worth the 5 min stop right by town (especially to understand all the fridge magnets at all the stores later in the day).
Start your day at the Farmer’s Market, which runs Saturdays from 9-12 AM right by Marietta Market.
There are tons of great stands at the farmer’s market– especially if you are on the hunt for fresh produce and homemade baked goods. If you are planning on following this itinerary and spending the day in town, I recommend bringing a cooler with an ice pack to store everything in your car. There is parking information on the link, but I personally recommend parking in the lot across from Glover Park Brewery for $5 for the day as you will end there with this itinerary.
Grab A crepe for a quick breakfast at Creme De La Crepe and explore Marietta Square Market.
The Marietta Square Market is a food hall just behind the square. Sit and enjoy your morning and snack and this is a great place to grab a bathroom if you need one, too. If you’re looking for a brunch instead of just a snack, I recommend Mac’s Chophouse right on the square.
Wander Around Marietta Square and Shop Local
You can easily spend two-three hours wandering around the shops in Marietta Square- there are tons of local businesses with good gifts and unique finds! One of the things I love most about Marietta is the shops have great things and it’s more than just window shopping- I usually end up finding items I really enjoy! There are also art galleries, antique stores, and specialty stores.
My favorite stores are: Doodlebugz, the Local Exchange, and Market with a B. You also can’t miss Lizards & Lollipops, which is a great old timey candy store. You can find a list of all the shops on the square here.
Enjoy an Aussie snack from Australian Bakery Cafe or a slice from Pie Bar on the square in Glover Park.
Depending on your preference of sweet or savory, you can’t go wrong with either of these unconventional Marietta staples. Either way, the best way to experience Marietta is to sit on a bench by the fountain in the center of town and watch the world go by! Then, you can get back to your shopping.
Stop for Lunch on the Square at Red Hare Brewing, Social House, or Taqueria Tsnumai.
Once you’re finished shopping or want a break, we like to grab lunch on the square. All of the restaurants above have great lunch options- we usually pick our spot based on available open tables outside and whether we are craving sun or shade. It’s great to sit and people watch on the square over lunch and with a drink in hand!
Walk over to Glover Park Brewery for a beer (or seltzer) to hang out and play some board games (or people watch!).
Glover Park Brewery can seem like Marietta’s best kept secret because it’s a few blocks off the square, but once you arrive you realize that it’s one Marietta’s most popular spots. We love to go and sit out back and enjoy the afternoon shade over a glass of seltzer (or beer). If they have it in season, get the peach seltzer- it’s the best in the state!
Finish Your Day at the Battery to watch the Braves Play
A day in Marietta isn’t complete without a trip to the Battery, and it’s even better if you have tickets to watch the Braves Play. With or without going inside Truist Park, the Battery is so much to grab dinner and visit the shops and bars.
For good shopping, check out Dress Up, Sugar Boo & Co. For sweets, you can’t miss Savannah’s famous River Street Sweets and Jeni’s ice cream. For a full list of shops and restaurants, you can read one here.