Marietta Square has the feel of a place people choose to spend time in, not just pass through. A park with a fountain and gazebo sits at its center, a theatre that has been entertaining audiences since 1935 is nearby, and a short walk away are house museums, a depot and a handful of shops and restaurants. For people who live in Marietta, Smyrna, Vinings and the neighborhoods around Cobb County, the Square is an easy answer to a free afternoon. This guide walks through the Square using the published pages of Visit Marietta and the Marietta History Center, with practical details on where to park, what to see and how to spend a few hours.
The addresses, hours and prices below were read on those official pages while writing this guide. They can change, so confirm them before you go.
Where Do You Start on Marietta Square?
Visit Marietta's planning page lists the Marietta Welcome Center at 4 Depot Street NE, Marietta, GA 30060, with a phone number of 770.429.1115. The listed hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 5pm, Saturday from 9am to 2pm and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. The center is housed in the Western and Atlantic Passenger Depot, built in 1898, which makes it a good first stop on its own.
Where to park
The planning page lists the Cobb County Parking Deck at 100 Cherokee Street and the Lawrence Street Deck at 205 Lawrence Street, along with numerous metered street spots around the Square. It describes parking as generally affordable and advises checking signage for time limits or fees.
A drink in hand
The page notes that visitors may walk the downtown district with a drink of 12 ounces or less, bought from a licensed establishment within the district and held in a clear plastic cup. It is a small detail that shapes how people stroll.
What Is Glover Park?
The Visit Marietta history page says Glover Park is named for John Glover, Marietta's first mayor, and describes it as the city's central gathering space for festivals, concerts and holiday events. Visit Marietta's guide to photogenic spots lists the Glover Park fountain and gazebo at 50 N Park Square. The planning page names the Glover Park Concert Series among the annual events.
How people use it
A park at the center of a square is a natural place to sit. Many visitors pick up a coffee or a pastry nearby and take a bench by the fountain before deciding what to do next. The guide lists Warm Hugs at 156 Roswell Street NE for pastries.
What Is the Strand Theatre?
The history page says the Strand Theatre has entertained audiences since 1935. The photogenic spots guide also lists the Strand Rooftop at 117 N Park Square, with rooftop views of the Square, especially at sunset, and a silent film themed piano bar called Lumiere Lounge on the second floor. Check the theatre's own pages for shows and the rooftop's hours before you plan an evening.
Which Museums and Historic Sites Are Nearby?
The Square sits near several places that tell the story of the city, which the history page dates to its founding in 1834.
Marietta History Center
The Marietta History Center lists its address as 1 Depot Street, one block west of the Historic Marietta Square, facing the railroad tracks. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is 10 dollars for adults and 7 dollars for seniors age 60 and up and for students, with children under 5, active and retired military and members free. The page lists a free admission day on the third Saturday of each month, and says Georgia sales tax is added.
William Root House Museum and Garden
The photogenic spots guide lists the William Root House at 80 N Marietta Parkway NW and says it is one of the oldest homes in the Atlanta area, with a self guided touchscreen tour. The history page says it was built around 1845 for William and Hannah Root and shows life in Marietta during the 1850s, with exhibits that also cover the enslaved people whose labor shaped the community.
Cemeteries and other sites
The history page also names Marietta National Cemetery, which holds the remains of more than 10,000 Union soldiers, and Marietta Confederate Cemetery, which honors more than 3,000 Confederate soldiers. It lists Black history sites including the Carter Family House and the Old Zion Heritage Museum. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park preserves the site of the 1864 Atlanta Campaign.
What Else Is Worth Seeing?
The photogenic spots guide lists a mix of places, and a few are good for a stroll between stops.
Murals and a hidden park
The guide lists the Marietta mural by Craig Stanley, the En Pointe mural by Lindsey O'Shields at the Mill Street wall, and Seasons of Being by Anais Labreque and Dominic Laporte at Park West Vintage. It also lists Church Street Park at 36 Mill Street, described as a hidden gem with string lights and swings.
Events on the Square
The guide names Chalktoberfest and the Taste of Marietta among its events on the Square, and the Visit Marietta site lists the Marietta Square Farmers Market and the Marietta Square Artisan Market, with listings on October 31 from 9am to 12pm and 9am to 1pm. Event schedules change from week to week, so check the events page.
Tours
The planning page mentions Ghosts of Marietta tours, food tours and the Beer Bus for visitors who prefer a guided approach.
Which Day Is Best for a Visit?
The published hours make it easy to pick a day, since they differ across the week.
Weekdays
From Tuesday through Friday, the Welcome Center is open from 10am to 5pm and the Marietta History Center from 10am to 4pm. That makes midweek a good choice for a calm visit with both open.
Saturdays
The Welcome Center opens earlier on Saturday at 9am and closes at 2pm, while the History Center keeps its 10am to 4pm hours. The third Saturday of the month adds free admission at the History Center, and the Visit Marietta site lists the Farmers Market and Artisan Market on Saturday, October 31, in the morning. Check the events page for later dates, since those listings change.
Sundays and Mondays
The Welcome Center is open on Sunday from 1pm to 4pm, but the History Center is closed on Sundays and Mondays, along with several holidays. If your goal is the museum, plan for another day. If you simply want to stroll the Square and sit in Glover Park, any day works.
How Do You Spend an Afternoon on the Square?
The details above fit together into a few easy plans.
A short visit
Park at one of the decks, walk to the Welcome Center, pick up a map and sit by the fountain in Glover Park. That plan takes an hour or two and requires nothing more than comfortable shoes and a little curiosity about what is happening on the Square that day.
A history afternoon
Start at the Marietta History Center when it opens at 10am, see the William Root House and finish with a stroll through the Square. On the third Saturday of the month, the center offers free admission.
An evening out
Check what is playing at the Strand Theatre, plan dinner nearby and consider the rooftop for sunset views. Since sunset hours change through the year, check the rooftop's pages for current details.
What Does the Square Say About Living in Marietta?
A downtown square works as a shared living room. People meet there, walk their weekend errands and show visitors around. In Marietta, the combination of a central park, a historic theatre and nearby museums gives the area a distinct center.
Home near the center
If a walkable town center appeals to you, it helps to look at how different addresses connect to it. An agent who knows Marietta, Smyrna and Vinings can describe how a given street relates to the Square and the other places you enjoy.
Marietta Square FAQ
Where is the Marietta Welcome Center?
4 Depot Street NE, Marietta, GA 30060, in the former Western and Atlantic Passenger Depot, built in 1898.
Where can I park?
Visit Marietta lists the Cobb County Parking Deck at 100 Cherokee Street, the Lawrence Street Deck at 205 Lawrence Street and metered street spots around the Square.
How much does the Marietta History Center cost?
Adults are 10 dollars, seniors 60 and up and students are 7 dollars, and admission is free on the third Saturday of each month.
What is Glover Park named for?
John Glover, Marietta's first mayor, according to Visit Marietta.
Conclusion
Marietta Square gives the area a center: a park, a theatre, museums and places to eat within an easy stroll. Park at a deck, start at the Welcome Center and take your time. If you would like to talk about living in Marietta or nearby, The Agency Atlanta would welcome a conversation.
