Local’s guide to things to do in and around East Cobb, GA

Known for its charming neighborhoods, excellent schools, and incredible shopping and dining options, East Cobb, GA provides quality of life in spades. This affluent northern suburb of Atlanta offers an array of green spaces, attractions, outdoor events, and amazing restaurants that locals love and visitors will find appealing. Whether resident or tourist from nearby areas,  East Cobb’s  impressive selection of attractions and experiences makes it well worth the stay – briefly or for good. 

THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND EAST COBB, GA

Want to unwind after a long week at work? Taking a family vacation, visiting a friend, or just getting away from it all? The diverse amenities and attractions in East Cobb, including museums, parks, restaurants, breweries, shopping centers, and recreational activities, are designed to please.

Just a 35-minute drive from downtown Atlanta and 45 minutes from Atlanta Airport, East Cobb is convenient, idyllic, and packs a punch when it comes to places to go and things to do.

As East Cobb is an unincorporated community, meaning that it has no local government and elected officials, the postal addresses of the nearly 200,000-strong community fall under the zip codes of Marietta, the city adjacent to East Cobb, and the rest of Cobb County. So don’t be surprised to find East Cobb attractions with a Marietta, GA address.

 Here are a few of what locals enjoy in and around East Cobb, GA:

Parks and recreation

• With 20 acres of open space, East Cobb Park offers playgrounds, pavilions, walking paths, picnic areas, sports fields, scenic bridges, and areas overlooking creeks. Take your dog for a walk, play with your kids, or simply enjoy a relaxing afternoon people-watching or reading a book. In addition, you can reserve a picnic pavilion or rent one of the facilities if you want to hold a private party or gathering at the park. The park is open to visitors from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Kennesaw’s 16-acre botanical garden, Smith-Gilbert Gardens, is 15 miles northwest of East Cobb via I-75 S and Roswell Road. It showcases more than 4,000 rare plants in addition to temporary and permanent exhibits of majestic bonsai, the works of local and regional artists  in flower-filled surroundings, a seasonal butterfly house, and crevice gardens. You can also book the gardens to celebrate special occasions like weddings, reunions, or corporate meetings in a picturesque setting. 
• A popular lake for walking, biking, picnics, fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding, Lake Acworth is unique in that gas-powered motors and personal watercraft are not permitted. Re-energize in peace without the distracting noise that watercrafts produce. The lake is also a favorite spot for paddleboard races, paddleboard meet-ups, and triathlons, which are open for all skill levels.

Indoor playgrounds

• Just 10 miles from East Cobb, Mountasia Marietta features acres of family fun, which makes it ideal for date nights, birthday parties, team building, and family outings. Go-karts, mini golf, and video games are available, as well as a cafe.  Get your fill of sinful treats like hot dogs, pizza, french fries, nachos, corn dogs, churros, and cotton candy, ice cream to fuel the next round of action. 
• The excitement of go-karting is just the start of what awaits you at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games. Get ready for action-packed games, thrilling rides, and unique activities for all ages to enjoy! Zoom down a zipline, go rock climbing, and negotiate a rope obstacle course.  Dark Ride Motion Theater, as well as classic and new arcade games provide an immersive experience. With all those activities, the facility doesn’t scrimp on food and drinks options. Award-winning chefs prepare everything from scratch, whether burger, sandwich, pizza, pasta, chicken wings, or salad! What’s more, a full range of gluten-free options is available as well as vegan cheese on pizza. The drink Signature cocktails are named for the attractions on offer, such as Pole Position, Finish Line, Flat Out Rita, Mario’s Martini, Dragster Mojito, and Pace Car.
• Brunswick’s Marietta
is not your average bowling alley. Equipped with blacklight, this bowling center takes strikes and spares to another level. Bowling at Brunswick’s features 40 lanes with upgraded equipment, plush seating, and a social atmosphere that encourages teamwork. Tavern ’45, the entertainment center’s in-house restaurant, provides guests with a luxurious pub dining experience with a full pub menu and craft beer selections. The 40,000-square-foot facility is also equipped with arcade games and billiards, making it a great place for friends and families to hang out.

Museums

• As the only museum focusing on American Art in Metro-Atlanta, the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art houses a vast collection of artworks dating from the 18th century to the present. A non-profit organization, the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art hosts a variety of educational, social, and cultural activities, such as tours, lectures, classes, and art camps. A diverse calendar of events and activities demonstrates the museum’s commitment to “building community through art.”
• At Brumby Hall in Marietta, GA, the Marietta Gone with the Wind Museum, houses an extensive private collection of movie memorabilia. You’ll see the exact Bengaline honeymoon gown late actress Vivien Leigh wore in the film, author Margaret Mitchell’s personal copies of her novel, foreign editions of the book, and an exhibit featuring African American cast members like Oscar winner Hattie McDaniel. In addition to these items, the collection also includes the cast members’ original scripts and contracts, as well as press and publicity releases. The beautiful gardens surrounding Brumby Hall are also available for you to enjoy.
• Just two blocks from the historic Marietta Square, the Marietta Fire Museum houses antique fire apparatus, equipment, vehicles, and clothing dating back to 1854. Here, you can opt for guided or self-guided tours.  Note that guided tours are only available to groups of 10 or more. Self-guided tours are available Sunday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you wish to come here on a weekend, please call the museum ahead to make an appointment. Entrance is free but donations are welcome.

Concerts, theater, and sports events

• Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, located in northwest Atlanta just 20 minutes from East Cobb, is a premier venue for Broadway shows, ballets, concerts, educational shows, family performances, operas, corporate meetings, and other special events. With 2,750 theater seats, a 10,000-square-foot-ballroom, a terrace, 1,000 parking spaces, including a 700-space parking deck, and full-service food and beverage options, this venue offers a wide variety of events and performances. In 2023, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Taylor Tomlinson, Don Giovanni, Midwinter Dreams, Beauty & the Beast, Joe Gatto, Fortune Feimster, and Hits! The Musical are scheduled to take the stage. 
• A historic landmark in Marietta Square, the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre opened in 1935 as a moviehouse, but was quickly renovated into one of the most modern theaters outside of Atlanta. A nonprofit, The Strand accepts tax-deductible gifts, with proceeds from tickets and popcorn sales supporting their operations. Enjoy your next movie, concert, and theater experience at the jewel of Marietta Square.
• From the very first pitch until the ninth, a game at Truist Park is a fun-filled adventure, even if you’re not big on baseball.. The ballpark is located between The Battery Atlanta and Omni Hotel and is home to the Atlanta Braves. All 41,000 seats have excellent sightlines and were designed for comfort. To dine and shop, head to The Battery before or after the games. 

Recreational activities

• If you’re a member of Indian Hills Country Club, the family-friendly private club in East Cobb County, you’ll have access to 27 holes of golf and extensive practice facilities seven days a week. The beautiful clubhouse offers excellent dining and year-round social events, eight tennis courts, and three swimming pools.
• At Atlanta Ice House, aspiring skaters of all ages can take part in daily freestyle lessons. Choose from a variety of packages. Aspire offers a complete package program at an affordable price; Ice Dance teaches pattern dancing, footwork, edge work, choreography, and artistry. Motion on Ice is a fun way to improve skating skills. Skaters can also participate in hockey clubs and leagues.
• Aside from roller skating, Hot Wheels Skate Center has added perks like  arcade games, a cafe, and a live DJ for the whole family to enjoy! You can rent roller skates or hire a professional to skate with you in open sessions every day. Several group packages are available that include unlimited skating for 10 skaters, party room rental for 90 minutes, and more. Also, you can book private parties for up to 50 people with a two-hour skate center and playground use.

Shopping centers and malls

• Merchant’s Walk is a bustling  shopping and dining center  in East Cobb. Shop at  Whole Foods, Kohl’s, Old Navy, PetsMart, Stein Mart, and ULTA.  and Whole Foods. Eat at Chipotle, SEED Kitchen & Bar, Marlow’s Tavern, and Stem Wine Bar. Furthermore, the center features a 14-screen theater, beauty salons, and an OfficeMax store.
• A visit to Avenue East Cobb will take you to about 50 shops and restaurants. Shoppers can find clothing stores like Banana Republic, Gap, Talbot’s, and LOFT as well as household goods stores, including Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and Bed, Bath and Beyond. There are also several restaurants in the area such as Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar, Stockyard Burgers & Bones, and Tin Lizzy’s Cantina. Parking is available directly in front of each store.
• The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta, located only 14 miles from East Cobb, is the closest and newest outlet mall in the area. Over 100 climate-controlled stores fill the outdoor complex, including Saks OFF 5TH, Columbia Sportswear, Coach, J. Crew, G.H. Bass & Co., Nike, Carter’s, Forever 21, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, West & Peach, Under Armour, Banana Republic, and more. There is also a food court featuring FrescO´ Burger, Fresh, Pizza, Smooth, and Wings, as well as Ghirardelli Chocolate Outlet & Ice Cream, Charleys Philly Steaks, and Taqueria Tsunami.

Restaurants

• At Dave & Buster’s, you can satisfy your cravings while playing hundreds of new arcade games or watching the latest sports match on a 40-foot HDTV. There is something for everyone on the menu – pastas, burgers, steaks, seafood, chicken, and dessert, available for lunch to late dinner. Their premium bar offers innovative cocktails as well as an impressive wine selection and more than 20 beers to choose from. With indoor games, billiards, bowling, and virtual reality, you and your family are sure to have a fun-filled time here.
• As you drive up Cobb Parkway, it’s hard to miss Marietta Diner’s neon and chrome- covered exterior. With an endless menu suitable for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night cravings available 24 hours a day, Marietta Diner is popular among locals and tourists alike. Among their breakfast selections are pancakes, egg sandwiches, bagels, Belgian waffles, and French toast. Lunch and dinner menu items include burgers, deli sandwiches, chicken tenders, roast turkey, rib eye steak, kebabs, and lamb chops. That’s not all. You can also opt for seafood dishes, and Greek and Italian cuisine. Cap your meal with cakes, pies, shakes, and ice cream. In addition, there is a separate kids’ menu for your little ones!
• A fine dining neighborhood restaurant in historic Marietta Square, Spring uses the fresh produce of local farmers and artisans. The appetizers are wide ranging and out of the box, such as persimmon salad, chicken velouté, wagyu beef carpaccio, fried oysters, and chicken liver pâté. Mains include spinach pappardelle, pan-roasted Atlantic fluke, and roasted duck breast and confit thigh. Desserts are just as thrilling on the palate, such as  white chocolate and grapefruit, chocolate and beets, and apple tarte tatin. While the menu is minimalist, every single plate is packed with big flavors.

Breweries

• Founded in Woodstock, GA, Reformation Brewery has an excellent view of the Chattahoochee River as you sample their popular brews like Cadence (Belgian dubbel), Jude (Belgian-style tripel), or Declaration (Russian Imperial stout). But the brewery  has much more to offer than great beer. Reformation Brewery also supports causes that make a difference in the local communities they serve. 
• A few steps from historic Marietta Square, Glover Park Brewery offers delicious street food to get your weekend started. Every Saturday at noon, Glover Park Brewery rotates its food trucks to make sure customers discover new things to eat. Make your way through the beer garden into the atmospheric taproom for craftsy suds and fun games. Draft beers like Base Camp and Some Beach are favorites. Also, if you find Glover Park’s beers, food, and the industrial-inspired interiors engaging, you can rent out the place for large-scale events or intimate gatherings.
• Visit Schoolhouse Brewing, recently voted the #1 New Brewery in Georgia, and you’ll quickly discover why it’s going to be your new favorite hangout. There are 20 rotating draft beers on tap at Schoolhouse Brewing (no “core” or “flagship” brews), so you can try something new every time you drop by. Any recommendations or recipes you need? Ask the friendly staff; they’ll be glad to help! Schoolhouse Brewing is located just outside the perimeter of Atlanta, GA, and has a full inventory of homebrew supplies. They are also proud to have the largest taproom and to provide a variety of games, live music, and food trucks.

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT EAST COBB

The best way to learn about a community before relocating is by working with a local expert like The Page Morgan Group. Providing you with a comprehensive insider’s guide to East Cobb is what The Page Morgan Group does best. They’ve had over 25 years of real estate experience so the team knows everything there is to know about East Cobb.

Unless you live in East Cobb, it’s hard to go through every single thing on this list (and then some). If you’re considering moving elsewhere, make it East Cobb, GA. We can help you find the ideal home based on your needs, budget, and requirements. Enjoy all the things to do in East Cobb anytime you please. Browse our website to see extensive listings of homes for sale in East Cobb, Atlanta, North Fulton, Sandy Springs, and the surrounding communities. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch with our experts at 770.579.5650 or contact us here.