This Georgia Town Nails the Art of a Fall Weekend
Words by Ashley Locke
Photos provided by Visit Marietta
Fall in Marietta doesn’t just paint the trees with color—it sets the whole town aglow with energy. As leaves crunch underfoot and the air turns crisp, this historic city just northwest of Atlanta transforms. The scent of pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider drifts from cozy cafés, while the savory aromas of roasted meats and warm breads spill out from bustling restaurants. Laughter drifts out of taprooms and theaters, and shop windows glow with fall displays that beg you to linger. Marietta doesn’t just welcome you in—it wraps you up in a warm hug.
Marietta has all the ingredients for a perfect fall weekend: cozy brunch spots, scenic hikes, ghost stories steeped in Southern history, and a vibrant downtown that celebrates creativity at every turn. Here’s how to spend a perfect fall weekend where art, flavor, and community come together.
Friday: Settle In and Savor the Square
Start your weekend with a stroll through Marietta Square, where stately red-brick buildings wrap around a tree-filled park anchored by a bubbling fountain. The Marietta Square Farmers Market may not be in full swing on Friday evening, but the energy of the community still pulses in the open-air walkways and storefronts. Browse shops like The Local Exchange, stocked with Georgia-made goods—locally roasted coffee, bourbon-infused jams, and candles that smell like autumn bonfires. If it’s the first Friday of the month, don’t miss Marietta’s Art Walk, when galleries and shops stay open late to showcase local talent.
When the sun dips low, step into The Strand Theatre, a beautifully restored 1935 movie palace whose marquee lights bathe the Square in vintage charm. Depending on the night, you might catch a Hitchcock classic, a live jazz performance, or a local theater troupe putting on a Halloween comedy.
Cap off the night at The Third Door, a hidden cocktail bar tucked behind a 1920s-era gas station façade. Step through the side door and you’re in a candlelit space where the bartenders stir drinks with precision and old records spin softly in the background. Try a seasonal sip like the Bourbon Harvest—a velvety mix of fig, orange peel, and toasted spice.
Saturday: From Market Strolls to Chalk Murals and Ghost Stories
Start your morning at the Marietta Square Farmers Market, where the scent of warm cider mingles with fresh bread and bins of just-picked apples. Stalls brim with jewel-toned produce, handmade soaps, pimento cheese spreads, and local honey. Next door, the Artisan Market offers pottery, fiber art, and woodcrafts—ideal for early holiday shopping or a unique souvenir.
For coffee and browsing, Tuesday Coffee + Shoppe is the perfect stop. This light-drenched café blends art and caffeine with seasonal lattes (think maple, lavender, or rosemary) and shelves of handmade jewelry, home goods, and stationery.
Brunch calls at Season—a local darling known for its upscale Southern takes and all-day brunch menu. The duck biscuit is tender, buttery perfection, while the red chorizo chilaquiles strike just the right balance of heat.
Walk it off with a hike up Kennesaw Mountain, where panoramic views await at the summit, or bike the Mountain to River Trail, a scenic 3-mile stretch connecting the mountain to the Square, passing murals, creeks, and sculpture gardens along the way.
If you’re lucky enough to visit during Chalktoberfest, you’ll catch the downtown streets transformed into an open-air gallery. International chalk artists create vivid 3D masterpieces beneath your feet, while food trucks, a craft beer and wine festival, and local bands round out the celebration.
As night falls, explore Marietta’s spookier side. At the William Root House, flashlight tours offer a haunting look at Victorian mourning rituals, with preserved artifacts like hair art and 19th-century embalming tools. Or see if you can spot Bev, the resident ghost at The Strand Theatre, where tales of playful spirits are as much a part of the show as the live performances on stage.
Sunday: A Slow Finish & One Last Bite
Ease into Sunday with brunch at Mac’s Chophouse, where the steak & eggs come with a view of the Square and the crab cakes are a favorite among locals. If you’ve got kids in tow, Sessions Stand is a serene café tucked off a side street. Don’t miss the French toast casserole or their weekend frittata specials.
Before heading home, take time to wander. Pop into the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, set in a neoclassical former post office with rotating exhibits.
Marietta isn’t the kind of place you rush through. It’s the kind of place that draws you in slowly.
So gather your crew, pack your flannels, and book that weekend getaway. The Square is waiting.
