What to do in Kennesaw, GA?
April 14, 2015 7:43 AM   Subscribe

My family and I are going to a wedding next week in Kennesaw, GA and will have a couple days to kill beforehand. What should we do? Where should we eat?

Family of three. Mom, dad, 13 year old boy.

Are we close enough (time-wise) to Atlanta where I'm basically asking "What is there to do in Atlanta?" I live in a suburb and I know sometimes getting into a city, even when you're 20 miles away, can be a pain. So while we might want to spend a day in the city I'd prefer more local places as well.

The 13 year old is a picky eater but he does like sushi and barbecue.

We like outdoor stuff. A not-too-tough hike or canoe trip would be fun.

I understand there is a Civil War battlefield in that town. Worth going to?

I live in Boston and we have a pretty decent aquarium so unless they have a giant squid or mermaid at the Georgia Aquarium I'm not sure there's a reason to go.

The 13 year old is currently obsessed with WWII tanks so if there's some place where he could, you know, drive one or shoot down a building with one or maybe just look at one, that would be swell.

Any other general tips about the area would be welcome. How are the people? Should I not mention that I'm a Massachusetts liberal?
posted by bondcliff to Travel & Transportation around Georgia (8 answers total)
 
Where are you guys staying? In the Kennesaw area?
posted by jquinby at 7:48 AM on April 14, 2015


Response by poster: Yes. Right next to the Best Buy!
posted by bondcliff at 7:54 AM on April 14, 2015


The Battlefield is pretty cool, specifically the hike up Kennesaw Mountain is fun. Atlanta isn't a terrible drive, I lived downtown ATL and went to school in Kennesaw for many years, so anything you'd like to see in Atlanta is within your reach.

Los Reyes is my favorite so bad its good Mexican, there are fun murals too, if I went back that's where I'd eat.

I don't think there are tanks though...
posted by stormygrey at 8:04 AM on April 14, 2015


Best answer: Excellent. Williamson Brothers BBQ is top-notch, and they have a location in Marietta, which is just down the road from Kennesaw. Trackside Grill (in Kennesaw) is also great southern meat/three type eating. Just down the road a bit is Bangkok Cabin, which has outstanding Thai food. Ippolito's is excellent for Italian. Seconding Los Reyes for Mexican.

The National Battlefield Park is interesting if you're into Civil War stuff. Ditto for the Railroad Museum in Kennesaw proper, which houses The General, a steam engine which has a whole real-life story associated with it.

No visit to Atlanta is complete with dropping by The Varsity for greasy fast food at its finest. World of Coke is also pretty interesting. The aquarium is OK, but I'm partial to the one in Chattanooga these days. I miss the Botanical Gardens (downtown Atlanta), especially in the spring.

Barring traffic issues, Kennesaw is about 30 minutes from the heart of downtown Atlanta. During the rush hours, that trip can take more than an hour. If there's a wreck somewhere, all bets are off.

The people are fine. Most everyone's a transplant. One word: Kennesaw has, inexplicably, allowed a store to remain on the main street full of all manner of bizarre, racist material. It's been there forever and I'd advise skipping it.

Enjoy your time there - it's a beautiful time of the year to be in Atlanta. Mind the pollen counts if anyone in your group is sensitive to that sort of thing.
posted by jquinby at 8:10 AM on April 14, 2015


Atlanta is definitely within reach.

"The 13 year old is a picky eater but he does like sushi and barbecue." - Get barbecue. I won't make recommendations for where you'll be because I don't know what's out there; the barbecue places I know are in the city. Don't bother with sushi.
posted by madcaptenor at 8:37 AM on April 14, 2015


Best answer: While you are driving around, keep an eye out for the big chicken!
posted by TedW at 9:07 AM on April 14, 2015 [1 favorite]


I just checked an Atlanta events calendar and the Georgia Renaissance Festival opens this weekend. It's going to be south of Atlanta, in Fairburn, so about a 50 mile drive.

The weather is looking a little dodgy this weekend, though.
posted by jquinby at 9:47 AM on April 14, 2015


Response by poster: Thanks, all.

We hiked Kennesaw Mountain (the whole 6 mile loop) one day, went to Amicalola Falls the next day, which has significance for my wife and I as it's the approach to Springer Mountain, the start of the Appalachian Trail (we've been to the other end and various points in between) and took a winding drive down Rt. 60 through the Chatahoochee National Forest.

We also went to the RR museum in Kennesaw, saw The General, and learned about the chase.

We ate at Burger Fi and Williamson's Brothers BBQ. They sure do love their meat down there.

And we saw the Big Chicken. It sure is big. And chicken-like.
posted by bondcliff at 6:25 AM on April 27, 2015 [2 favorites]


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