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Quality of Life

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Woman playing in bubbles

Live, Work and Play

Cobb County is home to culturally rich communities, each with family friendly neighborhoods, fun hangouts, top-notch recreational attractions, award-winning schools and a thriving business environment. Cobb is flourishing from an explosion of growth from retailers and residents, alike. Cobb County offers sports, entertainment, community, rich history, and more.

Diverse Dining

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Diverse Dining

What are you hungry for? Cobb’s got it – whether you want casual or formal, family-friendly or an evening to remember. The area abounds with innovative takes on Southern favorites, sophisticated culinary experiences and fresh tastes from around the world. No wonder Bon Appetit, Wine Spectator and The Food Network keep us on their “Must Visit” lists. 

Explore Cobb Restaurants

Sweet Shopping

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Sweet Shopping

Cobb County is known for its unparalleled shopping opportunities, and few can resist indulging in a little retail therapy at local boutiques, department stores, thrift shops and antique markets. Cumberland Mall offers a wide variety of retail establishments, from one-of-a-kind boutiques to major national stores, along with a range of restaurants and eateries.

Town Center at Cobb features the latest fashions, popular lunch spots and a number of intriguing shops. Several other major shopping centers and districts—The Galleria Specialty ShopsVinings Jubilee, The Avenue at East Cobb and West CobbMarietta Square, West Village in Vinings and Smyrna Market Village—cater to shoppers with equally impressive retail options.

Sports: High Fives and Fist Bumps

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Braves Stadium Rendering

Cobb County is all about high fives,  fist bumps, group hugs and an infinite amount of will and determination – especially when you start talking about sports and outdoor recreation. Cobb is already recognized for its winning combination of facilities and customer service and for being a sports power alley, with two major league teams calling Cobb County home – Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United and Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves.

Cobb is not only a power alley for major league sports, but also for international and national sporting events for youth and adults. Perfect Game, Triple Crown Sports, the Korean Paralympic Team training, and Offense-Defense Bowl are only a few of the many sporting events that have taken place in Cobb.

Cobb is known for its range of sports facilities, including Al Bishop Softball Complex – the hub of league and tournament events for softball in Georgia. Sponsored by the Cobb County Park, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department, this nationally recognized facility has hosted approximately 2,500 annual tournaments since 1979.

If you are looking for an outdoor adventure and a day of play, Cobb County is the spot for you. With more than 200 miles of trail, 44 park facilities, 1,350 acres of greenspace and 1.4 trillion gallons of water available for recreational use, you’re sure to encounter runners, walkers, cyclist, paddle boarders, kayakers and hikers in the county. 

Cobb has played a vital role in helping make metro Atlanta one of the most trail connected metropolitan areas in the country.  There are more than 25 miles of active multi-use trails in and around the Cumberland area, with 16 miles backing up to the Chattahoochee River National Park. This creates better connectivity between the growing Cumberland Business District and an abundance of greenspace.  

Partially located in Cobb, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area covers more than 9,000 acres and draws more than 3 million visitors a year.  Recently, the Nantahala Outdoor Center launched two new adventure centers in Cobb County, offering both fishing and float trips on 6.5-miles of river. The Chattahoochee River is the perfect setting for an outdoor water adventure.

Cobb continues to up its game by focusing on a healthy walkable lifestyle for its residents. With one of the largest trail networks in the metro Atlanta region, Cobb’s mission is to provide connectivity throughout its six cities. Kennesaw’s Town Center area recently completed a seven mile trail along Noonday Creek. This trail goes right through what will become Town Center Park, which is a 42-acre green-space development. The trail is open to bikers and walkers, and stretches from Town Center Mall to the edge of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park in Marietta. As the site of one of the most important battles during the Civil War, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a must-see with 17 miles of trails to explore along the battlefields and up the mountain. Outdoor enthusiasts will feel right at home in Cobb. Lake Acworth, a 260 acre man-made lake, is now a hot destination for paddle boarders due to its close proximity to Atlanta. It is also one of four stops on the pro wake board tour, with more than 250 boats visiting this legendary competition course. 

Cobb offers some of the most impressive parks and recreation facilities in this region, with Cobb PARKS welcoming more than 7 million visitors annually. Cobb continues to connect its neighborhoods directly to each other, from Acworth to the Cumberland area, creating a greater sense of community.

Lakes, State Parks, and Trails

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Senior Services letter logo
  • Bike Trails
  • Dog Parks
  • Nature Walks
  • Summer Camps
  • Swimming Facilities
  • Gyms & Athletic Fields
  • Educational and Therapeutic Activities

Whether you crave adventure or enjoy relaxing and reconnecting with the natural world, Cobb County provides plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities at a variety of county, municipal and national parks. You’ll discover bike trails and nature walks, swimming pools, gyms and athletic fields in idyllic settings. The Cobb County PARKS Department operates 44 facilities and maintains 1,350 acres of developed land, providing athletic, educational and therapeutic services. PARKS facilities include the Lost Mountain softball complex, the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, the Cobb Gymnastics Center, the fairgrounds at Jim R. Miller Park, Cobb County Civic Center Complex, four community centers, three art centers, six tennis centers with 112 tennis courts, four indoor aquatic centers and two outdoor pools, two golf courses and 20 miles of trails.

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, established in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter, covers more than 9,000 acres and draws more than 3 million visitors a year. The mighty river attracts fishermen from all over the Southeast with its enticing misty waters. Whether you enjoy kayaking and boating or picnicking along the river’s shore, the Chattahoochee provides the perfect setting for family fun.

In addition to Cobb County’s outstanding parks system, the cities of Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs and Smyrna operate more than 100 municipal parks and recreation centers.

Cobb County is known for its unspoiled outdoor offerings, so residents need look no farther than their own backyard for the best fishing and camping. Lake Allatoona, covering more than 12,000 acres, attracts outdoorsmen from far and wide to its beaches, campsites and top-notch fishing spots. 

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park preserves the remnants of one of the most heated battles of the Civil War and offers miles of hiking trails dotted with historic earthworks, cannon emplacements and monuments. As you walk the park, you’re reminded of the hard-fought battle that occurred here almost 150 years ago. Picnic areas and lookout points invite you to take in the park’s natural beauty. Stop in at the visitor center for information on local wildlife and self-guided tours.

The scenic Silver Comet Trail offers more than 61 miles for bikers, joggers and skaters alike. Once the route of the Silver Comet passenger train, the trail meanders past breathtaking fields, streams and valleys, stretching all the way to Anniston, Alabama. 

Arts and Theater

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Arts and Theater

Cobb is a melting pot for the arts, showcasing works from cultures across the globe. Enjoy theatrical performances, poetry readings, gallery exhibits and musical delights. A world-class entertainment venue, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre at Cobb Galleria draws audiences from throughout the metro area for unforgettable performances. The Centre is a premier venue for Broadway shows, ballet, opera, concerts, family performances and educational programming, as well as corporate meetings and events. The 2,750 seat state-of-the-art theater and 10,000-square foot ballroom welcome supporters of the arts to enjoy a wide array of talent. The Atlanta Ballet and Atlanta Opera are resident companies within the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center.

The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, one of Marietta’s most beloved cultural treasures, occupies the city’s century-old former post office. The impressive Classical Revival building houses a wonderful collection of American art, including paintings, sculptures and decorative art objects. The museum also welcomes special exhibitions and offers tours, classes and lectures.

The Stillwell Theatre at Kennesaw State University attracts audiences to college productions, as well as concerts by the prestigious Georgia Symphony Orchestra and performances by the Georgia Ballet.

The Mable House Complex, administered by the Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, is comprised of the Mable House Arts Center, the historic Mable House property and the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. Through a partnership with the South Cobb Arts Alliance, the complex brings a variety of programming to the community, including classes for children and adults at the arts center, tours and field trips of the historic property, and concerts at the amphitheater. The 2,409-seat Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre draws top musical acts and theatrical performances for unforgettable evenings of entertainment under the stars. In addition to fixed seats, tables and lawn seating are available, making the mid-sized theater a great destination for family and friends looking to enjoy a show together.

A favorite destination of fans of instrumental and folk music, the Dr. Bobbie Bailey and Family Performance Center at Kennesaw State University includes three intimate venues: the Concert Hall, the Don Russell Clayton Gallery and the Erik and Gwendolyn Brooker Rehearsal Hall.

The historic Art Deco-style Earl Smith Strand Theatre on Marietta Square has entertained audiences for 78 years, originally serving as the city’s movie house from 1935 to 1976. Today it continues to present classic films, as well as gallery openings and community-theater performances.

Another popular Marietta venue, the 606-seat Jennie T. Anderson Theatre is home to the Atlanta Lyric Theatre and hosts some of the nation’s top performing arts acts.

Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center

Located in East Cobb at 2051 Lower Roswell Road, this state of the art 28,000-square-foot facility isn’t your typical library. The facility features an art gallery, children and teen spaces, vinyl music collections, conference rooms, an outdoor amphitheater, a black box theatre, jewelry making equipment and video-conference rooms. The facility also contains a digital maker space commons, where visitors can find a recording studio, practice rooms and access unique software such as Adobe Creative Cloud and ProTools. In addition to these amenities, the library hosts regularly scheduled classes such as art, podcasting, comics, digital photography, music appreciation and writing in addition to live performances and classic film screenings.

Living History

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Living History

Cobb County’s museums and historical landmarks share stories of times past. From military and locomotive history to architecture and local culture, visitors experience the region’s rich heritage through vast collections of artifacts and memorabilia.

Learn about the history of Marietta and its surrounding areas at the Marietta Museum of History, located inside one of Cobb’s oldest buildings, the historic Kennesaw House. Open since 1996, the museum houses four galleries featuring collections spotlighting local history, home life and the military.

Let your children’s imaginations run wild as they act out history in period ensembles at the Cobb County Youth Museum. Carefully researched settings, props and authentic details engage and excite young minds.

No visit to the South is complete without a tour of the Marietta Gone with the Wind Museum. With an extensive collection of memorabilia, it’s no wonder fans of Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 classic flock here from far and wide. Tour the museum and view authentic keepsakes like the Bengaline gown worn by Vivian Leigh in her famous movie portrayal of Scarlett O’Hara.

Outdoor Adventure

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Six Flags

SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA

Six Flags Over Georgia is the Southeast’s favorite destination for thrilling family fun. Test your bravery on 10 heart-pounding roller coasters, including the 20-story Goliath hypercoaster. Have a blast with the kids in three interactive children’s areas: Bugs Bunny World, Carousel Hill and Whistlestop Park. Hurricane Harbor Water Park is a multi-million dollar expansion that includes full wave pools, slippery slides, interactive playgrounds, and a ticket to a cool tropical paradise. Spend a day—or a weekend.

SIX FLAGS WHITE WATER

Six Flags White Water is another great way to beat the summer heat. Thrill rides like the Cliffhanger, one of the world’s tallest water freefalls, and Tornado, a six-story funnel slide, keep adrenaline junkies coming back for more. Those looking for a tamer good time can cool off in the Little Hooch lazy river or splash around in the Atlanta Ocean wave pool. Little ones will find plenty to do in three interactive kids areas.

Transportation

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Picture of CobbLinc Paratransit van

ACCESSIBILITY

Cobb County is easily accessible by both freeway and air. Development sites in Cobb are conveniently located minutes from arterial highways and interstates; County Highways 380, 280, and 120 connect West Cobb to East Cobb while County Highway 5 and Interstate I-75 connect the north to south. The city of Atlanta is a short drive southeast of Cobb County. 

TRAFFIC

Cobb County’s roads are well equipped to relieve traffic headaches. If complications do arise, the Cobb County Department of Transportation (DOT) offers an app called Cobb Commute providing active and up-to-date information regarding commute impact areas, road restrictions, and road closures. Cobb DOT measures and analyzes traffic conditions 24/7 to maximize efficiency.

AIRPORT

Cobb County International Airport, (McCollum Field) is a public airport located just south of the city of Kennesaw.  CCIA is a municipal airport operated by Cobb County Department of Transportation. Although no major commercial airlines service Cobb County International Airport, it is home to two charter companies and two major fixed-base operators.  The airport supports several major employers in the region and is the airport of choice for corporate and business aviation visiting the metropolitan Atlanta area.


PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

CobbLinc is Cobb County’s public transportation system.  This transportation system provides regional connectivity to MARTA and operates 89 full size buses on 16 routes per day. There are more than 750 bus stops throughout the county and in 2015, CobbLinc provided more than 2.4 million passenger trips. 


FLEX is an on-demand, curbside bus service available to all passengers for a fee of $2.50.  Passengers can receive door-to-door service simply by making a reservation.  They can be transported to destinations within their specific zone or connected to CobbLinc’s Route 30 to access additional locations in the county.  FLEX service began in 2015 and operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.


Xpress Georgia, operated by the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA), runs 27 routes in 12 metro Atlanta counties, making more than two million passenger trips annually. Xpress provides workers with reliable, stress-free commutes to and from major employment centers in Downtown, Midtown and Perimeter Center. Xpress has three stops in Cobb County: Powder Springs, Kennesaw, and Acworth.