Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, located forty minutes north of Atlanta, is a place of historical significance – part of the Atlanta campaign, Sherman and Johnston clashed here. Over sixty thousand men met their deaths on these grounds. in 1864 if you stood at the peak of Kennesaw Mountain you could watch Atlanta burn to the ground. This violent and bloody past is remembered in monuments, trailside plaques bearing historical information about the battles fought, and even the name – Kennesaw is derived from the Cherokee word for graveyard.
Today this national park is a popular spot for locals to visit, home to a Civil War museum, expansive fields perfect for picnic lunches and kite flying, and over seventeen miles of scenic trails winding through the woods and seven hundred feet up the mountain. A twisting two lane road open during the week allows visitors to drive to a cleared viewing area near the top, although not everyone cares for the modern intrusion. Jenny H., a 22-year-old resident of Gainesville, is one of them.
“While I have been hiking numerous times, I was still a little tired when I reached the summit. I think it had a lot to do with my preconceived idea that the walk up this mountain would be a quick, little laid-back walk, and I had dressed accordingly. To be clear, I do not mean the paved parking lot when I say the top, which took a lot away from the hiking experience.”
The park is a natural choice for many locals to spend a lazy afternoon, and it should come as no surprise that its pine-covered bulk has been witness to a number of tender moments. Shaun W., currently residing in Florida but an Acworth resident at the time, brought his then-girlfriend to Kennesaw Mountain one morning and after a long climb to the peak, proposed to her. His second favorite view at the time? The city below.
Sometimes a hiker's fondest memory isn't of the climb up the mountain or the breathtaking views that await those who trek upwards despite tired legs. For Sarah, currently living in Kennesaw, something different stood out for her.
“I do remember a time with friends where we were at the top of a hill and ran down together towards this really awesome tree. It was by itself in this field and the day was sort of cloudy so the lighting made it look really picturesque. It's been ages since I've gone, but I love being in the fields and some of the places that have grown up in them. Places where cool vines have grown up.”
Kennesaw Mountain is an easily accessed location that offers an escape from the stop and go traffic that Atlanta is known for. The trails are kept clear of overgrowth, although there are a few loose stones and protruding roots lying in wait for unwary hikers. Informational plaques are placed along the trail, offering up the historical significance of certain areas of the park. Cannons dot the field by the Visitor Center, and three monuments honor the states that fought there.
Those who have hiked there are unanimous in recommending it to others.
“Absolutely. it's a great place for the view and has a lot of history surrounding it,” Sarah G.
“Sure,” Shaun W.
“Absolutely, especially to my KSU friends who have no excuse to not take a short drive to visit!” Jenny H.
Places to stay - Visitors from out of town have a wide selection of hotels to stay in. La Quinta, Days Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, Wyngate by Wyndham, Hyatt Place, Best Western, and more.
Places to visit - For those visiting from out of town there are a number of Georgia tourist attractions within a short distance. Soda enthusiasts will want to visit The World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta and learn the history of one of the world's best-selling beverages, take in decades of commercials, and enjoy the chance to taste a selection of sodas from around the globe. Try Bibo from South Africa, and dare your friends to taste the Italian soda Beverly. Within walking distance from The World of Coca-Cola is the Georgia Aquarium, currently the largest aquarium in the world with over eight million gallons of water. Beluga whales frolic in frigid water, while whale sharks and
sting rays glide overhead as you walk through an underwater viewing tunnel. The truly adventurous can swim with the sharks.
Stone Mountain Park offers a wide variety of activities that will entertain just about anyone. Take a cable car to the top or walk up and admire the view from the largest piece of exposed granite in the world. Watch the laser show. Visit the Antebellum plantation. Ride the riverboat or splash about on the pedal boats. Check out the car museum. Ride the scenic railroad.
For those limiting their sight-seeing to Kennesaw, the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History is well worth a visit. Now a member of the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program, the Southern Museum features a number of displays on the history of the southern states, the Civil War, the Great Locomotive Chase, and the area's historical significance. Make sure to visit the locomotive workshop and admire the massive wooden patterns used to make locomotive wheels, and watch the short movie detailing the Great Locomotive Chase. Head to Marietta Square and visit The Strand to catch a show, or buy an ice cream cone and sit by the fountain.
Places to eat – The Kennesaw Whistle Stop Cafe is located just across the tracks from the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History and offers southern comfort food, including fried green tomatoes. The Big Chicken, a local landmark featuring prominently in many driving instructions, is roughly twenty minutes away for those with a hankering for Kentucky Fried Chicken. The Marietta Diner, clad in gleaming metal panels and located on Highway 41 is open around the clock and offers traditional diner food.
Places to shop – In need of hiking equipment? REI has a number of locations nearby. Town Center Mall in Kennesaw offers a wide selection of stores. With Atlanta half an hour away, anything that can be bought can be found.
