Maybe you’re looking for the perfect lunch spot with friends. Perhaps you want to switch up the family dinner out. Or, maybe you just need to make sure the kids eat after a few hours of running around at the park. Going on a picnic is a great way to get your family out of the house and into some fresh air, combine fun activities with your meal, and go sightseeing not far from home. If you’re looking for a nice picnic spot in and around East Cobb, then you have to check out these five areas that your whole family is sure to love.

East Cobb Park

“Amelia asking Reese to Share” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by donnierayjones

Right in the heart of East Cobb is East Cobb Park, which is 20 acres of gorgeous landscape. There are multiple pavilions in different sizes, so you can hold a large group gathering in an entire pavilion or just a small picnic at one of the tables. If you’re planning a large gathering where you’ll need a whole or large portion of the pavilion, you can reserve one online. Plus, you can use the grills that are right next to each of the pavilions, so you can have a full cookout or add freshly cooked food to the rest of your picnic spread.

In addition to the pavilions, you can also set up a blanket out in one of the open grass spaces and enjoy your picnic under the warm Georgia sun. After you’re done eating or before you chow down, be sure to spend some time at the playground, go for a walk on one of the short trails, or take in the sights of the nearby stream.

This park is located at 3322 Roswell Road in Marietta/East Cobb.

Mabry Park

Mabry Park in the Marietta-Roswell area is 26.5 acres of green areas, picnic shelters, trails, and beautiful waterways. This park, opened in spring of 2019, is one of the newest additions to the East Cobb area, so you can enjoy brand new amenities.

Enjoy a picnic with your family at one of the singe-table picnic shelters, or head to one of the larger pavilions that have outdoor grills nearby that you can use. And what’s great about eating at the pavilions is that the farm-themed playground is just a few steps away. You can also set up a quiet picnic so you can really enjoy the view. You can sit by the pond, in one of the open meadows surrounded by tall trees that look amazing during the seasonal changes, or by the community garden. 

You can find this picnic spot at 4466 Mabry Park Road in Roswell. 

Tumlin Park

Also in Marietta is Tumlin Park, a nearly 11-acre park with many areas for great picnicking with the whole family. There are two pavilions, which you don’t have to reserve ahead of time, that hold 12 to 14 people. There’s also one pavilion that you can reserve if you’re holding a larger gathering with up to 48 people. If you want to picnic in the sun, set up in the open grassy areas or at one of the picnic tables scattered around the area by the enormous playground.

If you need more to do than just eat your picnic, you have plenty to keep you and the kiddos in high spirits. Play at the tennis courts, throw around a ball at one of the athletic fields, zoom and climb around the playground, and explore the park’s landscape on the paved walking track. You can also stop by the Little Free Library by the playground to pick up a new book and give an old one to the library.

The Steve & Virginia Tumlin Park is located at 400 Chestnut Hill Road S.W. in Marietta.

Morgan Falls Overlook Park

Over in nearby Sandy Springs is Morgan Falls Overlook Park. With its picturesque landscape, open area, and fun activities, it’s one of the best places to host a picnic, whether with a small group or a big one. The pavilions, when not in use, are open to anyone stopping by for a quick picnic, and these shelters provide some beautiful views of the river for the perfect backdrop. You can also reserve a picnic shelter for your large outing up to 60 people, or take your small group over to Section C of Overlook Pavilion, which is always open to the public.

This 30-acre park also has a shaded playground, so the kids can run around without worrying about the sun. You can also go on a hike, enjoy an evening fire at the fire pit, and cuddle with the kiddos on one of the porch swings that overlook the river. Or, get out on the water for some stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, or canoeing.

Head to 400 Morgan Falls Road in nearby Sandy Springs to check out this awesome picnic spot.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Add a bit of history to your family picnic when you visit Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park in nearby Kennesaw. There are multiple designated picnicking areas throughout the park, allowing you to enjoy some of the best landscape Georgia has to offer. Each of these areas has picnic tables, trash cans, and open areas to dine on the grass. What’s more is that this picnic spot is best for families or groups that plan to hike the amazing mountainous park, go wildlife watching through the woods, or visit any of the monuments or historical sites.

At the northern base of Kennesaw Mountain, right off of Old U.S. 41, are two picnicking spots that are perfect for having lunch after a hiking 24 Gun Battery Trail. Or, you can set up shop over by the visitor center and Georgia Monument to have a picnic before or after hiking the Kennesaw Mountain Trail. If you’re hiking Assault Trail or Kolb Farm West Trail, then one of the two picnic areas off of Cheatham Hill Road on the south-central part of the park would be most convenient. 

There are multiple entrances into this park, which is west of Marietta down S.R. 120.

So there you have it, the five best places in and around the East Cobb area to have a picnic with your family. Did we miss any of your favorite picnic spots around Marietta? Contact Crème de la Crème of East Cobb to let us know, and we’ll be sure to add those places to our ever-growing list.