It’s summer and traditionally that means that people travel. Â A lot. Â I have been on my share of road trips over the years and there’s really nothing more exciting to me than packing my bags, hopping in the car, and heading out on a fun road trip, to a known or unknown destination. I tend to like to travel just a few hours by car and if it’s over 8 hours, definitely prefer to fly, but going to a new exciting place is so much fun. I have always loved to travel and today I’m joining a group of Southern bloggers who are all sharing some of their favorite Southern cities.
I’ve shared parts of my hometown of Marietta, GA with you before, so today I’m doing another recap of my fair Southern town. Â And you just might get some ideas of some Southern road trips you might want to take too. Â Enjoy the fun virtual tour this week of the South!
Here’s a little more about my life here in Marietta, GA. Â My family moved to Marietta back in the summer of 1963 from Florida. Â I was 6 years old and my memory of life truly began here in Georgia. My dad was a pastor then and we came to Marietta for him to begin a new pastorate here in Marietta at the First Assembly of God church. Â He would pastor there for 27 years before he retired.
Life was a lot slower back then in Atlanta and of course, the technology we have today was just a glimmer back in those days.  It was the days of black and white TV, playing outside in the summer, catching lightening bugs at night, enjoying homemade ice cream and watermelon during the summer months, and generally enjoying 3 months of glorious summer when school was out. It was about road trips to North Carolina, swimming in the community pool, and lazing around in the heat playing outside all day long.  We didn’t get a color TV until I was in the 2nd grade and I vividly remember my dad plugging that thing in and turning it on for the first time.  There was a cartoon of Foghorn Leghorn playing at the time and life would change after color TV.  Oh, the sweet memories of childhood.  My childhood was right here in Marietta.
The Big Chicken is a well known Marietta landmark and everyone seems to know about it.  It’s a KFC chicken restaurant now, but started out as a local place.  Here’s a good look at more about our town from Marietta.com.
Driving into the downtown area of Marietta, you will pass lots of gorgeous homes on Church Street, which is a one way street straight to our Marietta Square. Â Heading out of the Square, you’ll be on Cherokee Street, with equally pretty historic homes.
I didn’t grow up in Old Marietta, but have admired these old homes my entire life.
I shared a post earlier this year about all the historic homes in and around the Marietta Square.
There are lots of beauties like this one.
The Marietta Square itself has definitely been revitalized over the years that we’ve lived here. Â Back during my childhood years, there were plenty of shops there and we shopped on the square often. Â I remember a Dunaway drug store, women’s clothing shop, men’s clothing, Saul’s Department store, and Coggins Shoes. I wish I could remember everything that was there.
The Square has changed quite a bit from my childhood days, but the charm and quaintness of it remains the same today and actually it’s better than ever. Â There are loads of shops and restaurants and it’s become a great place to hang out on the weekends.
The famous Brumby rocking chair company still has a shop on the Square.
Tsunami is one of my favorite restaurants and the Australian Bakery has some wonderful desserts. Â There’s a new shop just to the left of this building called Rocket Fizz and we’ve been in there several times. They sell nothing but retro sodas and candy. Â So fun to remember the candy of our childhood!
The old original Strand theater has been renovated as well and that is such a good thing. Â It hosts concerts, shows and special events and there is a rooftop bar area that isn’t that old, looking out over the Square. Â A great place for a special events party!
The rooftop bar is up there where that railing is.
These pics are from 2011, but the square has been a part of our lives for a long time. Â Lauren had her bridesmaid luncheon on the square.
The Vineyard Cafe is still there and still a great place for a girl’s day out or luncheon for a group.
It was such a memorable time.
I have such fond memories of growing up here and the brick sidewalks harken back to the charm of olden days.
I’ve done my share of walking these brick sidewalks myself.
The Marietta Square fountain has been renovated over the years too. Â I remember when I was growing up there was a goldfish pond here and we loved looking at the goldfish. Â Now it’s a fountain spraying water and in the middle of the square. Â The fountain is a great meeting place too, when someone is trying to find you.
We spend a lot of time at the Square, eating and shopping and walking through the middle of the square you never know what you’ll see. Â A spring wedding, perhaps? Â These folks were right on the bandstand getting married and it was so fun to see. Â This is where concerts are held the last Friday of every month during the summer. I haven’t missed one of those in awhile, we love them and they are free.
This is part of the crowd that gathers during the concerts on the square. Â Live music and dancing and everyone brings their food and beverages for a fun evening outdoors. Â I even go out early to put out my chairs and blanket to save a spot.
And this is where you’ll find me and my guy, Mark. Â We have been to two concerts so far this year and will continue throughout the summer. It’s a great spot to people watch, eat some good food, and listen to live music.
And if you are strolling by on the sidewalks, you just might see us up and dancing to some Swing music. So much fun! The pic is blurry and bad, but you get the idea.
It’s a lovely place to spend the day and evening, watching the sun go down.  I do love my Marietta Square, home to so many of my childhood memories.  I’m so glad that historic squares like this have been preserved for future generations.  The buildings wouldn’t be the same if they were torn down and new buildings built and I just love the feeling evoked here on the Square of Marietta.
Do you have a fun hometown memory that you enjoy too?
Don’t miss the other bloggers on the tour with me today and the rest of this week. It’s fun to travel even if it’s only through your computer.  Someone suggested we open up a link party for others to join and share their Southern cities too, so we are doing that on Saturday. If you have a post to share, get ready to link up on Saturday!Â
THE GREAT SOUTHERN ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
Southern State of Mind {Atlanta, GA} | Restless Arrow {Belton, SC}
Southern Hospitality {Marietta, GA} | Our Southern Home {Caswell Beach, NC}
TUESDAY ROUTE:
Unskinny Boppy {Birmingham, AL} | Maison de Pax {Austin, TX}
Atta Girl Says {Greensboro, NC} | 3 Little Greenwoods {Aiken, SC}
WEDNESDAY ROUTE:
Dixie Delights {Savannah, GA} | Slightly Coastal {Fernandina Beach, FL}
Uptown Acorn {Grand Isle, LA} | The House of Wood {Nashville, TN}
THURSDAY ROUTE:
11 Magnolia Lane {Southern Pines/Pinehurst, NC} | The Turquoise Home {Huntsville, AL}
Duke Manor Farm {Pendergrass, GA} | Domestic Charm {Charlotte, NC}
FRIDAY ROUTE:
Our Fifth House {Charleston, SC} | At Home with the Barkers {Greenville, SC}
Simple Stylings {Mount Pleasant, SC} | Refresh Restyle {Bishop, GA}
Oh, my! The memories that flood my mind! I grew up south of Atlanta, not far from the Farmer’s Market, but passing through Marietta (or May-retta, as my grandmother in her deep southern drawl would say) on our way to Alatoona lake – sometimes in the back of my daddy’s pickup truck (eeek!) – was a common summertime occurrence for us. The big chicken was a landmark for us, letting us know we were almost there. Thank you for a stroll down memory lane!
HI, ANgie, I’m glad you got to walk down memory lane with me today! It’s funny because growing up, we never proceed Marietta like that and didn’t hear it pronounced like that, but I guess some folks did, I have heard it often enough.
We have so much in common! I, too, love to hit the road and in fact a Southern road trip from here (Houston) to Virginia, visiting Louisiana, Mississipi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas along the way is on my bucket list. (Did I get my geography right) I’ve made pit stops or just driven through some of those states on our way to Destin and Disney. But I want to eat at Rita Mae’s in Morgan City, La, see plantation homes in Mississippi, check out Gulf Shores in Alabama (We did spend fourth of July in Fairhope one year on our way to Destin. That was fun.) I can’t pass through Florida without visiting the beach. I am a big tine beach girl! And I want to visit the Outerbanks and do some antique shopping in NC.
Loved seeing your town. It looks so quaint. And you look so happy with Mark. I’m so glad for you.
I knew your Daddy was a preacher, but I didn’t remember it was in the ASOG church. That’s where my roots are although I’ve landed in the Methodist church as an adult.
This was a great idea for a blog tour. If y’all ever do it again, I’d love to share the sprawling city that is Houston, Tx. (But y’all did good having Austin on the tour.)
Thank you, Sharon, for stopping by!! Heather with Southern State of Mind put this blog hop together and I thought it was a good one.
I love the tour of Marietta! It does have so many beautiful old homes. I wish y’all would add a link up party at the end of the tour so others can showcase their towns/cities too. I’m headed to Little Rock in a couple of weekend would love some inspiration and suggestions!
Oh, those beautiful old houses–I die! What a lovely town to grow up in! I’m definitely adding it to my summer road trip list!
Hi Rhoda!
There’s an old house on the property of the Hilton Convention Center and hotel that predates the civil war! I found out about the house when I attended a wedding there once. When you face the front of the hotel from the street, it is to the right of the Hilton!
Love your blog…hugs
Sharon
Hi, Sharon, that is really neat. I haven’t seen that one. There are so many beautiful homes on Church and Cherokee Streets and those always make me drool.
Rhoda, that’s the Brumby House and it’s open as one of the free public buildings during the Pilgrimage–it’s off the beaten track so you have to drive down there, but it’s worth seeing if you have time next December. It was the home of the superintendent of the Georgia Military Academy, which was located at the site where the Hilton sits now. We had Jenna’s rehearsal dinner there–it’s kind of a weird arrangement with the Hilton, because they rent it out and do the food, etc. but there’s a board for the house that’s in charge of artifacts, getting furniture, restoration, etc.
Hi, Kim, that’s good to know, thanks for chiming in! You know way more about Marietta history than I do!
What a great post! I love reading about southern towns. Thanks for sharing with us, Rhoda!
My grandson and his wife live in Marietta! I’ve never been there , but like the pictures of the historic houses? In fact, they went on the historic walking tour earlier in the spring.
I’ve spent many weekend nights on the square in Marietta; festivals, concerts, girlfriend outings, and at the fabulous Forth of July fireworks. My close friend Karen Giese-Heard owns the Marietta Wine Shop just off the square, we have many memories of events there. I even announced my engagement at a friends gathering in the Wine Shop. Marietta is filled with southern charm!
Oh Rhoda, what a delightful tour, I had no idea that Atlanta was so pretty, I expected a vast city of high rises all over Atlanta. You must be very happy to live in such a pretty town and dancing on the sidewalks would be just my cup of tea. I should get out and about and let the world see my town but Auckland is HUGE and made up of goodness knows how many suburbs that run from one to another. We tend to stay in our own suburbs for shopping and day to day living but they are not as community minded as I imagine your pretty town to be.
Thank you again for sharing.
Hi, Lee, oh don’t be fooled, Atlanta is big and huge and sprawling with plenty of high rises. Marietta (20 miles north), where I grew up is just one of the suburbs and they all run together. Luckily, Marietta still has charm and quaintness and it an enjoyable place to hang out.
Hey sweet friend and thanks for the trip down memory lane into Marietta Square! Your mention of Dunaway Drugs touched my heart as I applied for my first or second job as a teen at one of their stores. When I didn’t hear back from them, Daddy suggested I go straight to Mr. Dunaway himself. I did and was hired. I remember sitting in his big office wearing my Easter dress and black patent shoes, such a Southern lady even then! Lots of fond memories of movies at the Strand, one of just a few movie theaters in the area when we were growing up. Going to “the show” was a treat back then for our family. Mom would take me shopping on The Square for special occasion dresses where we had personal attention by the retail staff. On our drive from Atlanta to my grandparents’ farm, I loved when we took the more scenic route veering off The 4 Lane and winding around The Square. I had a dream house I would always look for as we traveled down Church Street. My imagination would run wild as I wondered who lived in those “mansions”. Thanks for sharing your memories with us.
Oh, Marietta is on our list now…thanks so much Rhoda! What a great place to have grown up. Looks like you are having lots of fun dancing…
So fun touring with you! I’ve been through Marietta, but never for an extended stay. Looks like the perfect weekend getaway. Small quaint towns are my favorite by far!
What a great look at your hometown! I loved hearing about your childhood. 🙂 If I ever moved to the ATL area, Marietta would be top of my list. I have friends there and every time I visit I fall in love with it. Great post!