Fun, Free Things to Do in Smyrna, Georgia
When I’m not working on a content marketing or copywriting campaign for a client, one of my favorite things to do is play local tourist and explore my community. I love learning about the history of a city and the hidden gems that make the place unique. While I have visited the City of Smyrna before, I haven’t enjoyed many of the city’s local attractions. Let’s fix that! Time for some new Smyrna adventures. Here’s my list of fun and free (or nearly free) things to do in Smyrna**:
Smyrna: A Brief Introduction
The City of Smyrna is located about 10 miles northwest of Atlanta, in Cobb County. Originally land owned by the Cherokee Indians, settlers started building churches in the area in the 1830s. A religious encampment called the Smyrna Camp Ground soon became a popular travel destination. The city experienced a business and population boom in the 1840s, after the completion of the Western and Atlantic Railroads. The City of Smyrna was officially incorporated in 1872 — making this year its 150th anniversary.
Smyrna is nicknamed the Jonquil City for the thousands of jonquil flowers that flourish there in the spring. Currently, more than 56,000 people call Smyrna home. Residents enjoy the city’s revitalized downtown area, well-maintained trails and parks, charming historic neighborhoods, an active community center, and plenty of retail and mixed-use developments. (Pictured: the City of Smyrna Mural outside Vickery Hardware Store).
FREE TO ENJOY
Concord Covered Bridge: The Concord Covered Bridge is the focal point and namesake of the Concord Covered Bridge Historic District. The first bridge in this area was likely constructed in the 1840s to serve the nearby milling areas. The present-day bridge dates back to 1891. It’s the only remaining covered bridge in Cobb County, and it’s still open to traffic! You can take a unique drive over Nickajack Creek, if you’re feeling adventurous. To learn more about the area, download the Friends of the Concord Covered Bridge Historic District’s free audio tour app. The interactive, self-guided walking tour explores historical sites and other landmarks. You can learn about the 19th-century settlers and see historical photos of the mills.
Jonquil City Historical Trail: The Jonquil City Historical Trail showcases the homes, businesses, and other sights that were pivotal to the development of Smyrna. Centered along Atlanta Road, which was once a Cherokee trail, the walking tour stretches 1.5 miles and encompasses 20 different locations. Highlights include the original Smyrna Campground, railroad depots, Smyrna Academy, Civil War battlefield area, G.B.’s Place, and the Whitfield General Store. The Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council’s History Committee and the City of Smyrna launched the free Jonquil City Historical Trail App in 2017. Each stop features a description, historic photos, and links for additional information. Lace up your walking shoes and learn about the history of Smyrna!
Jonquil Festival at Smyrna Market Village: Located in the heart of Smyrna, the Smyrna Market Village is a live-work space featuring 16 townhomes, seven restaurants, office space, and retail space. The library, community center, and Smyrna City Hall are all within easy walking distance. Every year, during the spring and fall, Smyrna Market Village hosts the Jonquil Festival. This year’s spring festival (April 23-24) includes arts and crafts, tasty treats, a green market, live music, and a children’s play area. Admission is free. After browsing the booths, you’ll see many of the guests grabbing a spot in front of the City Hall stage to enjoy the music and weather.
M2R Fence Gallery: If you’ve driven along Concord Road Linear Park recently, you may have noticed a long line of photos attached to the park’s fencing. These images comprise the M2R Fence Gallery, an annual, curated art exhibit that travels throughout Cobb County. The exhibit includes student work and professional projects; there are fantastic hand-drawn pieces, paintings, photography, and mixed media art. Enjoy a nice day outside at Concord Road Linear Park and see the work of Cobb County’s talented artists! The M2R Fence Gallery will be on display in Smyrna from March 19 through April 16, 2022. You can check the gallery’s website for its next location.
Silver Comet Trail: The Silver Comet Trail is a paved trail located about 13 miles northwest of Atlanta. It starts at the Mavell Road Trailhead in Smyrna and stretches 61.5 miles to Cedartown near the Georgia/Alabama State Line. Walkers, hikers, bicyclists, rollerbladers, wheelchairs, dogs, and even horses are welcome to enjoy the trail. (No motorized vehicles are allowed, sorry!). It’s free to use the Silver Comet trail and many of the trailheads have restrooms, tables, and ample parking. Pro Tip: the Concord Road Trailhead is within easy walking distance of the Historic Concord Covered Bridge.
Smyrna Handmade Market: Fresh produce, bath and body products, baked goods, coffee, wood and ceramic crafts, jewelry, honey, and flowers. These are just some of the locally grown and produced items available at the Smyrna Handmade Market. From now through fall 2022, dozens of vendors will set up their booths inside Market Village (West Spring Street). The market takes place every Sunday from 11:00am to 3:00pm. You can visit the Smyrna Handmade Market’s Facebook page for updates and lists of vendors. It’s free to attend the market; there’s plenty of free parking in Market Village and the surrounding area.
Smyrna History Museum: Housed in a reconstructed train depot, the Smyrna Museum engages guests in the history and preservation of Smyrna and its surrounding community. The newly renovated space features exhibits on Smyrna’s Native American history, Smyrna campground and its founders, the Civil War, industry, education, commerce, local leadership, and other stories of Smyrna’s diversity. Guests can enjoy photos, artifacts, items from personal collections, hands-on learning guides, and other historical ephemera. Located at 2861 Atlanta Road, the Smyrna Museum offers free, time-ticketed tours. You can visit Wednesday through Saturday, 10AM to 4PM. Pro Tip: once you’re done touring the Smyrna History Museum, be sure to check out the Indie Arts Alliance Railside Gallery, which is a collection of artwork that’s displayed on the railway fencing behind the museum.
Smyrna Memorial Cemetery: If you want a tangible connection to Smyrna’s past, pay a visit to Smyrna Memorial Cemetery. It’s located on Memorial Place, across from the Smyrna History Museum. The cemetery predates the City of Smyrna itself (1848) and is the final resting place of pioneering families such as Bell, Bowie, Dunn, Foster, Hamby, Irelan, Ruff, and Stanback. The city’s first two mayors, John Moore and Pliny Fleming, are also buried there. As you’re walking through the cemetery, be sure to stop by the marker for Harold and Betty Smith, founders of the Smyrna Historical Society and the Smyrna Museum. Their headstone reads: “Our Message for Smyrna / Challenge the Present / Vision the Future / Reflect the Part / Cherish the Heritage.” If you enjoy visiting local cemeteries, you should make your way to Mt. Zion Cemetery on Hawthorne Avenue. The site of the former Mt. Zion Baptist Church (congregation founded 1877), the cemetery is the final resting place of many former enslaved individuals. The cemetery is in the process of being carefully restored and preserved.
Smyrna Public Library: The Smyrna Public Library is the oldest city-operated library in Georgia. In 1936, the Smyrna Women’s Club opened a small public lending library in its clubhouse, then located at the intersection of Atlanta Road and Powder Springs Street. The collection moved to King Street in 1961, the site of the first standalone Smyrna Public Library building. The library has been in its current space in Village Green since 1991. In addition to having an expansive collection of books and media, the Smyrna hosts a variety of educational and community-based programs. If you’re interested in Smyrna History, you can attend Dr. William P. Marchione’s lecture series Smyrna, Georgia: An Episodic History. The lectures, taking place weekly from April 4 to May 9, 2022, cover everything from Antebellum Smyrna to the 1980s development boom. The lectures are free to attend, but pre-registration is required.
Taylor-Brawner Park: The City of Smyrna is home to nearly 30 different public parks. One greenspace with a unique history is Taylor-Brawner Park, located at 3180 Atlanta Road. Taylor-Brawner Park used to be the campus of Brawner Hospital. In 2005, the City of Smyrna removed some of the dilapidated hospital buildings and transformed the area into a 10-acre park. The beautiful space now includes walking trails, picnic pavilions, a gazebo, an amphitheater, swings, and plenty of green patches to rest and relax. There are two historic buildings that remain at Taylor-Brawner Park, Brawner Hall (pictured) and the Taylor-Brawner House. Both buildings have been preserved and renovated.
Smyrna Scavenger Hunt: In spring 2021, the Smyrna Museum and Smyrna Historical Society teamed up to create a Smyrna Scavenger Hunt. Participants had to scour the Smyrna Museum, the Jonquil City Historic Trail, and other key places for the answers. While the prizes have already been awarded, you can still enjoy the scavenger hunt on your own time. You can challenge your knowledge of the city or use the scavenger hunt for guiding questions as you explore Smyrna. The original Smyrna Scavenger Hunt is available online; see if you can answer all 25 questions. Good luck!
(NEARLY) FREE TO ENJOY
Food Truck Tuesdays: Every Tuesday evening, May 3 through September 27, Taylor-Brawner Park is transformed into a food truck paradise. From 5:00 to 9:00pm, guests can enjoy a variety of quality, gourmet food. (On the night I attended, there were trucks dedicated to burgers, brats, pickles, cookies, cheese, tacos, juice smoothies, seafood, vegan treats, and more!) Don’t forget to bring your camp chairs and blankets; the event also includes live, family-friendly music. You can visit the City of Smyrna’s Facebook page for updated lists of trucks and performances.
Love Street Gifts & Garden: Housed in an historic property at 1275 Concord Road, Love Street Gifts & Garden has been providing a fun and happy shopping experience to the Smyrna area since 1999. You can find candles, jewelry, drinkware, bath & body items, kitchen decor, books, writing supplies, toys, holiday-related items (and so much more!). Outside, in the adjacent Garden Shed, there are a variety of plants, decorative pots, wind chimes, windmills, and gardening supplies. Love Street is a great spot for gift ideas or to pick up a little treat for yourself. Be sure to say hello to Opal, the shop’s feline resident and supervisor.
Movies in the Park: In the mood for an outdoor movie? From May through the end of the year, Smyrna’s Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a series of movies at parks around the city. Grab your lawn chairs, blankets, and favorite movie snacks and watch a family-friendly film on the green. The movies begin right at sunset. The cost to attend is just $10 per car. You can check for upcoming movie screenings as well as register for the event at smyrnaga.gov. On May 21, the movie was Field of Dreams at Brinkley Park (1270 Hunter Street). Watching a baseball film on the baseball field = perfect way to spend an evening outdoors!
McEntyre’s Bakery: When I started blogging about things to do in Smyrna, several people told me “You HAVE to go to McEntyre’s!” The trip did not disappoint. The bakery, currently located on 1184 Concord Road, has been serving hungry patrons since the 1940’s. Five generations of McEntyres have worked behind the counter, from Howard McEntyre (founder) to Madalyn, Mason, Maggie, and Hudson (Howard’s great-great-grandchildren). McEntyre’s credits its success to an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy and to treating customers like family. Of course, there’s also the delicious baked goods. The bakery offers cakes, pies, pastries, cookies, breads, and sandwiches. Stop by for lunch, for a special occasion, or just when you need to treat yourself.
Reformation Brewing: If you’re searching for the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a craft beer, look no further than Reformation Brewing in Smyrna. Located at 6255 Riverview Road in the new Eddy at Riverview Apartments complex, Reformation Brewing directly overlooks the Chattahoochee River. You can grab a beer and claim a spot on one of the many patios by the river. Pro tip: Reformation Brewing also hosts Music Bingo on Thursday nights!
Rev Coffee Roasters: Rev Coffee is more than a coffee shop. It’s a place where the Smyrna community gathers. Located at 1680-B Spring Road, Rev Coffee is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. Even before you hit the door, guests will enjoy the colorful murals that decorate the parking lot — much of the artwork incorporates encouraging quotes and lyrics. You’ll notice the variety of people relaxing at the tables out front or seated in the chairs inside. The interior walls are covered with local art. Then, there’s the coffee. Rev Coffee has its own blends and roasts its coffee daily. There’s also tea, smoothies, hot chocolate, breakfast items, sandwiches, and baked goods. (Try the Glorious Morning muffin — you won’t regret it!). Rev Coffee’s mission is to “raise the bar together,” and as a space for community, culture, and coffee, it’s absolutely doing that.
** This blog was last updated May 31, 2022. Please check the site or program’s individual website for any changes.