Kennesaw: Gardens, History and Railroads

For a trip to Kennesaw, you can focus on cultural history, railroads, or gardens. The timing is also important when planning: the seasonal “Garden with Wings” is open from mid-May to mid-August, and the dates of the annual Big Shanty Arts & Crafts Festival vary. If one of these activities is a deciding factor for you, take its dates or opening period into account when choosing a hotel.

Gardens from Bonsai to Seasonal Blooms

At Smith-Gilbert Gardens, garden and history themes sit side by side. The historic Hiram Butler House dates to around 1880. The gardens are also home to one of the largest bonsai collections in the southeastern United States. A seasonal highlight is “Garden with Wings”: this exhibit features native butterflies as well as their host and nectar plants, and is open from mid-May to mid-August. If seeing the butterflies is your priority, plan your trip around this period. The house, collection, and exhibit offer different points of interest—from the house’s history and bonsai to native butterflies.

Local History and an Annual Festival

The local history exhibit at Historic Kennesaw at the Depot covers the Indigenous peoples who once lived there, as well as the American Civil War and the importance of the railroad. Other topics include the development of downtown Kennesaw, the city’s cultural offerings, and the history of the depot. The exhibit therefore spans the history of earlier populations and conflict, as well as transportation, urban development, and local culture. Another cultural offering is the annual Big Shanty Arts & Crafts Festival. Its dates vary from year to year, so if you’d like to include the festival in your plans, check the dates for your travel year.

Railroad History at the Southern Museum

The Southern Museum explores several aspects of railroad history. The museum is home to the General locomotive, made famous by the 1862 Great Locomotive Chase during the American Civil War. The exhibit “Glover Machine Works: Casting a New South” features the nation’s only full-scale reconstruction of a belt-driven locomotive assembly line. Together, a historic locomotive and a depiction of an assembly process offer different ways to explore the subject. The Jolley Education Center has interactive learning stations for all ages, including Morse code, a diesel locomotive simulator, a railroad safety video, books, and puzzles. Exhibits, a reconstruction, and interactive learning activities come together here.

Battle History and Hiking

The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was among the fiercest battles of the Atlanta Campaign. More than 25 miles of hiking trails loop around and pass through historic areas of the battlefield. Park rangers and volunteers regularly lead guided hikes that cover the battle’s history as well as local flora and fauna, including the wildlife found in the area. Tour dates are posted on the park’s event calendar. If you’re planning a hike, check trail conditions and access before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Austell, Powder Springs, Mableton, Marietta, Smyrna, Vinings, Acworth

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