The City of Smyrna, largely bordered by I-285, Cobb Parkway and the Chattahoochee River, offers residents the perfect combination of a small-town community with big-city amenities. Smyrna is in Cobb County, just outside downtown Atlanta, and provides easy access to I-75, I-285, downtown, the Cumberland Mall area, Truist Park and The Battery.
Over 56,000 residents call Smyrna their home. A city on the rise, the population has risen over 12% in the last 20 years.
Nicknamed the “Jonquil City” from the thousands of jonquil flowers that bloom each spring, Smyrna offers a vibrant and diverse community.
Demographics
Smyrna’s cost of living is slightly above the nation’s average. The city’s median income is $46,005 and $300,000 is the median house value. While residents looking for inexpensive apartments might be out of luck, Smyrna guarantees to deliver a quality lifestyle.
Smyrna is great for young families and recent college graduates. The city’s website reports that 26% of residents are in the 20-to-34 age range and 31% are between 35 and 54 years old. Additionally, 31.5% of residents are college graduates along with 22% holding graduate degrees, so the majority of the population is upwardly mobile.
There are many top-ranked schools inside city limits such as Covenant Christian School, Covered Bridge Academy, Campbell High, DeVry University, Strayer University and Spelman College.
Shopping and Dining
Smyrna’s Market Village is a pedestrian-oriented, open-air space featuring private residences, shops, restaurants and open green spaces including the “Village Green,” which are perfect for hanging out with friends or family during warmer weather. Smyrna Market Village is adjacent to the City Library, Community Center and City Hall. Restaurants include Atkins Park Tavern, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Shane’s Rib Shack, The Corner Taqueria, Village Sushi and Gourmet Wine Cellars and Zucca Bar & Pizzeria. Smyrna Market Village is located at 2840 Atlanta Road, Smyrna, Ga. 30080.
Atkins Park Tavern is a local favorite found in the Market Village. The tavern enjoys a celebrated history as one of Atlanta’s oldest continuously licensed taverns. Perfect for every occasion, Atkins Park is a good place to meet girlfriends, take the family for dinner, enjoy weekend brunch or even late-night drink.
West Village provides visitors with quaint retail and dining options, including Starbucks, Five Guys Burgers and McCray’s Tavern. This quiet part of town is decorated with fountains, green spaces and outdoor seating areas perfect for soaking in the sun or relaxing after an extensive shopping spree.
Cumberland Mall, a major retail spot in Smyrna, features premier shopping, dining and entertainment options, including The Cheesecake Factory, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bezoria, Farmer’s Basket, American Eagle Outfitters, Bath & Body Works, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Foot Locker. For anyone with a sweet tooth, the mall also includes Great American Cookies and Haagen-Dazs.
Come together at Muss and Turners for crowd-pleasing food. The restaurant aims to put the customer and community first, delivering authentic cuisines and attitudes. Veg out for both lunch and dinner and enjoy the delicious spring vegetable gnocchi, chifa-style grilled swordfish or the funky chicken sandwich.
Dig into Hook Line & Schooner’s savory fish. Crab legs, stuffed salmon, lobster rolls, raw oysters and fried shrimp – a feast to die for.
Take a load off and enjoy South City Kitchen Vinings sweet southern recipes. With food this good, don’t even bother planning for leftovers because there won’t be a lick of it left. Customer favorites include the jumbo lump crab cake, pan-fried chicken livers, fried green tomatoes, smoky grilled pork chops and the banana pudding trifle.
Grab a beer at Reformation Brewery. Find a special craft that suits the taste buds because this brewery has endless options including Liberty Lager to Alai Rose Ale. Same-day pickup is also offered for any to-go drinks and specials!
Next year, Shake Shack will be joining The Battery’s diverse dining lineup. Known for its made-to-order 100% Angus beef burgers and hand-spun milkshakes, Shake Shack plans to debut its first bar at the Smyrna location. Diners will be able to grab beer and cocktails from a bar-side window and or snag a spot at the double sidebar with outdoor seating.
Entertainment and Recreation
Visit Truist Park and watch the Braves swing a home run. Home to Atlanta’s beloved baseball team, this is the place to go for an exciting game night. With a seating capacity of 41,500, this hot spot sells out pretty quickly!
Travel to The Battery and see what it has to offer. The facility offers living accommodations, dining, shopping, live concerts and endless recreational activities. Life is never boring at The Battery!
Southeast’s premier entertainment destination welcomes the community to enjoy some of the city’s top local events
The Battery Atlanta, Cobb County’s open-air lifestyle campus, will be bustling all month long with entertaining activities. This December, there are many opportunities for holiday fun at the Battery Atlanta. Until Christmas Eve, children can drop off their letters to Santa and pose for photos with him at Santa’s Post Office, presented by Truist. Four-legged family members are invited to the Community Corner every Thursday until December 19 for Santa Paws. From 4 to 8 p.m., bring your furry friend for photos with Santa and create lasting memories! Other festive events include photos with BLOOPER Claus, performances by the Allatoona Jazz Band and the adults-only Tinsel Tavern at Live! at The Battery Atlanta.
Every away game Monday, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., The Battery Atlanta is hosting a yoga series by Kaiser Permanente. Part of the Wellness Series, this free, outdoor yoga event is open to all ages to unwind on the Plaza Green. Attendees are required to bring a yoga mat and are encouraged to bring water.
National Anthem, an American-style eatery, is located at the Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta
Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta welcomes National Anthem. With its unique design, National Anthem celebrates America’s favorite pastime, mixed with a bit of a modern diner feel. Located just steps away from the Chop House Gates at Truist Park Stadium, National Anthem will be the premiere location for baseball fans and foodies looking to enjoy a satisfying bite before the game or when enjoying The Battery Atlanta.
Renowned chef, Nick Badovinus, describes the menu as “familiar favorites you can eat every day with a few twists.” The menu is a wild ride through Chef Badovinus’ interpretation of what “American food means”, which includes reliably good seafood, prime flat iron steaks, double-stacked burgers, and high-quality, simply prepared cocktails. This will be National Anthem’s second location, having originally opened in Dallas, TX, where Chef Badovinus is based.
Omni Hotels & Resorts has previously partnered with Chef Nick Badovinus – his concept, Neighborhood Services, is located at Omni Frisco Hotel, Omni Louisville Hotel, and the upcoming Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU. Chef Badovinus owns multiple unique dining concepts and is the winner of Robb Report’s third annual New Culinary Master award for 2015.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Nick and welcome National Anthem to The Battery Atlanta,” said Omar Vega, General Manager, Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta. “This will be an exciting new dining option for our guests and locals year-round, but especially during the baseball season.”
National Anthem is set to open by early April 2023. Guests are encouraged to follow the progress and can find updates via Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram @OmniBatteryAtlanta and @NationalAnthemATL.
New features await as The Battery Atlanta location will bring enhancements designed to amplify the already renowned, electric atmosphere of Battle & Brew. Visitors can look forward to enjoying immersive gaming lounges with up to 25 friends, more than 40 gaming stations, over 55 TVs streaming the latest games, a dedicated PC battle arena, a premium VIP gamer lounge, expanded culinary options and high-speed fiber internet for top-tier low latency gaming.
Outdoor Activities in Smyrna
One of the best ways for metro residents to get outdoors and exercise begins in Smyrna. The Silver Comet Trail starts at the Mavell road Trailhead and winds its way west for more than 60 miles through Cobb, Paulding and Polk counties, ending just before the Alabama state line. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the opportunity to get out and run, jog, ride bikes, ride horses, rollerblade or walk their dog along this paved trail.
Drive down to the Fox Creek Golf Course and Driving Range for a day filled with golf clubs and tee times. The range is partially lit for nighttime enjoyment, so the course is not limited to just day travels. Golfers from beginners to experts are welcomed and encouraged to explore the beautiful course.
Sparkles Family Fun Center offers skate rentals, concessions, a jungle gym and an all-around good time. So, bust out those old skates and take a family trip to Sparkles and, while there, make sure to order a juicy slice of pizza.
In addition to all the popular shopping and dining destinations, the city of Smyrna hosts community events throughout the year. Some of the resident-favorite events include the weekly Smyrna Handmade Markets, Food Truck Tuesdays, Taste of Smyrna, the Spring and Fall Jonquil Festivals and the Summer Concert Series.
The Smyrna Community Center offers indoor and outdoor spaces where residents can take advantage of the facility’s amenities. With an array of options, the center offers three racquetball courts, a walking track, a fitness area and a game room.
Plan an adventurous date by learning to fly at iFLY Indoor Skydiving. Gain a new perspective and take a date on a trip they will never forget at this state-of-the-art facility where beginners learn to float and move around in a wind tunnel.
Rockin’ Jump offers a jumping arena, dodgeball arena, a slam dunk zone and an x-beam for anyone who wants to get the heart pumping. Great for family gathers and birthday parties, be sure to book this facility for an upcoming social event.
Historical Attractions
Fans of the macabre should explore the city’s three historic cemeteries: Smyrna Memorial Cemetery, Daniell Cemetery and Mt. Zion Cemetery.
The Concord Covered Bridge Historic District was created by Cobb County in 1986 as the county’s first historic district. Visit for a trip back in time and for a beautiful view of nature.
Explore the Smyrna Museum, located in the heart of the city, which houses many historical artifacts relating to the community. The museum is a replica of history itself as the building is a reconstruction of the city’s train depot.
Visit the historical Aunt Fanny’s Cabin where, back in its day, it served celebrities, sports figures and politicians authentic southern food. Check on the site’s availability at www.smyrnaga.gov.
Smyrna is a great city for anyone looking for an adventure. There are endless restaurants, cafes, bookstores, shopping centers and parks to get lost in. While looking for a home can be expensive, Smyrna is the perfect choice when looking for modern conveniences in a highly desirable location.
