Decatur, Atlanta

Decatur is situated just minutes from downtown Atlanta and is home to America’s first Waffle House. Even though it is right next to the hustle and bustle of the city, it still has a southern, small town feel, with an old town square and plenty to see and do. It has an array of restaurants with fine southern cuisine and a hopping nightlife, so anyone looking to stay in Atlanta, but in a ‘peachier’ atmosphere, Decatur is for you.

Attractions

Emory University is one of the fifty oldest private universities in the United States and their healthcare system is the largest in Georgia. The campus is stunning, so if you are interested in burning off some of that barbeque, this is a beautiful area to stretch you legs.
Stone Mountain is a 1,686 foot quartz monzonite outcrop with a 5 mile base circumference. It has the largest rock carving in the world, which depicts three Confederate soldiers from the Civil War. You can get an incredible view of Atlanta from the summit, which can be reached via a trail or an aerial tram. Stone Mountain Park has festivals and events throughout the year, so check out their website for up-to-date information.
Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard is an open air museum, which is composed of nineteen historic buildings, representing a pre-Civil War Georgia plantation, replete with live animals, a covered bridge, and a grist mill.
The Dekalb History Center Museum is open Monday-Friday from 10:00AM to 4:00PM and can be found smack dab in the middle of Decatur at the County Courthouse. They always have interesting exhibits related to the area’s history.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History is, well, a museum of natural history. Its home to a number of permanent exhibitions and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions. It is also home to the Argentinosaurus, (largest dinosaur ever classified), as well as an IMAX theater with a five story high screen.
Eddie’s Attic is the premier acoustic music listening room in the South and just so happens to be located in the middle of Decatur. If you’ve got a ‘hankering’ for some good food, good beer and good tunes, Eddie’s Attic is the place for you!
The Waffle House holds a special place in every Southerner’s heart. Here in Decatur, you can visit the site of the very first Waffle House, now called the Waffle House Museum. It has been restored to its 1955 grandeur and features memorabilia from the past sixty years.
If you happen to be visiting in October and love beer, you’re in luck! The Decatur Craft Beer Festival hosts more than eighty different breweries and it is a really fun way to spend a sunny afternoon!
The Decatur Arts Festival is usually at the end of May and they have a slew of fun festival events, such as art walks, live music, artist markets, and silent auctions.
If you are interested in wine, then check out the Decatur Wine Festival, metro Atlanta’s largest outdoor wine festival. Here you can taste wines from around the globe, while enjoying live music and sampling food from Decatur restaurants.
Midsummer Music and Food Festival is one of Atlanta’s favorite outdoor summer festivals and my personal favorite. Its usually in June and it’s a weekend of sensory gluttony with live music, cold beverages, local art and Atlanta’s best food trucks!