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City in Georgia, United States
Photo: J. Miers - User: (WT-shared) Jtesla16 at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Decatur is a city that, despite being somewhat isolated from the rest of Atlanta, is so close to Georgia's state capital as to not really be separate. While Atlanta is an international city with corporate headquarters, world class convention facilities, and a fast pace, Decatur has retained a small city feel and a slightly slower pace. However, Decatur is closer to Atlanta's business, retail and cultural destinations than many of Atlanta's neighborhoods, so it can easily be mistaken for an in-town neighborhood of Atlanta.
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Although a grocery store is not high on most tourists' list of things to see, this international market is a spectacle that is worth the trip. The enormous store employs people from around the world (their name tags tell which languages they speak) and has nearly any type of meat, vegetable, fruit, spice, or otherwise edible item you could imagine. The cafeteria closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but has reopened. Open 7 days a week.
Step outside on the north side of the courthouse to view the "seated statues" and the south side to view the Decatur Square, home to various restaurants and prominently featured in TV and film productions, most notably HBO's 'Watchmen'. Walk down to West Trinity Place to see the History Center's historic complex of three antebellum structures.
One of the oldest operating cemeteries in Georgia. Check out the Civil War graves (to your left at you enter), sit in the pleasant gazebo, or take a stroll around the lake. Look out for the ducks, which are aggressive. Also check out the circa-1880 Fraser Building, at the Church Street entrance to the cemetery.
Check out the excellent Michael C. Carlos Museum, 571 South Kilgo Cir., +1 404 727-4282 carlos.emory.edu. Walk around the English Renaissance Lullwater House and nearby Candler Lake (formerly Lullwater Lake). The Lullwater House, located at 1463 Clifton Rd. on Emory's campus, is the official residence of Emory University's president and is not open to the public. However, the tree-lined loop road around the house is open to staff, students and escorted visitors.
A private college for women 3/4 mile south of Decatur Square. Agnes Scott frequently hosts lectures, concerts, and other cultural events. A walk around the beautiful campus, which was featured in Scream 2, is also a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. Nearby Columbia Theological Seminary on Columbia Avenue also has a beautiful campus.
Agnes Scott College. Visit the observatory (and planetarium) during one of their "Amateur Astronomy" open houses.
McDonough, Adams, Kings Highway
Decatur's oldest historic district is located immediately west of Agnes Scott College. Some of the oldest homes (on Adams Street) were developed from 1905 to 1912. Television shows October Road and Hollywood movie Stomp the Yard were filmed on location in the MAK Historic District.
Offers walking tours of the Druid Hills neighborhood.
Visit a re-creation of the first Waffle House, which opened in Avondale Estates in 1955. The museum includes a 13-stool diner, vintage equipment, displays of old uniforms, exhibits of memorabilia and a jukebox. Open by appointment during the week, with limited weekend hours.
Atlanta's 3rd longest running theatre.
Known for pushing boundaries, this live theater has almost 300 events a year and hosts the "New Street Art House".
Emory University, multi-use performing arts center in a building was designed by Michael Graves.
Gallery at Agnes Scott College.
Antiques, folk art, jewelry, and fine craft from the world over.
Studio and meeting space.
Twelve artist studios and gallery space.
The city of Decatur and the Decatur Development Authority have six digital walking tours of the city - phone +1 404 371-8386 or email info@decaturga.com for more information. Printed brochures are available at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St., +1 404 377-0494; the Downtown Development Authority, +1 404 370-4100; and some local shops (i.e., One Step at a Time in Oakhurst).
The city of Decatur has three bike routes mapped out on their website.
Has a webpage that lists area bike rides offered by Atlanta's Southern Bicycle League. Bicycle South does not rent bikes, but it sells and repairs bikes - a good resource if your need a repair during a visit.
Southwest of Decatur. Offers tree climbing classes for those who love trees, as well as beginner group climbing events, including birthday parties and church, scouting, and school outings. Climb in the "Founder's Grove", where some of the trees have names!
Book sales, readings by authors (books and poetry), lectures and other activities. One of Decatur's major festivals - held in late summer each year, usually over Labor Day weekend, with venues all around downtown. Reported to be the largest book festival between Washington DC and Miami, typically drawing over 200 authors and 50,000 festival goers.
Annual event held since the 1990s over Memorial Day weekend in late spring by the Decatur Arts Alliance that has arts and crafts exhibits. Another of Decatur's major festivals - Ponce de Leon Avenue is closed for this event.
A maximum of 5,000 people may sample hundreds of local, national and international beers for a set admission fee on the downtown Square. Proceeds benefit community organizations - over $500,000 in grants have been distributed to local organizations since 1999. Held in October of each year, usually on the third Saturday.
Another, somewhat smaller, festival held annually in late summer in the Oakhurst section of south Decatur. Features local blues and bluegrass as well as local food and drink. Proceeds benefit community organizations.
Excellent small Alsatian (French with German influence) restaurant with limited outdoor seating - one of Decatur's finest restaurants.
Excellent American/Eclectic/Mediterranean cuisine. One of Decatur's finest restaurants.
Excellent Spanish Tapas bar with an extensive wine list.
Upscale American restaurant in a former early 20th century service station with bocce court.
Wide variety of tasty burritos and related fare. Very large open-air dining section in the back, secluded from the hustle of Decatur.
Upscale southwestern/Mexican. Great salsa, nice pulled-pork enchiladas; lunch and dinner. Line can be long, but it moves along and the food is worth the wait. Unusual outdoor seating area.
The General Muir is a modern American restaurant inspired by classic New York Jewish deli, returning it to its hand-crafted roots. Traditional favorites are honored — pastrami is cured and smoked in house, bagels are hand rolled and kettle boiled — and joined by dishes going beyond tradition, focusing on fresh ingredients and simple preparations. The General Muir serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, and offers an espresso bar serving locally-roasted Batdorf & Bronson coffee as well as a full bar of wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails. In addition to the full-service dining room, there is a separate counter service area — "The Deli at The General Muir" — serving bagels, sandwiches, salads, pastries, and coffee throughout the day. The restaurant is named for the refugee transport ship that brought co-owner Jennifer Johnson's mother and grandparents, Holocaust survivors, to New York in 1949.
Housed in a former railroad station and was named best new restaurant in the South back in 2014.
Candler Park
One of the best breakfast spots in the metro area. This place takes breakfast so seriously it has a custom apple butter topping for its outstanding biscuits.
Mexican.
In Historic Oakhurst, Steinbecks is an intimate bar with a great patio. One of the few, and best places for casual seafood meals and an excellent beer selection!
Eclectic menu that focuses on seafood with a southern twist - great sunroom & courtyard in rear.
Greek/Mediterranean food.
Very good Chinese restaurant (with Japanese & Sushi) at 1905 Clairmont Rd.
Vegetarian Indian restaurant.
Respected Turkish cuisine restaurant.
If you can get beyond the unusual use of styrofoam cups and plates, this is a very good sit-down Indian restaurant.
Italian ice cream in nearby Virginia-Highlands. Reviewed by Bon Appétit, Food Network, Condé Nest Traveler, Delta's Sky.
A chocolate and wine bar (along with coffee and champagne) in the heart of Decatur.
Fantastic bakery & deli in nearby Morningside.
Square. Brick Store's appeal is in its excellent beer selection—which at 17 beers on tap, over 100 in the bottle and a "Belgian bar" is better than many bars elsewhere. People come for its rustic all-wooden interior, including a small but comfortable bar upstairs.
A pub at East Decatur Station which relocated from Oakhurst.
Oakhurst's newest wine, coffee and food establishment that opened in 2007. The food is light (salads, hummus, cheese, etc.), but is beautifully presented and is designed to go with their wine and beer list.
Church St. and Trinity Pl. Has a solid beer selection and quality pool tables; wifi.
North Decatur & Clairemont; one of the better coffee houses with good indoor seating, but outdoor seating overlooks a strip center parking lot; Wi-Fi.
Decatur's newest coffee house - slick retro design.
The best hotel in downtown Decatur; has an indoor pool; one block from Decatur Square and near MARTA's Decatur Station.
An economy motel located a few blocks northeast of Decatur Square.
Good hotel, but not within walking distance of Decatur Square.
1.5 miles north of Decatur Square in a cluster of nondescript strip shopping centers.
Within walking distance of Emory University, but not Decatur Square.
New books, large mystery section. Opened in 2008.
Large used bookstore which also has comic books, rock-related literature, CDs, LPs, DVDs, VHS and cassettes. Book Nook first opened in 1973.
Over 50,000 books.
Square (next to Starbucks). Specializing in children's books & gifts.
Functional but funky small shoe store.
Part vintage and part new clothing store.
Run/Walk shoe store.
Women's clothing.
Women's clothing store featuring natural fibers.
Fun stuff for kids.
See other listing.
Stocks alternative and rock music. Frequent in-store performances by musicians in town to perform at area venues.
The oldest record shop, specializing in all types of music with great depth in jazz, classic and alternative rock, international music and alt country /bluegrass.
By car
Decatur is accessible from Atlanta via Ponce de Leon Avenue, which is a direct route, but is a slow-moving surface street with many lights.
By bike
Decatur is also accessible via the PATH walk/bike trail. The trail runs from Atlanta to Stone Mountain through the city of Decatur.
Downtown Decatur is highly walkable, but like all of metro Atlanta, public transportation is limited and you will likely have an easier time getting around by car.
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