Craving indie charm, great food, and a creative vibe? Visit Decatur! Just minutes from downtown Atlanta, Decatur blends Southern hospitality with walkable neighborhoods, buzzing eateries, historic architecture, and a thriving arts scene. It’s the perfect urban escape with a small-town feel.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Decatur is in spring and fall (March–May and September–November), when pleasant temperatures make it ideal for outdoor dining, festivals, and exploring local shops. Summers are lively but hot, while winters are mild with fewer crowds.
How to Get There
- By Car: Located off I-285 and US-78, Decatur is about 15 minutes east of downtown Atlanta.
- By MARTA: The Decatur MARTA Station (Blue Line) provides direct rail access to and from Atlanta’s city center and airport.
- By Air: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is about 25 minutes away by car or MARTA train.
Where to Stay
- Hotel Clermont – Eclectic boutique hotel just a short drive away in Atlanta with rooftop bar and vintage flair.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Decatur/Emory – Comfortable and centrally located for exploring downtown Decatur and Emory University.
- Courtyard Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory – Modern, full-service hotel with a pool and walkable access to local dining and shops.
Top Attractions
- Downtown Decatur Square – Stroll this lively area filled with indie bookstores, record shops, coffeehouses, and local boutiques.
- DeKalb History Center Museum – Located in the historic courthouse, this museum shares Decatur’s rich local history.
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History – Family-friendly museum nearby with dinosaurs, exhibits, and giant screen films.
- Decatur Cemetery – One of Georgia’s oldest cemeteries, with scenic walking paths, gardens, and historic graves.
- Woodlands Garden – A peaceful urban oasis with native plants, trails, and outdoor art installations.
Attractions for Couples
⮕ Shop the World in One Stop at Your Dekalb Farmers Market and Feast With All Five Senses
Your Dekalb Farmers Market in the city of Decatur, Georgia offers a vast assortment of ethnic and exotic vegetables and fruits that help bring the world together. Visitors can also find a wide variety of fish, including saltwater, freshwater, farm-raised, and wild caught varieties. Fresh pastries, cookies, cakes, and breads are baked fresh every day on site, while the Pastry Shoppe offers freshly made tea, fresh roasted coffees, fruit smoothies, and fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Your Dekalb Farmers Market is also home to a restaurant with a focus on fresh vegetables that’s open daily from 11:00am until 8:30pm.
3000 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030, Phone: 404-377-6400
⮕ Sip Something Bold at Three Taverns Brewery and Dive Into Decatur’s Craft Scene
Three Taverns Brewery & Tasting Room features a friendly staff, soft lighting, warm wood textures, and a cozy interior that all combined, along with delicious and refreshing beer, make the tasting room a local favorite. There are many year-round classic brews at the first Belgian-style brewery in the state of Georgia that pay homage to those that came before, including Belgian IPAs and blond ales. Satisfying and smooth heavy hitters are available during the colder season, such as Belgian-style stouts. The Three Taverns Brewery also offers tours of the brewing area, including a glimpse at the barrel aging room.
121 New St, Decatur, GA 30030, Phone: 404-600-3355
⮕ Wander the Wild at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve and Catch a Breath of Calm
Previously known as the South Peachtree Creek Nature Preserve, the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve is located within DeKalb County’s Medlock Park neighborhood. The nature preserve’s entrance can be found at the intersection of Pine Bluff Road and Wood Trail Lane. The Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve encompasses approximately twenty-eight acres and all trails are marked clearly with diamonds in different colors that correspond with maps at the trailhead. A short interpretive, mulched nature trail is situated at the trailhead, which includes an outdoor classroom. Other trails in the preserve provide interpretive signage and are a combination of boardwalk and dirt.
2580 Pine Bluff Dr, Decatur, GA 30033, Phone: 678-466-0572
⮕ Support Stories That Matter at Charis Books and More and Read With Purpose
Charis Books and More is the largest and oldest feminist bookstore in the southern region of the United States. The cozy, locally owned and operated bookstore specializes in unique and diverse books for children, LGBTQ fiction, and books on cultural studies and feminist studies. Charis Books and More also offers an array of general literary fiction as well. The unique bookstore in Decatur, Georgia has also hosted a number of events and programs since it opened in 1974. Charis strives to encourage expression of marginalized and diverse voices, works for social justice, and fosters sustainable feminist communities.
184 S Candler St, Decatur, GA 30030, Phone: 404-524-0304
Where to Eat
⮕ Kick Back at The Brick Store Pub and Raise a Glass in True Neighborhood Style
Founded by Tom Moore, Mike Gallagher, and Dave Blanchard, three friends in Athens, Georgia, The Brick Store Pub came about from not knowing what to do with their degrees and a desire to own a pub of their own. The three have more than twenty years of combined experience working in the restaurant and bar industry and realized Decatur had a niche that hadn’t been filled yet, a “neighborhood pub” in which service is knowledgeable and friendly, food dishes are made from scratch, pints are served properly in appropriate glassware, and conversation dominates. The Brick Store Pub is open seven days a week.
125 E Court Square, Decatur, GA 30030, Phone: 404-687-0990
⮕ Taste the Unexpected at Chai Pani and Fall for Indian Street Food With a Southern Twist
Chai Pani brings Indian street food to downtown Decatur, Georgia, prepared by Meherwan Irani, a four-time “James Beard Nominated Chef.” The name of the restaurant means “tea and water” literally, but is Indian slang for “going out for a snack, a cup of tea, or just a “little something.” It can mean a “small bribe” to get a “bite to eat” as well. Chai Pani offers an array of chaat; or brightly flavored, tangy, sweet, spicy, crunchy Indian street snacks; along with thalis, which are traditional family meals that highlight the comfort of home cooking and the culinary diversity of India.
406 West Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030, Phone: 404-378-4030
Local Events
- Decatur Arts Festival (May) – Celebrate visual, literary, and performing arts with live music, food, and artist booths.
- Decatur Book Festival (September) – One of the largest independent book festivals in the country, featuring authors, readings, and family fun.
- Oakhurst Porchfest (October) – Community-wide music festival where porches become stages and neighbors become audiences.
Day Trips Within 30 Minutes of Decatur, Georgia
- Atlanta (10–15 min) – Visit world-class museums, iconic landmarks, and vibrant neighborhoods like Midtown and Buckhead.
- Avondale Estates (5–10 min) – Stroll Tudor-style downtown, sip craft beer, or enjoy art galleries and gardens.
- Kirkwood (10 min) – Explore this historic neighborhood’s indie shops, cozy cafés, and tree-lined streets.
- Druid Hills (10 min) – Tour the Fernbank Museum or admire historic architecture and lush green spaces.
- Scottdale (5–10 min) – Check out neighborhood eateries, trails, and diverse cultural spots just east of Decatur.
- Clarkston (10–15 min) – Discover international flavors, local parks, and one of the most diverse communities in the U.S.
- Tucker (15–20 min) – Enjoy a classic downtown, local diners, and access to nearby parks and trails.
- East Atlanta Village (10–15 min) – Catch live music, enjoy creative dining, and explore funky, eclectic vibes.
- Virginia-Highland (15–20 min) – Walk charming streets filled with boutiques, patios, and stylish southern charm.
FAQ
- What makes Decatur a unique destination near Atlanta?
- Decatur is a "crossroads" city where the countryside meets the city, offering a blend of rural charm and urban convenience.
- What can visitors do in Decatur?
- Visitors can enjoy tree-lined streets, explore a nature preserve, sample local craft beer, dine at local eateries, and attend various festivals and events.
Plan Your Trip