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Journey to Explore The Best Atlanta Neighborhoods
Visiting all Atlanta neighborhoods is our journey. Below, we will uncover the best single thing about every Atlanta neighborhood we have visited. The city of Atlanta says there are 242 distinct neighborhoods in Atlanta. We have found about 44 to write about so far, but we didn’t start thinking about Buckhead.
We have more work to do!
You see, Atlanta is a sprawling metropolitan area with many fine neighborhoods to explore and call home. Many of the neighborhoods and suburbs, over time, began to incorporate and separate from Atlanta proper, but not all of them.
We are doing our best to uncover everything great in metro Atlanta. So if you are weighing the pro’s and con’s of living in Atlanta or just visiting, this guide will help you understand the best of every neighborhood in Atlanta.
Here are the sections we are currently working on:
Downtown Atlanta is the central business district and home to some of the largest buildings in the state.
Midtown Atlanta is high density residential and commercial section of town, filled with museums and culture.
The Westside or West Midtown was once primarily industrial but transitioned into urban lofts, live music venues, art and retail.
Towards the Eastside, you will find great neighborhoods like Inman Park, Virginia Highlands, Decatur, Avondale Estates and many more.
Heading North, Buckhead is an affluent area known for great shopping, nightlife, parks and museums.
Moving further north, you will find some of the best Atlanta suburbs, like Brookhaven, Milton, Alpharetta, Roswell and Sandy Springs. The suburbs will be covered in another section called Atlanta suburbs.
Who is ready to explore the great Atlanta neighborhoods?
A Few Notes On This Guide To Atlanta Neighborhoods
- This page will be update with detail and pictures over time, likely years. It will get better, bare with me. There are so many things to do inside these Atlanta neighborhoods, there is no way to get to everything at once. If you think I missed something, I urge you to share in the comments and I will be sure to check it out. That’s part of the fun in the journey, finding the hidden secrets of these Atlanta neighborhoods.
- My starting focus will be downtown Atlanta. In parallel, I will be working on some of the northern suburbs.
- In this post, I will pick out one of the coolest things about the neighborhood. By no means is my opinion better than yours. I just wanted to showcase something cool about the neighborhood. Overtime, you may be able to go deeper as the content for each neighborhood expands.
- Some neighborhoods don’t have clear borders. Other neighborhoods have more than one name. My intention is to write what I know, and may make a mistake. Call me out on it, no offense taken.
- There are some Atlanta neighborhoods I may never get to, I am only one person, writing as a hobby. If you feel I skipped over something cool, leave a comment.
Which is the Best Atlanta Neighborhood?
Naming a best Atlanta neighborhood is very difficult and subjective. I will refrain from doing that. As you will notice, each of these Atlanta neighborhoods have a unique offering.
So whether you are looking for a new location to live or you just want to explore these neighborhoods, you ultimately get to decide what is best, and what qualities and entertainment are the most important to you.
Let’s explore these great Atlanta Neighborhoods!
Downtown Atlanta Neighborhoods
Downtown Atlanta has many amazing attractions and things to do for locals and visitors to the city. The downtown neighborhood is one of our favorite Atlanta neighborhoods to visit. This is for a good reason. It is packed with competitive sporting events, museums, music venues, landmarks and great restaurants for the entire family to enjoy.
In addition you will find many government building and even Georgia State University
The area of downtown Atlanta is comprised of the following neighborhoods and districts.
Five Points – Woodruff Park
This is the center fo Atlanta. There are five major streets intersecting to become known as Five points. The streets are Peachtree (2 ways), Marietta, Edgewood and Decatur.
It is not to be confused with Little Five Points.
Five Points is also the major transfer spot of MARTA. All lines go through this Marta station. There is a $150 million dollar redevelopment plan for this Marta station to be complete in 2025.
Woodruff Park is a greenspace in the middle of the city. During the day, you will find business folks enjoying lunch in the park and many people playing chess.
Centennial Park District – The Georgia Aquarium
The Centennial Park district in Atlanta is a must see for visitors and residents of Atlanta. This neighborhood has the most attractions in Atlanta.
It is also known as the convention and entertainment district and was previously known as the Luckie-Marietta district.
While this Atlanta neighborhood has so much to see and do, the Georgia Aquarium is the hands down winner for the most requested family attraction in all of Atlanta.
This aquarium is the largest aquarium in the United States. The total water volume is 37.85 million liters.
What makes it unique?
It’s the only aquarium to have whale sharks, outside of China.
This neighborhood has the most attractions in Atlanta. We encourage you to explore the neighborhood in more
Midtown Atlanta Neighborhoods
Midtown – Piedmont Park
There are so many attractions in Midtown Atlanta, it’s hard to pick just one thing to highlight about this Atlanta neighborhood. If I had to pick just one thing, I would highlight Piedmont Park. I know someone will say it, technically, Midtown borders the park. Ok, great. Close enough.
Piedmont Park is a triangular shaped park with a long history and has undergone a series of expansions.
Today, it is a welcoming green space, just 1 mile from downtown Atlanta. There is plenty to do here like walking, running, biking, inline skating, organized sports, lake fishing and bring the dogs one of the best dog parks.
Technology Square/Georgia Tech – Bobby Dodd Stadium
Whether you love or hate Georgia Tech sports, Bobby Dodd Stadium is a major attraction to the area. The stadium is host to Georgia Tech Football
East Atlanta Neighborhoods
Candler Park – The Original Fox Bros. BBQ location
It was a toss up for me. I could have chosen Candler Park as the top attraction in the Candler Park neighborhood. The park has a lot going for it, from a 9 hole golf course to walking trails and recreation, all inside the city limits.
However, Fox Bros. BBQ is a restaurant that should not to be missed while visiting the Candler Park area. It rivals some of the best BBQ in the Atlanta area, and this is where their BBQ all started.
While at the restaurant, try the brisket, it is very good. Whatever you do, don’t miss one of the best Atlanta chicken wings at Fox Bros. BBQ. I doubt you will taste anything so delicious.
Inman Park – Krog Street Market District
Inman Park is a beautiful neighborhood in Atlanta. It’s very walkable, with plenty of restaurants and bars. It also has the Krog Street Market. You can enjoy prepared food from international vendors, beer, internet access and coffee.
The Krog district surrounding the market is developing. Especially the section next to the Eastside Trail of the Atlanta BeltLine.
Little Five Points – The Vortex
The Vortex Bar and Grill in the Little Five Points neighborhood of is a landmark restaurant. If you happen to be driving down Moreland Avenue, you cannot miss this iconic restaurant. The large skeleton with red penetrating eyes and the painted murals really stand out, even in Little Five Points.
But it’s not just about the murals and decor, the burgers are some of the best in Atlanta.
Sweet Auburn – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
Sweet Auburn is an Atlanta neighborhood is just to the east of 85 from downtown with Auburn Street running in the middle.
It is best know for being the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. e
You can tour his childhood home and explore the many exhibits and historical buildings at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park area which spans over 30 acres.