Located northeast of Georgia’s state capital, Atlanta, the city of Decatur, Georgia, is a charming and diverse suburb with plenty of things to see, eat, and do. The 4.7 mile town has a ton to offer despite being quite small. In fact, this year marks Decatur’s 200th birthday, and the city is celebrating its bicentennial.

Decatur features a mix of urban and suburban life with a cute downtown square and residential neighborhoods outside the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. The city is also home to two Georgia colleges, Agnes Scott College and Emory University. With dozens of delicious restaurants, history, and tree-lined trails, Decatur offers something for everyone. Check out our most-do activities for a weekend in Decatur.Spend a Weekend in Decatur, Georgia

Decatur Square

In the heart of downtown Decatur sits the iconic Decatur Square. 15-blocks of boutique shops, 45 restaurants and cafes, and frequent events and festivals draw thousands into the area each week. The Square is centered around the Dekalb County Courthouse, which is an architectural gem and a highlight of the downtown area.

Local Dining

Decatur is a food lover’s paradise with a diverse range of restaurants offering various cuisines. From Southern comfort food to international delights, enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert throughout town. Some of our favorite restaurants include:

  • no. 246, an Italian-American Atlanta favorite from Ford Fry, another Atlantan favorite! If you’re feeling fancy, we highly recommend booking the Chef’s Counter experience!
  • The Deer and The Dove, a James Beard Award winner known for its Southern eccentric farm-to-table-focused dishes.
  • B-Side Coffee & Bagels, serving fresh coffee and homemade, wood-fired bagels from the team behind The Deer and The Dove.
  • White Bull, from Pat Pascarella, is a farm-forward Italian favorite where local ingredients take center stage.
  • Kimball House, an upscale restaurant focused on seasonality, steak, seafood, and cocktails.
  • Chai Pani, slang for “tea and water”, is another James Beard Award winner in Decatur, this time awarded for Indian street food. We love the Gobi Pepper Fry!
  • Victory Sandwich Bar, enjoy a drink and sub at this eccentric sandwich shop. With a small but ever-changing menu, Victory is always a good idea.
  • Iberian Pig, another Atlanta favorite, this Spanish tapas restaurant serves a taste of the Mediterranean, right in the heart of Decatur.
  • The S.O.S. Tiki Bar, a Hawaiian inspired cocktail bar with tropical drinks, perfect for late night, or after your sandwich from Victory! Located right next door.

Decatur Farmers Market

From late March to mid-September, visit the Decatur Farmers Market for a wide selection of fresh produce, artisanal products, and local goods. The Saturday market is held at Sceptre Brewing Arts, in the Oakhurst neighborhood, from 9am-1pm.

Oakhurst Village:

This neighborhood in Decatur features a mix of restaurants, bars, shops, and a friendly community vibe. The neighborhood is centered around Harmony Park, a family-friendly park and play area.

  • DeKalb History Center: Learn about the history and heritage of Decatur and DeKalb County through exhibits that tell their stories.
  • Fernbank Museum of Natural History: Explore the wonders of the natural world, including dinosaurs, fossils, and interactive exhibits, at this nonprofit natural history museum. The Fernbank Museum is also home to Atlanta’s largest movie screen with 3D capabilities.
  • Decatur Arts Alliance: Check out the current exhibits available through the Decatur Arts Alliance, free community art activations open to the public. From outdoor art installations to live music, art events and festivals, and community art classes, there’s always something new to experience with the Decatur Arts Alliance.
  • Wylde Center: Discover the Oakhurst Garden and other community gardens in the Wylde Center, promoting sustainability and urban agriculture. Through environmental education and public green spaces, the Wylde Center connects Decatur to nature.
  • Eddie’s Attic: Experience live music at this famous, intimate venue that has hosted many well-known musicians and singers. The venue connects Decatur residents with Atlanta songwriters. Artists like John Mayer, Justin Bieber, Sheryl Crow, The Indigo Girls, The Black Crowes, and more have performed here.
  • Decatur Ghost Tour: Boo! Halloween is approaching, and fall is the spookiest season to do the Decatur Ghost Tour. If you’re interested in ghoulish stories and local ghost legends, consider taking this guided ghost tour of Decatur’s most haunted spots.
  • Bookstores: Visit independent bookstores, like Little Shop of Stories, for a great selection of books and literary events.

Outdoor Recreation

Enjoy the great outdoors at Decatur’s various parks and green spaces. Our favorite places for picnics, jogging, and relaxing are Glenlake Park, Dearborn Park, Oakhurst Park, and McKoy Park.

Did you know that ParkMobile is available for parking throughout the City of Decatur? Located around the Downtown area, which can be sometimes be tricky to find parking, you can find signs for zone number 7801: Decatur Square. Simply enter the zone displayed on the signage directly into your ParkMobile app to start a parking session. The zone number can be found on the left side of the sign.

Now that we’ve shared our top Decatur picks and you know how to park there, it’s time to visit the cute town of Decatur, Georgia.