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Decatur is the county seat of DeKalb County, a compact and walkable city about six miles east of downtown Atlanta. Founded in 1823 and named for the naval hero Stephen Decatur, it is older than Atlanta itself, and its leafy streets, bungalow neighborhoods and busy town square give it the feel of a small college town inside the big metro. About 25,000 people live here.
Everything starts at the Decatur Square, with its gazebo, fountains and lawns, framed by the Historic DeKalb County Courthouse. Built in 1898, the courthouse now houses the DeKalb History Center, and a MARTA rail station sits right beneath the square, so you can arrive from Atlanta without a car. The streets around it are packed with independent restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores and pubs, including the Brick Store Pub, and Eddie's Attic has launched many singer-songwriters from its small listening room.
Agnes Scott College, founded in 1889, has a Gothic Revival campus a short walk from downtown, and the Oakhurst neighborhood to the south adds more cafés and parks. The square hosts concerts and festivals through the year, including the Decatur Arts Festival in spring, and Emory University and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History are a short drive away.
Decatur Square is the lively center of downtown Decatur, a green plaza around the old courthouse surrounded by restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bookstores and boutiques. It hosts concerts, festivals and outdoor movies. The Decatur MARTA station opens right onto the square, so you can skip the car entirely.
Oakhurst Village is a small neighborhood business district in south Decatur, with bars, restaurants, a pizza place, a brewpub and local shops around East Lake Drive and Oakview Road. It has a relaxed, neighborhood feel. It is a pleasant walk or bike ride from Decatur Square through tree-lined residential streets.
The Historic DeKalb County Courthouse is a 1917 neoclassical building on Decatur Square that now houses the DeKalb History Center, with exhibits on county history, an archive and a small gift shop. Admission to the exhibits is free. Combine it with a stroll around the square and its cafes.
The DeKalb History Center's historic complex in Decatur's Adair Park preserves the Swanton House, one of the oldest buildings in Decatur, along with two relocated log cabins from the 1800s. The site gives a glimpse of early settler life in the county. Grounds are open to walk, and tours are offered by appointment.
Decatur Cemetery is the oldest burial ground in DeKalb County, dating from the 1820s, with rolling hills, old trees, historic monuments and quiet paths. Locals use it for peaceful walks and runs. Respect any services in progress, and look for the older graves near the original section by Bell Street.
Eddie's Attic is a well-known listening room just off Decatur Square that has hosted singer-songwriters since the 1990s, with early shows by artists who later became famous. Its open mic nights and shootouts are local traditions. Buy tickets ahead for popular acts and arrive early for good seats.
Agnes Scott College is a private liberal arts college for women founded in 1889, with a leafy campus of Gothic and Victorian buildings a short walk from downtown Decatur. The grounds and the main hall are often used as film locations. Visitors can walk the campus quad, and the observatory holds occasional public nights.
Brick Store Pub on Decatur Square is a renowned beer bar with a deep list of draft and bottled beers, including an upstairs Belgian beer bar, plus hearty pub food. It is often named among the best beer bars in the country. It gets crowded on weekend evenings, so a weekday or afternoon visit is easier.
Your DeKalb Farmers Market is a huge indoor international food market in Decatur, selling produce, seafood, meat, cheese, spices, baked goods and prepared foods from around the world. It is a fascinating place to browse even if you are not shopping much. Bring a jacket, as it is kept cool, and expect busy weekends.
Glenlake Park is a popular city park in Decatur with a public swimming pool open in summer, tennis courts, a playground, a dog park, picnic areas and a lawn. It is a favorite with local families. Pool passes and hours are posted by the city, and parking can be tight on warm weekends.
The Wylde Center is a nonprofit that runs community green spaces in Decatur, including the Oakhurst Garden with demonstration gardens, chickens, native plants and paths. It hosts workshops and a popular plant sale. The garden is free to wander during open hours and is a calm spot for families with small children.
The Decatur Arts Festival is a yearly spring event around Decatur Square and its surrounding streets, with an outdoor artist market, live music, performances and activities for children. It draws big crowds over the weekend. Take MARTA to the Decatur station to avoid parking problems and check dates online.
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