Atlanta’s Eastside Gem – big city vibes and small town charm
Just east of the Atlanta BeltLine and six miles from downtown, Decatur is 4.7 square miles bursting with creative energy, buzz-worthy food, and festivals!
Indulge in destination dining. Spot art all around – outdoor sculptures, murals, and secret doors. Listen to live music nearly every night. Then there are our standout independent shops, homegrown breweries, large greenspaces, and film sightings. And most everything is within a few walkable blocks.
Our downtown square ranks as one of the top ten on USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel awards (and has for three years in a row)! The pedestrian plaza is anchored by our community bandstand, the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, and downtown MARTA rail station and is surrounded by local businesses. It’s the perfect starting point for exploring DeKalb County and all of metro Atlanta. Look familiar? It’s the setting for HBO’s Watchmen.
Make Decatur your hometown for the day, the weekend, or, you know, forever! Southern Living named us one of the South’s Best Small Towns, and we can’t wait for you to experience our vibrant, friendly city for yourself. Everyone’s welcome!
Destination Dining
Foodies flock here for our critically acclaimed restaurants including many Atlanta Magazine’s Best of Atlanta experiences and James Beard award winners and nominees (the Oscars of the food world) include Chai Pani, Kimball House, Deer and Dove, and a dozen more. Expect chef-driven menus, hand-crafted cocktails, and excellent service at every meal.
Standout Shopping
Our independent shops have plenty to peruse (and buy)! Get a new look from head to toe. Pick up a stack of new reads from one of our three locally-owned, brick-and-mortar bookshops. Flip through vinyl and find one-of-a-kind art pieces from regional artists. Got kiddos? We have a creative space just for them filled with toys and art supplies. Whimsical wares, organic beauty, gourmet truffles, high-end sparkle – we have that too.
Art All Around
Between nibbling, sipping, and shopping, enjoy a stroll and find public art on every block – and in some unexpected places. The Decatur Artway brings a dynamic rotating collection of outdoor sculptures throughout the city. Look down for Secret Doors Decatur placed in nooks and crannies, and #lookupdecatur for artworks installed on light poles. Murals pop up in surprising places, and buskers bring music to our tree-shaded sidewalks. Plus, find exhibits, performances and demonstrations at multiple art galleries, dance studios, and Decatur Glassblowing.
Breweries + Pubs
Tap into Decatur’s local breweries and pubs. We’ve been at the forefront of the craft microbrewery scene since the beginning.
Nightlife + Nightcaps
Make the after-hours scene here for live music, comedy, and hand-crafted cocktails. Rising stars perform at Eddie’s Attic where the Indigo Girls, Sugarland, and John Mayer played in their early days (and still drop by for surprise visits).
Filmed Here!
Did you know Decatur is a filming destination? Our downtown pedestrian square is the iconic setting for HBO’s Watchmen. More filming hotspots include the marble halls of the Historic Courthouse/DeKalb History Center (Hulu’s Candy and Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series), Legacy Park (ABC’s The Wonder Years), Decatur Cemetery (Goosebumps), and Agnes Scott College (The Blind Side). Plus, many more television and movie productions dating all the way back to Driving Miss Daisy three decades ago.
We’ve Got A Festival For That!
From music, art, and books to barbecue, beer, and wine – we’ve got a festival for that! Decatur loves to celebrate, and you’re invited. Check out our big annual events including the Decatur Arts Festival, Decatur Wine Festival, Pan African Festival, Decatur International Festival, and Placita Latina’s Salsa on the Square. Head to our community calendar to find out what’s happening each and every week!
Great Location, Easy Access
Decatur is well connected to downtown Atlanta, metro area attractions, and the world, with three MARTA train stations inside its city limits and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport close by. (Take MARTA to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport from our downtown Square; no car needed!) Just six miles east of Atlanta and minutes west of Stone Mountain, Decatur’s easily accessible via I-285, I-20 and I-75/85 and Ponce de Leon Avenue.