Six MARTA stops away from downtown Atlanta, the Decatur MARTA station is a surprising world of small town life. Local shops, restaurants, schools, churches, parks and even a gazebo are all within easy walking distance. Plus, seasonal festivals provide activities for both kids and adults. If you’re looking for a family-oriented place to visit or want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, head to Decatur for these five top things to see and do.
1. Go to a Festival
The Decatur Square is a perfect spot for festivals, and there are plenty to choose from. Pictured here is the Decatur Book Festival, which takes place over Memorial Day weekend. Other popular events include the Decatur Beach Party, Decatur Craft Beer Fest, Decatur Wine Festival, Decatur Arts Festival, Concerts on the Square and Fourth of July fireworks. See the City of Decatur website for all event listings.
2. Dine Out
There are over 50 restaurants within a 15-minute walk of the Decatur MARTA station. Now that’s some serious dining options. Choose from casual dining (burritos, sandwiches), pubs (Square Pub, Brick Store Pub, Twain’s) and finer dining (No. 246, Cakes and Ale, Leon’s, Parker’s on Ponce, Iberian Pig and more). To see the full list, check out Restaurants Near the Decatur MARTA Station.
3. Eddie’s Attic
Eddie’s Attic has been showcasing songwriters and live music since 1992, and helped start the careers of John Mayer, Sugarland and Shawn Mullins. The upstairs venue has a listening room, bar and outdoor patio where you can order food and drinks. Monday is open-mic night, which leads to the Bi-Annual Open Mic Shootout, where the winners from each week compete.
Take the Swanton Way exit out of the station and turn left out of the bus bay and walk toward the Square to McDonough St., adjacent to the gazebo. The venue is a few doors down in a row of buildings.
4. Brickstore Pub
Most people associate Decatur with the Brickstore Pub, a tucked-away bar with exposed-brick walls, a killer food menu and an even more killer beer and alcohol menu. There is often a wait for a table on the weekend nights, but they’re open until 2 a.m. (1 a.m. on Sunday and Monday), so plenty of time to grab a pint and you can always walk around the Decatur Square while you wait. The restaurant is above the MARTA station on East Court Square.
5. Terrific Thursdays
In November and December, shops, galleries and restaurants stay open late on Terrific Thursdays, offering beverages, snacks and special offers. The downtown area is festively decorated, adding to the holiday spirit and provides an alternative to mall shopping. For a list of stores, see the City of Decatur website.