In the Neighborhood: Clarkston/Avondale Estates

Avondale Estates Town Green

Avondale Estates was named after Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of British playwright William Shakespeare. The downtown area’s Tudor architecture nods to this inspiration. Approximately half of the population of Clarkston was born outside the United States, representing more than 60 nationalities and more than 100 spoken languages. Check out the top family-friendly spots in this area.

Play all day at Avondale Estates Town Green. The vibrant play area features equipment set into the natural landscape, as well as a green space to run around in, a bocce ball court, a pavilion for events and a stage for performances. The space gets some extra personality from the Tudor style birdhouses that mimic the ones this neighborhood is known for. The park is home to the Avondale Estates Famers’ Market, which is open on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., rain or shine.

Get out and explore at Friendship Forest Wildlife Sanctuary in Clarkston. The 18.5 acres is located off E. Ponce de Leon Avenue and is designated as a recreational space and bird sanctuary. The whole family will enjoy hiking, jogging, biking or walking around the trails and boardwalks. There are restrooms available as well as ample parking for convenience.

Check out storytime or an author event at Avondale Estates’ cool, new spot The Book Bird. There’s an on-site café with a coffee menu, wine and beer list, as well as light bites to share with family and friends. They host Board Game Night once a month at 6 p.m. for a bit of competitive fun. Older kids will enjoy being part of the young adult book club. There are themed book clubs for adults; choose from romance, horror, classics and more.

Fall is the perfect time to spend the afternoon or evening outside in Avondale Estates at Wild Heaven Beer. The local brewery has 20 options on tap, plus Georgia wines, cocktails and non-alcoholic options. They have space for the kids and dogs to run around and feature free trivia on Tuesdays and live music on the weekends. The food menu is small but does have a kids’ menu, as well as pretzel sticks with cheese dip – a classic pairing with beer.

Try Venezuelan cuisine at Arepa Mia in Avondale Estates. The whole menu is gluten-free and features empanadas, arepas, patacones and more. It’s kid-friendly and a great way to introduce new flavors to your family. The prices are affordable, so you can get several things to share and try. They are closed on Sundays, so be aware of that when planning your weekend.

-Tali Benjamin