Best Things to Do in Decatur, Georgia

Downtown Decatur, Georgia

Decatur, Georgia, is a hub of good food, lots of fun, and ample places to enjoy fresh air. Even better, it’s super easy to walk or bike to everything. You can take MARTA to the downtown station and find plenty to do. Also, check out our posts on nearby Midtown, Downtown Atlanta, Inman Park, East Atlanta, and Avondale Estates.

Eats in Decatur

Decatur is well-known for its abundance of great restaurants. Downtown Decatur has so many choices it’s almost ridiculous. The hardest part is deciding where to go. Victory (order the ‘World Famous’ Whiskey Coke Slushie, which contains a healthy dose of Jack Daniel’s), Chai Pani (Indian street food), Sapori Di Napoli (Neapolitan style pizza and salads), Farm Burger (organic, grass-fed beef with your choice of crazy toppings), Brick Store Pub (feels a little like it should be in a Harry Potter film), Kale Me Crazy (try the breakfast wrap and acai bowl), Raging Burrito (free queso dip with your order Tuesdays and Thursdays), and Noodle (handcrafted drinks and Japanese) are favorites. For fancier, No. 246 is delicious. On Wednesdays, you can also check out the Decatur Farmers’ Market.

Treats in Decatur

Two ice cream shops and four coffee shops in the downtown area—enough fun for all. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and Butter & Cream offer flavors you won’t find in the freezer section at the supermarket. The menus feature favorites and seasonal picks. For candy and more, visit Greene’s Fine Foods and Rocket Fizz. Get a coffee at Dancing Goats Coffee Bar or go for a Starbucks on the square.

Shopping in Decatur

There are plenty of cool, locally-owned shops in Downtown Decatur. Get kids’ books and toys at Treehouse Kid and Craft, Brave + Kind Bookshop and Little Shop of Stories. Shop for hip clothes, shoes and more at Squash Blossom Boutique, Sq/Ft, HomeGrown Decatur and Wild Oats and Billy Goats.

DeKalb County Courthouse in Decatur, Georgia

Parties in Decatur

There is hardly a weekend that goes by in the city without a festival or other such gathering. AJC Decatur Book Festival, with two days of book loving activities, is on Labor Day Weekend each year. There’s also Decatur Craft Beer Festival in October and Decatur Wine Festival in November, Oakhurst Porchfest, Haints and Saints Homegrown Halloween Parade, Tree Lighting, Bonfire/Marshmallow Roast, and Grand Menorah Lighting, just to name a few things that happen in the fall/winter season. For big events, if you can utilize MARTA or walk from your location, you should. If you’re driving, the city has a useful page on the available places to park in Decatur.

Parks and Playgrounds in Decatur

Decatur is full of beautiful parks. You can grab a coffee at Dancing Goats, then walk across the street to Decatur Toy Park, which has all sorts of toys, like dump trucks and play cars, in addition to more traditional playground equipment. Go behind the Decatur Recreation Center for a playground encircled with a sidewalk—parents can exercise AND watch the kiddos play. Glenlake Park, Dearborn Park, McKoy Park, Oakhurst Park and Scott Park are also favorites.

Libraries in Decatur

I love walking to one of the Little Free Library houses scattered about the city for a new read. I take it with me to a restaurant for lunch (what a luxury to dine alone!). Since these beauties are located everywhere in Decatur, it is easy to find something worthwhile. Check out the downtown Decatur Library, too, for ongoing events and a pleasant place to read.