The Best Tourist Spots/Activities in Decatur
March 31, 2009 | 1:54 pmLike most of Atlanta (sorry Atlanta), Decatur isn’t really much of a tourist destination (unless its a festival weekend.) Its a city that caters to its residents (and zombies), not to out-of-towners looking for a fun-filled weekend of unspeakable, hedonistic joy.
That said, I’m sure many others have found themselves in a position similar to my own this past weekend. (No, not drunk and broke on the casino floor – that was two weekends ago, I think. Wait, what month is this?)
Let’s start over.
When family and friends come to visit, you want to show them a good time, cater to their interests, and also show off the city a bit. But how best to do that? What are your go-to Decatur spots and/or activities when guests are in town?
I need a go-to list of local spots for those days when I just can’t bring myself to suggest the High Museum again.
Most of my guests ask to be taken to Brick Store, oddly enough. Has a reputation that stretches well beyond this town. And everyone gets taken to YDFM.
The Decatur Cemetery was popular with some older members of my family, especially the oldest sections where you can play “find the earliest headstone.” If it’s a Tuesday, Watershed. If kids are involved, Little Shop of Stories gets a visit. If there’s a show at Eddie’s Attic, I usually try to take people there as well. And Greene’s was a nice place to visit during the holidays.
But mostly it’s just nice to walk through the historic neighborhoods admiring the lovely old houses and the square.
Kudzu antique market.
I think lumpintheroad hit the high points. Our guests insist on going to Brickstore on almost every visit but don’t forget we now have Leon’s, if you can get a table.
Concerts on the square are always a good bet and, if the timing’s right, so too are the various Decatur festivals.
Why Watershed on a Tuesday? I am going there for the first time next week–on a Wednesday.
Thumbs Up for breakfast. Swing by the Farmer’s Market and Oakhurst Garden. Go to the museum at the Old Courthouse. Take a walk around Agnes Scott. Drive around Emory. If it is May or Sept there would be a concert on the square. End with dinner at Cakes & Ale and drinks at Brick Store or Leon’s! Fabulous.
Who knew!? The Dekalb History Center does walking tours. There are two:
Downtown Decatur Tour, Agnes Scott College and Neighborhood Tour. To make reservations call: 404-373-1088. There is a 5 person minimum and a charge of $5 per person for a guided tour.
Emory’s Carlos Museum is awesome.
Lullwater park for a run and/or game of frisbee.
A walk around the square for older folks.
Hahn Woods to tire out kids.
YFDM for the foodies.
The Ponce shops for the shoppers.
I had a friend in town this weekend, and of all the things she saw/did (World of Coke, CNN, driving tour of neighborhoods, watching the ING Marathon), her favorite, by far, was YDFM. She LOVED IT, despite my warning of the smell and bag policy.
If you have female guests, they could probably spend a whole afternoon shopping at Boogaloos! Follow that up with dinner at Cafe Lily and it just might be the perfect day!
Moira Buccarelli just put what I hope is a final version of a Decatur Walking Tour on my desk. She did a great job, and I think that will be hosted on the city website. You can download it to your iPod, stroll through downtown and get some good history, architecture, and smart growth info.
Oh, I completely forgot Fernbank, with kids or adults.
I also like to take people to Taqueria del Sol for fried chicken tacos- they are becoming more common, but all my west coast friends get a laugh (and a happy belly). Trivia at some of the local eatteries is also a good bet- most cities don’t have as established of trivia culture that Atlanta and Decatur share.
Candler Park Golf Course is a great way to spend an afternoon. Nine holes, $7 greens fees on weekdays ($9 I think on weekends), and guaranteed, no matter how bad you are, there’s always someone worse on the course at the same time. Your guest can also rent clubs for a couple bucks, or just get a second set at the Methodist Children’s Home Flea Market (which is this weekend, I believe).
I would add Decatur CD to the list for music fans.
And Universal Joint Bar in Oakhurst…
Creative Loafing just did a, “Six hours in,” spot and included Decatur. They listed a ton of places to see, things to do, and stuff to eat. I picked it up yesterday and it has some things I’ve never done in it. You could use that as a guide.
[...] Filed under: To do in Atlanta — Palila @ 23:18 Decatur Metro has an excellent question: What are the best tourist spots in Decatur? I agree with the comments: BSP or Twain’s, the shopping, the cemetary and Eddie’s [...]
I would also suggest Sweet Melissa’s for Sunday brunch and live music. Also Bhojanic off Clairemont and N. Decatur Rd has great Indian food and on Wednesdays and Fridays live music. By the way, what is YFDM?
YDFM = Your Dekalb Farmers Market.
Getting lunch to go from someplace like Sawicki’s, then heading to Stone Mountain is usually a winner with guests.
I really think that we sell ourselves short by not promoting Decatur as a tourist destination. Let’s see, we are only 7 miles from downtown, have the square, have terrific public transporation access do do all things in Atlanta (be at the Aquarium in 15 minutes via Marta), proximity to Emory, Agnes Scott, and many people would prefer the small town feel of Decatur to that of downtown, midtown, or Buckhead.
Sure we don’t have the hotel space that downtown, midtown, or Buckhead does. We do have the Holiday Inn (har, har … with a change of hands it could be adequate). With the addition of a few cutting edge boutique hotels, I think we could make Decatur the place to stay in the Atlanta metro area, and if people would actually choose to stay in Decatur it would help our struggling retail scene, restaurants, etc.
A meal at one of our MANY great spots to eat based on their preferences……a driving tour around our great town, and some stops at Decatur’s best shops…..for music,….Decatur CD, gifts…..Heliotrope/Blue Moon/Melrose on Ponce/Mingei, for the guys…..we stop by Whit’s End, as they have City of Decatur and DHS Spirit Wear items for souvenirs, and for ladies….Eviva/Squash Blossom/Kaleidescope/Boogaloos for their needs. Once we are done exploring our own town, then we head into Atlanta and Stone Mountain for the neighboring culture, sites, and activities.
Agree about the Carlos Museum. If it had the huge budget of the High, it would be head and shoulders above in the public’s mind. It is a true museum and houses a great collection of antiquities of Ancient American, Greek and Roman, Asian, African and Egyptian artifacts.
Great lectures and programs for young and old.
You are forgetting women’s clothing and accessories of outstanding quality at Boutique Karma, on Church Street. And what about Peggy’s Boutique, on Ponce de Leon Place, for women’s clothing? El Tesoro offers the best Mexican food of any restaurant in Decatur (Church Street), IMHO.
I ate at El Tesoro in December, January, and February, and they were plenty good then. You can skip El Tesoro and go to Taqueria del Sol if you want to, but one meal there was “enough” for me. Thai Me Up (on Ponce) is a great Thai food restaurant, and I second the recommendation of Bhojanic further up the thread. It’s simply outstanding, in every way.
For me it’s Coyote for good old bad for you Mexican food. Hate the cheesy mariachi band, but basic decent stick to your ribs south of the border fare at decent prices and portions. For Thai, It can only be Siam.
I take my out of town guests to Java Monkey for the real Decatur vibe then across the street to Taste to get them a bag of grits to take back to California! Also YDFM is a must despite the smell.
From one of my ‘mommy’ magazines… (here is the link: http://www.cookiemag.com/travel/2008/10/abroad_athome) Decatur, GA WAS listed as a tourist destination in the ‘abroad at home’ category.
My top spots: Sawicki’s, Las Brasas, Kudzu, Oakhurst Community Garden and walking around my neighborhood in Oakhurst. We can generally hear the free jazz concerts in front of the solarium while watching the DHS baseball team. People from out of town look at us and say, ‘this is what a neighborhood should be.’
When the DeKalb History Center gets its exhibition space back next year, expect the old court house to be a treat for out of town visitors.
Thanks for all the ideas everyone!
We now have a go-to list if we ever run out of ideas when visitors are in town.
Fried chicken night.
But make your reservation before 7p, otherwise you’ll be out of luck.
If I’m not mistaken the original plan for 315 Ponce had a boutique hotel as part of the plan but the neighborhood uproar and the subsequent changes to the plan have taken that off of the table. I think it would be a great use at that location, on the ugly old parking lot.
I know this will bring snorts of skepticism, but we should expect big changes at the Holiday Inn. Their franchise contract requires a major renovation this year, and they tell me it will be done by the book festival. My understanding is that there are rooms being renovated now. The lobby and common areas will get the treatment as well.
I agree that a boutique hotel or two would probably do well for Decatur. It would have to be sold right. In other words, why stay in Atlanta when you can have Decatur at your fingertips and be in Atlanta in 15. It’s actually more convenient to stay in Decatur where food, shopping and amazing beer selection is only a block or two away. The people who stay at a boutique hotel want the selection/quality of restaurants that Decatur has to offer. It seems like a no brainer and I’m surprised we don’t have one yet. It could also offer weekly rates designed for business travelers. There is a great hotel in Iowa City, Iowa called Hotel Vetro (http://www.hotelvetro.com/) and the rooms all have separate oversized tubs, flat screen T.V.’s and small kitchenettes. It has been very popular and is located in the downtown area which has many great restaurants, independent shops, lots of foot traffic, etc.
I have advised several out-of-towners to stay in Decatur if they are here for an Atlanta event (football or baseball game, concert, etc.). But the key to that idea is an efficient rail system, and we are in danger of losing it if people don’t stand up to our absurd legislature.
The Holiday Inn is fine for many people, but it would be great to have a couple of boutique hotels.
“El Tesoro offers the best Mexican food of any restaurant in Decatur (Church Street), IMHO.”
That’s a bit like saying Depeaux has the best cajun/creole food in Decatur…Not exactly a lot of competition.
Just out of curiosity, when was the last time you ate there? Also, you may want to avoid the SAGE closing thread…
Lump, why you gotta make trouble?
Sorry…The cognitive dissonance of El Tesoro getting mercilessly slammed in that thread (not just by me) and recommended as the best Mexican in Decatur in this one just struck me. Different strokes for different folks.
Also, I was genuinely curious about when her last visit was, because as I’ve said, the place was halfway decent when it first opened. Just trying to discern when things went bad and if it can be traced to a change in staff or some other singular event.
I like TDS, but not because it is in any way shape or form authentic Mexican, nor does it claim to be anything of the sort. If you go there looking for that, of course you will be disappointed.
Based on El Tesoro’s menu, they ARE striving for some level of authenticity. Unfortunately, that’s not what’s coming through the kitchen doors, IMO.
Oh, and we are in agreement on Thai Me Up, though I wish their prices were a little more reasonable.