Best neighborhoods in Atlanta

04.06.2024 - 21:59 / lonelyplanet.com / Martin Luther King-Junior

Atlanta is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, and even though residents have been saying “we full” for years, it doesn’t stop locals from welcoming visitors into our vibrant neighborhoods. 

Most visitors choose to stay in and concentrate their time in the city center, or close to it. Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead are the neighborhoods with the most hotels, and they all have plenty of things to see and do to keep travelers busy. But getting out into the rest of Atlanta’s neighborhoods gives curious visitors a new point of view on what makes so many people love “The A.”

See why more and more people are permanently packing their bags and moving to Atlanta with our guide to its most unique neighborhoods.

Best neighborhood for accommodations

Midtown keeps the urban, high-rise atmosphere of Downtown Atlanta going, and adds to it a refined arts vibe. Midtown is a walkable neighborhood just north of Downtown, and is home to the Fox Theater, the High Museum of Art and the Museum of Design Atlanta. There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Midtown across a range of budgets, and it’s a short distance away from the tourist attractions of Downtown.

In some areas it can lack the neighborhood feel of some of Atlanta's other quarters, but it’s an ideal area for being close to the action.

Read more: 10 things to know before visiting Atlanta

Best neighborhood for alfresco dining

This is the neighborhood you want to give yourself some time to walk around in without fixed plans, and to enjoy the bungalow homes next to boutique storefronts. Best of all? There are lots of options for patio dining. Virginia-Highland also has a large nightlife scene that’s concentrated in its bars.

When you’re ready to spend some time indoors, check out the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema at the edge of the neighborhood. This independent movie theater shows documentaries as well as indie and foreign films.

Read more: The best times to visit Atlanta

Best neighborhood for an up-and-coming vibe

Old Fourth Ward – O4W to those in the know – has historically been known as an industrial neighborhood that's also home to the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Park. But O4W has had one of the fastest neighborhood transitions. It’s widely considered to be one of the coolest areas in the city, thanks to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail and Ponce City Market, a historic Sears warehouse turned food hall and shopping center. 

Best neighborhood for shopping

Buckhead was the center of Atlanta nightlife for many years. Although there are still plenty of clubs and lounges in the area, such as retro-themed Johnny's Hideaway, it’s rebranded itself as a shopping and dining district.

Buckhead also has several boutique and luxury hotels. Outside