Atlanta is made up of dozens of suburbs in the counties of Fulton, Cobb, and Gwinnett. These areas were formerly known as bedroom communities, connected to the city by streetcars, but are now known in their own right for the restaurants, shops, and businesses.
Atlanta’s northern suburbs have small-town charm as well as family-friendly activities, craft breweries, and much more. The next time you’re in Atlanta, explore further north.
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Alpharetta
This suburb is sprawling and includes both the quaint downtown with its independent businesses and the shopping developments with some of the best nationwide chains.
Alpharetta has also become a dining destination in its own right, especially when it comes to Avalon. Every big chef in Atlanta now wants to have an outpost there.
What to Do
Jekyll Brewing offers tours and tastings of their craft brewery, while Avalon is the center of all commercial and restaurant activity. Spend a day swinging at Topgolf Alpharetta, which awards points for where your golf ball lands.
Big-name acts perform at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, but get outside at the Alpharetta Arboretum.
Where to Eat
No matter what type of cuisine you’re craving, you’re sure to find it here. Ford Fry’s The El Felix is a modern spin on Tex-Mex fare and Oak Steakhouse has a classic steakhouse vibe.
Colletta offers hearty Italian food. Get your bagel fix at Bagel Boys Cafe – Kimball Bridge or offbeat donuts at Da Vinci’s Donuts. Smokejack Barbecue has great barbecue.
Where to Stay
If you’re in the area for the American Girl experience, the Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta has themed rooms with doll beds and bright pink decor. For something a little simpler, Hyatt Place Atlanta/Alpharetta/North Point Mall is right across from the restaurants and shops at the mall. Doubletree Alpharetta Windward is another choice, complete with daily cookies.
Kennesaw
The name Kennesaw comes from a Cherokee word for “burial ground,” but the suburb is perhaps most identified with its Civil War history. It was here that one of the major battles of the Atlanta Campaign took place around the mountain. It’s also where part of the Great Locomotive Chase took place. Today, it’s one of the area’s best places for families, according to Family Circle.
What to Do
Start your trip at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, a sprawling 2,000+ acre site of trails with an educational center on the Civil War battle.
Swift-Cantrell Park is another place to go for a walk, a favorite community park with playgrounds, a dog park, and trails. Smith-Gilbert Gardens features over 3,000 species of plants and hosts regular events.
Learn about Kennesaw’s locomotive history at The Southern Museum, a Smithsonian-affiliated institution. And Kennesaw State University also has two museums, the Museum of History and Holocaust Education and the Zuckerman Museum of Art.
Where to Eat
For an authentic taste of south of the border, Tacos Del Chavo is a taco stand with al pastor, barbacoa, and other options. If you’re up early, grab a not-so-light breakfast at Mountain Biscuits.
Big Pie In the Sky Pizzeria was made famous by its Carnivore Challenge pizza. If you want a meal with a view, Elevation Chophouse and Skybar overlooks McCollum Airport.
Where to Stay
A number of chain hotels have opened around Kennesaw State University and the I-75 exit in the last decade, but Embassy Suites Kennesaw is one of the best. It’s surrounded by great restaurants, including Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse inside.
Comfort Suites At Kennesaw State University is another budget-friendly option a short walk from campus, perfect for visiting families.
Marietta
Similar to neighboring Kennesaw, Marietta started as a Cherokee settlement, but the Civil War forever changed the area. It was burned during Sherman’s March to the Sea. Today, Marietta is a large area with the historic square at its center, full of shops, restaurants, and other local businesses.
What to Do
Get a dose of culture at Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, which has regularly changing exhibits and a diverse permanent collection. The Marietta Museum of History focuses on the city’s past with exhibits on the military and local residents.
Ghosts of Marietta runs spooky tours of the city at night. Tara comes to Marietta at the Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum, which has an extensive collection of memorabilia and artifacts from both the Margaret Mitchell book and film.
While only open during the summer, Six Flags White Water has thrilling slides and pools to keep you cool. Sope Creek Trail is a popular walking path that goes past the ruins of a paper mill burned during the Civil War.
Where to Eat
Located on the historic square, Stockyard Burgers and Bones has different types of burgers, including wild boar and lamb burgers, along with craft beer.
Bagelicious has the most authentic New York-style bagels in all of Atlanta, but be sure to bring cash. In the Marietta neighborhood of East Cobb, Seed Kitchen & Bar is one of the top-rated restaurants in the entire city.
For a taste of Down Under, Australian Bakery Cafe makes Australian meat pies and also carries food items like Vegemite. A favorite of Marietta resident Alton Brown, The Red Eyed Mule serves biscuits in the morning and burgers in the afternoon. Sam’s BBQ-1 East is a notable barbecue restaurant in an unsuspecting strip mall.
Where to Stay
Hilton Atlanta Marietta Hotel & Conference Center is surrounded by a large golf course and also has tennis courts, restaurants, and is pet-friendly. Radisson Hotel Atlanta-Marietta also has the amenities of a chain hotel. For a boutique experience, The Stanley House Bed and Breakfast is a quaint Victorian home.
Woodstock
Further north in Cherokee County, Woodstock was once a stop on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Pioneers settled here in the 1800s. Today, it’s a fast-growing community with shops and restaurants.
What to Do
Reformation Brewery is the local brewery, crafting four flagship beers along with a rotating selection of specialty brews available at their taproom.
Shopaholics will appreciate The Outlet Shoppes, which are accessible from the city by free shuttle, offers discounted products from Adidas, Michael Kors, Toys R Us and more.
Dixie Speedway has races every Saturday night from spring to fall. You can also spend the day fishing and relaxing on Allatoona Lake.
Where to Eat
Century House Tavern is a restaurant located inside a historic home. They serve small plates and seasonal dishes.
With other locations in Alpharetta and Roswell, Salt Factory Pub is a gastropub with over 50 beer selections. Live music and fresh seafood makes Reel Seafood great for a night out.
Where to Stay
There aren’t many places to stay in Woodstock, but Comfort Suites Woodstock and Hampton Inn Atlanta Woodstock have free WiFi and breakfast.
Roswell
Named for an entrepreneur named Roswell King, he established the largest mill in North America nearby. Today, it’s one of Georgia’s largest cities. Canton Street comes alive at night when the restaurants allow you to walk around with your drinks.
What to Do
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games offers family fun, including go-karting, video games, a ropes course, and more. WhirlyBall Atlanta is another unique attraction, combining go-karting with basketball.
Roswell even has its own craft brewery, Gate City Brewing Company, located right downtown. Learn about the great outdoors at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Bulloch Hall and Barrington Hall are two historic homes open for tours, originally owned by early residents of Roswell.
Where to Eat
For authentic Louisianan dishes, seek out Roux On Canton for their craft beer, po boys, and beignets. Land of A Thousand Hills Coffee House supports coffee roasters abroad, specifically in Africa.
Little Alley Steak resembles a classic steakhouse. Crazy Love Coffeehouse is a popular spot for coffee and Belgian-style waffles.
Where to Stay
DoubleTree and Best Western Roswell Suites are just two options nearby.
Sandy Springs
Originally just a neighborhood in Atlanta, now the city of Sandy Springs is a destination in its own right. The oldest home in the area dates back to the 1800s. Now it is an outdoors destination for its placement around the Chattahoochee River.
What to Do
Families love Morgan Falls Overlook Park for its playgrounds, but the park also has a dog park, kayak dock, and picnic facilities. Nearby is also a good place to go tubing.
The strip mall location seems odd for a museum, but Anne Frank in the World: 1929-1945 is an extensive museum devoted to the Jewish girl whose diary changed the world. Heritage Sandy Springs Museum is a former farmstead devoted to local history.
Where to Eat
Authentic curries and noodles can be found at Little Thai Cuisine. Ray’s on the River is a longtime favorite, set on the banks of the Chattahoochee River.
For vegetarian visitors, Cafe Sunflower is so good you’ll forget all about meat. Their brunches bring in even carnivores. Under The Cork Tree serves up tapas with extensive wine options.
Where to Stay
Most hotels are found around Perimeter Mall, including The Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, Sonesta ES Suites Atlanta, and Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Suites. Each offers different levels of luxury, but all are well located near the highways for easy city access.
Dunwoody
Another community near Perimeter Mall is Dunwoody. Established in the 1830s, the area has a surprising number of historic buildings. Dunwoody Village has the Dunwoody Farmhouse, one of the most iconic structures in the city.
What to Do
Spruill Center for the Arts is a non-profit arts organization that offers classes and exhibits. Their building is painted with the phrase “Everything Will Be Okay,” reassuring passersby.
Dunwoody Nature Center brings you up close with nature through trails, geocaching, playgrounds, and camping. Donaldson-Bannister Farm has a preserved farmhouse now open for educational experiences. Zip through the trees at Treetop Quest – Dunwoody, which has different courses for ages 4 and up.
Where to Eat
For the best happy hour in Dunwoody, grab a margarita and tacos at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina Perimeter. Farm Burger Dunwoody gives you your burger fix without all the guilt. Best of all, this location has an ice cream shop.
Where to Stay
Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter is the most luxurious property in Dunwoody (read our review here), but Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Center and Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center are great options as well.
Alpharetta Convention and Visitor’s Bureau assisted in the creation of this guide.
“These areas were formerly known as bedroom communities, connected to the city by streetcars,….”
I’ve lived in Northern Atlanta since the mid-70s, but I don’t recall there ever being streetcar service to the downtown area from any of its suburbs. Am I misremembering or are you using it as a euphemism for bus service? Or perhaps I am misunderstanding what the word “streetcar” means in this context.
Hey Ann,
Thanks for the comment. I’m referring to the streetcars from the 1920s. See link: http://railga.com/oddend/streetrail/mariettastr.html.