It was wonderful spending time in the Decatur Square this weekend, which is located in the heart…read moreof downtown Decatur. It is said to be one of the Top 10 Best Public Squares in the USA for three years in a row! I believe it too. Everytime I visit here I get the same laid back feel I always get. This square looks like a beautiful picture out of a book. There's plenty of space for kids to run around, nice shaded trees and picnic tables to enjoy a packed lunch or pick up a lunch from the quaint restaurants lined around the square. I was in the square years ago and they were filming a movie here. A lot of popular movies and shows have been filmed here throughout the years. I love that there are good quality places to eat, all in one area within walking distance and ice cream shops too. I also love how friendly strangers smile at each other and everyone is doing there own thing. Sometimes there's music playing throughout the square which makes it a double delight.

Decatur Square is just one of the many reasons I love the City of Decatur! Considered to be one of…read morethe best public squares in the U.S...if it looks recognizable, you're not imagining it. Decatur Square has made its way into plenty of magazines, movies and TV shows filmed around metro Atlanta. With its charming streets, vibrant energy, historic backdrop (like the Old Dekalb County Courthouse in the background) it's an easy pick for film crews, photographers, locals and visitors alike. The Square itself is lively and cute. I love that you can sit street side at restaurants, which gives major NYC or European cafe vibes, where sidewalk dining is where it's at! You're sure to find some of the best chef-driven restaurants in metro Atlanta. Whether you're looking for an upscale dinner, a quick bite, or coffee and people-watching, Decatur Square delivers. Also, there's plenty of local shops and usually something fun and Free happening at any given time, including outdoor concerts, movie nights in the square, art festivals, and other community events, so you'll want to check the calendar ahead of time and bring your lawn chairs. https://visitdecaturga.com/ Bonus fun fact: AJC Decatur Book Festival, one of the largest independent literary festivals in the country is hosted right here. An estimated 80,000 people converge for a celebratory weekend of literature. And, last August, Decatur Square became even more meaningful with the unveiling of a bronze statue honoring civil rights icon John Lewis. Hundreds gathered in front of the Old DeKalb County Courthouse for the ceremony, adding more impact to an already iconic space. Pro Tip: If you're into public transportation, MARTA literally drops you west of the square. Prefer to walk or bike? It's got that covered too. And for drivers: parking is usually manageable at one of the many decks or street parking. If it sounds like Decatur Square is my Fav, you're absolutely right LOL! This was my neighborhood for years (yes, I'm a little partial :-), but even objectively, whether you're a local or just passing through, Decatur Square has a perfect mix of small-town feel and intown access. I'll always have a soft spot for it and I think once you visit, hopefully you will too. Happy Exploring!

This store is filled with so many cute and unique items. I was so glad my husband and I decided to…read morestop here. We will definitely stop in anytime we are in the area again! You can also shop online at oddbirdgifts.com, so I'll definitely buy online as well

Such a fun, eclectic mix of things to shop for. I laughed my way all through the store reading the…read morecoffee mugs, stickers, hand towels, etc. A perfect spot to grab a not-boring gift or add character to your own home. And female owned!! I saw advertisements about events they put on, including a speed puzzle competition.

I shopped here a few weeks ago while in Decatur on a visit. Squash Blossom is such a fun boutique…read more The clothing and accessories had a really cute, eclectic feel, and the owner brought such a cool funky energy to the space. It felt welcoming, creative, and full of personality. One of those stores where you want to keep looking because there's always something interesting to spot.

They do an awesome job of showcasing local businesses. I purchased some syrups from Brown Girl…read moreMixers. I liked how they showed you what company made the products. They did a great job or pointing out the Black owned businesses and that was my focus for the day. The prices in here were kind of high, but it's essentially a boutique so I didn't expect TJ Maxx prices. My syrups were only $28 though and there were plenty of products in there that weren't super expensive. The employees were really helpful and informative and the space was packed full of stuff but it was very well-organized.

Doesn't open at their listed opening time! Frustrating when you wait for a place to open when it…read moresays it will and noone shows up. Unprofessional

So I was just going in to look. I love little boutiques like this. I didn't plan on buying anything…read morebut I couldn't leave without one of the beautiful scarves. And no, I don't need anymore scarves but OMG!, they are so beautiful and yes, I wore it the next day. Hey, this is perfect pashmina weather. This a great place for gift shopping, accessorizing your home, holiday decorating, and just treating yourself. Great customer service too.

Fun studio with tons of local handmade gifts, crafted in the Atlanta area and with great prices!…read moreJewelry, glass, canvas, and tons of unique gifts & collectables! Whomever does the ship-outs is on top of things !

What a cute place to shop. The store is full of handcrafted goods from jewelry, body lotions and…read moresoaps to name just a few. The staff are friendly and helpful we had a great time wondering around purchasing some unique gifts for friends will definitely be returning for another shopping day!

This store is full of locally made goodies and I recently found 18k gold plated stainless steel…read morejewelry for $20 a piece??? That means waterproof, rust resistant jewelry for only 20 a piece!! I recently bought jewelry made of the same materials for $80 a piece, but you can find the same quality here for so much less!! Idk how more people don't know about this!!!

I visited HomeGrown today to look for a comfort gift for a friend whose husband passed away. I was…read morebrowsing the candles and toiletries area, taking my time with smelling the scents and deliberating over my choice. The person working the register said hello when I came in and went back to looking at their computer screen. But once I was no longer in view, the person came to do a circle around the area where I was standing and said, "I'm doing inventory." GIRL, BYE. I'm an auditor by profession and I know what conducting an inventory looks like. Also, people just doing their job do their jobs without explanation required. There were some other things this person did and overall, it was an ugly experience. I haven't been profiled in a long time and it still feels gross and reminds me how awful people can be. I found something special for my friend, and I bought it. I also bought it for myself because after this experience I needed something soothing too. I won't let one person change my mind about a place I shopped at for years but if I see this person when I walk in, I'm turning around and leaving. HomeGrown has great gifts if you want something locally-made that feels special. And in all these years, this is the only time I've experienced anything like this so I'll likely be back. Just some of the shine is gone.

These are my friends. Lots of choices, excellent service and workable prices. I love downtown…read moreDecatur! It's worth the trip

This is a really neat lil shops! It's right on the square of…read moredowntown decatur - near the Marta opening across from the church & library. The clothes aren't all my style but still really cute. Got kinda hippy vibes. I should have guessed by the name =p Sales people helpful without being pushy :)

I love this little bookstore!…read more Well, there's nothing little about the space and endless opportunities to find literary greatness at this bookstore in the heart of Decatur. I've had the opportunity to visit Little Shop of Stories numerous times since I moved to Atlanta, but my visits totally hit differently now that I'm a mom. As someone raised by a teacher (with help from Reading Rainbow and Levar Burton), I've passed this onto my son although he can't read yet, lol. So we are always adding to his little library as he grows. Beyond books, Little Shop of Stories also carries so many fun educational toys for kids and books for readers of all ages. It's so easy to get lost in their large collections, but luckily they keep it incredibly organized and make it easy to find whatever your imagination can dream of. After finding a few goodies to take home to my little one, I strolled around the store a bit more and took in the whimsical vibes. Just being in there lifted my mood! Seriously a wonderful place to transport yourself into the magical world of books and discovery, no matter your age.

COMMUNITY STAPLE Enough said!!!…read more No but seriously this is the pinnacle of Downtown Decatur perfection. I'm so happy that not only does Little Shop of Stories continue to survive, but it is unequivocally THRIVING. in a word of online shopping and digital interaction, this community cornerstone understands that they can achieve a unique experience by simply continuing to do what they've always done, and continue to do it proudly! If you haven't been in a while, it's worth a revisit because as of this past fall (2025) they've revamped the interior. It is truly incredible. Stop in as an adult for coffee with or without a child! You won't regret it!

Nice store, friendly people, good prices. Unfortunately, it is only open two afternoons a week.read more

By far our favorite place to sort through the books, and then we step across the hall to check out…read moreplenty of gently used clothes we can enjoy wearing. Very pleasant folks at the register, and some familiar faces from our most recent visit (from here in Tallahassee : ) Looking forward to coming back.

Ponce City Market is a pretty cool spot in Atlanta. It's a market filled with shops and eateries…read more They even have a City Winery here. During a recent visit to Atlanta, my friend and I wanted to kill some time, so we went here to hang out. We walked around, checked out the shops, and enjoyed some gelato from Honeysuckle Gelato. There are seating areas indoors and outdoors. Since it was a nice day, we spent a good amount of time sitting outside people watching. I feel like there's a little bit of something for everyone here, whether you're local to the area or visiting from out of town. I'd definitely return during future visits to Atlanta.

Beyond just being the go-to interstitial for every Atlanta-based Bravo TV show, Ponce City Market…read moreis something to behold and experience. It's big. Impressive. Well-appointed. And full of every sort of eating/drinking/shopping experience you & your group could want. Even with its appeal to tourists, I'd have to imagine that locals* regularly patronize the building (and shops within). I came here with a huge group on an overcast Wednesday in mid-spring. Lots of people. Lots of agendas. Everyone was sated. Why? Because PCM is home to a bevy of experiences. I really enjoy repurposed old warehouses. From the sweeping ceilings to the ironwork to the beautiful old wood, they're reminders of why some things are meant to be kept and protected -- even when the old shell reveals something new inside. I detached from my group and went feral. I was here to eat but I wanted to explore. I did some window shopping and people watching. I attempted to access the roof but I needed a ticket or some such nonsense (Atlanta still has to Atlanta). But if you have the time and patience to get a ticket, you should check it out. I eventually settled on dinner and dessertS (reviews to come) and enjoyed every bite. There's a reason why PCM is a part of external-facing media when it comes to Atlanta. And I'm pleased to report that it acquits itself nicely. Even if it's out of your way and/or not in your plan to visit, make the time to do so. I think you'll be happy that you did. *I do understand the annoyance at parking issues being a deterrent to visiting. That struggle is real and universal.