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Small-town charm. A big-city vibe. 鈥擜tlanta鈥檚 Eastside gem鈥攊s 200 years young this year. With a fantastic 200th birthday bash planned for December, now is a great time to get to know this delightful locale. A visit begins on the lively downtown square, recognized as one of USA Today鈥檚 鈥淭op 10鈥� public squares and located just a quick trip via MARTA from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. From there, you can taste the best in destination dining, immerse yourself a thriving arts scene, stroll beautiful green spaces, festival it up all year round and so much more.

Destination Dining

Chef-driven menus, buzzworthy cocktails and local brews. Decatur鈥檚 dining hotspots can always be found on 鈥淏est of鈥� Atlanta lists for everything from ice cream to oysters. This year, two Decatur-based chefs, Terry Koval of the (rustic American with duck, pheasant and venison on the menu) and Sahar Siddiqi of (authentic Indian street food), were named James Beard semifinalists for Best Chef: Southeast. Additionally, the city has earned a respected reputation for its critically acclaimed and popular restaurants. (oysters and cocktails), (inventive Italian) and (house-milled pasta dishes) set the bar high as mainstays of Decatur鈥檚 dining scene. Newcomers (nostalgic sweet creations), (bubble tea) and have each quickly cultivated a devoted fan base. And brew enthusiasts will enjoy the new featuring Decatur鈥檚 hoppin鈥� breweries that include the pioneering Twain鈥檚 (with an outstanding menu and billiards), , , Georgia鈥檚 first brewpub using 100 percent local malt.

Eye-Catching Art

From the talented buskers who bring music to the city鈥檚 tree-lined sidewalks to the stunning murals adding major pops of color around town, Decatur is a hub for public art. You can take a stroll downtown and explore the , a rotating outdoor sculpture gallery through which five new large-scale works were installed this year. Art also can be found in unexpected places along the way, as you look down for miniature and #lookupDecatur for art installed on streetlight poles. And visitors shouldn鈥檛 miss the latest edition of the , which allows local artists to transform ordinary utility boxes into new whimsical works, giving more creators a chance to showcase their talent. In May, the annual fills the streets with artist booths and brings thousands of people to the city to enjoy music, dance and visual art.

Green Spaces Galore

Decatur鈥檚 footprint may be small (just 4.7 square miles), but its big milestones are powered by a big vision to create a lasting legacy for future generations. Preserving and providing access to green spaces is a key part of the plan. Residents and visitors alike can experience the city鈥檚 newest and largest offering: , with 77 acres of woods, wetlands, meadows, a tranquil pond and athletic fields. The locale is also home to a new playground and miles of trails that are perfect for walking, riding and running. Furthermore, the historic 56-acre is the city鈥檚 second largest green space, located a block from downtown. The beautiful and peaceful grounds offer a glimpse into the city鈥檚 past; many of Decatur鈥檚 earliest residents are laid to rest on the property. And both Legacy Park and the Decatur Cemetery are connected to the , which boasts 300 miles of trails throughout Georgia and beyond.

Movie-Making Magic

If the downtown square looks oddly familiar, it鈥檚 because Decatur is a top destination for major Hollywood productions like HBO鈥檚 鈥淲atchmen鈥�, Marvel鈥檚 鈥淔alcon and the Winter Soldier鈥�, Hulu鈥檚 鈥淐andy鈥�, and dozens of popular productions dating all the way back to 鈥淶ombieland鈥� and 鈥淪cream II鈥�. Thanks to its incredible setting, the city has helped metro Atlanta become recognized as the Hollywood of the South.

Festivals and The Big 2-0-0!

Fun can be found all year round on (or near) the . Author readings, live music, glassblowing workshops, standup comedy and trivia nights are weekly events. And from books to barbecue, Decatur has a festival for something you love. Summer brings the Decatur Arts Festival, as well as Jazz Nights, Truckin鈥� Tuesdays, the 4th of July Pied Piper Parade and fireworks and the Pan-African Festival. Fall is a fabulous frenzy of festivities, from Salsa on the Square to Oakhurst鈥檚 Porchfest, the Haints & Saints/Day of the Dead Halloween Parade and an array of wine and craft beer festivals. And throughout 2023, the city will weave the bicentennial theme into its special events for a yearlong celebration that will culminate the incredible 200th birthday bash as the grand finale in December.

Discover Decatur for events, for shopping, food and fun. Start your planning at .