Dekalb County is a bit of an unsung hero of Georgia, often overshadowed by neighboring Fulton County as it tends to contain less highly-praised Metro-Atlanta attractions than the former. But Dekalb contains a wealth of its own draws just outside the city lines, as well as portions of Atlanta that may not come to mind first. Here are a few of those.
Decatur is the county seat, and it’s worth a visit for a small town feel inside the perimeter. Decatur Square has a bevy of pubs, shops, and restaurants; par for the course in most small towns, but a rare sight in the Metro area. Therefore, it’s a perfect place to break up the hustle and bustle of city life and settle down for a calmer experience.
Decatur is also home to Emory University, one of the premier colleges of the Southeast. In addition to its stellar reputation in the medical fields, Emory’s campus is home to plenty of public resources, including museums. The David J. Sencer CDC Museum catalogs the history of the CDC and contains permanent and rotating exhibitions to do so. Best of all, it’s free and open to the public, so you can always stop in for an unconventional outing to learn something new. The Michael C. Carlos Museum is also open to the public, but does require a small fee to enter, unless you’re an Emory student. This museum contains a wealth of archaeological findings from ancient civilizations, as well as rotating exhibits from local artists. In addition, this museum is located centrally on Emory’s main quadrangle, a wonderful greenspace right on campus.
As for natural draws, Dekalb County is home to Stone Mountain, the famous landmark that looms over the Georgia landscape. The mountain is always available to visit by way of cable car or on foot, but the park holds regular events and festivals as well. Stone Mountain Park regularly puts on a famous light show, where you can see dazzling images and colorful displays on the side of the mountain itself. You can check their website for a full list of annual festivals, exciting events, and impressive attractions that are sure to entertain the whole family.
While it’s not as large as Stone Mountain, Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is a more natural park that provides many of the same draws: relaxing hiking, beautiful landmarks, and regular events. The area includes a paved multiuse trail stretching over 30 miles, which connects Lithonia, Arabia Mountain, Panola Mountain, and the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. For a less crowded park close to Atlanta, this area can’t be beat.
And if you’d like to see a different kind of nature, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History provides one of the most unique educational experiences in all of Atlanta. Its most iconic draw is the assortment of giant dinosaur fossil replicas, creating a stunning sight. The museum also holds exhibits on a variety of subjects, from ancient pottery, outer space, human culture, and more. Fernbank Forest is connected to the museum, and offers 65 acres of natural land to explore. A theater in the museum shows high-definition documentaries sure to entertain and provoke curiosity. And while all of these attractions are good for kids, the museum holds adult events as well; Fernbank After Dark is a monthly night outing with food, drinks, and science programming. And while it’s currently closed, the Fernbank Science Center is another building on the same premises which promises to offer even more educational fun for the whole family.
Finally, if you’re looking for something completely unique, check out the Doll’s Head Trail, a completely offbeat experience right in Dekalb County. Doll’s Head Trail is a 2.5 mile loop featuring numerous art exhibitions of- you guessed it- doll heads and other creepy props. It’s the perfect Halloween getaway, but it’s an interesting enough landmark to hold its own all year round. While this might not be a normal draw for many, locals have come to appreciate and even cherish the trail’s impact on the local community.
With all this in mind, it’s no wonder that Dekalb County is a wonderful place to live. Contact The Zachos Team today, and we can get you started with finding your dream home in this incredible community. As Georgia realtors, we can offer you the best recommendations for Dekalb County properties and help you find the home you deserve.
Written by Paul Zachos