Things to Do
Crash course: 8 smart ways to dine, shop and play near Emory
Don't lose a minute when you enter the semester at Emory.
From the time your parents drop you off, you've got things to do, places to eat and —of course, a boatload of hipster digs to buy.
Here's a crash course in getting to know the area in a hurry:
Where to eat
- Wake up to Revolution Doughnuts (908 W College Ave., Decatur. 678-927-9920). Every one of their ingredients are natural and the goodies are all made from scratch. They have options for vegans and dairy- and gluten-sensitive folks, all the traditional options and other signatures like fresh peach sliders. Don't make the rookie mistake of showing up late: they've been known to run out!
- Chow down at Brick Store Pub (125 E. Court Square Decatur). This is a gastro pub with amazing food, like butterbean hummus and Bavarian pretzels, and excellent beer selection. It's a great place to get to know your new friends better because it has no televisions, no pulsing neon and no loud music.
- Fill up at Farm Burger (410B W. Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-378-5077). Quite simply, it is the most amazing farm to table burger spot ever. There are eight locations total, including three in Atlanta, but you'll want the one in Decatur.
Places to shop
- There is a dizzying array of boutiques and hipster retailers near Emory. Take full advantage of them in establishing your "college student" style. American Threads (855 Emory Point Drive, Atlanta. 404-982-0090) is right around the corner at Emory Point. Put together "going out" and "going to class" outfits there, from designer rompers and minis to graphic tees and sunglasses. And watch for their worthwhile sales.
- Should you get a little homesick for your hometown mall, check out Emory's shopping shuttle to Lenox Square Mall (3393 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. 404-233-6767) on Saturdays during the school year.
Things to do and see
- Lullwater Park is one of the best in the city and it's right on the Emory campus. It's ideal for getting in the habit of a daily walk or jog with its beautiful paths. Or, just get away from it all along its serene lake and a photo-worthy suspension bridge. You'll feel very exclusive while you're there, since the park is only open to Emory students, faculty and staff. Open during daylight hours, with a main entrance off Clifton Road, a second entrance off the shuttle road between Clairmont Campus and central campus, and a third entrance behind the A building at Clairmont Campus.
- Catch a low- key musical performance at Eddie's Attic (515 N McDonough St. Ste B, Decatur. 404-377-4976) in downtown Decatur. Just 12 minutes from campus, Eddie's has original music in an intimate setting, including the popular Monday Open Mic competition that wraps up with a bi-annual shootout. Lucky for you, it's almost always all ages.
- Take a tour back in time at Piedmont Park (1071 Piedmont Ave. 404-875-7275). This is a nice way to get a jump on the area's history. Take a tour and learn how the popular park turned from forest to farm to fairgrounds. Come back another time for the Park's Green Market or just to hang out Discover the story and evolution of Piedmont Park's landscape as it changed from a forest to the Walker farm, to the fairgrounds for the Piedmont Exposition of 1887 and the Cotton States and International Exposition of 1895
