Atlanta is home to many unique shopping districts that are closely tied to Atlanta's diverse, walkable neighborhoods.
Ranging from the funky boutiques to the upscale emporium, these shopping districts like Ponce City Market, Town Brookhaven and Avalon help define the communities in which they're located.
Some are strictly shopping districts, while others are mixed-use developments that offer residents a place to live, shop and dine.
Check out these eight shopping districts, which are some of the best in Atlanta:
Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-900-7900. poncecitymarket.com.
Located in a renovated Sears, Roebuck & Company building, Ponce City Market combines food, retail shops, offices and apartments. The stores are an eclectic blend of everything from clothing boutiques to interesting shops such as Binders, which sells fine arts products. When you're ready to take a break from shopping, you can refuel with a sweet treat or cup of freshly brewed artisan coffee.
Bennett Street Design District, 2100 block of Peachtree Road, Atlanta.
Located in Buckhead, this design district started to take shape in the mid-1970s, when it became home to art studios and galleries. It's since expanded to include additional studios and galleries, as well as a large assortment of antique shops and restaurants.
Krog Street Market, 99 Krog St., Atlanta.
Krog Street Market occupies a 1920s warehouse in the Inman Park neighborhood. Opened in 2014, it offers a unique blend of retail and dining. One of the first stores to move in, The Collective, offers home and garden items, vintage clothing, antiques, jewelry and local gourmet foods.
Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. 770-765-1000.
Avalon comprises 86 acres in Alpharetta and includes more than 500,000 square feet of retail space as well as restaurants, a theater, offices and homes. The area is designed to be walkable and interconnected. Events include yoga classes and Little Acorns, a program for preschoolers that's offered from 10 a.m.-noon on every Tuesday from March-October.
The Forum, 5155 Peachtree Pkwy, Peachtree Corners. 770-368-8811.
The Forum's outdoor mall was inspired by European influences and has plenty of shopping and dining opportunities. Dining choices range from Gigi's Cupcakes to Ted's Montana Grill, and you can buy clothing, toys, pets supplies and much more as you stroll down The Forum's Main Street area.
Little Five Points, a few miles east of Atlanta, including Moreland Avenue and Euclid Avenue.
This eclectic shopping district has an artsy, funky feel that makes it stand out from the others. Browse through an art gallery or shop for vintage clothing or vinyl, visit a brewpub or watch a play – you can do it all at Little Five Points.
Town Brookhaven, 4330 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta.
Located next to Oglethorpe University, Town Brookhaven has lots of landscaping and a pedestrian-friendly layout. It combines retail shops, restaurants and luxury apartments in an area that also offers convenient services such as banking, eye care and dry cleaning.
The Galleries of Peachtree Hills, 425 Peachtree Hills Ave. NE, Atlanta.
The Galleries of Peachtree Hills is located next to the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center in Buckhead and consists of five buildings designed in classical French style. They house a variety of antique shops as well as fine arts and interior galleries. You'll find specialists in everything from textiles to stone and wood work.
About the Author
