Decatur is in the Southeastern United States in the state of Georgia and Dekalb County. Decatur is located East of Metro Atlanta and west of Stone Mountain. This article focuses primarily on downtown Decatur, the most tourist friendly and safe area within the city. Other areas, especially those near or on Memorial drive, are relatively unremarkable, and best avoided. Decatur is a historic city, with beautiful homes and dozens of places of worship. Centered on the historic Decatur Courthouse, Decatur has become a hot destination for young people who want hip bars, great restaurants, and walkable neighborhoods, as well as for families who are drawn to the excellent independent school district. Decatur is remarkable in Atlanta for its diversity--there's a prominent lesbian community, a large African-American population, and communities of Ethiopians, Bosnians, and Latin Americans. It's also one of the few parts of the sprawling Atlanta area that blends a small-town feel with an open-minded, freewheeling, artsy sensibility.

Attractions

 • Your Dekalb Farmer's Market  - 3000 Ponce De Leon Avenue, 404-377-6400. A must see. Listed as one of the top ten tourist attractions for Atlanta. Opened in 1986, the market is 140,000 square feet employs people from around the world (Their name tags tell their country of origin) and has nearly any type of meat, vegetable, fruit, spice, or otherwise edible item you could imagine. There is a cafeteria with low prices and wonderful international fare. The prices on vegetables and grains are excellent, on meat and fish and chicken less so. Open 7 days a week.
 • The Decatur Courthouse maintains a small museum of Dekalb County History.
 • About 3/4 mile south of Decatur Square is the campus of Agnes Scott College, a private institution for women. Agnes Scott frequently hosts lectures, concerts, and other cultural events. A walk around the beautiful campus, which was featured in "Scream 2" is also a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
 • The Decatur Cemetery, on Commerce Drive about two blocks northeast of the square, is one of the oldest operating cemeteries in Georgia. Check out the Civil War graves (to your left at you enter), sit in the pleasant gazebo, or take a stroll around the lake. Look out for the ducks, which are aggressive.

Shopping

Decatur's not short on trendy boutiques. Among the most interesting are:
 • Nease's Needles, a knitting shop on W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
 • Seventeen Steps, in a fairly unattractive strip shopping center a block west of the city.
 • Natural Body Spa and Shop, which sells all sorts of pleasantly scented organic products, on E. Ponce de Leon east of the square.
 • Either of the two record shops--the one on the south side of the square specializes in rap and hip-hop, while the bright blue Decatur CD on W. Ponce de Leon stocks alternative and rock music.
 • Posh Pup, across from the Decatur MARTA Station on Church street, sells fancy dog accessories.

Dining

You'll find something you like, no matter what the meal.
 • Crescent Moon--a funky-yet-traditional diner on W. Ponce; serves breakfasts and lunches
 • The Angel--cool pub atmosphere, nice patio, great fish and chips; lunch and dinner
 • Taqueria del Sol--great salsa, nice pulled-pork enchiladas, long lines; lunch and dinner
 • Mick's--classic business-lunch food, a bit pricey for what you get; lunch and dinner
 • Atlanta Bread Company--bland breakfast and lunch spot in the Panera mold.
 • Noodle--Asian fusion, highly recommended for quality-to-price ration; lunch and dinner
 • Java Monkey--okay scones, okay sandwiches, okay salads; open all day
 • The Silk Road Cafe--Indian, weekday lunches only, highly recommended
 • Roly-Poly--interesting and cheap rolled-up sandwiches; lunch only
 • The Supper Club--higher-end, funky and with a lot of attitude; dinner only
 • Watershed--Decatur's best-known restaurant, reviewed nationally, and as pricey as might be expected.