Things to Do in DeKalb County, GA

DeKalb County is a large county in Georgia that has many things to do. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly outing or a romantic date, there’s something for everyone to do! From hiking to horseback riding to bird watching, there are plenty of outdoor adventures waiting for you, as well as a plethora of entertainment, recreation, dining, shopping, nightlife, and more!

Here are just a few of the things you can do in DeKalb County.

Dining

LEON’s Full-Service: This is a unique modern restaurant set in an ex-gas station; LEON’s Full Service offers New American fare and cocktails and features a bocce court.

Revival: Revival is a highly rated vibrant restaurant offering a tantalizing menu of creative southern food and a large outdoor patio for enjoying the beautiful weather while you dine.

Kitchen Six: Relax in an intimate, chic setting to enjoy a New American menu featuring locally sourced ingredients.

Collard Green Cafe: The Collard Green Cafe specializes in creating southern comfort foods like shrimp and grits, beef short ribs, fried whiting fish, and a seafood platter.

Shopping

Whether you’re looking for antiques or vintage goods, Dekalb County has a multitude of shops to choose from.

North DeKalb Mall: Since 1965, for more than forty years, the North DeKalb Mall has been satisfying shoppers with a tantalizing collection of national and specialty stores, a convenient food court with plenty of options, and a multiplex.

The Gallery at South DeKalb: Formerly known as The South DeKalb Mall, The Gallery at South DeKalb features a variety of stores and services. Shop and places like Champs Sports, GameStop, Underground Journeys, or several jewelry stores. You can also take care of your baking, visit the post office, and get chiropractic services.

Northlake Mall: The Northlake Mall is home to the African Art Gallery, Casanova Men’s, Cinderella Bridal, Macy’s, Underground Journeys, and several jewelry stores, salons, and services.

The Mall at Stonecrest: Visit unique stores and name-brand shops at The Mall at Stonecrest. This mall houses Ashanti, Casanova, Dillard’s, Forever 21, H&M, Hot Topic, JCPenney’s, and more. There are lots of jewelry stores, shoe stores, places to eat, and various salons and services throughout the mall.

Golf

There are plenty of places to relax and enjoy not only a few rounds of world-class golf but also enjoy tennis, swimming, fitness centers, and more.

Dunwoody Country Club: Since 1966, Dunwoody Country Club has been setting the standard for luxury recreation, entertainment, and socialization. The club offers plush, green courses for golf but also features a tennis court, swimming pool, and a fitness center for health and wellness. The facility hosts several special events throughout the year and is a phenomenal venue for weddings.

Hidden Hills Country Club: Formerly a private club, Hidden Hills Country Club is now open to the public with no membership required. Enjoy your morning on a Championship Arnold Palmer signature-designed course, grab a bite to eat at the Hills Grill, or grab a cocktail at the casual bar.

Smoke Rise Country Club: For luxury at its finest, relax at the Smoke Rise Country Club, where you’ll find spectacular golf, but also aquatics, fitness, tennis, youth camps, dining, and a calendar chock full of social events.

DeKalb County manages two public golf courses, Sugar Creek Golf Course in Atlanta and Mystery Valley Golf Course in Lithonia, Georgia.

Museums and Art Galleries

The DeKalb County Cultural Arts Center: The DeKalb County Cultural Arts Center is one of the most state-of-the-art performance venues in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Housing two theaters, this beautiful building features concerts, theater performances, and more.

Museum of Art at DeKalb College: The Museum of Art at Dekalb College features both permanent collections, including works by Andy Warhol, and temporary exhibits displaying classical works to modern pieces. This museum also welcomes visitors to take in a unique film series or attend lectures.

North Georgia History Museum: At the North Georgia History Museum, you’ll learn about life in north Georgia past and present through exhibits that feature historic attractions like Stone Mountain’s Laser Show Spectacular; interactive experiences that let you turn wheat into flour, churn butter, plant a garden, and so much more.

Sugar Hill Heritage Center & Museum: The Sugar Hill Heritage Center & Museum is dedicated to preserving south Gwinnett County history with exhibits on the Civil War, the Suwanee Canal Railroad industry, and other areas of life in Sugar Hill’s past.

Other Things to Do in DeKalb County

Dunwoody Nature Center: This five-acre nature center is an outdoor learning facility where you’ll find more than 1 mile of self-guided trails, 17 different habitats spread across the property, and a nature center full of exhibits about nature.

Serengeti Crossing: Serengeti Crossing is an African-themed family adventure park just outside of Atlanta featuring animals from Africa that visitors can feed by hand, see up close in exhibits, take safari tours through the grounds on an open-air safari bus or wagon, wander through savannahs teeming with wildlife at sunset, and lots more.

DeKalb County’s Parks and Trails

The City of Atlanta has designated The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area as a region that offers outdoor enthusiasts many opportunities for fun, adventure, and relaxation. 

You can go camping or hiking in the national park, kayaking on the river, bicycling along paved trails, fishing at Lake Sidney Lanier, geocaching around Stone Mountain Park, hang gliding over Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park (only permitted with permit), rock climbing at Stone Mountain Park (only permitted with permit), golfing at The Club at Savannah Harbor, visit the historic Lost Sea Expedition, and enjoy several other attractions.

Conclusion

The sheer number of attractions in DeKalb County can be overwhelming to someone who hasn’t explored this area before. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, culture and learning, or just a place to unwind, there’s something for everyone!