Things to do in Dunwoody Georgia : Perimeter Atlanta Guide

Have you heard of Dunwoody, Georgia? If not, we are here to tell you all about this great perimeter city near Atlanta. If you want to stay near Atlanta, but have a vibrant small town in which to base yourself, then Dunwoody is perfect for you. With great transport links, lots of restaurants, shopping, and a multitude of things to do in Dunwoody – what more could you ask for?

Disclaimer: We were guests of Discover Dunwoody, however as always, all opinions are our own.

Dunwoody : A Second City Destination To Consider

Dunwoody serves as both a second city destination to visit alongside a vacation in Atlanta; or as a place to base yourself while visiting Atlanta. You can get from Dunwoody to downtown Atlanta in around 25 minutes on the MARTA transit system; and it’s only 10 miles by car (although traffic means the train is often quicker)!

Things to do in Dunwoody

Perimeter Mall

The Perimeter Mall is the second largest shopping mall in the state of Georgia. With 156 stores, it is a one-stop shop for all your shopping requirements.

We visited the Perimeter Mall for some last minute Christmas shopping, and were blown away by the choice and facilities. If you want to avoid the congestion of central Atlanta, consider doing your shopping in Dunwoody instead.

The Perimeter Mall also hosts the Caffeine and Octane Car Show in the carpark on the first Sunday of every month.

Boutique Shopping

Downtown Dunwoody is home to some great boutique shops. These small businesses are the lifeblood of perimeter cities like Dunwoody; and if you’re wanting a special and unique gift, you’ll find it in one of these stores.

Shops like Under the Pecan Tree and Enchanted Forest on Chamblee Dunwoody Rd are two boutiques you definitely must visit when in Dunwoody.

Spa and Beauty Treatments

There are many spa and beauty treatment options in Dunwoody, which makes it a great location for a girl’s weekend away, bachelorette party, or pamper day.

The Woodhouse Day Spa is in the Perimeter Mall, and offers a huge number of treatments, from hot stone massages to facials. Angela Michael Skincare & Spa offers pamper packages as well as beauty and cosmetic treatments. Face Haven peels and laser treatments; and Heavenly Foot Massage will rejuvenate your tired feet!

Spruill Center for the Arts

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind gift, or just want to see an exhibition of local artists while in Dunwoody, the Spruill Gallery is the place for you. Since we visited just before Christmas we were able to enjoy the Holiday Artists Market as well. Make sure you walk around back and check out the outdoor sculptures. You will not find these designs anywhere else.

They also offer art classes, events, a gift shop, and a special holiday market before Christmas.

Gorla Ravinia Park

Ravinia Park is a hidden gem next to Perimeter Mall and lots of office buildings. With paths, water features, mature trees and lots of park benches to relax – it’s a great place to take a break after lots of shopping!

It also has hosts Ravinia Holiday In Lights at Christmas (but more on that later)…

Great Restaurants of All Styles

Crema

Crema (2458 Mt Vernon Rd) is for coffee-lovers. If you’re like us and love perfectly roasted beans, excellent espresso, and a variety of great coffee styles to choose from, then you’ll love Crema. Payton says the red velvet coffee is a must, but with so many flavors to chose from it is a difficult decision.

Alon’s Bakery & Market

A lovely laidback bakery, cafe and market, Alon’s (4505 Ashford Dunwoody Rd) provides delectable food and gourmet gifts in a delightful setting.

Novo Cucina

Novo Cucina (5592 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd) is a lovely open plan Italian restaurant, offering modern Italian classics without pretension. The salad with artichokes and the antipasto misto were the perfect start to our evening. The outdoor patio heaters create a cozy ambience that was especially nice for the chilly evening.

Vintage Pizzeria

Looking for a restaurant to please the whole family, Vintage Pizzeria (5510 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd) will do the trick. I had the antipasto salad and it was so yummy – such an inventive salad idea. All of the breads and sauces are homemade and to die for.

NFA Burger

Don’t be put off by NFA Burger being inside the Chevron gas station (5465 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd). This unique location was crowned Best Burger in Atlanta for 2020, so it’s definitely worth a visit. ‘Smash burger’ style patties with the perfect crunch and juiciness.

Dunwoody Christmas Lights

We visited Dunwoody at Christmas time, and were impressed by the displays, decorations, light shows and festive activities. If you are visiting Atlanta at Christmas, Dunwoody sure puts on a show.

Lights at Brook Run Park

Brook Run Park (4770 North Peachtree Road) is the largest park in the region at 100 acres. The park features an amphitheater and great lawn, event pavilions, community gardens, a large playground, 2-mile loop multi-use trail, skate park, disc golf and dog park.

Since we visited during the holidays we were able to experience the Christmas lights here as well. The lights were beautiful and some of them even set to music which provided the most festive atmosphere. Payton was able to swing on the playground while we enjoyed the festive activities.

Ravinia Holiday in Lights Event

The Ravinia Holiday in Lights Event far exceeded our expectations. The event is free however they do accept donations of toys. Upon arrival, Payton was given a glow stick and a pair of 3D style glasses complimentary. When wearing the glasses every light you see appears to be a present. Difficult to explain but a very cool way to view the lights.

The event included 3D photos with Santa, a gourmet hot chocolate station, a winter wonderland complete with snow, a s’mores station, live entertainment, holiday llamas and tons of sparkling lights. The volunteers were so kind and festive and made the event extra special.

Hotels in Dunwoody, Georgia

Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter

We stayed at Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter, and found it a super convenient location. With large suites and great views out over Dunwoody, Le Meridien is a perfect location for exploring the area.

The fireplace hub located just off the lobby provided a warm and inviting area to relax after a busy day. The area is also located adjacent to the bar offering the perfect location for happy hour or a late night snack. Portico Global Cuisine restaurant, located on site, was voted in the top 100 restaurants in Atlanta. One of the many reasons to choose Le Meridien as your place to stay when visiting Dunwoody.

Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia

The Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia has got great views out over Ravinia Park. It is also pet-friendly, so perfect for those travelling with their furry companions.

Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center

The Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center is perfectly located near both the Perimeter mall and the Dunwoody train station. Making it a great option for those who want to use Dunwoody as a base for exploring downtown Atlanta.

Why stay on the perimeter of Atlanta

Trust me, staying on the perimeter of Atlanta is far better than dealing with the traffic and congestion of the city. With easy MARTA transport from Dunwoody to central Atlanta, and all the fantastic amenities of Dunwoody, it makes sense to stay on the perimeter of Atlanta instead of centrally.

We enjoy the ability to visit central Atlanta, and then come back to the quieter area and small town vibe of Dunwoody in the evenings.

Dunwoody, Georgia : A Surprising Little City Outside Atlanta?

Being Georgia natives, we visit Atlanta frequently. Whether it’s for a Braves baseball game, the Georgia Aquarium or even just for a nice weekend getaway. Even though this was our first visit to Dunwoody, it won’t be our last. The city is full of shopping, restaurants and things to do without being in the hustle and bustle of the big city. Dunwoody is a great destination to visit or place to stay when visiting the capitol of Georgia.

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