This Historic District In Georgia Is Atlanta's Walkable, Lively Neighborhood With A Thriving Food Scene

In case you weren't aware, the city of Atlanta is huge. So big, in fact, that it's home to 242 unique neighborhoods. Although not all of these areas are as alluring as what must be Georgia's trendiest neighborhood, Little Five Points, they each have an intrinsic charm. In fact, if you head directly north of Five Points, you'll run into a historic, walkable neighborhood with some of the best food in the city: Poncey-Highland.

The name of this neighborhood is pretty straightforward; it's derived from the intersection of Ponce de Leon and Highland avenues. However, just because the name is kind of boring doesn't mean the rest of the area isn't worth your attention.

Whether you love watching movies in an old, Art-Deco-style theater, eating delicious Southern comfort food at an old-school diner, or wandering through a presidential library, Poncey-Highland has something for everyone. So, put on your best walking shoes, and let's see what makes this slice of Atlanta so special.

As far as neighborhoods go, Poncey-Highland isn't the biggest (measuring around 0.37 square miles). But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in history and culture. The area was first settled in the early 1900s and used to be part of other subdivisions like Copenhill, Ponce de Leon Heights, and Linwood Park. The neighborhood wasn't officially established until the 1970s when it got its current name.

The crown jewel of Poncey-Highland is the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, which broke ground in 1984 and opened in 1986. In addition to the library itself, the surrounding Freedom Park includes a monument to the former president, The Carter Center, formal gardens, and a farmer's market.

Thanks to the relatively small size of the neighborhood, Poncey-Highland is much more walkable than other spots in Atlanta. Ponce de Leon Avenue is where most of the action is, including two historic sites: the Majestic Diner, which opened in 1929, and the Plaza Theater, which opened in 1939. Keep in mind that the Majestic is only open for breakfast and lunch, as its hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. So, you can enjoy pancakes, burgers, or sandwiches, then stroll down to the Plaza to catch a matinee.

Thankfully, getting to the Poncey-Highland neighborhood is very easy, as it's only a 20-minute drive north from the busiest airport in the entire world, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. As far as hotel accommodations go, the only option within the neighborhood is the Hotel Clermont, built in 1924 on Ponce de Leon Avenue. At the time of this writing, rooms are around $150 per night. There's also the nearby Forth Hotel and Wellness Club, which overlooks the historic Fourth Ward Park. Rooms here run between $300 for a single room and over $600 for a suite.

Although the Majestic Diner is the oldest restaurant in Poncey-Highland, there are many other delicious options to choose from during your stay. If you're a vegetarian or vegan, you can try Waffl Taco or Soul Vegetarian. If you're looking for Mexican dishes, there's El Ponce or La Fonda Latina. For those who prefer locally sourced, farm-to-table dining, Georgia Boy is a Michelin-recommended spot, or there's Southern Belle next door, which features mostly fresh seafood.

Once you have your walking shoes on, you'll want to explore the quiet streets of Poncey-Highland and, of course, Freedom Park. However, don't feel limited to the artificial borders of the neighborhood. In fact, if you're okay with walking a little while, you can discover an eclectic treasure trove of vintage finds at the Junkman's Daughter, which is just 0.2 miles from the park. Overall, if you have the energy to stroll through Atlanta, there's no telling what you can find.