One Of Atlanta's Most Affordable Suburbs Is A Friendly City With Outdoor Fun And Sweet Southern Hospitality

Over a hundred million travelers pass through Atlanta Airport in a single year, and while many of them are heading toward Georgia's capital, those who'd prefer to get all the city perks and connectivity without having to spend too much are shifting their focus to its lesser-known suburbs instead. That's right — Douglasville, Georgia, located only 23 miles west of Atlanta, promises all the friendly attractions, outdoor fun, and sweet Southern hospitality you're looking for, wrapped in a budget-friendly bow.

The cost of living here is more than 8% below the national average, which translates to lower expenses for visitors, too. Anecdotal reports show that restaurant prices alone are nearly 25% lower here than in Atlanta, but we'll dive into all of this more below. Beyond the low prices, the city is incredibly well-connected and can be easily accessed via Interstate 20, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport just a half-hour drive away. So, fuel up at one of the best restaurants to eat at in Atlanta Airport and start mapping out your itinerary.

You can either get a rental at just around $25 a day and drive yourself, take a subway and bus into town, book an airport transfer, or grab a taxi. While there are some walkable areas in Douglasville, getting around on foot or by bicycle alone can be somewhat of a challenge, so if you're big on exploring, a rental might be your best bet. On top of that, Douglasville is surrounded by many other visit-worthy Atlanta suburbs, and once you read through our recommendations, you'll probably want to see them, too.

The perfect affordable Douglasville getaway starts with finding the best-value accommodation. While there are plenty of budget-friendly hotels around town, few manage to strike the price-quality ratio that you'll find at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Atlanta Douglasville. Rooms here start at $75 a night at the time of this writing, and your stay includes free breakfast, free parking, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a restaurant, and even a golf course. Travelers rave about the clean rooms, accommodating staff, and great prices, not to mention that the hotel, being a 5-minute drive away from Douglasville's center, is delightfully quiet, too.

When you're not eating at the hotel restaurant, you can rely on The Kitchen Bar & Grill for a great, reasonably priced meal. Loved for its classic Southern soul food and homey atmosphere, this is the place you go to experience some of the city's best shrimp and grits, delicious brisket sausage, and amazing peach cobbler. And for that culture fix, you can schedule a visit to the Douglas County Museum of History and Art. Located at 12431 Veterans Memorial Highway, this is an unmissable attraction with 12 exhibition rooms and a gift shop. Your time here will be incredibly informative and fun, not to mention you get a tour guide. Best of all, this is all free, though they happily accept donations.

And if you're intrigued by the premise of a day trip or two but don't know where to go, we've got some great recommendations for you. Virginia-Highland, Atlanta's charming village, is not only a walkable neighborhood with local boutiques but also an underrated gem found just 26 miles away from Douglasville. Marietta is another fantastic choice if you're interested in visiting a leafy, walkable suburb that blends vibrant urban energy with historic small-town charm.

Douglasville's allure wouldn't be the same without its fantastic outdoor recreation opportunities, most of which are either free or low-cost, too. Hunter Memorial Park, for example, is the perfect spot for solitude, family time, and anyone looking to breathe in some fresh air, really. It features just about anything you'd want, from a covered playground, batting cages, and disc golf courses to a community center, outdoor gym equipment, and picnic tables. There's even a pond with piers where you can either fish or sit back and enjoy the view as the ducks swim by.

For a full-on outdoorsy experience, you might want to drive the 17 minutes to Sweetwater Creek State Park. With a ticket priced at just $5 at the time of this writing, you get access to a historical wooded area where you can hike, bike, fish, boat, and kayak. The space is beautiful and — fun fact — the ruins found here served as a backdrop to one of the Hunger Games movies. You can also drive about 40 minutes to Sandy Springs, an enchanting riverfront suburban gem full of parks, hiking, and great restaurants. But if you really want to take your outdoor adventures further, you can't go wrong with Lake Allatoona. It's a bit farther away at nearly an hour's drive, but it's a must-visit locale with sandy beaches, mountain trails, and campgrounds.

Back in town, you'll really see that Southern hospitality shine through via local events like the Church St. Farmers Market. Held every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., this is the place you go to for fresh produce, handmade goods, live music, great food, and even better company, all of which combine to create the perfect Georgia getaway.