Dekalb: Nature, Museums, and History

A walk in Dekalb can take in very different landscapes: wooded trails at Stone Mountain, a wetland at Constitution Lakes, or paved paths past rock outcrops and fields of flowers at Arabia PATH. There are also museums and archives that present nature, history, science, and everyday culture from different perspectives. You can plan your stay around the topics that interest you most.

Nature, Trails, and Landscapes

The trail network in DeKalb County covers more than 120 miles and connects residential neighborhoods, parks, and historic sites across the region. It offers a regional range of options, while individual sites each have their own landscape features. Stone Mountain Park spans 3,200 acres of natural beauty and has 15 miles of wooded hiking and walking trails. At Arabia PATH, more than 30 miles of paved paths wind past rock outcrops, fields of flowers, and streams.

Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve also brings together several landscape features across 2,500 acres: mixed forest, rock outcrops, a stream, lakes, and a historic structure. Constitution Lakes Park offers a different focus. This 125-acre wildlife refuge has paved paths and a boardwalk; as a wetland, it provides habitat for birds, fish, other wildlife, and a diverse range of plants. The differences are not just about the length of the trails, but also whether you want to focus on wooded routes, rocks and open fields of flowers, or a wetland.

Museums, Science, and Culture

The permanent collection at the Michael C. Carlos Museum spans art and history from Africa, the Americas, ancient Egypt, Nubia, the Middle East, ancient Greece and Rome, and South Asia. The museum also offers innovative programs for visitors of all ages. Its range of topics extends from individual historic cultures to diverse artistic traditions.

At the Fernbank Museum, visitors can experience dinosaurs, live animals, ancient fossils, prehistoric cultures, and new scientific discoveries. The Giant Screen Theater uses an immersive, four-story screen to show documentaries about science and nature. At WildWoods, an elevated walkway leads from the museum terrace into the treetops. Access may change due to weather; check whether the walkway is open before your visit. WildWoods' immersive, interactive exhibits are designed for younger children and tweens; the exhibit program may change.

The DeKalb History Center has a museum and an archive on the ground floor of the historic DeKalb County Courthouse. It also maintains the Benjamin Swanton House, Biffle Cabin, and Barber Cabin: three antebellum buildings on West Trinity Place in Decatur. The Flat Rock Archive includes Historic Flat Rock Cemetery, where burials date back to the era of enslaved people. If you plan to visit, confirm the visiting arrangements before you travel.

The Waffle House Museum recreates the interior of the original restaurant, which opened in Avondale Estates over Labor Day weekend in 1955. The exhibit floor includes, among other things, the history of the menu and uniforms, a jukebox, and the Waffle House Index. A different historical perspective is presented by the permanent exhibition “The Story of CDC” at the David J. Sencer CDC Museum: it traces the CDC's origins and early history through its development into a public health agency focused on prevention programs. The galleries may be updated. The museum uses award-winning exhibitions and innovative programs to communicate the value of public health.

The Jim Cherry Memorial Planetarium offers programs on current astronomy and astronomical topics for school groups, adults, and children. Check the schedule before you travel. This makes it easy to add a visit centered on a specific interest in astronomy, while the museums and historic sites each highlight their own topics.

Food Culture and Getting Around

The Buford Highway International Corridor is a seven-mile dining district. Examples include lengua tacos, pho, banh mi, and dim sum. It offers a distinct focus alongside the nature and cultural attractions, with examples ranging from Mexican dishes to Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine.

DeKalb has MARTA rail and bus lines, as well as rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft. Since transportation information can change, check routes and services for your travel date. This lets you factor getting around into your plans without assuming a particular connection or travel time.

Discover more destinations: Stone Mountain, Decatur, Lithonia, Tucker, Chamblee, Clayton, Grady, Forsyth.

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