How Many Malls Are in Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Shopping Centers in and Around the City

If you live in Atlanta or you’re planning a visit, you quickly realize: “How many malls are in Atlanta?” doesn’t have a one‑line answer. The metro area is large, and shopping centers range from classic enclosed malls to open-air lifestyle centers and outlet destinations.

To make this practical, this guide focuses on:

• Major enclosed malls in or very close to the City of Atlanta
• Key suburban malls that Atlanta residents commonly use
• Notable outlet and lifestyle centers that function like malls for most shoppers

The Short Answer: How Many Malls Are There?

If you define a “mall” as a large, multi-store shopping center that most Atlanta residents recognize and use, you’ll typically be looking at:

• 5–7 major enclosed malls that anchor retail in and immediately around Atlanta
• Several more large suburban malls across the metro area
• Multiple outlet and lifestyle centers that many locals treat like malls for shopping trips

Because some properties have redeveloped (or are in transition), it’s more useful to think in terms of types of malls and key locations rather than a fixed number that never changes.

Major Enclosed Malls in and Near Atlanta

These are the core malls most Atlanta shoppers know and reference. Some are inside city limits; others are just outside but heavily used by Atlanta residents.

1. Lenox Square (Buckhead)

Lenox Square is one of Atlanta’s best‑known malls and a major regional draw.

• Type: Enclosed regional mall
• Area: Buckhead, north Atlanta
• Known for: High-end and mainstream national brands, dining, and heavy holiday traffic
• Why it matters: If someone in Atlanta says they’re “going to the mall” for serious shopping, Lenox is often what they mean.

2. Phipps Plaza (Across from Lenox)

Right across Peachtree Road from Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza is smaller but more upscale.

• Type: Enclosed luxury mall
• Area: Buckhead
• Known for: Luxury brands, elevated dining, boutique feel, and a more relaxed pace
• Tip: Many locals pair Lenox Square + Phipps Plaza in one trip because they’re walkable between each other.

3. Perimeter Mall (Dunwoody/Sandy Springs Area)

Just north of the Atlanta city boundary, Perimeter Mall is one of the largest malls in the metro.

• Type: Enclosed regional mall
• Area: Near the Perimeter (I‑285), close to Dunwoody and Sandy Springs
• Known for: Wide mix of national retailers, department stores, and nearby office towers and restaurants
• Transit note: Accessible by MARTA rail via the Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Perimeter Center stations, which is helpful if you’re coming from inside the city.

4. Cumberland Mall (Near Vinings & Truist Park)

Located near the junction of I‑285 and I‑75, Cumberland serves the northwest side of the metro.

• Type: Enclosed regional mall
• Area: Near Vinings / Cumberland area, just outside city limits
• Known for: Traditional mall stores, proximity to The Battery Atlanta and Truist Park
• Who uses it: Popular for Atlanta residents on the northwest side and visitors staying near the ballpark.

5. Southlake Mall (Morrow / South Metro)

South of downtown, Southlake Mall is the major enclosed shopping center serving the south side.

• Type: Enclosed regional mall
• Area: Morrow (Clayton County), south of Atlanta
• Known for: Core mall retailers and being one of the primary mall options for southern suburbs
• Relevance to Atlanta: If you live on the south side or near the airport corridor, Southlake is often the closest full mall experience.

Other Notable Metro Atlanta Malls Many Locals Use

These malls may not be within the City of Atlanta, but they’re part of the everyday shopping landscape for many Atlanta-area residents.

6. Mall of Georgia (Buford)

• Type: Large enclosed regional mall
• Area: Buford (northeast of Atlanta)
• Known for: Being one of the largest malls in Georgia, with a wide store mix and family‑friendly activities
• Who uses it: Common destination for residents in Gwinnett County and northeast metro, but many Atlanta residents make the drive for bigger shopping trips.

7. Northlake Area (Decatur/Tucker Corridor)

The Northlake area historically centered around an enclosed mall (Northlake Mall). Over time, the property and surrounding area have shifted more toward an office and mixed‑use environment rather than a full traditional mall.

• Type: Formerly a classic mall; now more mixed-use and service oriented
• Relevance: Older locals may remember it as a primary mall; today it’s less of a full retail destination compared to Lenox or Perimeter.

8. Town Center at Cobb (Kennesaw)

• Type: Enclosed regional mall
• Area: Kennesaw, northwest of Atlanta
• Known for: Standard mall chains and being a primary retail hub for the Kennesaw/Acworth area
• Who uses it: Residents northwest of the city who prefer not to drive into Atlanta.

Outlet Malls Near Atlanta (Mall-Type Destinations for Bargain Hunters)

If you’re asking how many malls Atlanta has because you care about places to shop, the metro’s outlet centers are worth knowing. These are not traditional enclosed malls, but many shoppers treat them the same way when planning trips.

9. North Georgia Premium Outlets (Dawsonville)

• Type: Outlet center
• Area: Dawsonville, north of Atlanta
• Known for: Large collection of brand-name outlet stores and a day‑trip “outlet” experience
• From Atlanta: Popular for weekend drives from the city for discounted shopping.

10. Tanger Outlets (Locust Grove & Commerce)

• Type: Outlet centers
• Areas:
  • Locust Grove: South of Atlanta
  • Commerce: Northeast of Atlanta
• Known for: Broad mix of outlet brands, outdoor layout
• Relevance: Many Atlanta residents consider these part of their “mall” options when planning bigger, less frequent shopping trips.

Lifestyle Centers and Open-Air “Mall Alternatives” in Atlanta

Atlanta has also embraced open-air, mixed-use developments that don’t look like traditional malls but serve a similar purpose: shopping, dining, and entertainment in one place.

These are important if you’re trying to understand how “mall life” actually works in modern Atlanta.

Popular Lifestyle Centers Around Atlanta

These are not enclosed malls, but function as major shopping districts for locals:

• Atlantic Station (Midtown Atlanta)

  • Mixed-use development with shops, restaurants, offices, and residential
  • Movie theater, seasonal events, and central location near Midtown

• Ponce City Market (Old Fourth Ward)

  • Redeveloped historic building with retail, food hall, offices, and rooftop attractions
  • Accessible from the Atlanta BeltLine, making it a walkable destination

• The Battery Atlanta (Cobb County)

  • Entertainment district next to Truist Park
  • Shops, restaurants, bars, and events; more entertainment-focused but used by many as a shopping spot

• Avalon (Alpharetta)

  • Large mixed-use development with national and boutique stores, restaurants, and residential units
  • Feels like an outdoor mall and draws shoppers from across North Fulton and beyond

These centers are one reason it can feel like Atlanta has “more malls” than a simple count suggests—many locals split their shopping between traditional malls and these newer developments.

Why the Mall Count in Atlanta Can Be Confusing

When someone Googles “How many malls are in Atlanta?”, they might see different answers. Here’s why:

1. City vs. Metro:

   • The City of Atlanta itself has a limited number of truly traditional, enclosed malls.
   • The Atlanta metro area (which includes multiple counties) has significantly more.

2. Changing Real Estate Use:

   • Some older malls have been partially redeveloped or shifted to more of an office or mixed-use focus.
   • Others may still be physically there but have fewer stores or a different tenant mix, making them feel less like full malls.

3. Lifestyle Centers vs. Malls:

   • Places like Atlantic Station and Ponce City Market are major shopping destinations but aren’t counted as malls in the traditional sense.
   • Depending on whether you include these, your mall count changes.

4. Personal Definitions:

   • Many residents include outlet centers in their mental list of “malls.”
   • Others count only fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping centers.

Quick Reference: Core Atlanta-Area Mall Types

Here’s a simple way to think about Atlanta’s mall landscape as a shopper:

If you’re deciding where to go, think about what you need:

• Department stores and lots of national brands?
  Go for Lenox, Perimeter, Cumberland, or Southlake.

• Luxury brands and a quieter experience?
  Try Phipps Plaza.

• Bargain hunting or outlet shopping?
  Look at Dawsonville (North Georgia Premium Outlets) or Tanger Outlets.

• Dining + shopping + “hang out” vibe?
  Check out Atlantic Station, Ponce City Market, Avalon, or The Battery Atlanta.

How to Choose the Right Mall in Atlanta for Your Needs

Here are a few quick tips to match your plans with the right part of Atlanta’s mall scene:

• Staying in Buckhead or Midtown?

  • Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza will be your closest classic malls.
  • Atlantic Station and Ponce City Market are easy-to-reach lifestyle options.

• Living or staying on the north side (Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Alpharetta)?

  • Perimeter Mall is often the most convenient enclosed mall.
  • Avalon is a go‑to open-air alternative if you’re in the Alpharetta area.

• On the northwest side (Smyrna, Vinings, Kennesaw)?

  • Cumberland Mall and Town Center at Cobb are the main enclosed options.
  • The Battery Atlanta adds food and entertainment to the mix.

• On the south side (College Park, Forest Park, South Fulton, Clayton County)?

  • Southlake Mall and Tanger Outlets Locust Grove are the primary mall-style destinations.

In practice, Atlanta doesn’t have one fixed, official number of “malls”. Instead, it has a network of major enclosed malls, outlet centers, and open‑air lifestyle developments that together serve as the city’s mall ecosystem. For most residents and visitors, understanding where each type is located and what it offers is much more useful than a single count.