What To Do in Buckhead, Atlanta: A Local’s Guide to the Neighborhood

Buckhead is one of Atlanta’s most recognizable neighborhoods—known for its upscale shopping, skyline views, leafy residential streets, and busy restaurant and nightlife scene. Whether you live in the city or you’re visiting for a weekend, Buckhead offers plenty to do within a compact, walkable core and nearby pockets.

Below is a practical guide to what to do in Buckhead, Atlanta, organized by interest so you can plan your time easily.

Top Things To Do in Buckhead at a Glance

Explore Buckhead’s Shopping Districts

If you’re asking what to do in Buckhead, shopping is usually near the top of the list. The neighborhood has three major shopping hubs, all relatively close to each other in north Buckhead.

Lenox Square

Lenox Square is one of Atlanta’s best-known malls, located near the intersection of Peachtree Rd NE and Lenox Rd NE.

You’ll find:

• Large department stores
• National clothing and shoe retailers
• A food court and multiple sit-down restaurants
• Indoor, climate-controlled shopping (useful in Atlanta heat or rain)

Lenox is MARTA-accessible via the Lenox Station (Gold Line), making it a straightforward stop if you’re staying elsewhere in Atlanta.

Phipps Plaza

Directly across Peachtree from Lenox sits Phipps Plaza, known for a more upscale feel.

Expect:

• Luxury and designer brands
• A quieter atmosphere than Lenox
• A cinema and various dining options
• A polished, modern interior that appeals to visitors and locals alike

If you want higher-end shopping or a calmer mall experience, Phipps is a good choice.

Buckhead Village District

Southwest of Lenox and Phipps, closer to Peachtree Rd NE and Buckhead Ave NE, you’ll find the Buckhead Village District.

This area offers:

• An outdoor, walkable layout with plazas and courtyards
• Boutique clothing stores and designer labels
• Coffee shops, dessert spots, and full-service restaurants
• Seasonal events like markets or small outdoor activations

It’s a good place to stroll, window-shop, and grab a drink or meal even if you’re not planning intensive shopping.

Enjoy Buckhead’s Dining Scene

Buckhead is one of Atlanta’s most restaurant-dense neighborhoods, with options ranging from casual to very upscale.

Where to Find the Best Concentrations of Restaurants

• Peachtree Road NE (Buckhead core)
  Around Lenox Rd, Piedmont Rd, and down toward Buckhead Village, Peachtree is lined with restaurants, steakhouses, and hotel dining rooms.

• Buckhead Village District
  Walkable streets with a concentration of modern restaurants, patios, coffee shops, and dessert bars.

• Roswell Road NE & West Paces Ferry Rd NW area
  Slightly more spread out but full of neighborhood favorites, breakfast spots, and casual eateries.

Types of Dining You’ll Commonly Find

• Southern and modern American – A mix of new-South dishes and classic comfort foods.
• Steakhouses and upscale dining – Buckhead has multiple white-tablecloth spots, often used for business dinners and special occasions.
• Global cuisine – Sushi, Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, and more across the core Buckhead area.
• Casual daytime spots – Coffee shops, bakeries, and brunch-centric restaurants popular with locals on weekends.

If you’re visiting, plan for extra travel time during peak dining hours—traffic along Peachtree Rd and Lenox Rd can be heavy, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Nightlife and Evening Entertainment

Buckhead has a long-standing reputation for nightlife. While the scene has evolved over the years, it still offers plenty of options for a night out.

Buckhead Village & Peachtree Corridor

Most nightlife is clustered around:

• Buckhead Village District – Cocktail bars, wine bars, and restaurants that stay lively late.
• Peachtree Rd NE between Piedmont Rd and West Paces Ferry Rd – Larger lounges, sports bars, and hotel bars.

What you can expect:

• Rooftop bars with skyline views
• Cocktail-focused spots for quieter conversation
• Higher-energy lounges and bars with DJs on weekends

If you’re driving, be prepared for limited and often paid parking near Peachtree and Buckhead Village. Many locals use rideshare to avoid parking stress and to move between stops easily.

Parks, Trails, and Outdoor Activities

Buckhead isn’t just shopping and high-rises. It also has some of Atlanta’s most pleasant outdoor spaces, especially if you want a quieter break from the malls.

Chastain Park

Chastain Memorial Park in north Buckhead (around Powers Ferry Rd NW and W Wieuca Rd NW) is one of the largest city parks in Atlanta.

Highlights:

• Paved walking/jogging paths
• Ball fields and tennis courts
• Playgrounds and open green spaces
• An amphitheater that hosts concerts in warm months

Locals often use Chastain for running groups, family outings, and evening walks. If you’re seeing a show at the amphitheater, factor in extra time for traffic and parking, as nearby residential streets can back up on event nights.

PATH400 Greenway Trail

PATH400 is a multi-use trail that runs roughly parallel to GA-400 through Buckhead. Entry points are located near:

• Peachtree Park neighborhood
• Miami Circle NE area
• Other access points northward through Buckhead

This paved path is popular for:

• Walking and jogging
• Biking and scooters
• Connecting some residential sections with commercial areas

It’s a helpful option if you want exercise without leaving the neighborhood entirely or driving to a larger park.

Atlanta Memorial Park & Peachtree Creek

On Buckhead’s western side near Northside Dr NW and Peachtree Battle Ave NW, you’ll find Atlanta Memorial Park and the Peachtree Creek area.

You’ll see:

• Walking trails and open fields
• A more relaxed, residential park environment
• Easy access to nearby neighborhoods and local side streets

This area tends to be quieter than the Buckhead core, especially on weekends.

History, Culture, and Landmarks

Buckhead has more than shopping and nightlife—it has historic homes, museums, and performance venues that provide a sense of Atlanta’s past and present.

Atlanta History Center and Swan House

Located at 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, the Atlanta History Center is a major cultural site in Buckhead.

On this campus, you can typically find:

• Museum galleries covering Atlanta and Civil War history
• Historic homes and gardens
• The Swan House, a well-known mansion with guided and self-guided access
• Outdoor paths and landscaped grounds

Parking is available on-site, and the area is easily reached from Peachtree Rd via West Paces Ferry Rd.

Buckhead Theatre

On Peachtree Rd NE near Roswell Rd, the Buckhead Theatre is a historic venue that now operates as a modern performance hall.

This is a good spot to:

• See concerts and touring performances
• Catch comedy shows or special events
• Experience a smaller, more intimate venue than some of Atlanta’s downtown arenas

If you plan to attend an evening show, consider using rideshare or MARTA to avoid hunting for parking along busy Peachtree.

Family-Friendly Things To Do in Buckhead

Buckhead can work well for families, especially if you combine indoor attractions with nearby parks.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Located inside Phipps Plaza (near the Peachtree and Lenox area), the LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a popular option for:

• Children who enjoy building and hands-on play
• A half-day indoor outing, especially in hot or rainy weather
• Combining with shopping and dining in the same complex

Because it’s inside a mall, parking is covered and straightforward, and you can easily add lunch or dinner nearby.

Parks and Green Spaces With Kids

Good Buckhead options with children include:

• Chastain Park – Playgrounds, fields, and space to run.
• Smaller neighborhood parks scattered around Buckhead’s residential streets (many locals discover these just by driving or walking nearby).

Many families also pair a Buckhead park visit with a stop at a local ice cream or dessert shop along Peachtree Rd or in Buckhead Village.

Relaxation, Spas, and Hotel Lounges

If your idea of what to do in Buckhead is more about unwinding than rushing around, the neighborhood offers multiple ways to slow down.

Spa and Wellness Options

Buckhead is home to:

• Day spas offering massages, facials, and body treatments
• Salon-spa combinations for hair, nails, and skincare
• Fitness studios and yoga/Pilates studios

These are spread mainly along Peachtree Rd, Roswell Rd, and within or near major hotels. Many locals plan a spa day followed by a nice dinner in Buckhead Village or along Peachtree.

Hotel Bars and Lounges

Several large hotels in the Buckhead core have:

• Quiet lobby bars for a low-key drink
• Small bites menus for a relaxed evening
• Comfortable seating ideal for conversation or casual meetings

Even if you’re not staying overnight, many hotel lounges are open to the public and offer a calmer alternative to louder nightlife spots.

Getting Around Buckhead

Understanding how to move around Buckhead helps you decide what’s realistic in a day.

Driving and Parking

• Traffic hotspots: Peachtree Rd NE, Lenox Rd NE, and Piedmont Rd NE often slow down during rush hours and weekend evenings.
• Parking: Malls (Lenox, Phipps) have large decks. Buckhead Village and Peachtree area businesses often use garages or paid surface lots. Valet is common at many restaurants and hotels.

If you’re visiting from elsewhere in Atlanta and plan to drink, many residents find rideshare more convenient than dealing with traffic and parking.

MARTA Access

Buckhead is served by:

• Buckhead Station (Red Line) – Near Peachtree Rd and around the Buckhead Loop.
• Lenox Station (Gold Line) – Near Lenox Square.
• Lindbergh Center Station – Just south of Buckhead’s core, connecting Red and Gold Lines with bus routes.

From most stations, you can reach shopping, offices, and some residential areas on foot or with a short rideshare ride.

Tips for Planning Your Time in Buckhead

A few Atlanta-specific pointers can make a Buckhead visit smoother:

• Plan around traffic 🚗
  Late afternoon on weekdays and early evening on weekends are peak times along Peachtree, Lenox, and Piedmont. If possible, time your shopping or dinner reservations slightly earlier or later.

• Combine nearby activities
  For example:

  • Lenox + Phipps + LEGOLAND in one outing
  • Atlanta History Center + lunch near Peachtree or West Paces Ferry
  • Chastain Park walk + dinner on Roswell Rd

• Check event schedules
  Concerts at Chastain Park or shows at Buckhead Theatre can significantly affect parking availability and local traffic.

• Walk when you can
  Areas around Buckhead Village and some sections of Peachtree are walkable, especially in good weather. Comfortable shoes help, as sidewalks can be hilly in places.

If you’re wondering what to do in Buckhead, Atlanta, your options range from all-day shopping and dining to a quiet history museum visit, a park walk, or a relaxed evening drink. With a bit of planning around traffic and parking, it’s easy to build an itinerary that fits how you like to explore the city.