Atlanta, Georgia Malls: Your Guide to the Best Shopping Centers in and Around the City

Whether you live in Atlanta, you’re planning a visit, or you’re just trying to understand how shopping works around the city, Atlanta’s malls offer a mix of high-end luxury, everyday essentials, entertainment, and local flavor. From Lenox Square in Buckhead to Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody and Mall of Georgia up in Buford, each major shopping center has its own personality.

This guide focuses on the most notable malls and shopping centers in and around Atlanta, Georgia, what they’re known for, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Major Atlanta-Area Malls at a Glance

Here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular malls near Atlanta:

Below, you’ll find more detail on each one, plus tips on how to decide which Atlanta mall fits your plans.

Buckhead: Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza

Lenox Square

Location: 3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
Area: Buckhead, just off GA-400 and Peachtree Road

Lenox Square is one of the best-known malls in Atlanta, Georgia, especially for visitors. It’s a large, enclosed mall in Buckhead with a mix of:

• Luxury and high-end fashion (well-known designer brands and department stores)
• Popular national retailers you’d expect in a major city mall
• A wide range of shoe, accessory, and beauty stores
• Multiple sit-down and quick-service restaurants

Lenox is often busy, especially on weekends and around holidays. Parking is available in multiple decks and surface lots; many Atlantans factor in traffic along Peachtree Road and GA-400 when deciding when to go.

Best for you if:

• You want upscale shopping without leaving the city.
• You’re staying in Buckhead and want a mall you can reach easily by rideshare, MARTA (Lenox Station is nearby), or short drive.
• You enjoy people-watching and big-city mall energy.

Phipps Plaza

Location: 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
Area: Directly across Peachtree from Lenox Square

Phipps Plaza is often described as Lenox’s quieter, more luxurious neighbor. It leans heavily into high-end and luxury retail, with:

• Designer boutiques and premium department stores
• Upscale dining options and newer chef-driven restaurants
• A more relaxed, polished atmosphere than many large malls
• Entertainment options that vary over time (such as cinemas or family experiences depending on current tenants)

Phipps has been evolving into more of a mixed-use luxury destination with hotels, offices, and dining, so the experience is less “crowded mall” and more “high-end shopping and lifestyle center.”

Best for you if:

• You’re focused on luxury brands and don’t mind higher price points.
• You prefer a calmer, more refined indoor shopping experience.
• You’re already near Lenox and want to make a full Buckhead shopping day out of both malls.

Perimeter Mall: Northside Favorite

Location: 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30346
Area: Dunwoody / Sandy Springs, near I-285 and GA-400

Perimeter Mall is one of the major north Atlanta shopping hubs. While technically outside Atlanta city limits, it functions as a daily go-to for many Atlanta residents.

You’ll find:

• A strong mix of mid-range and popular national retailers
• Several department stores
• Dining options both inside and in the surrounding Perimeter business district
• Nearby big-box stores, offices, and apartments

The area around Perimeter Mall is extremely developed, so it often feels like a mini city center: hotels, corporate offices, medical centers, and dense residential buildings surround it.

Best for you if:

• You live or are staying in Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, or north Atlanta.
• You want mainstream brands with fewer crowds than Buckhead’s tourist heavy areas (depending on time of day).
• You like combining shopping with errands, dining, or work appointments in the Perimeter area.

Cumberland Mall and The Battery Area

Cumberland Mall

Location: 2860 Cumberland Mall SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
Area: Cumberland / Cobb, near I-285 and I-75

Cumberland Mall serves both Atlanta residents and people in Cobb County. It’s close to attractions like Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta, making it convenient for pairing shopping with a ballgame or evening out.

Cumberland typically offers:

• Everyday apparel and shoe retailers
• Department stores
• A food court and several chain restaurants
• Access to nearby big-box and specialty stores along Cobb Parkway

It’s less focused on luxury and more on practical, accessible shopping.

Best for you if:

• You’re on the northwest side of Atlanta or in Cobb County.
• You want to shop before or after a Braves game or event at The Battery.
• You’re looking mainly for general clothing, shoes, and accessories rather than high-end labels.

The Battery Atlanta (Nearby, Not a Traditional Mall)

While not a mall in the classic sense, The Battery Atlanta next to Truist Park functions like an open-air lifestyle center, with:

• Restaurants and bars
• A few retail shops and boutiques
• Entertainment venues and seasonal activities

If your version of “mall time” includes eating, walking around, and occasional shopping, The Battery can feel like a modern alternative to an indoor mall.

Atlantic Station: Urban, Open-Air Shopping

Location: 1380 Atlantic Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30363
Area: Midtown/Westside, just off 17th Street

Atlantic Station is a mixed-use, open-air shopping and residential district on Atlanta’s Westside. Instead of a single enclosed mall building, it’s more like a small urban neighborhood with:

• National retailers and a few boutique-type stores
• A large Target that many Midtown residents rely on
• Multiple sit-down and quick-service restaurants and cafés
• A movie theater (availability can vary, check current tenants)
• Regular events, seasonal markets, and holiday activities

Parking is typically in garages under or near the main retail area, with validated or low-cost options. For many in-town residents, Atlantic Station doubles as a spot for errands, dining out, and casual walking.

Best for you if:

• You live or are staying in Midtown, Downtown, or West Midtown.
• You prefer open-air shopping over enclosed malls.
• You want shopping plus entertainment or events in one place.

Mall of Georgia: Big Suburban Destination

Location: 3333 Buford Dr, Buford, GA 30519
Area: Buford, northeast of Atlanta off I-85

While not inside Atlanta city limits, Mall of Georgia is often part of the conversation when people ask about an “Atlanta, Georgia mall,” because it’s one of the region’s largest shopping centers.

You’ll typically find:

• A wide range of mainstream and specialty retailers
• Multiple anchor department stores
• A large food court plus chain and quick-service restaurants
• Seasonal events and occasional family-friendly activities

For some families, it’s a full-day outing destination, with shopping, eating, and walking around.

Best for you if:

• You’re in or near Gwinnett County or don’t mind a drive from Atlanta.
• You want a very large variety of stores in one place.
• You’re planning a family shopping trip or back-to-school run.

Other Notable Malls and Shopping Centers Around Atlanta

Northlake Mall

Location: 4800 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30345 (Tucker area)

Northlake Mall has been transitioning from a traditional mall into more of a mixed-use property, with some former retail space being repurposed for offices and other uses. Retail options may be more limited compared to Lenox or Perimeter.

Best to:

• Check current store lists if you’re targeting a specific retailer.
• Use it if you live nearby and need convenient local stops, not a full destination day.

South DeKalb Mall

Location: 2801 Candler Rd, Decatur, GA 30034

South DeKalb Mall serves the southeast side of the metro, with a mix of local and national retailers. It tends to be more neighborhood-focused and may offer different store options than the larger Buckhead or Perimeter malls.

Southlake Mall

Location: 1000 Southlake Mall, Morrow, GA 30260

Located south of Atlanta near I-75, Southlake Mall is often used by people living on the south side of the metro area. It focuses on everyday retail rather than luxury.

Greenbriar Mall

Location: 2841 Greenbriar Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30331

Greenbriar Mall is on the southwest side of Atlanta and is another community-oriented mall with a changing mix of tenants. Many locals use it for quick shopping rather than as an all-day destination.

How to Choose the Right Atlanta Mall for Your Needs

When you search for “Atlanta Georgia mall”, you may be trying to figure out which mall fits your plan. Here are ways to narrow it down:

1. Prioritize Location and Traffic

Atlanta traffic can heavily influence your decision.

• In-town / Midtown or Downtown stay:
  • Atlantic Station or Lenox Square / Phipps Plaza by MARTA or rideshare.
• Northside / Perimeter / Sandy Springs:
  • Perimeter Mall, potentially Cumberland depending on your exact location.
• Buckhead area:
  • Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza are your closest large malls.
• Southside:
  • Southlake Mall or Greenbriar Mall, depending on your direction of travel.
• East / DeKalb County:
  • Northlake Mall and smaller centers; for bigger trips, Lenox or Perimeter.
• Gwinnett / Northeast suburbs:
  • Mall of Georgia or drive into Perimeter or Lenox for variety.

2. Match the Mall to Your Shopping Style

Ask what you’re mainly looking for:

• Luxury and designer brands:
  • Phipps Plaza, Lenox Square (Buckhead)
• Balanced mainstream mix (clothes, shoes, home goods):
  • Perimeter Mall, Cumberland Mall, Mall of Georgia
• Open-air + urban vibe:
  • Atlantic Station, plus The Battery Atlanta as an alternative
• Neighborhood-focused, quicker trips:
  • South DeKalb, Greenbriar, Southlake, Northlake (depending on your side of town)

3. Consider Dining and Entertainment

If you want more than just shopping:

• Lenox + Phipps: Plenty of Buckhead dining within a short distance.
• Atlantic Station: Mix of restaurants, movie theater, seasonal events.
• The Battery / Cumberland area: Dining, entertainment, Truist Park.
• Mall of Georgia: Some family-friendly entertainment and surrounding restaurants.

Practical Tips for Visiting Atlanta Malls

Here are a few local-style tips to make your trip smoother:

• Check hours before you go.
  Hours can change seasonally or by day of the week, and some anchor stores may have slightly different schedules.

• Plan around peak traffic times.

  • Weekday rush hours: roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m. on major interstates and Peachtree Road.
  • Weekends near Lenox / Phipps, Perimeter, and Mall of Georgia can be busy in the afternoons.

• Use MARTA where it makes sense.

  • Lenox Square / Phipps Plaza: Near Lenox and Buckhead MARTA stations.
  • Perimeter Mall: Accessible via Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, or Medical Center stations, depending where you’re headed.
  • This can help avoid parking headaches if you’re staying along a MARTA line.

• Parking details vary.

  • Some malls offer free parking, others use paid or validated decks (especially in denser areas like Atlantic Station or Buckhead).
  • Look for signage about validation in restaurants or stores.

• Security and policies.
  Many malls in the Atlanta area maintain visible security and conduct policies, particularly on weekends and evenings. It’s common for centers to have guidelines on loitering, youth curfews, or bag checks in certain stores.

• Check for events.
  During holidays or weekends, places like Atlantic Station, The Battery, and Mall of Georgia may host outdoor markets, concerts, or family events that can either be a bonus to your visit or something to avoid if you’re trying to steer clear of crowds.

When “Mall” Alternatives Make More Sense

Depending on what you need, a traditional mall might not be the only—or best—option in Atlanta:

• For discounts and outlets, many residents drive to North Georgia Premium Outlets in Dawsonville (north of Atlanta), though it’s a longer trip.
• For boutique or local shopping, areas like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, West Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and Ponce City Market offer smaller shops in a walkable setting.
• For big-box errands (electronics, home goods, groceries), corridors like Cobb Parkway, Perimeter Center, Howell Mill, and Camp Creek have clusters of national chains without the full mall environment.

If your initial search was simply for “Atlanta Georgia mall” and you’re unsure where to start, a good rule of thumb is:

• Staying in or near Buckhead: start with Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza.
• On the northside or using GA-400 / I-285: consider Perimeter Mall.
• Want an in-town, more open setting: try Atlantic Station.
• Looking for a huge suburban destination: Mall of Georgia is a strong option.

From there, you can match your specific needs—luxury vs. everyday shopping, indoor vs. open-air, quick trip vs. full-day outing—to the mall that fits your part of Atlanta best.