Atlanta Malls: Where to Shop, Eat, and Explore Around the City

When people search for “Atlanta mall,” they’re usually looking for the best places in and around the city to shop, dine, hang out, or escape the heat for a few hours. Atlanta doesn’t have just one main mall—it has several major shopping centers and lifestyle complexes, each with a different vibe, price point, and mix of stores.

This guide walks through the most notable malls and shopping destinations in Atlanta, Georgia, what each is known for, how to get there, and practical tips for locals and visitors.

Quick Overview: Major Atlanta Malls at a Glance

*Not inside the city limits, but commonly used by Atlanta-area residents.

Lenox Square: Atlanta’s Best-Known Mall

Location: 3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 (Buckhead)
Type: Large, upscale indoor mall

Lenox Square is often the first place people think of when they say “Atlanta mall.” It’s one of the city’s busiest shopping centers and a long-time Buckhead landmark.

What Lenox Square Is Known For

• Designer and upscale brands alongside mainstream mall stores
• A big selection of fashion, shoes, and accessories
• Busy holiday and weekend crowds
• Proximity to hotels and offices in Buckhead, making it popular with visitors

You’ll find high-end luxury retailers mixed with national chain stores and a wide range of dining options—from fast casual in the food court to sit‑down restaurants.

Getting There and Parking

• MARTA: Take the Red Line to Lenox Station or Buckhead Station; both are walkable, though Lenox Station is closer.
• Driving: Located along Peachtree Rd NE just off GA-400 and close to I‑85.
• Parking: Large garages and surface lots; expect heavier traffic and slower parking on weekends and during peak shopping seasons.

When Lenox Square Is a Good Choice

Choose Lenox Square if you:

• Want one of the largest selections of stores in the city
• Are staying in Buckhead and want to shop without going far
• Prefer an indoor, climate‑controlled environment year‑round

Phipps Plaza: Luxury Shopping in Buckhead

Location: 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
Type: Luxury indoor mall + mixed-use redevelopment

Directly across Peachtree from Lenox, Phipps Plaza is smaller, quieter, and more upscale. It focuses on luxury brands, high-end fashion, and premium experiences.

Why Locals and Visitors Go to Phipps Plaza

• Luxury retailers and designer labels
• A more relaxed, less crowded feel than Lenox
• Upscale dining and a polished décor
• A cinema and entertainment options (subject to current tenants)

Phipps has also been evolving into more of a mixed-use district, with office space, hospitality, and new restaurant concepts.

Getting There

• MARTA: Similar access as Lenox—via Lenox or Buckhead Stations plus a short walk or rideshare.
• Driving & Parking: Connected to Peachtree Rd NE with structured parking garages.

When Phipps Plaza Is a Good Choice

Phipps works well if you:

• Prefer a more low-key, refined environment
• Are focused on luxury shopping
• Want to pair shopping with a higher-end dinner in Buckhead

Perimeter Mall: Northside Favorite for Everyday + Upscale

Location: 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30346 (technically Dunwoody, but part of the Atlanta metro)
Type: Large suburban indoor mall

Perimeter Mall serves the Perimeter Center business district and nearby neighborhoods. It offers a mix of mid-range and upscale stores and is one of the main malls for people living on the Northside.

What to Expect at Perimeter Mall

• Popular department stores and clothing chains
• A good mix of workwear, casual, and family shopping
• Surrounding area full of additional big-box stores, restaurants, and offices

The mall is convenient to many office towers, so weekday traffic at lunch and after work can be steady.

Getting There

• MARTA: The Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Medical Center Red Line stations serve the Perimeter area; Dunwoody Station is closest to the mall.
• Driving: Near I‑285 and GA‑400, with multiple entrances around Ashford Dunwoody Rd.
• Parking: Large lots and decks; easier than Buckhead during holiday rush, but still busy.

When Perimeter Mall Is a Good Choice

Consider Perimeter if you:

• Live or stay near Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, or North Atlanta
• Want a big mall with plenty of options but not necessarily luxury-focused
• Need to combine errands at nearby chain stores and services

Cumberland Mall: Practical Shopping Near The Battery

Location: 2860 Cumberland Mall SE, Atlanta, GA 30339 (Cobb County, near I‑285 and I‑75)
Type: Family-friendly indoor mall

Cumberland Mall sits close to Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta, making it a convenient shopping spot for people heading to or from a Braves game or staying in the Cumberland/Vinings area.

Highlights of Cumberland Mall

• Everyday clothing and shoe stores
• A food court plus surrounding restaurants
• Convenient access to major interstates and nearby office parks

It’s more practical than high-end, serving surrounding neighborhoods and commuters.

Getting There

• Transit: Served by CobbLinc bus routes; MARTA connects to some of these via Arts Center Station, but most people drive.
• Driving: Easy access from I‑285 and Cobb Parkway (US‑41).
• Parking: Large parking areas and garages; generally manageable except during overlapping event times at Truist Park.

When Cumberland Mall Is a Good Choice

It’s a solid pick if you:

• Are in Cumberland, Vinings, Smyrna, or northwest Atlanta
• Want straightforward, no-frills mall shopping
• Plan to combine shopping with a ballgame or event nearby

Atlantic Station: Outdoor Shopping in the Heart of the City

Location: 1380 Atlantic Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30363 (Midtown/Westside area)
Type: Open-air mixed-use development

While not a traditional mall with one enclosed building, Atlantic Station functions like an urban, outdoor mall plus a neighborhood. It includes:

• National chain retailers
• Restaurants, cafés, and dessert spots
• A movie theater
• Residential and office buildings
• A central green space often used for markets or events

Why People Choose Atlantic Station

• Walkable, open-air layout that feels like a small town center
• Close to Midtown and Georgia Tech
• Regular events, seasonal attractions, and pop-ups

Getting There

• MARTA: Nearby Arts Center Station connects to a free neighborhood shuttle (subject to current operations).
• Driving: Exit off I‑75/85 and 17th St; multiple garage entrances.
• Parking: Structured, mostly garage parking beneath or around the development; usually validated with purchases.

When Atlantic Station Is a Good Choice

It’s ideal if you:

• Prefer outdoor shopping rather than a fully enclosed mall
• Want to pair shopping with movies, events, or dining
• Are staying in Midtown, Downtown, or near Georgia Tech

Buckhead Village District: High-End, Open-Air Shopping

Location: Around 3035 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Type: Upscale outdoor retail and dining district

Formerly known as The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, the Buckhead Village District is a high-end, walkable cluster of luxury stores, boutiques, restaurants, and cafés.

What Stands Out Here

• Luxury labels and designer boutiques
• Stylish, pedestrian-friendly streetscape
• Upscale dining, patios, and coffee shops
• A “see and be seen” atmosphere in the heart of Buckhead

This area feels more like a luxury neighborhood than a mall but functions as a top shopping destination for high-end brands.

Getting There

• MARTA: Accessible from Buckhead Station with a short walk or rideshare.
• Driving: Off Peachtree Rd NE and nearby Buckhead streets; multiple paid parking garages.

When Buckhead Village District Is a Good Choice

Head here if you:

• Want designer shopping in an outdoor, urban setting
• Enjoy browsing boutiques and specialty stores
• Are looking for date-night or special-occasion dining alongside shopping

Greenbriar Mall: Longstanding Southwest Atlanta Center

Location: 2841 Greenbriar Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
Type: Neighborhood indoor mall

Greenbriar Mall is a traditional shopping mall serving Southwest Atlanta residents. It has a smaller footprint than Buckhead or Perimeter malls and focuses more on everyday shopping, local services, and community needs.

What You’ll Find at Greenbriar

• Clothing, shoes, and accessories geared toward local shoppers
• Food court and smaller eateries
• Convenience-oriented stores and services

It tends to be used primarily by locals rather than tourists.

Getting There

• Transit: Served by MARTA bus routes along Greenbriar Pkwy and Campbellton Rd.
• Driving: Close to I‑285 on the southwest side of Atlanta.
• Parking: Surface parking lots, typically easier to navigate than major regional malls.

When Greenbriar Mall Is a Good Choice

Consider Greenbriar if you:

• Live in or near Southwest Atlanta
• Want a quick, straightforward shopping trip
• Prefer smaller crowds than the biggest regional malls

The Mall West End: A Historic Urban Mall

Location: 850 Oak St SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Type: Community-oriented urban mall

The Mall West End serves the Historic West End and surrounding communities. It has a smaller store mix than the big regional centers but plays a role as a local shopping hub.

What to Expect

• Primarily local and regional retailers
• Services like beauty, accessories, and basic apparel
• Quick in‑and‑out visits rather than an all‑day destination

Getting There

• MARTA: Close to West End Station on the Red/Gold Lines, making it accessible without a car.
• Driving: Just off I‑20, easy from neighborhoods south and west of Downtown.
• Parking: Surface lots around the mall.

When The Mall West End Is a Good Choice

It’s most useful if you:

• Are near West End, Adair Park, or the Southwest BeltLine
• Need fast access to essentials without traveling across town
• Prefer a neighborhood-focused environment

Other Atlanta-Area Malls Residents Commonly Use

While not inside the City of Atlanta limits, several malls are part of many Atlantans’ regular shopping routines:

Southlake Mall (Morrow)

• Location: 1000 Southlake Cir, Morrow, GA 30260
• Popular with Southside and Clayton County residents
• Traditional indoor mall with mainstream chains

Arbor Place Mall (Douglasville)

• Location: 6700 Douglas Blvd, Douglasville, GA 30135
• Serves western suburbs and I‑20 West corridor
• Large selection of apparel, shoes, and family‑oriented stores

These can be good alternatives if you live outside the perimeter or want to avoid some of the busiest intown shopping areas.

Choosing the Right Atlanta Mall for Your Needs

If you’re not sure which Atlanta mall to visit, it helps to match your destination to your goals.

For Luxury and Designer Shopping

• Phipps Plaza
• Lenox Square
• Buckhead Village District

These Buckhead-area spots concentrate high-end brands and more polished settings.

For a Big Store Selection and Variety

• Lenox Square (Buckhead)
• Perimeter Mall (north)
• Cumberland Mall (northwest)

Good if you want to visit multiple major retailers in a single trip.

For Outdoor, Walkable Experiences

• Atlantic Station (Midtown/Westside)
• Buckhead Village District (Buckhead)

These feel more like small neighborhoods than enclosed malls.

For Neighborhood-Oriented Shopping

• Greenbriar Mall (Southwest Atlanta)
• The Mall West End (West End)

Useful for local errands and daily needs, rather than full-day outings.

Practical Tips for Visiting Malls in Atlanta

To make the most of any Atlanta mall visit, keep a few local realities in mind:

• Traffic & Timing:

  • Weekday rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.) can slow drives to Buckhead, Perimeter, and Cumberland.
  • Weekends and holidays bring heavier crowds, particularly at Lenox and Atlantic Station.

• Transit vs. Driving:

  • MARTA rail works well for Buckhead (Lenox/Phipps/Buckhead Village), Perimeter, and Midtown/Atlantic Station.
  • Driving is more practical for Cumberland, Greenbriar, and West End, though buses run to each.

• Safety & Awareness:

  • As in any large metro area, stay aware of your surroundings, secure valuables, and park in well-lit areas.
  • Follow posted guidelines for each property and note any security announcements.

• Weather Considerations:

  • Indoor malls (Lenox, Phipps, Perimeter, Cumberland, Greenbriar, West End) are good escapes from summer heat and storms.
  • Outdoor centers (Atlantic Station, Buckhead Village District) are best enjoyed in milder weather or evenings.

• Events and Seasonal Crowds:

  • Check for special events, festivals, or game days near Atlantic Station, Cumberland/The Battery, or Midtown that may affect parking and crowds.
  • During major holidays, arrive early or consider off-peak weekdays for a calmer experience.

How to Decide Where to Go if You’re New to Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta or just moved here and want a simple starting point:

• Staying in Downtown or Midtown:

  • Try Atlantic Station for an outdoor experience and Lenox Square for a “classic Atlanta mall” feel.

• Staying in Buckhead:

  • Walk or rideshare to Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza; if you want to explore more, add Buckhead Village District.

• Based in North Atlanta / Perimeter area:

  • Perimeter Mall will likely be your most convenient all‑around option.

• Living in Southwest or West Atlanta:

  • Greenbriar Mall and The Mall West End are closer for everyday needs, with Lenox or Cumberland as larger regional options when you want more variety.

By matching your neighborhood, budget, and preferences to the right destination, you can make Atlanta’s mall scene work smoothly for anything from a quick errand run to a full day of shopping, dining, and exploring.