Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE – Norcross: What to Know Before You Book

If you’re looking at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE – Norcross as a place to stay near Atlanta, you’re really asking two main questions:

1. Where is it and what is it like?
2. Is this location convenient for what I want to do in and around Atlanta?

This guide walks through the hotel’s location, nearby Atlanta-area attractions, who this area works best for, and practical tips for locals and visitors using Norcross as a base.

Where the Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE – Norcross Is Located

The Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE – Norcross sits in Norcross, Georgia, a city in Gwinnett County, northeast of Downtown Atlanta.

• General area: Northeast Metro Atlanta
• Driving distance to key spots (typical conditions):
  • Downtown Atlanta: ~20–30 minutes
  • Midtown Atlanta: ~20–30 minutes
  • Buckhead: ~15–25 minutes
  • Perimeter Center (Dunwoody/Sandy Springs): ~15–20 minutes
  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport: ~35–45 minutes

Norcross is considered part of the Atlanta metropolitan area, but it’s not in the City of Atlanta limits. That matters if you’re trying to decide between staying “in town” (Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead) versus a quieter, more suburban area.

Who the Norcross / Northeast Atlanta Area Works Best For

Staying near the Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE – Norcross tends to work well if you:

• Have business in northeast Atlanta or Gwinnett County
  • Technology parks, office parks, and corporate campuses are scattered around Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Jimmy Carter Boulevard, and I‑85.
• Want easier freeway access without being in the urban core
  • The area offers quick access to I‑85, I‑285, and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, which can be convenient if you plan to drive all over metro Atlanta.
• Prefer a quieter, suburban base
  • Compared to staying Downtown, you’ll usually find less noise, more parking, and a slower pace once you’re back at the hotel.
• Are visiting friends or family in Gwinnett County
  • Norcross is close to Duluth, Peachtree Corners, Tucker, and Lilburn, making it a central spot for that part of the metro.

It’s less ideal if you want to walk out the door and be in the heart of Atlanta nightlife; you’ll be driving or ridesharing to most in-town neighborhoods.

Getting to and from Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE – Norcross

By Car

Most guests here rely on a car. Major nearby roads typically include:

• I‑85 (main route into Downtown/Midtown)
• I‑285 (Atlanta’s perimeter freeway)
• Peachtree Industrial Boulevard

Driving is usually the fastest way to reach Atlanta attractions, with travel times heavily affected by rush-hour traffic:

• Morning rush: 7:00–9:00 a.m. (into the city is slow)
• Evening rush: 4:00–7:00 p.m. (outbound to suburbs is slow)

🚗 Tip: If you’re heading to Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, leaving before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:30 a.m. can make a noticeable difference.

Public Transit Options

The immediate Norcross area is not directly served by MARTA rail. However, you can pair MARTA buses and park-and-ride with a short drive or rideshare:

• Doraville MARTA Station (Gold Line)
  Common rail access point for people staying in NE suburbs. From Doraville, you can ride south to Chamblee, Brookhaven, Lenox (Buckhead), Midtown, and Downtown Atlanta.

• MARTA buses & Gwinnett County Transit (GCT)
  Bus routes serve park-and-ride lots and connect into the MARTA rail network. People staying near Norcross often:

  • Drive or rideshare to Doraville Station and park there.
  • Or use a nearby park-and-ride if a bus route is convenient.

🚌 Good to know: For late-night events in Atlanta (concerts, games, nightlife), many visitors prefer rideshare back to Norcross instead of relying on late-night bus connections.

What It’s Like to Stay in This Part of Metro Atlanta

Suburban, Commercial Corridor Feel

The Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE – Norcross sits in a busy, suburban commercial area:

• Nearby you can typically expect:
  • Chain restaurants and fast-casual spots
  • Gas stations and convenience stores
  • Office parks and low-rise commercial buildings
• The feel is car-oriented rather than walkable-urban.

If you want a leafy neighborhood to stroll around, Historic Downtown Norcross is a better walking spot (short drive away) with small shops, restaurants, and local parks.

Proximity to Historic Downtown Norcross

From the hotel’s general area, you can reach Historic Downtown Norcross in about 5–10 minutes by car. It offers:

• Local restaurants and cafés
• Thrasher Park, often used for community events
• Sidewalks and small boutiques, giving more of a “small town within the metro” vibe

This is a nice contrast if you’re staying at a business hotel but want at least a bit of neighborhood character in the evenings.

Using Norcross as a Base for Atlanta Attractions

Here’s how the Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE – Norcross area usually works as a base for key Atlanta-area attractions:

If your plan is heavily “tourist Atlanta”—multiple days at the Aquarium, World of Coke, College Football Hall of Fame, and walking around Midtown—some people prefer staying in-town.

If your schedule is mixed (some city attractions, some time in Gwinnett, plus business in office parks), Norcross can be a good middle ground.

Nearby Food, Shopping, and Everyday Errands

One advantage of staying around Norcross is day-to-day convenience. Within a short drive of the Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE – Norcross area, you can typically find:

• Groceries & essentials
  • Supermarkets and big-box stores along Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Pleasant Hill Road, and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
• Restaurants
  • National chains (casual, fast food, coffee shops)
  • Diverse local options, especially Latin American and Asian restaurants in nearby parts of Norcross and Duluth
• Pharmacies & gas stations
  • Widely available on main corridors

🛒 Tip for longer stays: If you’re in town for a conference or work assignment, stocking up on snacks, drinks, and basic groceries from a nearby supermarket can cut down on daily costs.

When Locals Use the Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE – Norcross

Atlanta-area residents sometimes use hotels like this one for:

• Work-related stays
  • Short-term projects in nearby office parks or industrial areas
• “Home base” during home repairs
  • If work is being done on a house in Gwinnett or DeKalb County, Norcross is a reasonably central spot
• Events and reunions
  • Family events, weddings, or class reunions in Gwinnett County might arrange room blocks at midscale business hotels in this corridor

Locals typically choose this area when they need to be near NE Atlanta/Gwinnett, not when they want a “staycation” in the heart of Atlanta nightlife.

Practical Tips for Staying in Norcross While Visiting Atlanta

To make the most of a stay at or near the Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE – Norcross, consider:

1. Plan driving around rush hour.
   • For Downtown/Midtown day trips, leaving after morning rush and returning before evening rush can save time.
2. Use MARTA strategically.
   • Driving or ridesharing to Doraville Station and then taking rail into town can be easier for big events, parades, or sports games where parking is challenging.
3. Budget for parking in Atlanta.
   • Most in-town attractions and business districts charge for parking; it’s common to pay in garages or lots.
4. Explore both Norcross and in-town neighborhoods.
   • Spend a morning or evening in Historic Norcross, then set aside other days for Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead to get a fuller feel of the region.
5. Double-check event schedules.
   • If you’re heading to State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Fox Theatre, or Gas South District, build in extra travel time from Norcross, especially on weekend evenings.

Is Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE – Norcross the Right Location for You?

For someone focusing on northeast Atlanta and Gwinnett County, or anyone comfortable driving to in-town attractions, the Norcross area can be practical, relatively quiet, and convenient for freeway access.

If your priority is to walk everywhere in the City of Atlanta, be surrounded by nightlife, and rely less on a car, you may find Norcross too suburban and drive-dependent.

Understanding that this hotel is in the Atlanta metro, but not in the City of Atlanta itself, helps set realistic expectations and lets you plan your transportation, sightseeing, and schedule accordingly.