The Best Malls in Atlanta: Where to Shop, Eat, and Explore

Atlanta’s malls are more than shopping centers—they double as food halls, social hubs, walking spots on rainy days, and easy places to entertain visiting friends and family. Whether you live in the city, commute from the suburbs, or are here for a weekend, knowing which malls in Atlanta fit your plans can save a lot of time.

Below is a practical guide to major malls and shopping centers in and around Atlanta, what each one is known for, and how to choose the right one for your day.

Quick Snapshot of Major Malls in and Around Atlanta

Buckhead: Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza

Lenox Square

Location: 3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 (Buckhead)

Why locals and visitors go:

• One of Atlanta’s best-known and busiest malls
• Strong mix of mid-range to upscale stores
• Access to MARTA (Lenox Station) and a dense cluster of nearby hotels

Lenox Square is usually where people go when they say they’re “shopping in Buckhead.” You’ll find:

• National department stores
• Popular fashion, shoe, and accessory chains
• A large food court plus sit-down restaurants
• Seasonal attractions, especially around the holidays

Best if you:

• Want a classic, full indoor mall experience
• Are staying in Buckhead and looking for a lot of options in one stop
• Like to combine shopping with people-watching and a busy atmosphere

Tips:

• 🚆 If you want to avoid parking and traffic, MARTA’s Lenox Station is a short walk.
• Weekends, evenings, and holidays are peak times; weekdays earlier in the day are usually calmer.

Phipps Plaza

Location: 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 (Buckhead)

Just across Peachtree from Lenox, Phipps Plaza feels more relaxed and upscale.

What to expect:

• Luxury brands and higher-end boutiques
• A more spacious, quiet atmosphere than Lenox
• Upgraded dining and entertainment options
• Renovated areas with a modern, polished design

Best if you:

• Prefer a less crowded, higher-end shopping experience
• Are looking for luxury goods, business attire, or gift shopping
• Want a spot that works well for meetings or calm lunch plans

Many locals pair Phipps plus Lenox in the same outing, walking or driving between the two depending on what types of stores they need.

Northside: Perimeter Mall

Perimeter Mall

Location: 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30346

Perimeter Mall sits at the northern edge of Atlanta’s core, near the I‑285/GA‑400 interchange, in the Perimeter business district.

Why it’s popular:

• Big mix of department stores, fashion, shoe, and tech retailers
• Surrounding area is packed with restaurants, offices, and hotels
• Convenient for people living or working in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, and North Atlanta

You’ll find:

• A sizeable indoor mall with a traditional layout
• A range of chain and specialty shops
• Easy access from MARTA’s Dunwoody Station (short walk)

Best if you:

• Want “one and done” errand-style shopping (clothes, gifts, quick bites)
• Work in the Perimeter area and need a lunch break or after-work stop
• Are meeting friends from different parts of metro Atlanta and want a central-ish northside point

Northwest: Cumberland Mall and The Battery Area

Cumberland Mall

Location: 2860 Cumberland Mall SE, Atlanta, GA 30339 (Cobb County area)

Right off I‑285 near Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta, Cumberland Mall serves the northwest side of the metro area.

What it offers:

• Typical regional mall stores for clothing, shoes, and accessories
• A food court and several sit-down restaurants
• Proximity to The Battery for extended dining or nightlife

Best if you:

• Live or work in Cumberland, Smyrna, Vinings, or Marietta
• Want to combine shopping with a Braves game or Battery visit
• Need an indoor mall near major highways for convenience

Parking is generally straightforward, but on game days or big events at Truist Park the whole area can be busier.

In-Town, Open-Air: Atlantic Station

Atlantic Station

Location: 1380 Atlantic Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30363 (Midtown/Westside)

Atlantic Station functions like an outdoor mall blended with a mini-city center. It’s not a traditional enclosed mall, but many people use it the same way.

What to expect:

• A mix of national retail stores in an open-air setting
• A movie theater, frequent events, and large open plaza
• Numerous dining options, from quick service to sit-down

Why Atlanta residents like it:

• Walkable layout with streets, plazas, and green spaces
• Central to Midtown, Georgia Tech, and West Midtown
• Often hosts markets, seasonal events, and live activations

Best if you:

• Prefer walking outside instead of being in a full indoor mall
• Want to see a movie, grab food, and shop all in one compact spot
• Are staying near Midtown and want a near-by shopping and entertainment hub

Driving in can be a little confusing the first time, but there are large garages with ticketed or validated parking.

East Metro: The Mall at Stonecrest

The Mall at Stonecrest

Location: 2929 Turner Hill Rd, Lithonia, GA 30038

Located east of Atlanta near I‑20, The Mall at Stonecrest serves Lithonia, Stonecrest, and much of the eastern metro.

What you’ll find:

• Standard mix of mall retailers, department stores, and shoe shops
• A food court and nearby outparcel dining
• Access to other big-box shopping in the surrounding area

Best if you:

• Live on the Eastside and don’t want to drive into Buckhead or Perimeter
• Need a traditional indoor mall environment closer to DeKalb and Rockdale
• Are combining a mall visit with other errands nearby

Northeast: Northlake Mall (Tucker Area)

Northlake Mall

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

Northlake Mall is an older mall near the I‑285 and LaVista Rd area. Over the years, it has seen changes in tenants and usage.

What to know:

• Historically a mid-size suburban mall
• Parts of the property have shifted toward non-retail uses
• Retail options are more limited compared to Lenox, Perimeter, or Cumberland

Best if you:

• Are nearby and need a specific tenant that’s still operating in the mall or outparcels
• Want to combine a short stop with other LaVista/Tucker-area errands

If you’re looking for a full, modern mall day, most people on the northeast side lean toward Perimeter Mall or head in to Buckhead instead.

Southwest & Southside: Greenbriar Mall and Other Options

Greenbriar Mall

Location: 2841 Greenbriar Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30331

Greenbriar Mall is a long-standing Southwest Atlanta shopping center with deep neighborhood roots.

What to expect:

• A mix of local shops and some national chains
• A more community-focused feel than newer regional malls
• Services and stores geared toward nearby residents

Best if you:

• Live in Southwest Atlanta and need nearby shopping
• Prefer a smaller-scale, familiar environment

For a wider tenant mix, many people on the south and southwest side also look toward Camp Creek Marketplace (open-air, big-box style) or drive north to Cumberland or Perimeter, depending on what they need.

How to Choose the Right Mall in Atlanta

When you’re deciding which Atlanta mall to visit, it helps to match the place to your purpose.

1. For High-End and Designer Shopping

• Lenox Square – Upscale, busy, with a wide range of fashion and accessory brands
• Phipps Plaza – Higher-end and more relaxed, with a luxury focus

These two Buckhead malls are a good pick if you want premium brands, gift shopping, or a “big city” mall feel.

2. For Everyday Errands and Family Trips

• Perimeter Mall – Balanced mix of practical and fashion-oriented stores; easy MARTA access
• Cumberland Mall – Convenient for northwest suburbs, with lots of surrounding services
• The Mall at Stonecrest – Eastside choice if you want a traditional indoor mall closer to home

These work well for school shopping, seasonal wardrobe refreshes, and family outings.

3. For a Walkable, “Day Out” Experience

• Atlantic Station – Outdoor shopping streets, movies, and frequent events
• Buckhead (Lenox + Phipps area) – Walkable between two major malls and nearby restaurants

If you want more of a hangout, date, or meetup spot, these areas make it easy to fill an afternoon or evening.

4. For No-Car or Low-Car Access

If you’re relying on MARTA:

• Lenox Square – Walkable from Lenox Station
• Phipps Plaza – Short walk from Lenox area bus routes and rail connections
• Perimeter Mall – Short walk from Dunwoody Station
• Atlantic Station – Served by shuttle service from Arts Center Station (check current schedules)

This can be useful if you’re visiting Atlanta without a car or just want to avoid parking and traffic.

Practical Tips for Visiting Atlanta Malls

1. Check hours before you go.
Mall hours can differ by day and sometimes by tenant. Holidays and special events often mean modified hours.

2. Plan around traffic.

• Buckhead (Lenox/Phipps) and Perimeter areas can be congested during rush hour, especially around GA‑400 and I‑285.
• Cumberland near Truist Park can be extra busy on game days.

3. Think about parking.
Most Atlanta-area malls have large free parking lots or garages, though certain garages at mixed-use developments (like Atlantic Station) may have ticketed or time-limited parking.

4. Safety basics.
As with any large, busy area in a major city:

• Keep valuables out of sight in your car.
• Be mindful of your surroundings, especially at night or in less busy parts of lots or garages.
• Stick to well-lit, populated areas when possible.

5. Pair your mall with nearby attractions.

• Cumberland Mall + The Battery / Truist Park
• Atlantic Station + Midtown museums or the Arts Center area
• Lenox/Phipps + Buckhead restaurants and nightlife

This can turn a simple shopping trip into a more complete Atlanta outing.

When a Mall Isn’t Necessary: Alternatives Around Atlanta

If you don’t need a full mall but still want a solid shopping experience, Atlanta has several non-mall options that locals use in a similar way:

• Camp Creek Marketplace (East Point) – Big-box and chain stores in an open-air center, good for Southside residents
• Edgewood Retail District (near Little Five Points) – Target, grocery, and other essentials in a central location
• Howell Mill / Midtown West corridor – Big-box retail plus specialty stores along Howell Mill Rd

These can be easier for quick errands if you don’t need an all-day mall environment.

By matching your destination to your purpose—luxury shopping, quick errands, family time, or a full “day out”—you can make Atlanta’s malls work smoothly for your schedule, whether you’re a longtime resident or just getting to know the city.