North Point Mall: What Atlantans Should Know About This Changing Alpharetta Landmark

North Point Mall in Alpharetta, just north of Atlanta, has long been one of the major shopping destinations in metro Atlanta. If you live in the city, you’ve probably made the drive up GA-400 for a weekend shopping trip, a movie, or a visit to the nearby Ameris Bank Amphitheatre or Topgolf.

In recent years, though, North Point Mall has been in transition, with evolving store lineups and major redevelopment plans on the table. If you’re trying to figure out whether it’s still worth a visit, how to get there, or what’s happening next with the property, this guide breaks it down from an Atlanta local’s perspective.

Where North Point Mall Fits in Metro Atlanta

Location:
North Point Mall is in Alpharetta, roughly 25 miles north of Downtown Atlanta, near the GA-400 corridor.

Typical drive times (without heavy traffic):

• From Downtown Atlanta: 25–35 minutes via I-85 / GA-400
• From Midtown: 25–30 minutes via GA-400
• From Buckhead: 20–25 minutes via GA-400
• From Sandy Springs / Dunwoody: 10–20 minutes
• From Roswell / Johns Creek: 10–20 minutes

The mall sits in a broader North Point commercial district, which includes:

• Big-box retailers and restaurants along North Point Parkway
• Entertainment options like Topgolf Alpharetta and Main Event
• Short drives to Avalon and Downtown Alpharetta

For many Atlantans, a trip to North Point is part of a larger “North Fulton shopping day” that might include multiple stops in Alpharetta and Roswell.

What North Point Mall Is Like Today

North Point Mall opened in the early 1990s and was once one of the premier enclosed malls in the Southeast. Over time, like many traditional malls, it has seen:

• Shifts in anchor stores
• More vacancies in the interior
• Increased competition from open-air mixed-use developments like Avalon and The Battery Atlanta

As of recent years, you can expect:

• A mix of national retail brands and smaller specialty shops
• Varying occupancy inside the main corridors
• Surrounding outparcels (around the mall) that are often busier than the interior

If you’re used to the packed, high-energy feeling of Avalon or Ponce City Market, North Point Mall feels quieter and more traditional, but it can still be useful for targeted shopping trips.

Getting to North Point Mall from Atlanta

By Car

Most visitors from Atlanta reach North Point Mall via GA-400:

1. Take GA-400 North
2. Exit at Exit 8 (Mansell Road) or Exit 9 (Haynes Bridge Road)
3. Follow signs to North Point Parkway
4. The mall complex is off North Point Circle / North Point Parkway

There is ample free parking, including surrounding surface lots and garage parking nearer to the entrances.

Traffic tip for Atlantans:

• 🕒 Weekday rush hours (7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.) on GA-400 can be slow, especially around I-285 and the North Springs area.
• If you want a lower-stress trip from the city, late morning or early afternoon on weekdays or Sunday afternoons tend to be easier.

By Public Transit (MARTA)

Reaching North Point Mall fully by transit from Atlanta is less direct than many in-town destinations, but it is possible with a MARTA rail + bus combination.

Typical route:

1. Take MARTA Red Line to North Springs Station
2. Transfer to a MARTA bus or local shuttle that serves the Alpharetta / North Point area (routes and schedules change, so it’s important to check current MARTA schedules before you go)

Because North Point Mall sits beyond the densest MARTA service area, many Atlantans prefer to drive or carpool when heading to Alpharetta.

Shopping at North Point Mall: What to Expect

North Point Mall is laid out in a classic indoor, multi-anchor format with:

• A central concourse with interior mall stores
• Anchor spaces (which have changed over time)
• Kiosks, seasonal stands, and a basic food court area

Types of Stores You’re Likely to Find

While individual tenants change, you can generally expect:

• Apparel and accessories: chain clothiers, shoe stores, jewelry
• Tech and gadgets: phone repair, electronics-related retailers
• Health and beauty: cosmetics, salons, personal care stores
• Family-oriented shops: children’s clothing, toy/game stores

If you’re coming from the city, one way to think about North Point is as a more traditional, climate-controlled complement to outdoor-heavy destinations like Atlantic Station or Avalon.

When It’s Most Useful for Atlantans

North Point Mall can be especially handy if you:

• Need one-stop shopping for clothing, shoes, and gifts
• Prefer indoor, air-conditioned walking (especially in summer heat or rainy weather)
• Are already in the Alpharetta / Roswell area for work, sports, or events
• Want a quieter mall environment compared to peak-hour crowds at other major centers

Dining and Food Options in the North Point Area

Inside the mall, you’ll typically find:

• A food court with quick-service chains
• A few snack and dessert vendors scattered through the concourse

However, many Atlantans treat the larger North Point district as the real dining zone:

• Numerous chain and fast-casual restaurants along North Point Parkway and Mansell Road
• Nearby options that cater to families, sports teams, and large groups
• Short drives to higher-end or trendier eateries at Avalon or Downtown Alpharetta

If you’re visiting from Atlanta, it’s often worth pairing a mall visit with a restaurant stop elsewhere in Alpharetta to make the trip feel more like a full outing.

North Point Mall vs. Other Atlanta Shopping Areas

Here’s a quick side-by-side view to help you decide when North Point Mall makes sense compared with other major Atlanta-area shopping destinations.

For many city residents, North Point Mall is most appealing if you’re:

• Visiting friends or family in North Fulton
• Already heading to Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, a youth sports tournament, or business in Alpharetta
• Looking for a less hectic alternative to Buckhead’s retail scene

Safety, Comfort, and Family Friendliness

Consumers who visit North Point Mall and the broader Alpharetta commercial area often note:

• A generally suburban, family-focused atmosphere
• Large, well-lit parking lots
• Regular police and security presence around high-traffic shopping zones

If you’re bringing kids from Atlanta for a weekend outing, the main advantages are:

• Indoor space for strollers and young children
• Nearby kid-friendly dining and entertainment venues
• The ability to combine a mall trip with mini-golf, bowling, or arcade-style activities in the area

As with any large shopping area in metro Atlanta, it’s still wise to:

• Lock your vehicle and avoid leaving valuables in sight
• Note your parking area (section/row) before heading in
• Keep an eye on updates from Alpharetta Department of Public Safety if you’re concerned about local conditions

Redevelopment and the Future of North Point Mall

North Point Mall has been the focus of ongoing redevelopment discussions and proposals. While the exact timeline and details can shift, the general direction has been toward:

• Reducing the traditional indoor mall footprint
• Introducing more mixed-use elements (residential, office, green space)
• Enhancing walkability and creating a more modern district around the property

For Atlantans, this means:

• The mall you remember from the 1990s and 2000s is likely to keep changing
• Over time, the area may feel less like a classic mall and more like a multi-purpose destination similar in spirit to Avalon or other mixed-use projects
• Store lineups, entrances, and parking patterns may shift as redevelopment phases roll out

If you rely on a specific store at North Point, it’s smart to:

• Call ahead to confirm it’s still open and in the same location
• Check whether a brand has another location closer to your part of Atlanta, in case of closures or relocations

Practical Tips for Visiting from Atlanta

To make a North Point Mall trip from Atlanta smoother:

1. Plan your timing

• Aim for midday on weekdays or late morning on weekends to avoid the worst GA-400 congestion.
• If attending a concert nearby, plan to arrive earlier and use the mall area for pre-event shopping or dining.

2. Pair your trip with nearby destinations

You can easily combine North Point Mall with:

• Avalon: for dining, coffee, or a more modern outdoor retail stroll
• Downtown Alpharetta: for a small-town main street feel
• Outdoor spots in North Fulton if you want to split the day between shopping and parks

3. Use it for “bulk errand days”

Because of the concentration of big-box retailers around North Point:

• It’s a good place to knock out multiple errands (clothing, electronics, home goods) in one trip.
• For city residents who typically rely on smaller intown stores, this area can be efficient for larger-scale shopping.

4. Watch for special events or sales

Major holiday periods and back-to-school seasons tend to bring:

• Extended hours
• Sales and promotions that may not be as visible in smaller Atlanta retail clusters

Checking store or mall information before you drive up can help you decide if it’s worth the trip from the city.

Key Takeaways for Atlantans Considering North Point Mall

• North Point Mall is an Alpharetta landmark that has transitioned from a bustling 1990s super-regional mall to a quieter, evolving shopping center in a high-traffic suburban corridor.
• For people in Atlanta, it’s most useful when you’re already heading north or want a suburban, indoor mall environment with big parking lots and less density than Buckhead or Midtown.
• The broader North Point district—beyond the mall itself—is often the main draw, thanks to surrounding retailers, restaurants, and nearby attractions.
• Ongoing and proposed redevelopment are reshaping what North Point Mall will be in the future, gradually moving toward a more mixed-use, walkable layout.
• If you’re planning a visit, treat it as part of a larger Alpharetta outing, making the most of nearby destinations like Avalon, Downtown Alpharetta, and the area’s entertainment venues.

For Atlantans, North Point Mall today is less of a standalone “all-day attraction” and more of a practical, flexible stop within the growing North Fulton corridor—still relevant, but in a very different way than its peak-mall era.