Perimeter Mall in Atlanta: Your Practical Guide to Shopping, Dining, and Getting Around

Perimeter Mall is one of Atlanta’s major retail and lifestyle hubs, anchoring the Perimeter Center / Dunwoody area just north of the city. For many locals, it’s a go-to spot for shopping, lunch breaks, and errands; for visitors, it’s an easy-to-reach alternative to intown malls, surrounded by hotels, offices, and major hospitals.

This guide walks you through what to expect at Perimeter Mall, how to get there, nearby neighborhoods and services, and how to make the most of a visit if you live in or are visiting Atlanta.

Where Perimeter Mall Is and Why It Matters

Perimeter Mall sits in the Perimeter Center / Dunwoody district, just outside the northern edge of the Atlanta city limits, but very much part of the greater Atlanta metro experience.

• Address: 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30346
• Area: Perimeter Center / Dunwoody (just off I‑285, north of Atlanta)
• Nearby districts: Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Chamblee, and North Buckhead

The mall serves as a central point for:

• Shoppers from all over metro Atlanta looking for department stores, national brands, and specialty retailers
• Office workers in the dense Perimeter business district
• Patients and visitors at nearby medical centers such as Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital and Northside Hospital Atlanta
• Travelers staying at nearby hotels along Hammond Drive, Ashford Dunwoody Road, and Perimeter Center Parkway

Because of its location at the intersection of several major highways and MARTA lines, Perimeter Mall is often easier to reach than intown shopping districts during peak hours coming from the suburbs.

What You’ll Find Inside Perimeter Mall

Perimeter Mall is a traditional enclosed shopping mall with multiple levels, anchored by department stores and filled with a mix of national and regional retailers.

Shopping Highlights

Shops change over time, but you can typically expect:

• Anchor department stores (commonly including options like Macy’s and Dillard’s)
• Popular fashion brands for men, women, and kids
• Footwear and athletic stores
• Jewelry and accessories
• Beauty and cosmetics retailers
• Electronics and tech accessories
• Home, gift, and specialty shops

For Atlanta residents, Perimeter Mall is often a first stop for wardrobe updates, gift shopping, and back-to-school errands. Compared to some intown centers, it offers more parking and a wider range of mid-to-upscale brands in one place.

Dining and Snacks

Along with in-mall eateries, the broader Perimeter Center district has a dense mix of restaurants.

Inside or directly attached to the mall, you’ll typically find:

• Quick-service and fast-casual spots (sandwiches, burgers, salads, Asian, Mexican, etc.)
• Coffee shops and dessert options
• Sit-down restaurants along the mall’s exterior and in adjacent lots

Just outside the mall, along Ashford Dunwoody Rd and Hammond Dr, you’ll find:

• Chain restaurants and steakhouses
• Casual neighborhood-style eateries
• Hotel restaurants serving nearby office workers and visitors

If you’re coordinating plans with friends or coworkers in Atlanta’s north metro area, “let’s just meet at Perimeter” is a common default because there are so many dining options within a short walk or drive.

Getting to Perimeter Mall from Around Atlanta

One of Perimeter Mall’s biggest advantages is its accessibility from across the metro.

By Car

Perimeter Mall is located at the junction of I‑285 and GA‑400, making it reachable from most parts of Atlanta:

• From Buckhead / Midtown Atlanta
  • Take GA‑400 North to I‑285 East (or West, depending on your route)
  • Exit at Ashford Dunwoody Road
• From Downtown Atlanta
  • Use I‑85 North or I‑75/85 Connector, then connect to I‑285 and exit at Ashford Dunwoody
• From East / West I‑285 suburbs
  • Follow I‑285 to the Ashford Dunwoody Rd exit; the mall is just to the north of the highway

🅿️ Parking:
Perimeter Mall typically offers large surface lots and structured parking garages surrounding the building. Parking is usually free, but note:

• Some garages or areas may be closer to specific anchors (e.g., near particular department stores)
• During holiday shopping season and major sales, lots fill up quickly; allow extra time for parking

By MARTA (Public Transit)

For many Atlanta residents and visitors, MARTA is one of the easiest ways to reach Perimeter Mall.

• Nearest station:Dunwoody MARTA Station (Red Line)
• The station is within easy walking distance of the mall via Perimeter Center West and Hammond Dr

From major points:

• From Downtown / Midtown Atlanta:
  • Board the Red Line northbound toward North Springs and exit at Dunwoody
• From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport:
  • Take the Gold or Red Line north from Airport Station
  • If on Gold, transfer to Red at Lindbergh Center; continue to Dunwoody

MARTA bus routes also serve the Perimeter Center area, connecting the mall to surrounding neighborhoods and business parks.

Perimeter Mall and the Perimeter Center / Dunwoody Neighborhood

Perimeter Mall is the anchor of Perimeter Center, a dense, mixed-use district that includes:

• High-rise and mid-rise office buildings
• Hotels ranging from extended-stay to full-service properties
• Apartment and condo communities
• Medical centers, including Northside, Emory Saint Joseph’s, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite (slightly further east along I‑285)

Living Near Perimeter Mall

Many Atlanta residents choose to live in the Perimeter Center / Dunwoody area because it offers:

• Short commutes to nearby corporate employers
• Walkable or short-drive access to shopping at Perimeter Mall and other big-box centers
• Quick access to I‑285 and GA‑400 for trips to Midtown, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, or the northern suburbs

For daily life, Perimeter Mall functions as a central hub for errands, especially for:

• Clothing and shoe shopping
• Beauty and personal care
• Casual dining and social meetups
• Seasonal gift shopping and holiday outings

If you’re relocating to metro Atlanta, it’s useful to know that Perimeter Center feels more like a modern edge city than a traditional small-town downtown, and Perimeter Mall is one of its main gathering points.

Services, Amenities, and Accessibility

Perimeter Mall is laid out to serve both quick errand runs and longer browsing trips.

Typical Amenities You Can Expect

While specific services can change over time, visitors generally find:

• Restrooms and family facilities
• ATMs in key locations
• Guest services / information desk
• Seating areas throughout the mall corridors
• Mall security presence during open hours

If you need lost and found, security assistance, or information about wheelchair or stroller availability, look for posted signage once you arrive or ask at a central information desk.

Accessibility Considerations

For those in Atlanta who need mobility support or are planning a trip with older family members:

• The mall typically offers elevator access between levels
• Entrances are designed to be wheelchair-accessible
• Parking areas often include designated accessible spaces near mall entrances

If you rely on MARTA, the Dunwoody Station is designed with accessibility in mind, including elevators and accessible paths toward the mall. Checking specific accessibility details with MARTA and the mall’s information line before a visit is a good idea if you have particular needs.

When to Visit: Timing, Crowds, and Safety Tips

Typical Busy Times

You’ll likely notice heavier crowds at Perimeter Mall:

• Weekday lunch hours (due to nearby offices)
• Late afternoons and early evenings on weekdays
• Saturdays and Sundays, especially midday
• Holiday seasons (November and December), when both the mall and surrounding roads are significantly busier

If you prefer a quieter experience, weekday mornings and early afternoons tend to be less crowded.

Safety and Practical Tips

Like most major shopping centers in metro Atlanta, Perimeter Mall maintains regular security patrols, but you’ll still want to follow common-sense precautions:

• Park in well-lit areas, especially if staying after dark
• Keep valuables out of sight in your vehicle
• Take note of which entrance or parking deck section you use so you can find your car easily
• If you’re new to the area or visiting Atlanta, consider staying in visible, populated walkways at night and using marked pedestrian paths between nearby hotels and the mall

Perimeter Mall vs. Other Atlanta Shopping Areas

For someone trying to understand how Perimeter Mall fits into the broader Atlanta shopping landscape, here’s a quick comparison:

People in the north metro / OTP (Outside the Perimeter) often use Perimeter Mall as their primary mall, while in-town and Buckhead residents may split trips between Lenox, Phipps, and Perimeter, depending on store selection and traffic.

Using Perimeter Mall as a Landmark in North Atlanta

Because of its visibility from I‑285 and its central location in Perimeter Center, the mall functions as a major reference point for directions and planning in north Atlanta:

• Many people describe offices, apartments, and medical facilities as being “near Perimeter Mall”
• Hotels along Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Perimeter Center West, Perimeter Center Parkway, and Hammond Dr often advertise proximity to the mall and MARTA
• Rideshare drivers and taxis are generally very familiar with the Perimeter Mall area, which makes pickup and drop-off straightforward

If you’re coordinating with visitors or new arrivals to Atlanta, telling them to “take MARTA to Dunwoody Station and walk to Perimeter Mall” is a simple set of directions that works well as a first meeting point.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• Location: Perimeter Mall anchors the Perimeter Center / Dunwoody district just north of the Atlanta city limits, off I‑285 and GA‑400.
• Access: It’s one of the most transit-friendly malls in the metro, with direct access via the Dunwoody MARTA Station and easy highway connections.
• Role in daily life: For many people living or working in north Atlanta, it’s a default destination for clothing, gifts, and casual dining, surrounded by offices, housing, and hospitals.
• Planning a visit: Consider time of day and traffic, especially around rush hour and holidays, and take advantage of MARTA if you want to avoid parking stress.

Understanding Perimeter Mall and its surrounding Perimeter Center / Dunwoody neighborhood gives you a clearer view of how north metro Atlanta is organized, where people shop and meet up, and how to navigate this busy but convenient part of the region.