Avalon in Alpharetta: Atlanta’s Open-Air Luxury Shopping & Lifestyle Destination

If you live in the Atlanta metro area or you’re visiting and looking for an upscale place to shop, dine, and unwind, Avalon in Alpharetta is one of the most popular mixed-use destinations on the north side. It blends luxury retail, restaurants, entertainment, office space, and residences in a walkable, open-air setting.

Located about 25–30 minutes north of Buckhead (outside of rush hour), Avalon has become a go-to option for Atlantans who want a “mini city” experience without driving into Midtown.

Where Avalon Is and How to Get There from Atlanta

Address:
Avalon
400 Avalon Blvd
Alpharetta, GA 30009

This development sits just off GA 400 at Exit 10 (Old Milton Parkway) in Alpharetta.

Driving from Different Parts of Atlanta

Most Atlantans reach Avalon by car:

• From Midtown/ Downtown Atlanta

  • Take I-75/85 North to GA 400 North
  • Exit at Old Milton Parkway (Exit 10)
  • Turn left onto Old Milton Pkwy
  • Follow signs to Avalon (entrances are well marked)

• From Buckhead / Sandy Springs

  • Take GA 400 North
  • Exit at Old Milton Parkway (Exit 10)
  • Turn left and drive a short distance; Avalon will be on your right

• From Roswell or Johns Creek

  • Many locals use Old Milton Parkway, Kimball Bridge Road, or nearby surface streets to avoid 400, depending on traffic.

Parking at Avalon

Avalon is designed around several parking decks and limited street parking:

• Self-parking:

  • Multiple parking decks (usually free, but verify posted signs)
  • Street parking along Avalon Blvd and surrounding streets (often time-limited)

• Valet parking:

  • Available at marked stations near central shopping and dining areas
  • Useful on busy weekends or during events

Tip: On holiday weekends or during major events (like tree lightings or concert nights), give yourself extra time to park and walk.

What Makes Avalon Different from a Traditional Mall?

Avalon is not an enclosed mall. It’s a planned “live-work-play” community, combining:

• Luxury and boutique shopping
• Upscale and casual dining
• Movie theater and seasonal ice skating
• Apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes
• Office buildings and hotels
• Public gathering spaces with a central green

Instead of walking through corridors like at Perimeter Mall or Lenox Square, you stroll along wide sidewalks outdoors, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and patios.

Shopping at Avalon: Luxury, Everyday, and Boutique Options

For Atlanta-area shoppers, Avalon often feels like a north-side alternative to Buckhead with a slightly more relaxed, suburban vibe.

Types of Stores You’ll Find

While specific tenants can change, Avalon typically features:

• Luxury & premium brands

  • High-end fashion, accessories, and beauty
  • Often similar labels you’d see at Lenox or Phipps, but in an outdoor setting

• Contemporary fashion & lifestyle retailers

  • National brands geared toward men, women, and children
  • Popular for workwear, casual wear, and athleisure

• Specialty boutiques

  • Locally focused or niche lifestyle stores
  • Home décor, gifts, and unique accessories

• Beauty & wellness

  • Cosmetics and skincare brands
  • Salons, spas, and grooming services

• Tech & home

  • Electronics, mobile devices, and connected-home stores
  • Select home furnishing or design shops

Because retail mix changes over time, it’s worth checking an updated store directory before you go if you’re looking for a specific brand.

When Avalon Is Best for Shopping

Many Atlanta residents time their trip based on traffic and crowds:

• Weekday mornings / early afternoons:

  • Quieter, easier parking
  • Good for focused shopping or errands

• Evenings & weekends:

  • Lively atmosphere, busier sidewalks
  • Combines shopping with dinner, drinks, or a movie

Dining and Nightlife: Where Atlantans Go to Eat at Avalon

One of Avalon’s biggest draws for locals is its restaurant scene. It’s common for people from Brookhaven, Buckhead, Dunwoody, Johns Creek, and Milton to meet in the middle here for dinner.

Types of Restaurants You Can Expect

Avalon usually includes:

• Upscale sit-down restaurants

  • Modern American, steak, seafood, and chef-driven menus
  • Ideal for date nights or client dinners

• Casual and family-friendly spots

  • Pizza, burgers, tacos, and global comfort foods
  • Structured to accommodate kids and groups

• Cafés and coffee shops

  • Great for remote work, casual meetups, or pre-shopping caffeine

• Dessert and specialty

  • Ice cream, bakeries, sweet shops, and sometimes specialty beverage spots

Many restaurants have patios that face the central boulevard or green, giving you a more social, open-air feel than traditional mall food courts.

Nightlife Vibes

Avalon is not a club district, but it does offer:

• Bars and lounges attached to restaurants
• Seasonal events that extend into the evening
• A generally lively pedestrian atmosphere on weekend nights

If you want a calmer version of Atlanta nightlife with less of the Midtown club scene, Avalon can be a good fit.

Entertainment: More Than Just Shopping

Atlantans often think of Avalon as an afternoon-into-evening destination because there’s plenty to do beyond shopping and dining.

Movie Theater

Avalon includes a modern movie theater showing major releases, often with:

• Stadium seating
• Reserved seats
• Expanded food and beverage options

Locals frequently combine a movie + dinner or shopping + matinee in the same visit.

Seasonal Activities and Events

Avalon’s central green and boulevard host a rotating schedule of events throughout the year. Depending on the season, you may see:

• Ice skating rink in the colder months
• Holiday tree lighting and festive décor
• Outdoor concerts or music nights
• Fitness classes or family-friendly programs

These events tend to attract both Alpharetta residents and people driving up from other parts of metro Atlanta, so expect heavier traffic during major happenings.

Living, Working, and Staying at Avalon

Avalon is also a neighborhood and business hub, not just a place to shop.

Residences at Avalon

The development features:

• Luxury apartments
• Townhomes
• Single-family homes in the Avalon community

For some Atlantans, this offers the ability to live within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and offices. Pricing tends to reflect its premium, amenity-rich positioning, so it’s often considered a higher-end option within North Fulton.

Office Space

Several companies maintain offices at Avalon, meaning:

• Daytime foot traffic from office workers
• Business lunches and after-work meetups are common
• It’s frequently used for corporate events and client meetings

Hotels Nearby

For out-of-town visitors who want a base north of the city, there are hotels within or adjacent to Avalon and additional options along GA 400 in Alpharetta.

This can be convenient if you’re:

• Attending a wedding or event in North Fulton
• Visiting friends or family in Alpharetta, Milton, or Johns Creek
• Coming for a weekend of shopping and dining without commuting from in-town Atlanta

How Avalon Compares to Other Atlanta Shopping Areas

If you’re planning your visit, it helps to understand how Avalon fits into the larger Atlanta shopping landscape.

Quick Comparison for Atlantans

For many north-metro residents, Avalon is the default choice when they want a nice dinner plus shopping without driving into Buckhead. For in-town Atlantans, it’s a pleasant change of scenery from the city core.

Tips for Visiting Avalon from Atlanta

A bit of planning can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

Best Times to Go

• Low crowds:

  • Weekday mornings or early afternoons
  • Non-holiday weekdays

• Most energy and buzz:

  • Thursday–Saturday evenings
  • Weekends during spring and fall
  • Holiday season (plan for traffic and parking delays)

What to Wear and Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes – you’ll be on sidewalks and walking between buildings
• Weather-appropriate layers – all shopping is outdoors between stores
• Small umbrella or jacket on rainy days
• Plan for sun in summer; there is shade, but Georgia heat can be intense

Bringing Kids

Avalon is generally family-friendly, with:

• Open spaces and greens where kids can move around
• Family-oriented restaurants and dessert spots
• Seasonal events aimed at children and families

If you’re visiting with strollers or young kids, many Atlantans find weekday daytime visits less hectic than peak weekend hours.

Practical Details: Hours, Services, and Accessibility

Typical Hours

While hours vary by business, you’ll usually see:

• Retail stores:
  • Around 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., especially Friday–Saturday
• Restaurants and bars:
  • Often open later into the evening
• Movie theater:
  • Showtimes from late morning or afternoon into night

Always double-check individual store or restaurant hours, especially on holidays or event days.

Accessibility

Avalon is built with sidewalks, ramps, and elevators in its parking decks to improve accessibility. If you or someone in your group has mobility needs:

• Look for reserved accessible parking in each deck
• Use elevators to reach retail and restaurant levels
• Call ahead to specific restaurants if you need special seating or access arrangements

Nearby North Atlanta Attractions to Pair with Avalon

If you’re already driving up to Alpharetta from Atlanta, you may want to turn it into a full day on the north side:

• Downtown Alpharetta – Just a short drive away with its own cluster of restaurants, boutiques, and a small-town square feel
• Ameris Bank Amphitheatre – Popular concert venue nearby; many people dine at Avalon before shows
• Local parks and trails – North Fulton has greenway trails and parks that can be combined with shopping and dining

This can be especially appealing if you’re hosting out-of-town guests and want to showcase more than just Midtown or Buckhead.

When Avalon Makes Sense for You as an Atlantan

Avalon in Alpharetta is especially useful if you:

• Live north of I-285 and want an upscale, convenient destination
• Prefer open-air shopping to enclosed malls
• Want to combine shopping, dining, and entertainment in one place
• Are hosting friends, family, or colleagues and need a single, polished location that “has everything”

Whether you’re based in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, or Alpharetta itself, Avalon offers a polished, walkable alternative to traditional malls, with a strong mix of luxury retail, dining, and lifestyle amenities tailored to how people in metro Atlanta actually spend their time.