North Point Mall in the Atlanta Area: What to Know Before You Go

North Point Mall has long been one of the major shopping destinations on the north side of metro Atlanta, especially for people in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell, and Milton. If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and looking for a traditional mall experience with big-box neighbors, kids’ attractions, and easy parking, North Point Mall is still a familiar name.

This guide walks you through what to expect, how to get there from Atlanta, what’s nearby, and how locals typically use the area for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Where North Point Mall Fits in Atlanta’s Shopping Scene

Atlanta has a range of shopping styles:

• Luxury malls like Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square in Buckhead
• Urban mixed-use centers like Atlantic Station and Ponce City Market
• Suburban power centers and malls like Perimeter Mall, Cumberland Mall, and North Point Mall

North Point Mall sits firmly in the suburban mall + big-box corridor category. It’s not in the city limits of Atlanta; it’s in Alpharetta, but it serves a huge chunk of the north metro:

• Families looking for indoor, climate-controlled shopping
• Shoppers combining a mall visit with nearby warehouse clubs, discount retailers, and chain restaurants
• Visitors who want a less hectic alternative to Buckhead shopping

Location, Access, and Parking

Address (mall area):
North Point Mall area
Near GA-400 Exit 8 (Mansell Road)
Alpharetta, GA 30022

North Point Mall sits just off GA-400, the main highway running north from Atlanta through Sandy Springs and Roswell into Alpharetta.

Getting There from Atlanta

From Downtown or Midtown Atlanta:

1. Take I-85 or I-75 north to the I-85/GA-400 connector (depending on your starting point).
2. Merge onto GA-400 North.
3. Take Exit 8 – Mansell Road.
4. Turn right onto Mansell Road, then follow signs toward the mall and North Point Parkway.

From Buckhead:

• Get on GA-400 North at Lenox Road or Sidney Marcus Boulevard and follow the same directions from Exit 8.

From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport:

• Take I-85 North through Atlanta, then connect to GA-400 North, Exit 8.

Parking

The North Point area is designed for drivers:

• Surface lots and parking decks surround the mall and nearby stores.
• Parking is typically free and widely available, especially compared to more urban parts of Atlanta.
• Accessible parking spaces are placed near main entrances.

For Atlanta residents used to tight Buckhead parking or paid decks in Midtown, North Point is usually a more relaxed experience.

What North Point Mall Is Known For

Over the years, North Point Mall has been known for:

• A large, traditional indoor mall layout
• Major department stores and national retailer mix
• A surrounding corridor with big-box chains, restaurants, and entertainment
• Proximity to family attractions like Main Event and Andretti Indoor Karting & Games

While the mall has gone through changes and tenant shifts—like many malls across the country—the North Point commercial district remains busy and useful for:

• One-stop shopping trips
• Back-to-school or holiday errands
• Combining shopping with kid-friendly activities

Key Shopping and Retail in the North Point Area

Even as individual tenants change, the type of retail around North Point is fairly consistent: chain retailers, lifestyle brands, and big-box stores.

Shoppers from Atlanta often come here for:

Inside the Mall

The tenant mix inside North Point Mall may change over time, but you can typically expect:

• Clothing and footwear chains
• Jewelry and accessory stores
• Electronics or tech-related retailers
• Health, beauty, and personal care shops
• Kiosks offering phone accessories, gifts, and snacks

If you’re driving up from Atlanta for something specific, it’s a good idea to check the mall’s directory or call ahead to confirm whether a certain store is still open.

Surrounding Retail Corridor

Many people treat the “North Point Mall” area as a whole shopping zone, not just the enclosed mall. Within a short drive you’ll commonly find:

• Big-box stores (warehouse clubs, home goods, electronics, sporting goods)
• Discount fashion and shoe stores
• Office-supply and home-improvement retailers
• Toy, game, and hobby shops

This makes it convenient to handle several errands in one trip if you’re coming from other parts of metro Atlanta.

Dining and Food Options

Food is a big part of any mall trip, and the North Point district gives you:

In and Around the Mall

• A traditional or semi-traditional food court setup (exact tenants may vary)
• Fast-casual chains and grab-and-go spots
• Sit-down family restaurants in the surrounding parking-lot pads and along North Point Parkway and Mansell Road

Tips for Atlanta Visitors

• 🕒 Weekends get busy. If you’re driving up from the city, aim for earlier lunch (11 a.m.–noon) to avoid waits at nearby sit-down restaurants.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Kid-friendly is the norm. Many restaurants near North Point are designed for families, with kids’ menus and casual atmospheres.

Entertainment and Things to Do Nearby

One of the main draws of the North Point area is the cluster of entertainment venues close to the mall. This makes it an appealing day-trip destination for Atlanta families, especially on rainy or hot days.

Common nearby attractions include:

• Indoor family fun centers – places with bowling, laser tag, arcade games, and mini-golf-style attractions
• Indoor karting and racing venues
• Cinemas within a short drive
• Trampoline or indoor play spaces (these may change, so it’s worth checking current options)

For people living in the city—especially in neighborhoods like Grant Park, Inman Park, West Midtown, or East Atlanta—North Point can be a good “change of scenery” day, combining:

• Shopping
• A movie or arcade visit
• A relaxed dinner

all in one compact area.

When to Visit: Traffic, Crowds, and Weather

Traffic Considerations from Atlanta

GA-400 is the main artery to North Point Mall. Locals often adjust their trip around predictable traffic patterns:

• Weekday mornings (southbound) and late afternoons (northbound) can be congested near the top-end Perimeter area (I-285).
• During evening rush hour, northbound GA-400 can back up approaching Exits 5–9.
• Holiday shopping season (especially late November through December) is typically much busier, both at the exits and on Mansell Road.

If you’re coming from Atlanta, you may want to:

• Plan trips midday on weekdays or earlier in the morning on weekends.
• Avoid trying to leave the area right at 5–6 p.m. on weekdays.

Crowds Inside the Mall

• Weekends attract more families, teens, and out-of-town visitors.
• Weekday afternoons tend to be calmer and easier for focused shopping.
• Around major holidays, expect fuller parking lots and longer waits at restaurants.

Because this is an indoor, climate-controlled mall, it’s also a popular option on:

• Extremely hot summer days
• Rainy or cold winter weekends, when outdoor shopping centers feel less comfortable

North Point vs. Other Atlanta Shopping Areas

If you’re trying to decide whether to head to North Point Mall or another Atlanta-area shopping destination, it helps to understand the general differences.

Quick Comparison Snapshot

Choose North Point Mall if you prioritize:

• Plenty of free parking
• A traditional mall layout
• Easy combination with nearby big-box stores and family entertainment

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

A few local-style pointers to get the most out of a North Point Mall trip:

1. Bundle errands.
   If you’re driving up from the city, list out everything you need—clothes, electronics, home items—so you can hit nearby big-box and specialty stores in one loop.

2. Time your GA-400 drive.
   Try to drive outside of peak rush-hour windows when possible, especially on weekdays.

3. Check store listings in advance.
   Because malls evolve, verify that a specific store is still operating by checking the mall directory or calling.

4. Use it as a family “day out.”
   Many Atlanta families pair a North Point trip with:

   • A movie or indoor attraction
   • A kids’ activity venue
   • An early dinner at a nearby chain restaurant

5. Plan for weather.
   On hot, humid summer days or stormy weekends, an indoor mall like North Point can be more comfortable than outdoor retail complexes.

North Point Mall and the Broader Alpharetta Area

If you’re coming from Atlanta and don’t often venture north of the Perimeter, think of North Point Mall as your gateway to the Alpharetta/Johns Creek area:

• Just a short drive north of the mall, you’ll find Avalon, a modern mixed-use development with shops, restaurants, and residential space.
• Historic Downtown Alpharetta is also nearby, offering boutiques, local restaurants, and occasional events like farmers markets and concerts.

Many Atlantans combine:

• Daytime errands and indoor time at North Point
• Evening strolls and dining in Downtown Alpharetta or Avalon

for a full north-metro outing.

Is North Point Mall Worth the Trip from Atlanta?

Whether North Point Mall is “worth it” depends on what you’re looking for:

• If you want luxury designer shopping and don’t mind crowds, Buckhead (Lenox/Phipps) is usually a better fit.
• If you want a comfortable, family-friendly, less intense mall with easy parking and access to a broad range of suburban retail and entertainment, the North Point area is a solid choice.

For many people in metro Atlanta, North Point Mall is less about one single building and more about a full shopping and entertainment corridor that’s convenient when you want:

• A classic indoor mall experience
• Errand stacking (clothes + big-box runs + groceries or home goods)
• An easy family outing with things to do before and after you shop

If that matches your plans, North Point Mall and its surrounding district remain a practical, familiar option on Atlanta’s north side.