Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center: What to Know Before You Go

The Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center is a major hotel and meeting hub in the Dunwoody/Perimeter area of Atlanta. Whether you live in metro Atlanta and need a convenient staycation spot, are visiting family in the suburbs, or want easy access to Buckhead and Midtown without staying downtown, this property often comes up as a practical option.

This guide focuses on how the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center fits into things to do in Atlanta, along with nearby attractions, transportation tips, and how locals typically use the area.

Where the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center Is and Why It Matters

Address:
Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center
246 Perimeter Center Parkway NE
Atlanta, GA 30346
Phone (commonly listed): (770) 394-6500

The hotel sits in the Perimeter Center business and shopping district, just north of the Atlanta city limits, near the cities of Dunwoody and Sandy Springs. It’s a key spot because:

• It’s walkable or a short ride to Perimeter Mall and several shopping plazas.
• It’s near the Dunwoody and Sandy Springs MARTA stations on the Red Line.
• It has quick access to I‑285 and GA‑400, putting Buckhead, Midtown, and even Hartsfield-Jackson Airport within reach.

For many Atlantans, this area is a go‑to for shopping, dining, business meetings, and events, and the Marriott is one of the anchor hotels in that ecosystem.

Is the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center an “Attraction”?

The hotel itself is primarily:

• A place to stay for business or leisure
• A meeting and event venue
• A convenient base for exploring North Atlanta

While it isn’t an “attraction” in the sense of a museum or theme park, it’s often part of the experience for:

• Out-of-town guests visiting Perimeter Center offices
• Locals attending conferences, weddings, or banquets
• Families planning a shopping‑focused weekend or a suburban staycation

If you’re looking for things to do near the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center, the real “attractions” are the surrounding shopping, parks, entertainment, and easy MARTA access into the city.

Things to Do Near Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center

1. Shopping and Dining Around Perimeter Mall

Perimeter Mall (4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30346) is one of the largest shopping destinations in metro Atlanta and is typically just a short drive or modest walk from the hotel, depending on your route.

Around the hotel and mall area, you’ll find:

• Major retailers and department stores
• Chain and local restaurants—from quick bites to sit‑down spots
• Coffee shops and dessert places popular with both office workers and hotel guests

This makes the area useful if you:

• Want a rain‑proof activity (mall walking, browsing, eating)
• Need to pick up last‑minute items for a trip or event
• Prefer suburban-style convenience vs. dense urban streets

2. Outdoor Recreation and Parks Nearby

The Perimeter area is mostly commercial, but several green spaces are within an easy drive of the hotel:

Brook Run Park
– 4770 N Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338
– Approx. 10–15 minutes by car (traffic dependent)
Highlights include walking trails, playgrounds, and open fields. Locals use it for exercise, dog walks, and casual weekend outings.

Murphey Candler Park
– 1551 W Nancy Creek Dr NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319
– Approx. 10–20 minutes away
Features a lake, trails, sports fields, and a more wooded, neighborhood feel.

These parks are useful if you’re staying at the Marriott and want:

• A morning run or walk in a more natural setting
• A nearby place to take kids to play
• A break from the office buildings and traffic of Perimeter Center

3. Easy MARTA Access to Atlanta’s Major Attractions

One of the biggest perks of staying or meeting at the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center is its proximity to MARTA’s Red Line. Depending on your exact walking route, the Dunwoody and Sandy Springs stations are typically a short drive or manageable walk.

From these stations, you can ride directly to:

Buckhead (Lenox & Phipps Plaza area)

• Great for upscale shopping, dining, and people‑watching.

Arts Center Station (Midtown)

• Near the High Museum of Art
• Close to Colony Square, restaurants, and cultural venues

Midtown Station

• Gateway to Piedmont Park and the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail (short walk or rideshare from the station)
• Access to Midtown nightlife, cafes, and events

Peachtree Center / Five Points (Downtown)

• For Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, and the College Football Hall of Fame (walk or quick rideshare from stations)

If you’re staying at the Marriott and don’t want to drive and park in the city, using MARTA from Perimeter is one of the easiest ways to turn the hotel into your launch pad for Atlanta attractions.

4. Nearby Entertainment and Local Feel

While the Perimeter area is business‑heavy, there are a few things that shape the local experience:

• Weekday buzz: The area is busier on weekdays due to corporate offices and medical centers like hospitals and clinics in the vicinity.
• After‑work crowd: Many restaurants and bars fill up for happy hour and business dinners more than late‑night partying.
• Suburban convenience: You’ll find plenty of grocery stores, pharmacies, and everyday services within a short drive.

If you want more nightlife, many locals staying in Perimeter will:

• Take MARTA south to Buckhead or Midtown for bars and clubs.
• Use rideshares back to the hotel late at night rather than MARTA if it’s outside train operating hours.

Using the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center for Events and Meetups

The hotel is commonly used by Atlantans for events such as:

• Corporate meetings and training sessions
• Association conferences
• Weddings and family reunions
• Social events like banquets or galas

For locals organizing an event:

• The Perimeter location is central for attendees coming from Cobb, Gwinnett, North Fulton, and in‑town Atlanta.
• The nearby Dunwoody and Sandy Springs MARTA stations make it feasible for guests who don’t want to drive.
• The surrounding area offers overflow hotels and backup dining options for guests who want choices beyond the event venue.

If you’re hosting out-of-towners, you can easily point them toward:

• Perimeter Mall and nearby restaurants for downtime
• MARTA routes into Midtown and Downtown for sightseeing days

Who the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center Works Best For

Here’s a quick, local‑context snapshot:

If your goal is to be right in the middle of nightlife or walkable historic neighborhoods, you may prefer areas like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Inman Park. But if you want convenience, transit access, and suburban amenities, the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center area can be a strong fit.

Transportation and Parking Tips for the Perimeter Area

Driving:

• The hotel area sits near the intersection of I‑285 and GA‑400. This is convenient but can be very congested during rush hours.
• If you’re driving in from Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, you can come via I‑85 to GA‑400 or via I‑75/85 and I‑285, depending on traffic.

MARTA:

• Closest stations: Dunwoody and Sandy Springs (Red Line).
• From the airport, you can ride MARTA directly (Gold/Red Line northbound, with an easy transfer at Lindbergh Center if needed).

Parking:

• The hotel and nearby properties typically offer parking in decks and surface lots.
• Many visitors appreciate Perimeter for more straightforward parking compared with crowded in‑town neighborhoods, but it’s still wise to check any posted parking fees at your specific destination.

Practical Tips if You’re Staying or Meeting at the Hotel

• Plan around traffic: In Atlanta, the I‑285/GA‑400 interchange can back up significantly during morning and evening rush hours. If you need to reach Midtown or the airport, build in extra time.
• Consider MARTA for big attractions: For popular sites like the Georgia Aquarium or events downtown, MARTA from Perimeter can be less stressful than driving and parking.
• Use the area as a “home base”: Many locals book this hotel to be near Perimeter Center’s shopping and healthcare facilities for short trips, then transit into the city for sightseeing.
• Check event schedules: The hotel frequently hosts conferences and large events. If you’re planning a quiet stay, it can be useful to ask about major events on your dates.

How the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center Fits Into “Things to Do in Atlanta”

From a “things to do” standpoint, the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center is:

• A strategic base in the northern suburbs, with strong transit links and robust shopping/dining nearby.
• A meeting and event anchor that many locals use for work functions and celebrations.
• A practical choice if you want to mix suburban convenience with easy access to Atlanta’s major attractions via MARTA.

If you live in Atlanta, you’re most likely to interact with it as an event venue or a convenient place to put visiting family or colleagues. If you’re visiting, it can be a comfortable way to experience both North Atlanta’s business/shopping district and the in‑town cultural attractions without committing to staying in the urban core.