Little Five Points - Atlanta, GA Area Guide

Little Five Points originated as the meeting point of three early Atlanta trolley lines. In the first decade of the 20th century, merchants set up shop at this focal point, and a commercial center grew from there. Development continued until the 1950s. In the 1960s, increased vehicle ownership and plans for the Stone Mountain Tollway pushed residents out to the suburbs. Little Five Points was largely abandoned until revitalization efforts took place in the mid-70s. Over the next few decades, Little Five emerged as the Bohemian, alternative hub it is today.

Each year in October, 35,000 spectators line the streets to celebrate the season at the Little Five Points Halloween Festival. Featuring live music on two stages and sales by local artists, the festival provides a spooky setting for those celebrating the holiday. Attendees come from all over Atlanta to watch the festival's famous Halloween parade.

Little Fivers love their music. One of the few indie radio stations in the South, WRFG Radio Free Georgia, operates out of L5P. Wax'n'Facts, a record store on NE Moreland, hosts independent record label DB Records. In 2014, label owner Danny Beard claimed his spot in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Just a short walk away, in Poncey-Highland, you'll find the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum. You can learn not only about Carter's presidency, but also about his formative years and his service efforts after he left the White House. The museum features interactive maps, videos and a replica Oval Office.

Combine diverse craft beer selections and better-than-your-average-bar-food menu items, and you've got the dining scene in Little Five Points. Popular food and nightlife options line Moreland and Euclid Avenues, with several great spots concentrated where the five points meet.

For a little southern comfort, order the fried chicken and fried green tomatoes with blue cheese crumbles at Folk Art. The sweet potato beignets, another local favorite, live up to the hype. Locals flock to this spot for brunch, but arrive early if you don't want to wait half an hour for a table. Better yet, go for dinner. Folk Art sells half-priced beer on Thursday nights.

Choose from over 30 draft beers and even more bottle selections at the Porter Beer Bar. With options from around the world, from IPAs to sours, you're sure to find something perfect. PBB takes care of its beer fans, but it also serves up some of the best food in L5P. Everyone loves the goat cheese fritters, but don't pass up the delicious salt and vinegar popcorn.

When you're looking for weekend plans, exercise your funny bone at Dad's Garage Theatre Company. A non-profit improv comedy troupe, these guys deliver the laughs with gusto in both of their on-site theaters. The actors encourage audience participation, so if you're not too busy grabbing your sides, volunteer to be part of the show.

You can find metered street parking near any of the restaurants and shops in Little Five Points. If you're sticking around for a while, opt for a lot, where you can usually park all day for $5 or less. If you need to get to a different part of Atlanta, Moreland Avenue, Little Five's main drag, will take you straight to Interstate 20.

MARTA bus lines 6, 3, 16 and 102 serve Little Five Points. Board the blue or green rail line at the Inman Park MARTA station, a 10-minute walk from the heart of L5P. If you'd rather order a more private ride, set up a ride with Uber or Lyft. Atlanta Checker Cab offers flat-rate service in certain zones and between businesses. L5P features several ZipCar locations as well.

The neighborhood has a walkability score of 76, meaning that you can get most places on foot. Since Little Five only takes up about 2.5 miles of space, no business lies too far from any other. Additionally, with a bike shop in the center of everything, cyclists know they're a priority, too.

Little Five's small area leaves little room for parks, but that doesn't mean that locals lack greenspace. Findley Plaza rests at the corner of Euclid and Moreland and offers spots to sit under the trees and hang out between shopping stops. You might run into a poetry reader or someone selling handmade jewelry. Either way, take this chance to do some people watching. You're sure to see some interesting personalities.

For free weekend fun, walk over to the Historic Fourth Ward Park in Old Fourth Ward, another of Atlanta's vibrant neighborhoods. Relax by the stormwater retention pond, then head over to see some tricks at the skate park. Kids love the splash pad and playground. Mark your calendar for the Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival, hosted here each June.

If your canine friend wants to play, take the five-minute drive over to Renaissance Dog Park. This free spot offers water fountains and cleanup bags. Two fenced areas allow large and small dogs to play in their own spaces.

Those who live in Little Five Points pay more than average for the convenience of being in the middle of everything. Rent prices run an average of $1,200. Entertainment and shopping prices follow this trend. Many people seeking the Little Five vibe choose to settle in Edgewood or Reynoldstown, both within walking distance of L5P. Either of these locations allow convenient access to the neighborhood's amenities without breaking the bank.

Little Five Points offers many shopping options within a small space. Music lovers are almost guaranteed to find some new tunes at one of L5P's multiple record stores, while vintage and boutique enthusiasts feel at home as well.

Moods Music, right at the convergence of Little Five Points, employs music experts who make suggestions and answer questions about their impressive stock of CDs. The staff happily lets you listen to CDs before you buy, so you're sure to be satisfied with your selection. If you collect vinyl, Moods Music has you covered with its excellent selection. Stock up on your incense and essential oils before you leave.

Shop for great selections of street clothes, shoes, caps and accessories at Wish along Moreland Avenue. The latest, popular fashions arrive quarterly, and regulars should be on the lookout for holiday specials for Christmas, Easter, Independence Day and everything in between.

Many locals get groceries at Sevananda, the southeast's largest consumer-owned natural foods store. Customers here buy locally grown produce, bulk organic spices and other natural foods. Sevananda offers classes that teach healthy living, with topics ranging from nutrition to yoga. Your Dekalb Farmers Market, about 6 miles to the east, opens every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. This market features diverse foods from around the world and locally grown products.