Ormewood Park - Atlanta, GA

The area of Ormewood Park originally belonged to the Creek Indian Nation. Once American settlers began forcing the Native Americans west, the state government divided up the land into farm parcels. The birth of the neighborhood as it appears today began in 1892 by Samuel W. Goode and Company, who turned the 100-acre plot into individual subdivisions. After World War I, the neighborhood experienced a revitalization during a noticeable increase in construction of new homes. The introduction of Anne E. West Elementary School in 1922 further attracted families looking to raise children near the school. The area then experienced an economic decline through the 1990s, until renovations at the start of the 21st century brought back new life and new businesses to the neighborhood.

The nearest museum to Ormewood Park lies just across Grant Park to the west. At the Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum, visitors can browse the interactive exhibits portraying the history of the Confederacy, Civil War battles and more. Set aside an entire afternoon, and visit the adjacent Zoo Atlanta amidst Atlanta’s historic Grant Park.

Located in the nearby East Atlanta Village, Out of Hand Theater encapsulates the young arts community by putting on innovative and interactive plays. With a rotating playbill, Out of Hand hosts plays from all types of genres throughout the year. Brownwood Park serves as the annual host to the increasingly popular East Atlanta Beer Fest each spring. The festival features over 150 craft beer selections, local live music and rows of food trucks. Stick around for the day to catch the live DJs and other musical acts occurring throughout the afternoon.

Locals consider Ormewood Park's collection of restaurants and nightlife to be one of the neighborhood's biggest strengths. With so many options, residents can always try something new.

For a one-of-a kind-dining experience, Gunshow proves an absolute must-visit. Served dim-sum style, the chefs at this restaurant all work to sell you their unique dishes. Rather than order off a static menu like at most restaurants, people dining at Gunshow must face the delightful challenge of choosing which chef to say “yes please” to as they offer their culinary creations. Be prepared to pay a good sum for this unique dining experience, and reservations are strongly recommended. Although it may be difficult, try not to say yes to the first thing you see, as some of the best burgers come out at the end of the night.

Spoon Eastside serves authentic Thai cuisine originating from the heart of Bangkok. Chef Aim bases the menu on her mother’s recipes from when she lived in Thailand, but this chef adds a modern twist. With a casual interior seating area, the restaurant also provides outdoor tables. Plan a dinner here for Tuesday night, and receive half price on any wine bottle under $50.

Music venues 529 and The Earl round out the top two entertainment hot spots in the area. Both venues lean toward a small size, which draws in local and regional bands for intimate shows. The Earl is a staple name for Indie music in Atlanta and even draws national names on special occasions. For those looking for a more laid back musical experience, The Earl hosts a self described “hangover-friendly” set on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

Residents looking for a wild night out should head to The Graveyard Tavern. With half-off wings and pitchers of Pabst Blue Ribbon every Tuesday, this trendy bar is the hipster hangout of the neighborhood. Beneath Graveyard Tavern lies their sister venue called The Basement, which hosts dance nights and acts more as a club than a tavern.

The Glenwood bar hosts events throughout the week, attracting residents to its neighborhood activities. This bar blends a good mix of live music, dancing and laid back drinking with friends: Thursday nights mean live music, weekends come with dance parties and Sunday afternoons entails football specials, such as $6 wing baskets and $10 pitchers of Miller High Life.

Ormewood Park remains fairly walkable as far as residential neighborhoods go. Residents living close to Moreland Avenue enjoy close proximity to grocery stores and shops. Roads include well-equipped bike lanes for cyclists looking to commute to work.

The neighborhood provides adequate public transportation through various bus lines. A total of five different bus lines run through the area, extending service to downtown Atlanta or as far south as Gresham Park. Route 32 provides the most direct access to downtown. Most residents use cars or other motor vehicles to get around, making public parking fairly prevalent. Parking spaces can usually be found for free in the residential streets of the neighborhood. Going north on Moreland Avenue provides the easiest route to a highway by merging on to Ralph David Abernathy Freeway.

Though small in size, Stony Point Park acts as the closest park to the neighborhood. This triangular plot of land features colorful plants, small trails and a playground section, making this a well-rounded destination for the occasional picnic.

Located just east of Moreland Avenue, Brownwood Park provides much more space and amenities than Stony Point. With over 12 acres of land, the park includes a full recreation center, volleyball courts, basketball courts, playgrounds and an open pavilion. The numerous trails through wooded areas make for a relaxing afternoon walk or a morning jog. If you bring a dog to the park, be sure to keep it on a leash in order to comply with Atlanta park laws.

Brownwood Park offers multiple summer programs, such as a fitness bootcamp. Kids find a number of ways to fill their summer with activities, from the six-week-long Sci-Tech camp to the annual 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament.

With such a close proximity to the city life of Atlanta, rent prices for apartments and houses vary from affordable to extravagant. Prices for a one bedroom apartment average about $650, with the cheapest rooms amounting to $575. The cost of living for the area compares to the Atlanta average. Public transportation and fair grocery prices help with monthly expenses, but entertainment costs can run a bit higher. Stick to the Farmers Market for grocery shopping, and save some hard earned cash for the weekend.

While the interior section of Ormewood Park mainly includes residential homes, the area surrounding the neighborhood contains many shops for browsing. Parents stop by Baby Love to pick out adorable new threads for their little ones and maternity gear for moms. Locals value the affordability of the shop's new and consignment products, which range from toddler toys to baby shower gift baskets.

Kaboodle Home serves as the neighborhoods hippest furniture and home accessories store. With various offerings of chairs, sofas, tables and interior decor, Kaboodle Home has a reputation for providing the trendiest home furnishings. For those simply looking for a bargain, a Value Village services the neighborhood with second-hand treasures and rare finds.

Options for groceries remain prevalent in the area, with East Atlanta Supermarket and Kroger supplying residents with everything they could need within an easy distance from home. Residents of Ormewood Park enjoy easy access to the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market located just across Moreland Avenue. Running from April to December, the market caters to the late risers by operating in the afternoon from 4 to 8 p.m. every Thursday. Expect to find rows of local produce stands, local art and music for an entertaining afternoon.