Poncey-Highland - Atlanta, GA Area Guide

In 1888, a neighborhood was established on Atlanta's east side. Known as Copenhill, this neighborhood was famous for being the location of the Augustus Hurt House -- General Sherman's headquarters during the Battle of Atlanta. After the battle, the house was torn down and used for firewood. The neighborhood itself suffered a similar fate --in the 1960s, it was completely demolished for a freeway interchange that was never built. The area that neighborhood once occupied is now the Carter Center. The Carter Center and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum honors the memory of that long-gone neighborhood with the Copenhill Cafe and Patio.

Poncey-Highland developed around 1905. In 1924, the Clermont Motor Hotel was built -- initially as an apartment building, but it later became a hotel. A nightclub in the basement was established around 1947. That nightclub has evolved into one of Atlanta's most interesting -- and world-famous -- landmarks, the Clermont Lounge -- a seedy strip club known for its unusual dancers.

The Jimmy Carter Library and Museum features special exhibits, documents, memorabilia, films, and videos. The complex covers 69,750 square feet and includes a museum store and a cafe. The grounds feature a Japanese garden designed by Kinsaku Nakane, a Japanese master gardener. In addition to the changing exhibits, the Library and Museum hosts special events, such as guest lecturers and book-signings.

A walk through Poncey-Highland offers a smorgasbord of sidewalk cafes, famous restaurants, taverns, nightclubs, delis, and bakeries. There's the down-home goodness of Sweet Auburn BBQ (and if you can't stop in for the pulled pork and spare ribs, look for the food truck), and the tiny Atlanta Cupcake Factory. You may walk right by without realizing it, and that would be a shame -- this little store was rated the Best Cupcakes in Atlanta by Atlanta Magazine. On a warm evening, head to Fellini's Pizza and have dinner on the large patio, complete with fountain.

When you are looking for something slightly off-the-wall, Honey Bubble is a trendy hangout serving bubble teas -- both local and international. If you're serious about your tea, this is the place for you (there's also a terrific selection of sweets to have with your tea). If you like sugar in your tea, you won't find it here -- white sugar isn't allowed. Instead, you can sweeten your tea with honey or dark brown cane sugar.

Once you've chosen your Poncey-Highland apartment, head over to Two Urban Licks This unique restaurant and lounge offers wood-fired cuisine, live rotating rotisseries, and an atmosphere you just won't find anywhere else. If you enjoy beer, their 26-foot Wine on Tap barrel wall is the only one in the country. It holds 72 barrels of wine that is poured via a gravity-flow system. The spectacular interior includes floor-to-ceiling Todd Murphy paintings. Then there's the cool sound of live jazz. This place is so terrific, it has been featured in Bon Appetit, it made the Conde Nast Traveler's "Hot List," and it is one of Rachel Ray's favorite restaurants.

Catch a movie in style at Plaza Theatre, an indie theater offering cult classics. If you decide to venture out of your cool new neighborhood, the Masquerade is a popular nightclub, while the Variety Playhouse features live music. The Wrecking Bar Brewpub offers pub food and beer in a historic mansion, while the Porter Beer Bar has a rotating beer menu in addition to great food.

As one of Atlanta's most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, Poncey-Highland is a neighborhood made for walking and bicycling. Between the paved Eastside Trail and the MARTA high-speed train, a car isn't a necessity. If you choose to travel by car, Ponce De Leon Avenue and Freedom Parkway are the main roadways.

The Eastside Trail follows a historic railroad corridor and is a popular paved trail for walking, bicycling, roller-skating, and jogging. The 14-foot-wide trail connects Poncey-Highland with Piedmont Park, Virginia Highland, Old Fourth Ward, and Inman Park. It is part of the Atlanta Beltline and is extremely popular; in 2014, there were 1.2 million trail users.

The Eastside Trail provides a fantastic linear greenspace, ideal for walking and jogging. The trail leads directly to Ponce City Market and the Krog Street Market. It also leads to Freedom Park and the farmers' market.

Freedom Park is a fantastic 200-acre park that includes public art, the Eastside Trail, a butterfly garden, two playgrounds, a community garden, and the Carter Center. The park's miles of paved trails are often used for special marathons and half marathons. It is one of the largest public green spaces in the country.

With its terrific restaurants and nightclubs, fantastic shops and art galleries, and its great location, Poncey-Highland attracts plenty of residents. As a result, apartments are in high demand, and rents reflect that. If you want an apartment in Poncey-Highland, the average rent is around $950, compared to Atlanta's typical rent of $780.

If you decide you want to buy a house in Poncey-Highland, detached homes in this neighborhood average $1.2 million.

Shopping in Poncey-Highland is an experience -- and you'll never get bored with it. There are so many terrific gems to discover, from trendy art galleries to hip boutiques to funky second-hand stores. If that isn't enough, the Ponce City Market is located just outside the neighborhood in Old Fourth Ward. Situated in the old Sears, Roebuck & Company building, this market is huge -- it includes the Central Food Hall, where artisan chefs offer fantastic dishes. The market is more like a neighborhood, complete with apartments and businesses. Shops at Ponce City Market include Williams-Sonoma, J. Crew, the Ponce Denim Company, Mountain High Outfitters, and Anthropologie.

The Freedom Farmers' Market is located at the Carter Center. This year-round farmers' market features locally-grown produce, baked goods, farm-fresh eggs, handmade preserves, freshly-made bread, coffee, and more. In addition to cash, the market utilizes a token system for those who wish to pay by debit, credit, or SNAP/EBT cards. The market is held every Saturday morning.