Sweet Auburn - Atlanta, GA Area Guide

One of the most concentrated cultural and historical areas in Atlanta, Sweet Auburn has produced a number of notable, black American figures in politics, business, education and entertainment.

Now becoming more gentrified with trendier development of condos, lofts and coffee shops, the neighborhood still reflects being the black business district of Atlanta since the 1950s, though it had a rough period from the 1970s to the early 2000s.

Tour the home of Martin Luther King Jr for free at The King Center to discover this area's significant involvement in the civil rights movement. Also hit up the APEX museum of black American life and heritage.

Art-wise residents check out the MSG graffiti mural for contemporary street art at intersection of Boulevard and Freedom Parkway and the annual National Black Arts Festival. Catch a musical, play or, of course, a Shakespeare production after downing ale at the New American Shakespeare Tavern.

Diners and music lovers alike find solid choices in Sweet Auburn, mostly along Auburn Avenue. The nightlife radiates a strong patchwork personality, like its neighborhood. Just be careful to go in groups at night, as certain spots can be unsafe.

Found just inside the somewhat full-of-character Sweet Auburn Curb Market, Sweet Auburn Bakery surprises customers with high-quality cupcakes, pies, cookies, pastries and tarts for breakfast, brunch or dessert. Insiders love the red velvet whoopie pie and sweet potato cheesecake, both a fresh tribute to southern food. Grab a coffee with your sweets, and head off to eat a market meal outside or at home, as there's no seating at this venue.

If you're in the mood for tasty BBQ, pay a visit to Sweet Auburn Barbecue on North Highland Avenue. With a casual dining room and signature menu items such as award-wining smoked chicken wings or the King of Memphis Melt, a savory pulled pork, pulled chicken or brisket sandwich topped with a fried egg and coleslaw, this joint ensures your tastebuds are in for a memorable treat.

Tucked away in the Peachtree Center food court, Aviva by Kameel is a true hidden gem, serving fresh, cheap Mediterranean fast food. The server piles on whatever you point to, buffet style. Ask for the crispy falafel, baba ganoush and anything with the tender lamb, including kabob, kaftka and shawarma . For the tastiest lamb burgers and sweet potato fries along with an array of mixed drinks and brew, check out the cozy neighborhood pub Bantam.

For an unforgettable night of cheap brews, ping-pong and all-out fun, stop by Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room and Ping-Pong Emporium on Edgewood Avenue. Referred to by locals as "The Church," this one-of-a-kind watering hole features an eclectic decor that resembles a church bazaar, complete with complimentary choir robes for patrons to wear while singing along to church organ karaoke every Wednesday night.

For after-hours entertainment, locals get an intimate dose of live music at the Music Room at the downstairs stage and bar. Check out open-mic night Wednesdays, the live-band karaoke and a wide range of acts, from indie to jam bands and hip-hop artist, other nights. Bob your head to the tunes of non-mainstream and underground bands at the Drunken Unicorn on Ponce de Leon.

Biking, walking and taking public transportation with a MARTA bus or train all serve as good ways to get around both Sweet Auburn and into downtown Atlanta, just minutes away. However, ranked Atlanta's third most walkable area, setting out on foot is the top mode of neighborhood transportation.

The roads provide some bike lanes and bikers can also use the nearby Freedom Park paved trails to access some Atlanta spots and get to the biking, walking, jogging path of the Atlanta Beltline. The Beltline links midtown and downtown Piedmont Park out to Inman Park area and beyond; growing in local popularity as a means of transportation whether by foot, bike or roller blades.

If preferred, driving into work or out to the country for a weekend comes easily by use of the major thoroughfares Boulevard and Freedom Parkway, as well as the downtown connector, interstates 75/85. Just work in some extra time during rush hour as traffic and minor accidents hold commuters up. If you need a ride, you can use the Uber app to arrange a pickup.

Neighborhood parking is a mixed bag with some cheaper parking lots and resident only parking, and lots of regularly-priced paid street parking. Grabbing a taxi off the street gets easier as you venture further downtown, but residents can still call to schedule taxis from numerous companies.

Parks in the neighborhood and close by run plentiful and free of charge, and all are highly dog and kid friendly. Residents of Sweet Auburn will never lack for outdoor activities, whether low-key or national festivals and events.

Along the Beltline, set back from Ralph McGill near the Old Fourth Ward area, sits a skate park that adults, teens and even 5-year-olds practice moves on BMX bikes and boards. Right next to this lies a large field for dogs and kids to run around when there's not a pick-up game of soccer or ultimate Frisbee. At the end of the field, a small sculpture-inspired contemporary playground provides rock climbing, whirling discs and a nontraditional swing that looks very like a flying saucer for children and sometimes teens to enjoy.

Freedom Park and the Beltline both connect to Historic Fourth Ward Park between Ralph McGill Boulevard and North Ave, and it is friendly to all with a dog field, water park and sculpture-influenced playground for kids, and trails for bikers, walkers and joggers. The section toward North Ave contains a man-made pond with ducks, several little waterfalls and stone seats and tables for resting and picnicking.

The Fourth Ward park holds an annual Arts Festival featuring local artists and vendors, face-painting, games and food. Venture is little further, down the Beltline to Piedmont Park just about any weekend for an event such as the Dogwood Festival or the Jazz Festival.

Sweet Auburn serves as the perfect, affordable spot for the young, old, hipsters, commuters and entrepreneurs who need easy access to downtown. The area's cost of living stands seven percent lower than Atlanta's average.

Residents choose from a variety of housing options from single family homes to condos and hip new loft-style apartments. Look to pay $799 per month on average for a one-bedroom unit. Commute into the city center by bus or train for $5 round trip, or get a commuter-friendly pass at $95 for 30 days.

Those who opt to drive should plan on paying about 2 percent than the national percentage for gas. Grabbing a cold beer at the local pub after work runs about $6 a pint.

Shopping options grow as you get toward the downtown or Old Fourth Ward sections of Sweet Auburn. A short drive to the outdoor mall, Atlantic Station gives more mainstream shopping choices.

The Beehive boutique on Caroline Street not only offers women's clothes, accessories and jewelry designed by local artists, but cozy sewing classes among other events. Search for unique gifts and trinkets at another high-end store, Young Blood Boutique, hailed as a better, more individual version of Urban Outfitters.

Major chain stores in Piedmont Park give residents a plentiful grocery buying selection. For fresh, organic and local produce and chicken head to Freedom Farmers Market at the Carter Center on Saturday mornings or a little further to Piedmont Park's Green Market for produce only and some live music.