Virginia Highland - Atlanta, GA

As one of the oldest neighborhoods in Atlanta, a great deal of history backs the thriving neighborhood known as the Virginia Highlands. William Zachary first bought this area in 1812. In the 1880s, the area was at the heart of a project known as the Nine Mile Trolly. Organized by the Atlanta Street Railway Company, this project featured trolly stops in the neighborhood and downtown, helping to connect the neighborhood with downtown Atlanta.

Commercial and residential development soon followed, and for many years the center of the city was the Atkin’s Park Restaurant, now known as the Atkin’s Park Tavern. Shops and restaurants began to develop around the bar on North Highland Avenue, and the area quickly became a metro-wide destination for people living in the area.

The neighborhood hosts several annual festivals, including the Virginia-Highland Summerfest. This is one of the largest arts and music festivals in the Southeastern portion of the United States. The festival not only highlights local artists and talent, but it also pays homage to the history of the area. In May, the annual Taste of the Highlands festival features live music and food samplings from the area’s restaurants, along with local artist displays.

Local establishments border the streets of the Virginia Highlands neighborhood. With an eclectic collection of large bars and small eateries, there is something for every pallet.

Alon’s Bakery supplies the neighborhood with fresh baked goods and pastries. Voted the Best Bakery in Atlanta, and named one of the 100 Best Restaurants by Jezebel magazine, this little bakery attracts people from all areas of Atlanta. While the sticky buns and fresh rolls may draw you in, don’t forget to check out the sandwich menu, where local meats and fresh cheese spice up the establishment’s delectable offerings of bread.

For a family meal of southern-fried food or appetizers and cocktails with friends, visit Atkins Park Tavern. This is Atlanta’s oldest operating bar. Food is served until 2:30 in the morning, for late night eaters. Atkin’s Park’s basement bar Ormsby's features 20 different craft beers, shuffle board, skee ball, bocce ball courts and pool tables.

At Blind Willie’s, patrons can enjoy local live blues acts, signature cocktails and a menu of bar food named after some of the country’s biggest blues destinations. Enjoy BBQ from Memphis, jumbo hot dogs from Chicago, or catfish fingers from New Orleans. However, the real treat is the nightly entertainment. Make sure to arrive early, as this small establishment fills up fast and operates on a first come first serve basis.

If traditional bars are more your style, the Virginia Highlands is also home to the Dark Horse Tavern. This bar and dance club stays open late into the night and offers an array of drink specials on the weekend. Travel to the back of the bar to enjoy an enclosed, two-story deck and patio that provides perfect views of the neighborhood.

North Highland Avenue is the main road through the Virginia Highlands, and it makes it easy for residents to get to northern neighborhoods such as Buckhead, as well as to Midtown and downtown Atlanta. This neighborhood also has convenient access to Interstate 75 and Interstate 485, making travel by car quite convenient. However, free public parking is difficult to find in the neighborhood and street spots are often filled. The condensed nature of the area along with the number of businesses bringing in people can make parking difficult for residents without a private parking space.

There are plenty of cabs and Uber cars servicing the area, thanks to the number of bars and restaurants that bring people in from all over the metro area. The neighborhood is also serviced by several bus routes connecting to the MARTA rail lines. The Inman Park and Candler Park/Edgewood rail stations are also close for those living in the region.

When it comes to traveling around the neighborhood, most residents prefer to walk or ride their bike. Virginia Highlands is ranked as one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Atlanta.

Known as one of the most family-friendly areas in the city of Atlanta, the Virginia Highlands provides residents with access to several city parks. The neighborhood borders popular Piedmont Park, which is the city’s main park. It features walking paths, a botanical garden, sports fields and space for public events. There is also a free dog park in the area, where off-leash pets of all sizes are welcome.

John Howell Memorial Park features benches, grass space and plaques commemorating Howell’s important role in the development of Atlanta. At Orme Park, residents can enjoy the tranquil sounds brought on by the bubbling Clear Creek and take in the beauty of the surrounding Georgia wildlife.

New HIghland Park serves as an eco-friendly park and rain garden. This family-oriented park was developed by the civic association in 2012 for residents of the neighborhood.

Life in the Virginia Highlands villages typically carries an above-average cost of living. Due to the neighborhood’s close proximity to downtown Atlanta, those living in the area can expect to pay comparable downtown prices for food and entertainment. Most of the homes in the area are charming bungalow-style properties, which tend to carry a heftier price tag than the condos that now occupy some of the area’s large historic buildings. The average rental cost in the area is approximately $2,679, which is more than double the average in the rest of Atlanta.

Boutique stores make up the shopping experience in the Virginia Highlands. At Young Blood Gallery and Boutique, residents shop for items created by independent artists and designers from the greater Atlanta area. Visit this boutique frequently, as the items available for purchase rotate almost daily. Find jewelry creations, accessories and even home decor at Festivity, a local boutique chain featuring the latest trends.

While several women's fashion stores, such as Ooh La La, line the streets of the Virginia Highlands, there are also men's boutiques such as Threadz on St. Charles Avenue. Enjoy a boutique shopping experience with your furry friend at Highland Pet Supply. Here, all types of designer pet duds and fun accessories come available for purchase.

The neighborhood also houses the weekly Morningside Farmers Market. The first and only farmers market in Atlanta, Morningside requires all of the produce sold to be certified organic. The market opens every Saturday, year round, from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. on North Highland Avenue.

Those looking for a more traditional grocery shopping experience visit the Toscano and Sons Italian Market in the heart of Highland Avenue or venture to neighboring Midtown to visit Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe's, located just minutes from the Highlands area. The area also houses a Publix Super Market, which features a full deli, sandwich station, salad buffet and pharmacy, in addition to aisles of everyday food and household items.