Guide to Old Fourth Ward Atlanta [9 Places to Visit]
Old Fourth Ward Atlanta is a vibrant neighborhood on the northeast edge of the city. It is known for its historic parks, green spaces, neighborhoods, Ponce City Market, and access to the BeltLine.
As a past resident of Old Fourth Ward, I am sharing 9 must-visit places in the neighborhood. Keep reading to discover the best parts of this historic Atlanta region.
Let’s dive in.
Old Fourth Ward Atlanta: The Bottom Line
You will enjoy visiting Old Fourth Ward if you like good restaurants, colorful murals, shopping, and walking. The neighborhood has a lot to do, see, and explore.
I recommend parking and walking through Ponce City Market, Old Fourth Ward Park, and the BeltLine. This gives you access to the best restaurants in the market and along the BeltLine route.
Ponce City Market is one of Atlanta’s top food halls with 34+ restaurants, and many different shops on the ground and second floors. You might even spot a celebrity while you’re there! It is a great starting point to head out into the rest of Old Fourth Ward to explore.
From there, head out to meander through Old Fourth Ward Park and visit the pond and walkways, or access the BeltLine to get a nice overarching view of Ponce Market and the neighborhood. You can access Piedmont Park or Inman Park depending on which direction you head on the Beltline.
Now that we’ve reviewed the highlights, keep reading to discover the 9 places you’ll love visiting in Old Fourth Ward.
Ponce City Market
Ponce City Market reopened in the 2010’s as a mixed-use space with a diverse mix of dining and shopping venues in Old Fourth Ward. It is housed in the historic brick warehouse that first belonged to Sears, Roebuck & Co. It’s one of the coolest spots in the neighborhood, with 2 stories of restaurant stalls and eclectic shopping spots.
You can dine on cuisine from across the globe, whether you are craving Japanese Tonkatsu ramen or handmade Italian pasta. Choose from take out, community style central dining, or seating in one of the dozens of restaurant stalls. The market draws in crowds every day of the week, creating a lively atmosphere to enjoy.
9 Mile Station on the Ponce City Market Rooftop
On the rooftop of Ponce City Market there is a full blown restaurant and bar complete with arcade games and mini golf. Take an elevator to the roof and then head out into the open air pavilion to get drinks, food, and play games. A big bonus to this restaurant are its wide open views of Atlanta and surrounding neighborhoods. You can spot Midtown, Piedmont Park, and even watch the sunset.
12 Bar at the Top of Ponce City Market
There is a hidden surprise at the top floor of Ponce City Market. Inquire at the front desk of 9 Mile Station about directions to 12 Bar. Or, head down to the basement level floor of Ponce City Market on the Ponce De Leon Avenue NE side of the building to reach the concierge. From there, you will be directed to a private elevator that leads to the top of the market.
But it gets better! Once out of the elevator, take a set of stairs to the top floor, which opens to an intimate speakeasy setting overlooking the city. The dim lighting and green couches create a dreamy ambiance that pairs well with the strong cocktail menu.
12 Bar offers light bites and both non-alcoholic and boozy drink options. The first time I went, the sun was setting and the light was brilliant through the large windows overlooking Ponce.
Since this is a smaller establishment it can fill up quickly on busy weekends. You can make a reservation beforehand, or try your luck at walking up to the concierge to ask about an opening.
City Murals Across Old 4th Ward
Old Fourth Ward is painted with colorful murals along North Avenue NE. Visit the mural under the walkway just beside Kroger (along North Avenue NE), and follow the BeltLine to discover the rainbow of murals underneath each underpass. At certain times, you might even find artists working on their next project. The BeltLine’s underpasses are a gathering point for musicians and performers from DJs to piano players. The vibrant murals and musicians change, so you never know what you might discover.
Old Fourth Ward Park
This historic park is a great choice to visit in Old Fourth Ward Atlanta. The trails wind down past a large pond, past trees and pathways, and up to an open park area, playground, free library stand, and surrounding restaurants. You can stop off for a beverage at Finca to Filter or explore the plant shop at The Victorian Atlanta.
The park has a gated dog park area for pet owners, and large open lawn spaces for picnics and hangouts. It’s a popular gathering point for field games and lounging. The large trees throughout the park are perfect for sitting and enjoying Atlanta’s usually sunny weather.
Visit the pond at the park center and hang out on large grass steps to the south side of the pond if want to sit back and take in the views.
Ruby Chow’s
This bustling restaurant and lounge is set along North Avenue NE and Glen Iris Drive NE beside Ponce City Market. Ruby Chow’s offers Asian American fusion small plates, main courses, and a robust drink menu. The floral and purple toned decor lets you feel like you’re escaping into a different world when you step through the door. They offer indoor and outdoor seating, and there is a cool little upstairs area if you want to feel tucked away from the crowd.
Atlanta BeltLine
The Atlanta BeltLine is Atlanta’s connection point between neighborhoods. Stroll, bike, blade, or scooter your way along the wide trail. The BeltLine is lined on either side with apartments, restaurants, shops, and nature. It is also separate from the road in most cases so it feels safe as a pedestrian.
The BeltLine can be quite lively even on weeknights or early mornings. This is because Atlanta residents and visitors enjoy exercising and commuting along the pathway rather than sticking to Atlanta’s sidewalks. The city is full of green spaces along the BeltLine.
If you want to enjoy the BeltLine from Old Fourth Ward, head up through Ponce City Market to connect directly to the trail. You can then head in the direction of Piedmont Park and Virginia-Highland to the North or Inman Park and Cabbagetown to the South.
There are many restaurants, stores, and breweries along the route. You can stop off for a campy outdoor beer experience at Ladybird, or hang out in Piedmont Park at Park Tavern. Simply walking the BeltLine is an experience in and of itself. It is a perfect place to exercise, people watch, and get a feel for this unique Atlanta neighborhood.
New Realm Brewing Co.
If you want to sit and soak in the ambiance of Old Fourth Ward Atlanta then you should visit New Realm Brewing. Pick a seat outside or on their second-story balcony so you have views of the BeltLine. The atmosphere is lively and the brewery is typically buzzing with people grabbing a drink or dining in.
In the evenings you will have nice views of Midtown from the second floor, not to mention great people-watching from the open-air porch seating with fire pits. New Realm has a great selection of local beers on tap and non-alcoholic options as well.
Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall
If you’re looking for fun, campy, outdoor vibes then visit Ladybird. This is an indoor outdoor bar and eatery with bright yellow umbrella, campers, and shaded seating overlooking the BeltLine. You can walk from Ponce City Market to Ladybird about a mile if you want to experience the BeltLine. Or, you can park at Ladybird and explore around Krog City Market afterward.
The decor and ambiance feel like you’re at the beach or camping in a national park, I can’t quite pick which one wins out. This is a popular gathering point in Old Fourth Ward, so there can be small crowds even on week nights. Beverages are a great price, and there is a solid selection of American and Southern appetizers and main dishes if you’re planning to stay awhile.
Grab a seat indoors if the weather is too warm, but make sure to bask in the outdoor ambiance if the temperature is right. At dusk, you’ll see fireflies during certain summer months! Ladybird hosts musicians, DJs, and live events throughout the year. Check their calendar to find out what might be happening during the time of your visit.
Old Fourth Ward Atlanta: Final Thoughts
There you have it! The top XX things to see, do, and explore in Old Fourth Ward. This is a must-see neighborhood in the city, so give yourself a day (or two) to visit. If you’re a local, what spots make your top 5 list in O4W?
Check out this article with 91 date ideas in Atlanta Georgia if you want to see the best day time and night time dates in the city, including in Old Forth Ward.
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