Just four square miles, Decatur is distinguished by its parks and lively downtown. With all the charm and confidence of a town that's self-contained, Decatur attracts small, often-eclectic groups such as romance writers and municipal associations. Meeting venues in Decatur include Emory University and Agnes Scott College, which planners can also look to for speakers.
Decatur is six miles east of downtown Atlanta and boasts three stations on the MARTA line, Atlanta's unique rapid rail and bus transit system that links much of its metro and suburban areas.
First among Decatur meeting venues is the Holiday Inn Conference Center, located in the heart of the town. With 15,000 square feet of meeting space that can be configured a variety of ways for up to 1,200 guests, the center offers an unbeatable location as well as affordability.
Many Decatur event venues are located in historic neighborhoods full of cottages, churches and renovated buildings. A block from the conference center, groups can stroll to the historic, window-lined courtroom for a reception at the Old Courthouse on the Square. Just outside, a bandstand is available for group rental.
The Mary Gay House, one of few antebellum homes in metro Atlanta to escape Sherman's torch, is also within three blocks. A quintessentially Southern meeting venue for up to 200, it has three private rooms and a patio. Also offering Southern-style historic space with outdoor options, the Solarium at the Old Scottish Rite Hospital invites 150 to enjoy cocktails under a tent and in its window-lined sunroom. The historic hospital also houses restaurants, including the meeting-friendly Palate Cafe and Bar, and an art gallery.
Conference attendees can walk to shops and restaurants during breaks in their schedules, as well as log on to the web from just about anywhere in town, thanks to municipal Wi-Fi.
To say that dining venues in Decatur are on the foodie map is an understatement; its large number of award-winning (including James Beard chefs) restaurants continues to grow. In fact, visitors meeting in other parts of Atlanta often jump on MARTA to dine at one of Decatur's critically acclaimed eateries, like Watershed (named after a song by the Indigo Girls, one of whom owns it), which also offers private meeting space.
More than 100 boutiques, cafes, bookstores and galleries are found in Decatur, including the Seen Gallery, another one-of-a-kind event venue. Eddie's Attic is a Decatur institution, with live, local musicians. Indigo Girls, Sugarland and John Mayer played here in their early days and still make surprise visits.
