College Guide - Top 4: Urban Walks

Little Five Points

L5P is one of Atlanta’s most cultured and eclectic hangouts. Alternative minds flock to the hot spot for vintage vinyl, great food, and new and used clothes and kicks. Start by checking out some gear at Rag-O-Rama, then take a stroll past the street performers and over to Wax ‘N’ Facts for some records, before hitting up Star Bar or Junkman’s Daughter. Euclid and Moreland avenues. www.littlefivepoints.net.

Virginia-Highland

Virginia-Highland boasts a mix of high-end shops and urban neighborhood grit. A walk around Va-Hi will take you from a designer boutique such as Bill Hallman to a rowdy pub such as Neighbor’s with a few stops at the unknowns in between. Wear comfortable shoes — the multitude of shops and sights will keep your feet moving. N. Highland and Virginia avenues. www.virginiahighland.com.

Downtown Decatur

The newly renovated square houses the DeKalb History Center and is bordered by restaurants, cool shops, and bars along Ponce, including Decatur CD, the Chocolate Bar and Wordsmith’s Books. You can poke around the square anytime, but be sure to check out the city’s several festivals and events throughout the year such as the AJC Decatur Book Festival (Aug. 29-31) and Great Decatur Beer Tasting Festival (Oct. 18). Ponce de Leon Avenue and E. Courthouse Square. www.decaturga.com.

Historic Oakland Cemetery

Have a goth night out wandering through the cemetery at sunset or nerd it up and learn about the great men and women who helped build the city and now occupy its soil; Bobby Jones, Margaret Mitchell and Maynard Jackson all rest here. Tornado damage last March forced the historic landmark to shut down for a while, but the gates have reopened. The 5K and 1K “Run Like Hell” Oct. 18 benefits the restoration efforts. 248 Oakland Ave. 404-688-2107. www.oaklandcemetery.com.