Neighborhoods - West End

Besides being home to the largest conglomerate of historically black colleges and universities in the nation, the West End runneth over with the kind of cultural dichotomy - from the Southern folkloric figure Uncle Remus found at the Wren’s Nest to such Afrocentric institutions as the Shrine of the Black Madonna - that could only be nurtured in one of the city’s oldest communities and nationally registered historic districts. If that’s not cool enough for you: OutKast’s first public performance occurred at West End’s now-defunct Club Fritz.

Things to do in the West End



Cultivate your artistic side at Spelman College Museum of Fine Art

The 15-year-old museum’s focus - “to emphasize works by and about women of the African Diaspora” - has flourished under the direction of Andrea Barnwell Brownlee with installations from such esteemed artists as Carrie Mae Weems and Sheila Pree Bright.

Take a tour of the Hammonds House Museum

This museum, located in a historic Queen Anne house, sponsors exhibitions and events celebrating the culture of the African Diaspora.

Listen to story time at Wren’s Nest

The Victorian home of Uncle Remus author Joel Chandler Harris hosts performances by master storytellers.

Feed mind, body, and soul at Soul Vegetarian Complex

There’s more to the Black Hebrew Israelites’ complex than soy-based soul food. The surrounding natural hair-braiding salon, Afro-centric bookstore, and banquet hall is a portal to cultural enlightenment with progressive lectures and occasional live music acts.

Debone the chicken wing at Busy Bee Cafe

This venerated soul-food joint serves up some of the city’s best fried chicken at a price that’s hard to beat.

Don’t sleep on history at the Shrine of the Black Madonna Bookstore

The Black Holocaust Museum inside the bookstore puts American chattel slavery in vivid visual perspective.