Blake Walsh

21 Best Things to Do in Dunwoody, GA

  • Published 2023/04/21

Luxury and delight await you when you go to Dunwoody in Georgia.

Named after Confederate officer Major Charles Dunwody, the city is known for its affluent neighborhoods and lively downtown area.

Dunwoody is at the northernmost tip of DeKalb County, bordering Gwinnett to the west, Fulton to the north, and Dekalb to the south.

The city has a humid climate with hot summers and cold winters.

There are plenty of things to do in Dunwoody, whether you are looking for outdoor activities or wishing to explore the city’s historical landmarks.

Visitors can explore the nearby plazas brimming with shops, well-known brands, and everything in between.

You can also enjoy an evening of award-winning cuisine that will satisfy all palates.

No matter your interests, you’ll find something to do in Dunwoody that suits you.

Here are the best things to do in Dunwoody, GA:

See the Animals at Dunwoody Nature Center

Signage of Dunwoody Nature Center

JJonahJackalope, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Dunwoody Nature Center is great for learning about the local flora and fauna.

The 22-acre center has hiking trails, picnic grounds, a playground, and an amphitheater, making it the perfect place to spend a day outdoors.

Inside Dunwoody Park, Dunwoody Nature Center has three venues, perfect for a nature-themed birthday party.

In addition to the many different amenities the center offers, there are educational programs for adults and children.

The programs educate guests on the local ecosystem and offer opportunities to get up close and personal with wildlife.

You can also play with your kids at the creek inside the Dunwoody Nature Center.

If you want to know about the local ecosystem, this is the place for you.

Take a Walk through the Historic Dunwoody Village

Benches at Dunwoody Village courtyard

Mmann1988, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dunwoody Village is a historic district located in the heart of the city.

The village is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and businesses, and it is also the site of the Dunwoody Farmers’ Market.

Visitors can stroll through the village and admire the architecture of the buildings.

There are also a few historical landmarks worth checking out.

To learn more about the history of Dunwoody, take a self-guided walking tour through the village.

The tour will take you to some of the most notable buildings in the village.

You can also learn about the people who have lived here throughout the years.

Browse the Shops at Perimeter Mall

Road sign of Perimeter Mall

JJonahJackalope, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Perimeter Mall is one of the most popular shopping destinations near Dunwoody, and the second-largest mall in Georgia.

You’ll find it in busy Atlanta, Georgia, four minutes from Dunwoody.

The mall is home to over 150 shops and events throughout the year.

Visitors can find everything from high-end retailers to local boutiques, restaurants, and cafes inside the mall.

In addition to shopping, visitors can also take advantage of the mall’s many amenities.

The open-air stores, fine dining establishments, and salons at Perimeter Mall set it apart from other Atlanta retail centers.

Gardens and walks connect these establishments.

The mall has a movie theater, an arcade, different places to eat, and valet parking.

Perimeter Mall is the perfect place to spend a day if you want some retail therapy.

Go on an Adventure at Treetop Quest Dunwoody

Children will have a grand time playing in this aerial adventure park.

Treetop Quest Dunwoody is an outdoor playground that has a series of ropes courses and zip lines.

The facility designed its courses for children of all ages, ranging in difficulty from easy to hard.

There are also a few junior courses that are perfect for young children.

Your kids can also answer quizzes integrated into the courses.

Watch them learn about the local environment while playing.

In addition to the ropes courses, Treetop Quest Dunwoody also has a rock-climbing wall.

They also have a cafe to rest and get something to eat.

This is the place for you if you are looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure.

Explore the Arts at Spruill Center for the Arts

Exterior of Spruill Center for the Arts

Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock.com

Housed in one of Dunwoody’s historical buildings, the Spruill Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization that offers art classes and camps for children and adults.

The center also has a gallery where you can purchase local artwork.

It’s also home to different events throughout the year.

You can take youth and adult classes in various mediums, including painting, pottery, and photography.

The Spruill Center for the Arts also offers camps for children during the summer months.

These camps allow children to explore their creativity and learn about different art forms.

See exhibits of local artists’ works on display in the Spruill Gallery.

If you want a place to appreciate art or learn more about the creative process, then the Spruill Center for the Arts is for you.

Enjoy a Fun Picnic at Brook Run Park

Brook Run Park is a 100-acre park.

It’s Dunwoody’s largest park, located in the center of the city.

The Park features a two-mile loop trail that you can use for walking, running, or biking.

There are picnic tables in the Park and a playground for children.

The Brook Run Park also contains a dog park, the perfect place to take your dog for a walk.

In addition to the trails and picnic areas, Brook Run Park also has some sports facilities.

The Park has basketball and tennis courts, and a skate park.

Whether you are looking to go for a hike or to play some hoops, Brook Run is the place for you.

Play All Afternoon at the Georgetown Park

Georgetown Park may be small, but it offers plenty of family fun.

This park has a ton of amenities for kids of all ages.

Bring the family to the playground with swings and slides, a pavilion for picnicking, and a basketball court.

Georgetown Park also has a walking trail.

This trail connects Georgetown Park to other parks, such as Pernoshal Park and Brook Run Park, through the Dunwoody trail.

Bocce lovers will also have a blast at Georgetown Park’s bocce court, though you need to bring your bocce balls.

This park is the perfect place to spend an afternoon if you want some fun in the sun.

Explore the Pernoshal Park

Pernoshal Park is another excellent option for spending time outdoors with your family.

This Park has a playground, a pavilion, and a walking trail.

Pernoshal Park is a five-acre park dedicated to fitness with its athletic field and outdoor fitness equipment.

The equipment consists of pull-up bars, a sit-up bench, and parallel bars.

The Park boasts a pickleball court overlaid on one of the basketball courts.

This Park is for those who want to work out while also spending time with their family.

Enjoy Live Music at the Dunwoody Tavern

Serving up some of the best pub food in town, the Dunwoody Tavern allows you to eat and enjoy some live music.

The tavern has a stage where local bands play various genres of music, such as rock, blues, and country.

The Dunwoody Tavern also has a pool table and a dart board, and it is the perfect place to watch the game.

Established in 1996, Dunwoody Tavern also offers British favorites such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd’s pie.

So, if you are craving good food and live music, check out the Dunwoody Tavern.

Try Your Hand at Planting at the Dunwoody Community Garden

The Dunwoody Community Garden is a great place to get your hands dirty and try your hand at gardening.

The garden has raised beds where you can grow various vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

Located in Brook Run Park, the garden also has a greenhouse, and it is open to the public from dawn to dusk.

The garden welcomes visitors with a stunning butterfly garden created to attract pollinators.

The Dunwoody Community Garden is the perfect place to connect with nature.

Whether an experienced gardener or a beginner, the Dunwoody Community Garden is an excellent place to learn about gardening and get some fresh air.

Join the Wondrous Butterfly Festival

Admire the hundreds of butterflies on display at the Butterfly Festival.

Get a close-up look at the butterfly, one of nature’s most exquisite and delicate creatures.

This festival is a celebration of all things butterflies, and it features a butterfly release, as well as games, crafts, and activities for kids.

The festival also has food trucks, so you can grab a bite to eat while you are there.

The Butterfly Festival started in 1993 and now boasts more than 4,000 attendees.

Conducted at Dunwood Nature Center, the butterfly Festival is a great way to get to know nature.

Grab New Spice Mixes at the Dunwoody Farmers Market

The Dunwoody Farmers Market is perfect for fresh, local produce.

The market also has a variety of vendors selling items such as honey, cheese, and flowers.

It is the perfect place to get some of your favorite seasonal produce.

You can also find prepared food at the market, such as sandwiches and pies.

Watch a Show at the Stage Door Theatre

The Stage Door Theatre is a great place to catch a show, as it is a classical repertory theater.

Since 1980, the theater has produced various shows, such as musicals, comedies, and dramas.

The Stage Door Theatre also offers educational programming, such as workshops and classes.

The theatre is in the Performing Arts Center.

Today, the theater stages classic plays such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Becoming Dr. Ruth, and A Christmas Carol.

The Stage Door Theatre is the perfect place to experience live theatre.

Take a Pleasant Stroll Outdoors at the Windwood Hollow Park

Find peace while you stroll along the woods at Windwood Hollow Park.

The park has a walking trail perfect for an afternoon walk or a morning jog.

The Windwood Hollow Park also has a pavilion, which is the perfect place to have a picnic lunch.

This park is also great for tennis, and it has two tennis courts available for public use.

Bring your kids to the middle of a circular sidewalk route and let them play.

Likewise, you can find stationary exercise equipment with photos explaining how to use them along the trail.

You can enjoy the outdoors in Windwood Hollow Park.

Experience the Foliage of Vernon Oaks Park

If you have a thing for parks that are loaded with trees and shrubbery, Vernon Oaks Park is a great addition to your itinerary.

One of the best times to visit here is during spring and fall, when you can experience the amazing plant life of the park.

You can find some critters here as well, making it a great place to take children with you for a light trek.

Vernon Oaks Park also has a well and a stream, adding a rustic charm to this that’s perfect for photography.

You can access the park along Vernon Springs Drive.

Do a Self-guided Tour of the Donaldson-Bannister Farm

Local history lovers would be ecstatic to find out about Donaldson-Bannister Farm’s heritage, dating back to the late 1800s.

The namesake family were pioneers in Dunwoody during the Civil War, where he played a critical role in agricultural development.

Today, the Donaldson-Bannister Farm is now a public park but still retains the quaint two-storey home that you can see and tour without any cost.

As a bonus, there are various events like movie night shows being held here from time to time.

Donaldson-Bannister Farm is located along Chamblee Dunwoody Road—stop by and check its rich history and heritage.

Have a Feast at Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse

Exterior of Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse

JJonahJackalope, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse is a global culinary icon—if you haven’t tried it, now’s your chance if you’re visiting Dunwoody or Atlanta.

It’s one of the most visited and famous restaurants in the city, famous for its mouthwatering beef that’s seasoned with various Latin flavors.

Another thing that makes Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse famous are its extensive salad bar and selection of beverages.

Easily one of the best places to celebrate occasions, this is a can’t-miss for couples and families.

Its branch in Dunwoody is located along Ashford Dunwoody Road.

Have an Intimate Date at Novo Cucina

If you’re craving for something lighter but still as good, then Novo Cucina is a great place to consider.

It’s one of the top Italian restaurants in the Atlanta area, famous for its mouthwatering pizzas, pasta, and their top-notch gelato.

Novo Cucina’s menu covers a lot of ground, whether it’s seafood, red meat, or vegetables.

Some of their bestsellers here are their calamari platters, arancini, seafood linguine, and their four cheese ravioli.

Novo Cucina can be found along Chamblee Dunwoody Drive, making it a convenient place for lunch or dinner.

Go Bowling at Bowlero Chamblee

Bowlero Chamblee is located along Savoy Drive, right by the border of Atlanta and Dunwoody.

It’s one of the best places to spend a fun and intimate time with friends and family, as the bowling facility has a lot to offer.

The lanes are modern and are some of the best you’ll find in Atlanta, and their arcade facility is just as good for all ages.

Drinks and food are also stellar, so this is a great place to have dinner as you compete against your friends.

Bowlero Chamblee also has great personnel, especially their bartenders that’ll enhance the experience with their professionalism.

Whether you’re an avid bowling fan or you’re just looking for some fun, give Bowlero Chamblee a shot.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Explore the Quaint Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church

Exterior of Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church

JJonahJackalope, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Built in 1829, the Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church is one of the oldest churches in Dunwoody.

The church is in Atlanta, Georgia, four minutes from Dunwoody.

It’s also a popular spot for weddings and other events.

Interior of Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church

Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Local lore says that the Union Army took out the first church’s wooden planks and used them to cross the Chattahoochee River during the Atlanta Campaign in the Civil War.

Today, it is now home to a museum, containing artifacts from the church’s early days.

This is a great spot to visit if you are interested in learning about the church’s history.

Make a Splash at the Dunwoody Country Club

The 25-meter pool in the Dunwoody Country Club is fantastic for cooling off on a hot day.

The pool also has cabanas and lounge chairs, which is the perfect place to have fun with your family.

You can find it in Atlanta, Georgia, six minutes from Dunwoody.

The country club also has a 9-hole golf course, ten tennis courts, and a fitness center.

In the late fall of 1966, they opened the golf course to limited play.

They also conducted a weeding to help clean up the area.

The Dunwoody Country Club is a great place to spend a day with your family.

It organizes events for children, including Halloween Carnival and Haunted House, and Mother-Daughter Tea.

You can also join its Easter Egg Hunt, and the Mother-Son Sadie Hawkins Dance.

Whether you are looking to take a dip in the pool or play a round of golf, the Dunwoody Country Club is the perfect place for you.

Final Thoughts

Although Dunwoody is well known for its shopping selections and top-notch restaurants, it also has a vibrant creative community.

This community contributes to the region’s burgeoning arts and culture scene.

From public art installations to live theatre, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Dunwoody.

You should check out these activities in Dunwoody when you get the chance.

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