Neighborhoods - Virginia-Highland

It’s hard to imagine a time when an Atlanta neighborhood four miles from downtown was considered a suburb. It’s even harder to picture the city with bustling transit, but Virginia-Highland was founded as a streetcar suburb nearly a century ago. Now incorporated as an intown ‘hood, residents can walk to restaurants, boutiques, bars, grocery stores, and even a neighborhood movie theater with the monthly Silver Scream Spook Show. There are few places in Virginia-Highland you can’t reach by way of a pleasant stroll along tree-shaded sidewalks or a quick bike ride. To the north, Morningside remains a dreamy - albeit pricey - destination for families.

Things to do in the Virginia Highland

Karaoke to a live band

Buford Highway has the Korean karaoke club scene down to a science, but 10 High Club has the best live band karaoke in town. Unleash your inner rock star at Metalsome Karaoke every Friday through Monday nights; the latter night has no cover.

Listen to the blues

You won’t have much to be sorry about living in these neighborhoods, but just in case your purebred dog ran away, there’s legendary blues club Blind Willies. The 26-year-old venue features live music nightly.

Don’t hang with the grown-up frat boys

While you’re doing steps 1 and 2, you’ll need to steer clear of the douche bags that invade Va-Hi bars every weekend. The neighborhood is a nightlife magnet for aspiring date rapists and the women who need their intoxicated validation.

Hike the Morningside Nature Preserve

The 30-acre preserve is a hidden gem of hardwoods and pines, perfect for hiking and off-road cycling.

Become the target of Twitter ire

Chef Ron Eyester at Rosebud shot to online infamy as the Angry Chef, a Twitter personality with rude remarks for his customers. Having opened the neighborhood bar the Family Dog last year, now you too can be the butt of Eyester’s wisecracks!

Overdose on artisan chocolate

There are few artisan bean-to-bar chocolate creators in the world, but Cacao in Atlanta is one of them. Get your chocolate fix of dark bean truffles or Aztec sipping chocolate at the new Virginia-Highland outpost.

Shop the Morningside Farmers Market

Morningside offers a true farmers market year-round, with fresh, organic produce for sale by the men and women who grew it, as well as certified organic, Georgia-raised beef and pork, fresh-cut flowers, handmade soaps, and artists’ wares.

Experience sensory overload at a Thai restaurant

While the food at Panita Thai Kitchen is tasty, it’s the bizarre interior that will keep you coming back. With a decor that looks like a drunk Stevie Nicks went buck-wild at a Dollar General, diners will definitely feel transported - just not necessarily to Thailand.

Celebrate summer with an outdoor festival

Virginia-Highland’s annual Summerfest features live music, kids’ events, and an expansive outdoor artists market from June 2-3. When the weather’s this nice, there’s no excuse to drink indoors.

Don’t call it “the Highlands”

The neighborhood is named after the intersection of Virginia and Highland avenues, not Highlands Avenue, so stop calling it “the Highlands.”