Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Dunwoody, GA

Dunwoody is a northern suburb of Atlanta, officially incorporated as a city in 2008. European settlement in the area commenced as early as the 1830s.

The name Dunwoody, albeit with a different spelling, was derived from Major Charles Dunwody, who served with the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.

Development in this suburb has been gradual and consistent, partly owing to the presence of a rail line until the 1920s, which notably transported Theodore Roosevelt during his presidential campaign in 1904.

A welcoming and well-equipped city situated just a few miles north of Atlanta’s attractions, Dunwoody is an excellent addition to any regional exploration.

Here are the most notable activities in Dunwoody, Georgia.

1. Historic Dunwoody

The historical beginnings of Dunwoody are evident at several locations within and around the city.

The Cheek-Spruill House, commonly referred to as the ‘Dunwoody Farmhouse’, is a modest two-story clapboard structure built in 1906.

Its public History Room offers an opportunity for visitors to delve into the more than a century of history associated with the property prior to its transformation into a law firm.

On the other hand, the Donaldson-Bannister House, constructed around 1870, is even more antiquated. It embodies the plantation architectural style and is deeply connected to the region’s history.

The first resident, William Donaldson, participated in the Civil War before his widow managed the farm for at least three decades following his death.

2. Treetop Quest

Treetop Quest immerses you high in the canopy of Dunwoody’s trees, soaring 16 meters above the ground along a walkway that weaves through the forest via a series of bridges, nets, ropes, and ziplines.

This family-friendly activity caters to individuals of all ages, enabling them to explore this typically concealed realm while testing their courage in a fully secure setting.

With four different levels of difficulty, the experience is age-appropriate for participants aged four and older, challenging their strength and balance in accordance with their developmental stage.

3. Spruill Gallery

The Spruill Gallery is housed in one of Dunwoody’s historic buildings, dating back to approximately the 1860s.

It presents between four and six major art exhibitions annually, thereby supporting both established and emerging artists, as well as showcasing works created in the onsite educational facility.

Additionally, the gallery features an artist’s gift shop that remains open year-round, offering unique gifts and appealing homewares crafted by artists residing in the metropolitan Atlanta area.

With a legacy spanning 40 years, the gallery continues to grow, making it an essential destination for art enthusiasts.

4. Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church

As the first religious establishment erected in Dunwoody, the Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church was constructed in 1829, although it is the fourth church to have occupied the site.

According to local lore, the wooden materials from the original church were repurposed during the Atlanta campaign of the Civil War, allowing Union forces to cross the Chattahoochee River.

The church is situated amid one of Dunwoody’s earliest cemeteries, which contains the remains of Major Charles Dunwoody, along with soldiers from the defeated Confederate Army and members of prominent Dunwoody families, after whom many nearby streets are named.

5. Dunwoody Nature Center

This center merges traditional urban parkland with an educational space where visitors can experience authentic North Georgia wetlands, a Native American tepee, and a variety of hiking trails.

Those who have explored Dunwoody extensively will appreciate the hammock garden, providing a tranquil setting to relax in hammocks suspended among the woodland trees.

The center was established in 1975 when the land was acquired as part of America’s bicentennial celebration.

It also hosts a popular butterfly festival, allowing attendees to experience the beauty of thousands of monarch butterflies during their migration between Canada and the highlands of Mexico each year.

6. Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Park

The history of the Atlanta region is not only tied to the American Civil War but also significantly linked to the Civil Rights Movement that emerged a century later.

Led by Martin Luther King Jr, this movement aimed to eliminate racial segregation and secure constitutional rights for African Americans.

This park consists of several significant buildings related to the movement, including King’s childhood residence. Additionally, there is a visitor center with a museum providing insights into the goals and accomplishments of the movement.

The park also serves as a reflective space, incorporating King’s final resting place following his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 39.

Located just east of downtown Atlanta, it is approximately 15 miles south of Dunwoody.

7. Brook Run Park

In many respects, Brook Run Park is more than a basic urban park; it offers a variety of high-quality recreational activities that ensure family enjoyment.

Younger children are likely to be delighted by the playground, while older children and teenagers will likely appreciate the skate park.

The dog-friendly woodlands provide an excellent area for outdoor activity. Alternatively, visitors can explore the community garden, where local residents cultivate a variety of organic produce that is sold, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting local charities.

8. Painting with a Twist

If the Spruill Gallery has inspired your creative spirit, Painting with a Twist is a worthwhile venue to visit.

As the name suggests, Painting with a Twist adds a unique element to the art sessions. Led by a skilled artist, all necessary supplies are provided for participants.

Moreover, attendees can bring their food and beverages, including alcoholic options, along with their friends, creating a relaxed atmosphere conducive to social interaction.

9. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

The highest point in the Atlanta region, Kennesaw Mountain, marks the location of a significant Civil War battle.

As part of the Atlanta campaign, where Union troops advanced from west to east across the southern states, around 150,000 soldiers were engaged, utilizing approximately 450 cannons.

Today, the battlefield park offers about 18 miles of marked interpretive hiking trails that elucidate the pivotal moments of the battle, including Confederate earthwork defenses and cannon placements.

The site also contains the farmhouse of Peter Valentine Kolb, which experienced the conflict, alongside a visitor center featuring a small museum.

Accessing Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park requires a half-hour drive from Dunwoody.

10. Six Flags White Water

Featuring thrilling experiences across its 28 hectares, Six Flags White Water ranks among the most popular water adventure parks in the United States.

It is also the largest in the southeastern region of the country. Within its gates, visitors will encounter over 20 attractions organized into four distinct sections.

These range from child-friendly slide rides like Lizard’s Tail to adult-exclusive experiences such as the Mutiny Chute plunge slide located in Wildwater Lagoon.

If a leisurely swim suits your preference better, the Pine Valley section offers an impressive wave pool, in addition to a tranquil lazy river tube ride named after the Chattahoochee River.

The park is located at a similar distance and direction from Dunwoody as Kennesaw Mountain.

11. Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum

Conveniently located within a short walk from the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Park in central Atlanta, this museum and archive caters to the legacy of Jimmy Carter, who presided from 1977 to 1981.

Nestled amidst 12 hectares of parkland and situated between two lakes, the center offers a serene atmosphere despite being close to Atlanta’s towering skyscrapers.

Inside, various exhibitions and artifacts detail Carter’s four years in office, including an impressive collection of gifts he received from world leaders.

The museum also houses a full-sized replica of the White House’s Oval Office, along with a mock-up of the presidential retreat at Camp David.

12. Morgan Falls Overlook Park

Roughly equivalent in size to the Presidential Library and Museum, Morgan Falls Overlook Park provides an excellent venue for enjoying Georgia’s delightful year-round climate.

Spacious picnic pavilions afford visitors a comfortable setting to enjoy lunch while shaded from the sun, and footpaths lead to scenic views overlooking a curve in the Chattahoochee River.

Additionally, visitors can experience picturesque views across Blue Sluice Lake from a series of porch swings. The park also provides fire pits, a fishing pier, and launch ramps for kayaks, inviting those interested in exploring the waters.

Only a 15-minute drive northwest of Dunwoody, the park offers an array of activities to appreciate the riverine landscape, with the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area encompassing 15 different ‘units’ throughout the northern Atlanta region.

13. Dunwoody Tavern

As the oldest pub in Dunwoody and one of the longest-standing establishments in the Atlanta region, Dunwoody Tavern has undergone various transformations over time. Today, it resembles a traditional English pub.

Patrons can expect to find comfortable seating, dark wood paneling adorning the walls, and the inviting warmth of roaring open wood fires during cooler weather.

The beverage selection includes an extensive range of British and European beers, featuring well-poured pints of Guinness, accompanied by exceptional whiskies from Scotland.

14. Heritage Sandy Springs Museum

This museum is located merely ten minutes to the east of Dunwoody, making it convenient to combine with a visit to Morgan Falls Overlook Park.

Its grounds feature the natural springs after which the neighboring incorporated city is named, and the museum itself is situated within the historic Williams-Payne House.

Exhibits include a significant collection of artifacts dating from the antebellum and American Civil War eras, as well as photographs that depict the lifestyle of the time.

15. Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area

Arabia Mountain is not only a stunning area of Georgian wilderness, but it also contributed significantly to the growth of local towns and regions far beyond its proximity.

This landscape features ancient granite formations estimated to be 400 million years old, which have been quarried for use in iconic structures like New York’s Brooklyn Bridge.

The old quarries and vast forests can be navigated using 31 miles of paved trails designated for mountain biking, while a network of unpaved hiking paths also traverses the area.

Arabia Mountain is located approximately 30 miles southeast of Dunwoody, nestled within the southern suburbs of Atlanta.