The National Heritage Area also has great grub, local eateries, and fun places to stay from three-star hotels to camps designed for glamping!
Restaurants
A busy hot bar at Green Love.
LITHONIA
No visit to the Heritage Area is complete without a stop by Green Love Kitchen in the heart of historic Downtown Lithonia. This is hands down some of the best vegan food in ALL of Metro Atlanta. Green Love serves Jamaican-inspired vegan fare (get the spicy kale wrap, Green Burger, or anything from the hot bar), plus coconut curry salmon for the meat eaters.
The coffee and tea bar at Black Dot.
Right next door to Green Love is the Black Dot Cultural Center, a cute coffee shop offering delicious caffeinated beverages, books, African art and decor, and open mics every Thursday. Try a chai latte with a white bean pie. It’s mouthwateringly good!
Just outside of Downtown Lithonia is the popular local chain JJ Fish & Chicken and Robert’s Soul Food. And for a chill evening with a few cold ones, pop into Dudley’s Sports Bar & Grill and Da Bomb Sports Grill.
STONECREST
In the middle of the NHA, is the young City of Stonecrest. In addition to the best shopping in the Heritage Area, the Stonecrest Mall also has a large foodcourt. Take your pick from juicy BBQ to zesty gyros and wings, teriyaki noodles and rice, and franchise staples like Chik-fil-A and Auntie Anne’s.
Tucked around the Stonecrest Mall are a number of sumptuous meal options, from classic Americana at Fletcher’s Restaurant and Bar and some truly finger-licking BBQ at Smokey Bones to a whole health and wellness Food Hall at Priví. For the fanciest surf and turf meets Southern fare around, hit up Dominique’s and order their fried green tomatoes.
And take your pick of Caribbean and Jamaican-themed eateries. We recommend the flaky, spicy deliciousness that is Golden Krust.
CONYERS
Things get a little spread out in the southern part of the Heritage Area, but there are still plenty of options. Head over to TG Asian Cuisine Express if you’re hankering for some yummy Chinese-fusion fare. This place is quick, insanely tasty, and offers huge portions.
Biscotti and fudge from the Monastery.
Get some more irresistible, homestyle barbecue at JJ’s Gritz N’ BBQ and Shane’s Rib Shack. Or grab some of your own groceries and fresh baked goods at the Smyrna Crossing Publix. Of course, if you’re visiting the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, you have to swing by their gift shop for the best biscotti, fudge and fruit cakes in Atlanta and their cafe for fresh beverages!
One of Thai Palace’s pineapple-themed dishes.
A short drive to Downtown Conyers brings even more tasty food options, such as: delicious coastal cuisine at Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen, mouthwatering Southern staples at the Iron Skillet and one of the best Black-owned bakeries in the area, Brown Sugar Desserts. Oh and (bonus!) get the spicy catfish with deep-fried spring rolls at Thai Palace & Sushi Bar.
Lodging
The front of Camellia Hall.
LITHONIA
Carriage House at Camellia Hall
Nestled right on Main Street in Lithonia National Historic District, stay at a gorgeously renovated historic carriage house at Camellia Hall, one of the oldest buildings in Lithonia. Historic on the outside, and sleek and modern on the inside, this cute, two-bedroom getaway is perfect for friends or couples looking for something steps away from Downtown Lithonia, the Lithonia Woman’s Club, and the Ruth Carroll Dally Johnson Interpretive Garden. Rooms are also available in the main house, built in 1852 and one of the few surviving Antebellum structures in Metro Atlanta.
The main house at Waybird Farm.
STONECREST
Waybird Farm & Forest
Book a stay at this dream country getaway in the heart of the Heritage Area, just minutes from Arabia Mountain and just across the street from Vaughters’ Farm. Waybird Farm & Forest offers an authentic country experience with acres of walking trails, a swimming lake, chickens, and an outdoor kitchen complete with a pizza oven! Check out their community happenings as well.
The front of the Hilton Garden Inn.
Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta East/Stonecrest
For those seeking luxury and a pampered stay, look no further than the Stonecrest’s Hilton Garden Inn. Conveniently located right by the Stonecrest Mall and off of I-20, this newly renovated 110-room property offers easy access to the Heritage Area and Downtown Atlanta just 20 minutes away. Expect all the modern amenities such as an on-site restaurant, indoor pool, fitness center, and pet-friendly rooms.
Arabia Mountain Farm
Talk about glamping! For a quirkier, campfire experience, check out Arabia Mountain Farm, just steps away from the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Center and the Arabia Mountain PATH system. Guests can spend the night in a teepee, geodesic dome, camper/RV or even a houseboat on land! This is as close as it gets to camping at Arabia Mountain!
One of Panola’s camp sites.
CONYERS
Camping At Panola Mountain
See the stars! Panola Mountain State Park offers a little bit of everything, including the only camping in the NHA. The state park has 5 traditional, hike-in primitive sites. The parking area is a short hike (approximately 3/4 of a mile) from the campground. Please be prepared to transport your belongings to and from the sites without the use of a vehicle. $25.00 Per Night, $175.00 Per Week.
Olde Town Conyers
Olde Town Conyers
Just a few minutes outside of the Heritage Area is Olde Town Conyers, a historic district that has preserved the charm of this old railroad town’s main strip of businesses, that looks much as it did a hundred years ago. Conyers has a number of excellent lodging options from the Hampton Inn Conyers to the Courtyard Atlanta Conyers, not to mention its own fascinating local history and food options.
Retreats At The Monastery of The Holy Spirit
For those seeking a more tranquil or contemplative stay away from the bustle, the Monastery of the Holy Spirit offers both weekday and weekend retreats. The Retreat House is on the Monastery Grounds and includes meals for $90 to $110 per person per night. Visitors will have easy access to the Abbey Church, Rockdale River PATH Trail, and to the Monastery’s prayer services and preached retreat programs offering a variety of spiritual presentations for men and women.