Atlanta: Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood Guide

Explore the best things to do in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward with this local neighborhood guide! Modern Atlanta meets history in the Old Fourth Ward – the only neighborhood in the city still known by its historic city council district name.  Visit the dynamic Ponce City Market,  Check out the entertainment district on Edgewood Ave and Decatur Street.  Immerse yourself in US Civil Rights history in the M. L. King Jr. Landmark Historic District. Don’t miss the Atlanta Beltline, Studioplex, the Krog District, and Historic Fourth Ward Park!

This walkable neighborhood stretches from Ponce City Market and Old Fourth Ward Park on the north side down to the train tracks on the south side.  The Atlanta Beltline creates the neighborhood’s eastern border. 

History of Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward

Following the Race Riots of 1906, Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood transitioned from a white neighborhood to a black neighborhood.  Prominent African American families such as those of John Wesley Dobbs, Martin Luther King, Jr., David Tobias Howard, John Wesley Gaines, and Alexander D. Hamilton lived here.   John Wesley Dobbs leveraged his relationship with Mayor Hartsfield to bring sewers and streetlights to the neighborhood.  The Old Fourth Ward developed into the center of local African American culture including the original location of Morris Brown College.

How did Old Fourth Ward get its Name?

Old Fourth Ward is one of the oldest sections of Atlanta.  It is the only neighborhood that is still named after the historic Atlanta city council districts. Locals may refer to the neighborhood as O4W.

Originally the City of Atlanta was organized into 5 Wards:

• 1st Ward – Downtown and Castleberry Hill
• 2nd Ward – Summerhill
• 3rd Ward – Grant Park
• 4th Ward – Old Fourth Ward, which included a red-light district. Shanty towns made up its primary construction.  This was the most marginalized district in early Atlanta
• 5th Ward – Fairlie Poplar District and the Peachtree Mansions (now demolished)

By 1929, Atlanta expanded to 13 Wards.  In the 1940s most of the original Fourth Ward was reclassified as the Fifth Ward.  Despite Atlanta assigning a new label to this neighborhood, residents clung to the original definition and began to call the area the “Old Fourth Ward.”  A few years later, in 1954 Atlanta abandoned the ward system and moved to the current NPU system.

For more history, check out O4W History’s Instagram page.

Old Fourth Ward Today

Today Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood includes a mix of residents – those whose family has lived in this neighborhood for generations and newcomers.  Historic homes in various stages of renewal are interspersed with modern structures.  Within the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, the local M. L. King Jr. Landmark Historic District encompasses the historic African American business and residential district.  It is home to the King Birth House and other historical neighborhood structures that are part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.  The Landmark District stretches beyond the National Historical Park boundaries

New construction and reimagined industrial buildings line the Atlanta Beltline in Old Fourth Ward from the Krog Street Tunnel to Ponce City Market.  Historically sensitive developers transformed an abandoned cotton processing facility into Studioplex.  The reimagined building includes co-working spaces, artist studios, service-based businesses and more.  The industrial complex’s water tower across the street is the centerpiece of Water Tower Park.  The original train route that supported these industrial sites is today’s people superhighway – the Atlanta Beltline.

Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward Restaurants and Retail

Ponce City Market

Jamestown the development company revitalized the historic Sears retail store and southeastern warehouse into the dynamic Ponce City Market.  This amazing place is a shopping and dining destination all to itself!  Plus, you can work and live here too!  You may want to check out the new apartment hotel in Ponce City Market East by Scout Living. You can grab a quick drink or bite from the local food hall or you can sit down in one of Ponce City Market’s restaurants. Visit PCM’s Directory for a comprehensive list of all the shops and restaurants available.

Some of my favorite restaurants are listed below:

• Pancake Social at Ponce City Market
• H&F Burger
• Hop’s Chicken
• King of Pops
• Ton Ton Ramen & Yakitori
• City Winery – see a show!
• El Super Pan

SPX Alley & the Krog District

The Old Fourth Ward neighborhood meets Inman Park at the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail at SPX Alley. This development is directly adjacent to O4W’s Studioplex Lofts on one side of the Beltline, and it is across from Krog Street Market and the Stove Works on the Inman Park side. SPX Alley is an activated urban space with a mix of restaurants and retail accessed directly from the Beltline. Residential apartments and townhouses sit above the commercial spaces.

You can access restaurants and retail spaces from the Beltline. Paid Parking is available in the Krog Parking Deck at 73 Krog St NE, Atlanta. There is also a paid surface lot including Tesla chargers available at Krog Street Market on the corner of Lake Ave and Waddell St.

Visit the Krog District Directory for a list of all the places to get something to eat or drink plus retail stores and more.

Some popular restaurants are listed below:

• Guac y Margys
• Emerald City Bagel – Beltline
• Eclipse di Luna – Beltline
• Yeppa & Co – Beltline
• Yuji Modern Japanese
• Glide Pizza – O4W

Scattered Retail

Shops and restaurants are scattered throughout Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.  Historic Atlanta neighborhoods often feature scattered retail allowing residents to walk to the store from their homes. 

Here are a few popular places to go.  They may be scattered throughout the neighborhood or near the Atlanta Beltline:

• O4W Market
• Thumbs Up Diner
• A Mano
• TWO Urban Licks
• Lotta Frutta – fruiteria, smoothies, salads, sandwiches & coffee – lunch only
• Slutty Vegan Edgewood
• Comunidad Taqueria
• Donnie’s Donuts
• Condesa Coffee
• Buena Vida Tapas Bar

Nightlife in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward

The Old Fourth Ward is known for its entertainment district on Edgewood Ave and Decatur Street.  Plus, you can find more bars and breweries along the Atlanta Beltline.  Here are a few popular destinations:

• Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium
• New Realm Brewing Co
• Joystick Gamebar
• The James Room

Greenspaces in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward

Historic Fourth Ward Park

This outdoor space is the crown jewel of Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.  Historic Fourth Ward Park is one of my favorite Atlanta City Parks.  It was the first new park built as park of the Atlanta Beltline project.  Although “historic” is in the name, the park opened to the public in 2012. 

Green space on the north side of the park begins just south of Ponce City Market.  A water feature and an amphitheater are the focal point at the center of the park.  The southern section of the park is made for kids and families.  Here you will find a fantastic playground and a splash pad.  Cool off on hot days in this water feature which is open from May 1st until October 1st.  Conveniently, the park’s bathrooms are near the splash pad. 

If you drive to this park, then you must park on the street.  The best streets to park are North Angier Avenue, Morgan Street, Garden Park Drive, Dallas Street and Rankin Street. 

 Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark

The city’s first free skatepark is adjacent to the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail near Freedom Parkway.  Tony Hawk supported the development of this space.  He also participated in the skatepark’s grand opening ceremony.  The park offers something for skaters of every level.  In addition to skateboarding, you will also find a playground and a multi-use field at the park.  Bathrooms are located near the playground.  Check out the rules for the Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark.

Freedom Barkway Dog Park

Are you looking to take your dogs out and mingle with like-minded dog owners?  Check out this 2-acre park adjacent to Freedom Parkway in the heart of the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.  Neighbors worked together to create the Freedom Barkway, which is a City of Atlanta off-leash dog park. 

Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail & Old Water Tower Park

The Atlanta Beltline is a rails-to-trails initiative. The project reclaimed the former railroad right of way looping around the center of Atlanta. It currently features a pedestrian and bicycle path that rings the city. Fun retail and restaurant destinations along with public art installations line the trail. This is an excellent place for people watching. I think of it as a people superhighway. The Eastside Trail runs between Old Fourth Ward and the Inman Park neighborhood.

The historic water tower that originally protected the cotton warehouse across the street once held 100,000 gallons of water.  The industrial warehouse is now Studioplex.  Today, the historic water tower is the main feature in Old Water Tower Park. 

Freedom Park and the PATH Trail

Atlanta’s Freedom Park and the PATH Trail were born of the Road Fights – please see the history of Inman Park for a better understanding of this piece of Atlanta’s history. The government cleared away homes to create huge swaths of land to build new freeways. Atlanta’s intown neighbors fought tooth and nail to stop these roads from cutting through their neighborhoods. Ultimately the neighbors won the road fight but much of the urban fabric had already been bulldozed. Today that land functions as an urban greenway known as Freedom Park. In addition to park space the PATH trail runs through this linear greenspace. It makes an excellent space to walk, jog and bike.

Renaissance Park

This tree-studded pocket park in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood offers an off-leash dog park, walking paths, and a skyline view. 

Central Park

Central Park is located on the north side of the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood west of Renaissance Park.  This park offers ball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, a playground and a recreation center.  Occasionally the park hosts multi-day music festivals.  Most recently it was the home of the Shaky Knees Music Festival. 

Arts & Culture in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward

Jackson Street Bridge

I guarantee that you’ve seen spectacular images of the downtown Atlanta skyline from this bridge.  Think of the Walking Dead.  This is an excellent place to grab Insta-worth selfies or professional quality photos of the Atlanta skyline.  The City of Atlanta is working to make this bridge more pedestrian-friendly.

M.L. King Jr. Historic Landmark District

In 1989, the City of Atlanta designated the historically significant neighborhood fabric between Courtland and Randolph Steets south of Freedom Parkway as the M. L. King Jr. Landmark Historic District.  This district includes sections of the Sweet Auburn neighborhood and the Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood.  The district’s goal is to maintain the neighborhood as it appeared between the 1930s and 1950s. 

The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park is in the M. L. King Jr. Landmark Historic District.  The King Birth Home, the historic residential area that surrounds it, and Historic Fire Station No. 6 are in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.  The rest of the sites are in the adjacent Sweet Auburn on the west side of Boulevard. 

Dad’s Garage Theatre Company

Are you looking for a unique night on the town?  Check out a comedy show at Dad’s Garage!  The theatre is open Wednesday through Saturday.  You can see an improv show, a play, or participate in an improv class.  This comedy theatre has been on the Atlanta scene since 1995. 

Studioplex & Old Water Tower Park

Today’s dynamic Studioplex is the result of an adaptive reuse project that transformed Atlanta’s 1904 Southeastern Cotton Warehouse.  The water tower across the street was built soon after the factory.  Raw cotton is a huge fire risk, so the company filled the tower with 100,000 gallons of water.  The water tower still stands today and is the main feature in Old Water Tower Park. 

The Studioplex lofts are flexible live/work spaces.  The space displays the original features predecessor, the industrial cotton warehouse.  The original warehouse was conveniently located near the railroad tracks so that it could receive and ship freight.  Today, Studioplex is adjacent to the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail.  This is a fascinating historic space to explore!

Old Fourth Ward Tours

Check out upcoming walking tours from the Atlanta Preservation Center.  They typically offer walking tours of the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood on the last Saturday of the month.

Schedule a walking tour of Old Fourth Ward and the Beltline or Ponce City Market and the Beltline with History Afoot Atlanta.  I enjoyed an excellent tour of the town of Hapeville with Lisa Flaherty.

Signature Events in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward

MLK Jr Holiday Celebrations

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an important day of remembrance at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and the King Center.  A commemorative service is held at Ebenezer Baptist Church.  An MLK Day March on Auburn Ave typically ends with a Rally at the King Center.  Other commemorative events may include a Community Empowerment Fair, book readings, summits, and workshops.

The Old Fourth Ward Arts Festivals

This arts festival occurs twice a year – in the spring and in the fall.  Look for this festival in Historic Fourth Ward Park at the end of May or beginning of June and at the end of September or beginning of October.  In addition to arts and crafts, you will find a children’s play area, live music, and good things to eat at the Old Fourth Ward Arts Festivals.

Highland Ave Festival

Think of the Highland Ave Festival as a summer picnic with neighbors.  Enjoy live music, kids’ activities, and delicious things to eat from the businesses along the Highland Ave corridor. 

Thriving Together Atlanta Arts and Wellness Festival

Thriving Together Atlanta is a nonprofit focusing on public art for public health.  The organization hosts its Community Arts and Wellness Festival in Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park in September.

The Atlanta Hip Hop Day Festival

Historic Fourth Ward Park is the home of the Atlanta Hip Hop Day Festival.  This 2-day music festival takes place over Labor Day Weekend. 

How to Get to Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward

Driving

This neighborhood is easily accessible from the Downtown Connector (I-75/I-85) and Freedom Parkway. Check your destination for parking recommendations.

Ride Share: Uber or Lyft

Give your driver a specific address in Old Fourth Ward.  Taking a ride share means that you don’t have to worry about parking!

Public Transportation: MARTA

• Atlanta Streetcar– travels between downtown Atlanta Attractions and the MLK Jr. National Historical Park
• MARTA King Memorial Station– at the south end of the neighborhood near Oakland Cemetery
• MARTA Bus Route 899
• MARTA Bus Route 816
• MARTA Bus Route 102

The Atlanta Beltline

Walk, jog or bike on the Atlanta Beltline right to Old Fourth Ward! 

Visiting?  Places to Stay in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward

Old Fourth Ward is home to a few hotels.  Plus, there are vacation rentals available throughout the neighborhood.  This neighborhood makes an excellent home base if you visit Atlanta. 

• VRBO or AirBnB Vacation Rentals – check out this guide to staying in the Old Fourth Ward like a local (including grocery stores)
• FORTH Hotel Atlanta
• Wylie Hotel Atlanta
• Voco the Darwin – Atlanta Midtown
• Scout Living at Ponce City Market

Hanging out in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward

There is always something fun to do in the Old Fourth Ward!  I recommend that you come for a meal and spend some time exploring this historically significant and evolving modern neighborhood on foot.  That could mean walking the Atlanta Beltline, exploring the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, taking an organized tour or spending the day at Ponce City Market.

Have you spent time in Old Fourth Ward or are you planning to visit?  Let me know your favorite neighborhood spots in the comments!