Itinerary for those with a Travel Bug!

Atlanta Marriott Northeast/Emory Area

The hotel’s convenient location puts visitors right in the middle of all the international experiences listed below.

Those looking for a taste of international cuisine have come to the right place! From Mexican, Cuban, Argentinian, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Ethiopian and the list goes on and on, DeKalb County has it and more! Head down the seven-mile stretch of international cuisine and experience the flavors of the world down Buford Hwy. Download the Buford Highway App to get tips on places to dine!

If you prefer to cook for yourself, The Buford Highway Farmers Market is a fixture in DeKalb’s international community. The sprawling 100,000-square-foot grocery megastore is abuzz with shouting vendors and rummaging customers. Since 1974, the market has offered a vast variety of exotic produce, meat, seafood, breads, cheeses, spices, herbs, healing remedies, and even cleaning supplies from Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa.

For a unique twist on two Spanish and Japanese favorites and an off-the-radar local hotspot, head over to El Indio Mexican Restaurant in Tucker to get a taste of both authentic Birria Tacos and Birria Ramen. Trust us! Your taste buds will thank you for the explosion of flavor!

Catch an award-winning IMAX movie at Fernbank. Its state-of-the art 4K laser projection system uses 2D and 3D technology to transport moviegoers to destinations that range from outer space to hidden animal burrows in their own backyards. The IMAX will have you feeling like you are traveling a world away without leaving your comfy seats!

Explore the natural beauty of Arabia Mountain National Heritage Alliance, which offers acres of opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing and geocaching. Be sure to check out their event calendar and try and catch a guided hike with a ranger.

Head to Atlanta Chinatown Mall in Chamblee and check out Maomi, the Chinese bookstore offers a unique selection of books, magazines, CDs and DVDs, and Chinese learning materials for people of all ages. For a more hands-on language immersion experience, stop at Dinho Market, a very traditional Chinese grocery store where the staff enjoys engaging non-Chinese visitors in conversation and offering advice about Chinese food and culture.

Plaza Fiesta on Buford Highway is one of the largest Hispanic shopping malls in Georgia. After checking out authentic Latin American apparel and hand-painted tableware, stop at the food court to snack on freshly prepared avocado dip, accompanied by Latin American beverages like Inca Kola.

Futból, or soccer, is a big deal for Latin Americans of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. You won’t find an authentic Latino eatery where the TV is not showing a futból match and where staff and guests are not passionately debating a referee’s decision. One of the liveliest places to enjoy a game with the locals in DeKalb County is Las Delicias de la Abuela, a Columbian restaurant where most patrons are Columbian natives.

Experience the spirit of Africa in Clarkston, a 1.4-square mile area east of Atlanta, is one of the most ethnically diverse communities in the United States. A large portion of the 12,000 people calling Clarkston home are refugees, many of whom hail from Africa. The Clarkston Community Center organizes international events each year. One of the most popular is a food tasting fair. People from different ethnic groups—mostly Ethiopian, Sudanese, Kenyan Nigerian, and Somali—prepare and showcase their dishes, from tasteful stews and traditional East African flatbreads to shahan ful, a fava bean paste with minced vegetables.

Every spring, Atlanta’s Indian community celebrates the Festival of Colors. It signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, and the end of winter. It takes place at different venues, often in DeKalb County, and is open to the public. There are food stalls where vendors prepare authentic Indian street food; booths where Indian designers sell traditional jewelry and fashion; and performances by Indian dancers, actors, and musicians.

Take an unforgettable journey back in time to Egypt, Nubia, and the Near East; Greece and Rome; the Americas; Africa; and Asia at Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University. Learn the history and view the art from a world that was ruled by pharaohs, emperors, and kings. The Michael C. Carlos Museum offers gallery talks, children’s programs, interactive technology, audio tours, family guides, special exhibitions, films and much more. Located at the heart of Emory University’s campus this is the gateway to the stories of civilization. https://carlos.emory.edu/on-view

Take a tour of a Buddhist temple. Wat Lao Buddha Phothisaram, which loosely translates to Laotian Buddhist temple under the Bodhi trees, is a beautiful temple located in Conley, Georgia and is one of four Lao Buddhist temples in the Atlanta area. The temple exports you to a different world and offers two three-headed dragon statues that give the impression of guarding the main altar, beautiful red and gold decorations, and several gold Buddha statues. The temple welcomes visitors regularly and holds events which can be found on its Facebook page. Monks may or may not come out during your visit, depending on their own activities, but donations are always appreciated.