East Side

Atlanta

Fernbank Museum of Natural History showing heritage elements
Fernbank Museum of Natural History featuring a statue or sculpture and outdoor art
Fernbank Museum of Natural History showing forests and a garden
Fernbank Museum of Natural History which includes a park, forests and a bridge
City fathers purchased six acres in 1850 to be a public burial ground for a young but fast-growing town that already had a population of more than 2,500. It was designed as a rural garden cemetery, a 19th Century innovation conceived as an alternative to traditional graveyards which often were crowded and aesthetically unappealing. Originally called Atlanta Graveyard or City Burial Place, Oakland was renamed in 1872. By then it had expanded to 48 acres, mainly due to pressures of the Civil War. During the war, the City and the Confederate government added land to bury soldiers who died in local hospitals. As fighting drew closer and engulfed Atlanta, more burial space was needed. After the war, space was added to provide a proper final resting place for soldiers who had been hastily buried on area battlefields. By 1867 the cemetery reached its present size. In the late 19th Century, Oakland was a popular destination for Sunday carriage rides and picnics. Families tended the plots of loved ones, creating an assortment of lovely gardens. Atlanta’s first greenhouse was established here in 1870. Many distinctions of daily life were maintained in death, as African Americans were buried apart from whites and Jewish sections were separate from Christian. As the 20th Century unfolded, Oakland increasingly was surrounded by residential and industrial development. The cemetery also was filling up. The last sites were sold in 1884. With the passage of time, many graves went unattended as descendants moved away or lost touch with their antecedents. Oakland fell into serious disrepair from neglect and occasional vandalism. In 1976, Oakland was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Historic Oakland Foundation was founded. The City and the Foundation have worked together to stabilize the cemetery and make it an attractive and inviting place for all Atlantans.

Popular places to visit

Zoo Atlanta featuring street scenes, fall colors and heritage architecture

Zoo Atlanta

Span the globe at this excellent zoo and experience Asian rainforests, African plains and the country's biggest band of gorillas.

Zoo Atlanta
Fernbank Museum of Natural History featuring a city

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Kids will be wowed by dinosaur skeletons and interactive exhibits at this popular natural history museum.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Grant Park featuring a house

Grant Park

After visiting Grant Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Atlanta. Experience the area's entertainment choices and great live music.

Grant Park
Fernbank Science Center featuring autumn leaves and landscape views

Fernbank Science Center

Enjoy this family-friendly science museum with its hands-on activities for children and the young at heart.

Fernbank Science Center
Oakland Cemetery showing a cemetery

Oakland Cemetery

Visit Atlanta's oldest, largest and most monumental graveyard to learn gripping tales about some of the tens of thousands of people buried here.

Oakland Cemetery

East Lake Golf Club

Enjoy a round of golf in Atlanta at East Lake Golf Club. Discover the area's lively bars and its acclaimed theater scene.

East Lake Golf Club

Things to do

World of Coca-Cola General Admission Ticket

World of Coca-Cola General Admission Ticket

P1,593
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
World of Coca-Cola General Admission Ticket
Illuminarium Atlanta

Illuminarium Atlanta

P2,052
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Illuminarium Atlanta
Atlanta: SkyView Ferris Wheel Ticket

Atlanta: SkyView Ferris Wheel Ticket

P1,289
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Atlanta: SkyView Ferris Wheel Ticket
Atlanta: Sloomoo Institute Admission Ticket

Atlanta: Sloomoo Institute Admission Ticket

P1,914
per adult
Atlanta: Sloomoo Institute Admission Ticket
Atlanta's Black History and Civil Rights Tour

Atlanta's Black History and Civil Rights Tour

P4,338
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Atlanta's Black History and Civil Rights Tour
Center for Puppetry Arts: Worlds of Puppetry Museum

Atlanta: Center for Puppetry Arts, Worlds of Puppetry Museum

P967
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Atlanta: Center for Puppetry Arts, Worlds of Puppetry Museum
See all activities in Atlanta

Top hotels in East Side

The University Inn at Emory

The University Inn at Emory

3 out of 5
1767 North Decatur Road Atlanta GA
The price is P12,874 per night from Mar 25 to Mar 26
P12,874
per night
Mar 25 - Mar 26
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Atlanta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (964 reviews)
The staff was friendly but the property seems to be in declining condition. Shortly after check-in, and on two other occasions, I reported a malfunctioning smoke detector. Although the desk clerks reported it to maintenance, it was never fixed during my stay. As a result, I got almost no sleep because ...

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2026

The University Inn at Emory
4 Minutes to Downtown by the Atlanta Beltline Trail in the Cabbagetown Neighborhood

4 Minutes to Downtown by the Atlanta Beltline Trail in the Cabbagetown Neighborhood

5 out of 5
607 Gaskill St SE Atlanta GA
Book a stay at this luxury apartment in Atlanta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (17 reviews)
Very cold and drafty, heat only goes to 70 for a few moments. Space heaters are needed. Bathroom is cold, water doesnt reach a super hot temp. Back door is not level so you can see outside through the bottom. Location is great, neighborhood is cool. Not a horrible stay for an urbanite but of there ...

Reviewed on Dec 12, 2025

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4 Minutes to Downtown by the Atlanta Beltline Trail in the Cabbagetown Neighborhood
Sugar Magnolia Bed & Breakfast

Sugar Magnolia Bed & Breakfast

3 out of 5
804 Edgewood Avenue N.E. Atlanta GA
Stay at this B&B in Atlanta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions State ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (305 reviews)
Convenient location, beautiful historic home, period furnished, clean room, great host (Kathryn).

Reviewed on Mar 1, 2026

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Sugar Magnolia Bed & Breakfast
See all 532 properties in East Side
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around East Side

Ponce City Market featuring signage

Old Fourth Ward

While visiting Old Fourth Ward, you might make a stop by sights like Central Park and Atlanta Civic Center.

Old Fourth Ward
Virginia Highlands Festival, Atlanta, GA - Aerial Views

Virginia Highland

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Virginia Highland and surrounding area, you can visit Callanwolde Fine Arts Center and The Atlanta Beltline Start.

Virginia Highland
ATLights. #Trovember

Peachtree Center

While you're in Peachtree Center, take in top sights like AmericasMart and jump on the metro at Peachtree Center Station to see more of the city.

Peachtree Center
Atlantic Station in Midtown Atlanta

SoNo

While visiting SoNo, you might make a stop by sights like Atlanta Civic Center and New American Shakespeare Tavern.

SoNo
Atlanta_FairliePoplarHistoricDistrict_6267748_0003

Fairlie-Poplar Historic District

The ample dining options and popular aquarium are top of the list for many visitors to Fairlie-Poplar Historic District. A stop by Rialto Center for the Performing Arts or Tabernacle might round out your trip.

Fairlie-Poplar Historic District
Jackson Street Bridge

South Downtown

While you're in South Downtown, take in top sights like Underground Atlanta and jump on the metro at Garnett Station to see more of the city.

South Downtown

East Side