Old Fourth Ward

Old Fourth Ward: History and the Beltline

Old Fourth Ward is one of Atlanta’s most historic neighborhoods, home to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and his childhood home, and now also one of its most active, with the Beltline’s Eastside Trail and Ponce City Market drawing a steady mix of longtime residents and newcomers. Former warehouses along the trail have become breweries, restaurants, and shops, alongside the neighborhood’s historic homes and churches.

There are 43 Old Fourth Ward listings on this site, led by 16 restaurants and bars, 11 beauty and wellness spots, and 9 nightlife venues, along with 6 arts and culture picks. Use the categories below to plan a walk or ride along the Beltline with stops worth making along the way.

The neighborhood’s history runs deep: Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. preached, still stands along Auburn Avenue, and the Carter Center sits just to the east along Freedom Parkway. Ponce City Market, a converted Sears distribution building, has become one of the busiest food hall and shopping stops directly on the Beltline, and it makes a natural starting point for exploring the rest of the neighborhood on foot.