Attractions, dining and entertainment: Your city guide to Cumberland

Swirling around the intersection of the I-285 Perimeter and I-75, Cumberland is an edge city and commercial district home to a giant MLB baseball stadium you might be familiar with. It is also the fifth largest business district in Georgia. But the area wasn’t always a destination.

For much of the early 20th century, Cumberland was a sleepy rural area on the outskirts of bigger towns like Smyrna and Vinings. Home to a few trails and a Boy Scout camp, the area exploded starting in 1973 with the construction of Cumberland Mall. It wowed with two levels of shops connected by fancy architecture and a regional standout of four anchor retailers. The mall would be the first in a series of major developments in the area.

Cumberland’s proximity to the Perimeter and growing landmarks became a magnet for office parks, residents and event spaces. The Cobb Galleria sprung up around the corner in the 1980s, followed by the Cobb Galleria Centre in 1994 and the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, built in 2007 and still going strong today as the official home of the Atlanta Opera. Major businesses like Home Depot, Papa John’s, TK Elevator and RaceTrac laid a stake in Cumberland over the past decades. And of course, there is the district’s most well-known development since 2017: Truist Park, home to the Atlanta Braves and its surrounding mixed-use complex, The Battery Atlanta.

What can I do for fun in Cumberland?

Watch the Braves win at Truist Park. Going strong since 2017, the Braves massive stadium and mixed-use complex at the intersection of I-285 and I-75 is the crown jewel of Cumberland. Watch the Braves battle for another championship among thousands of fans with a faraway view of the Atlanta skyline. Come for the game and stay for a drink with one of the multiple options at The Battery: Blue Moon’s Beer Garden, ASW Distillery, or frozen drinks at Fat Tuesday.

Feel the music, no matter your genre. Not a baseball fan? Prefer a good rock song to the National Anthem? The Battery has something for you, too. The Coca-Cola Roxy concert venue hosts some of the biggest acts across music and comedy in a two-tier industrial auditorium. Upcoming artists include Gracie Abrams, Jungle, and Judah & the Lion, among others. See the full schedule and get tickets here: livenation.com

If your tastes lean real old school, head down the street to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. It’s home to the Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Ballet, as well as several symphony orchestra shows, for those classical arts fans. But fear not, they also showcase modern bands, comedians, and more. Find your next night out with their events calendar here: obbenergycentre.com/events

Take a break from the city on the East Palisades Trail. If you need a more natural high, this four-mile loop includes some lovely views of the north Atlanta skyline peeking over the tree line. Above the sprawling Chattahoochee River below lies a bamboo forest, ruins, and multiple creeks to see as well as you venture through the woods.

Get a high score, and so much more. Need to spend a few hours of fun indoors with the hot summer heat? Check out Round 1, a massive new arcade and entertainment center at Cumberland Mall. They have your usual games of chance and jumbo-sized phone games, but what is impressive about Round 1 is the eclectic selection of games to try. From imported rhythm games you control with everything from drums to your body, to aisles of claw machines with cute Japanese-inspired critters to grab, you’ll find something unique here. The other half of the venue is pay-by-the-hour and includes free play games, batting cages, bowling, and more.

Where are the best places to eat and drink in Cumberland?

Heirloom Market BBQ

This unassuming shop’s fusion of southern barbeque and Korean flavor has gotten a lot of press since its inception, and there’s a reason why. Whether you nestle your meats in a sandwich or a platter, Heirloom blends smokey, perfectly tender meat with the sweet heat of Korean BBQ and kimchi. Add traditional sides such as baked beans and collard greens, or go for the cucumber radish salad or kimchi slaw. Carry out and delivery only, but don’t wait too long to dig in!

Location: 2243 Akers Mill Road; Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Website: heirloommarketbbq.com

Ph’east

Buford Highway who? Some of the best Asian food in Atlanta can be found right next to Truist Park. This hawker food hall has a little of everything: boba, beer, and sushi burritos. Metro faves like Kung Fu Tea and 26 Thai are here, as well as warm bowls of ramen from Lifting Noodles Ramen. Fish fans should check out the sushi burritos and poke bowls from Atlanta’s Poke Burri. (Stay tuned for special menu items like sushi donuts!) Fantasia serves classic Chinese dishes from the team that operates Buford Highway favorite Bo Bo Garden.

Location: 925 Battery Ave SE Ste. 1100, Atlanta GA 30339 (inside The Battery); Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Website: pheastatl.com

Whataburger

The Texas burger sensation that’s sweeping the nation has recently opened its closest location to Atlanta right in the Cumberland area. What’s a Whataburger, you ask? A single, double, or triple patty topped with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and crunchy diced onions on top of a fluffy bun. Grab a side of crispy fries and a hand-spun milkshake to go with your meal, too. The best part? They’re open all day for those late-night cravings!

Location: 2955 Cobb Parkway, Suite #910; Hours: Drive thru open 24/7, dining room open daily 6 a.m. to midnight; Website: locations.whataburger.com

C&S Oyster Bar

Shell out without shelling out cash during weekday happy hour (4 to 6 p.m.) at this classy oyster bar near the Chattahoochee. Whether char-grilled, steamed, or chilled, oyster fans are sure to love their offerings. If you’d prefer dinner service, C&S offers an array of fresh fish, salads, and 100% black hide angus steak cuts for your next date or celebration. Don’t forget a scoop of gelato for dessert to ease that re-entry into the Georgia heat.

Location: 3330 Cobb Parkway SE, Suite 118; Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 4-10 p.m.; Sunday, 4-9 p.m.; Website: candsoysterbar.com