This is a decent but boring area. It will be convenient and safe, but you'll be hard pressed to find anything but chain store and chain restaurants in the immediate area. It is not a pedestrian area at all. This is funny because I went to a concert Tuesday night in that area (Cobb Energy Center is fantastic!) and the band was complaining about how devoid of personality the area was, and how they walked around forever looking for somewhere to eat and had to settle for a coffee shop in Barnes and Noble. There are tons chain restaurant options around, though. It is a convenient location for getting to downtown, midtown & Buckhead, though.

If I were you and looking for eats in walking distance I'd stay in midtown. See the Sticky at the top of the page for a discussion of that and Buckhead, both of which, I think, are preferable to the Cobb Galleria area is they're not out of your price range.

The best place for fireworks is Lenox Square, but be warned that it is PACKED. You'll want to take MARTA there instead of driving. There is also a fireworks display at Centennial Park. Usually that's an area where I wouldn't want to be at midnight but for huge events like this there's a giant police presence so it should be fine.

If you stay in downtown Decatur at the Holiday Inn, you will be in a family-friendly area and will be able to walk to all kinds of restaurants (kid-friendly included)and shops, watch the Decatur 4th of July parade and fireworks on the the Decatur Town Square or take the MARTA (walkable from the Holiday Inn) to the Lenox fireworks. You'll also be able to take MARTA to all the downtown or midtown Atlanta attractions and you can get to those areas in a 10-15 minute ride. A short drive away is Stone Mountain. On July 3 and July 5 the Atlanta Dream, the new WNBA team in Atlanta, play home games at downtown Philips Arena and that is inexpensive family entertainment.

The Boos have a great idea. That Holiday Inn is a little older, but an excellent location with ideal MARTA access. Plus, the Decatur fireworks are much less of an ordeal than the ones at Lenox. Great thinking!

Thanks, sounds good. I was planning on going to Stone Mountain. Is decateur a nice area? How far is it from Six flags?

Downtown Decatur is a nice area. Be aware that there are two areas of Decatur: downtown Decatur and "unincorporated" Decatur. The area I described to you is downtown Decatur also known as the City of Decatur, zip 30030.

Six Flags is a drive of about 35-40 minutes from downtown Decatur. I have not been there personally but others on this board have and I'm sure they will share their thoughts about it.

Ditto. Downtown Decatur is very charming and fun. The rest of Decatur is a crap shoot. I wouldn't recommend a hotel there other than the Holiday Inn (unless there's another one on the square of which I'm unaware).

The same can be said for the Marietta Square.

It also has a charming historic district with lots of shops, bars and restaurants with a nice 4th of July parade and fireworks show. Check out the Marietta Conference Center for a place to stay, it is just off the square on a golf course with a lovely view of Kennesaw Mountain and nice pool.

Also you will be a good bit closer to Six Flags from this side of town (15-20 minutes)

Thanks, I will check it out.

I have to vote against Decatur, which will attract a chorus of people wishing for my death, but it is not a "family place" for vacation YET. Decatur is on the way back from being a place you would never walk at night -- I applaud the people who have helped revive it, and i wish them continued success, but I still can not recommend it as a tourist stop for a family with kids. For young or older couples maybe. I think your original location was good, and puts you close to many firework shows (whether you go to Lenox, Stn Mtn, or any other celebration) This also puts you close to the Whitewater Amusement Park which your kids will love in Marietta (right off I75-- can couple with six flags tickets). Also, do not be tempted to stay near six flags as that area is also run down --- Douglasville would be as close as I would get from the West. Whichever fireworks display you choose, get there EARLY !!

MikeTeresa, I don't wish for your death at all, or even a few lashes with a wet noodle, but I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the City of Decatur.

I have a family of my own and we join hundreds of other families for City activities all the time, including evening activities. It's a regular stroller brigade here. There has never been a reason to feel unsafe. When was the last time you visited the City of Decatur? I can say that I certainly would not have purchased my home here if I didn't feel it was safe for me and my family.

If it is so unsafe, how do you explain the overwhelming success of things like the Decatur Beach Party, concerts on the square, the Art Festival, the book festival, the beer festival and the wine festival (just to name a few)?

I can also say that in doing my civic duty :) I am a graduate of the Decatur Police Citizens Academy, and so I know first-hand the type and frequency of things that go on in my city. And I can tell you that while like every other place in the Metro Atlanta area, we are not free of crime, we are certainly a safe and enjoyable place to visit for everyone.