Emory University, a private institution and one of the South’s most prestigious and selective schools, is situated on a beautiful campus in Atlanta Georgia's Druid Hills neighborhood about 15 minutes from the downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead areas. Emory is home to approximately 14,000 students: 6,700 undergraduates and 7,000 graduates and professionals. Students take full advantage of city life and all the resources that the thriving, lively city of Atlanta has to offer. Emory Village is where you’ll find the traditional college town shops and fast food, located at the entrance to Main Campus. Emory Point is also just steps from campus, home to many upperclassmen and lively with many shops and restaurants.

Visitor Information: Emory’s campus tour hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday  - Tour Emory

Transportation: Plan on at least 30 minutes by car from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. MARTA, Atlanta's mass transit system, operates regular bus service from several train stations near campus.

Traditions: A quirky ritual on campus, nothing unleashes Emory’s school spirit quite like Dooley week each spring. Dooley, a skeleton, and the university's unofficial mascot, first appeared back in 1899. Students celebrate Emory’s resident spirit in a week of fun, foolishness and rich tradition. Students selected to don the Dooley costume have the power to dismiss class—and that’s just the beginning of a memorable week. As the saying goes:  "Presidents may come, presidents may go; professors may come, professors may go; students may come, students may go; but Dooley goes on forever!"

Stay: If you want to be close to campus, the most convenient option is the Emory Conference Center. The hotel offers special rates for Emory visitors. Many parents book a room at the Courtyard by Marriott, also close by. In nearby Buckhead, many families like to stay at The Whitley, The St. Regis, Mandarin Oriental, Westin Buckhead, or The W Atlanta.  

Coffee: Right on campus, San Francisco's Peet’s Coffee is on the first floor of the Woodruff Library, an excellent way to start your day with the students of Emory. One student told us we must go to Kaldi’s coffee, also located on campus in a former train depot built for the university in 1916. (Service stopped in 1970)“It’s a really cute place, and all the students go there for coffee, to eat breakfast and to do work—all the food and drinks are amazing!”

Breakfast: The General Muir in Emory Point, a tribute to a New York-style deli has garnered numerous press and awards since it opened with publications such as The NY Times proclaiming it as Atlanta’s best breakfast spot. Lines can be long on the weekends, (reservations dinner only) but fans say the bagels, lox, pastrami and matzo ball soup are worth waiting for. (It’s also a good lunch and dinner spot) Another excellent choice, Rise and Dine in Emory Village, is within walking distance to the Quad, a retro diner popular with Emory students and faculty. If you’re staying in Buckhead, Kale Me Crazy is a good healthy spot for fresh juices, smoothies, and acai bowls.  

Lunch: On campus, the Cox Hall Food Court is convenient offering quick service dining options. You can also choose to eat in one of the restaurants in Emory Point, but we highly recommend a visit to Ponce City Market, just 5-10 minutes away by car. Occupying a historic former Sears and Roebuck building its now home to a fantastic central food hall, boutiques, restaurants and a rooftop with awesome views over Atlanta, an 18-hole mini golf course and boardwalk-style games at Skyline Park.

Dinner

Casual: Order the chicken fried chicken and grab a seat on the outdoor patio at Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall.  A quick drive from school, sample some of Atlanta's best burgers at Yeah! Burger. Ammazza has a great vibe, and delicious wood-fired pizza. If you are eating a plant-based diet, Sunflower Cafe will tick that box. Ford Fry’s The Optimist brings a seaside fish camp experience to landlocked Atlantans. It’s worth the short drive to Little Five Points to sample spicy hot chicken from Nashville’s famous import Hattie B’s.

A Step Up: Like many big cities, Atlanta has an abundance of excellent restaurants; it’s hard to narrow down the choices. Some of the top tables include The Federal, Staplehouse, Bacchanalia, and Miller Union. For a sophisticated Japanese menu and what many consider some of the best sushi in Atlanta, dine at Umi in Buckhead. Everyone’s favorite Top Chef Judge, Hugh Acheson’s, Empire State South offers a modern take on Southern food. It’s open for breakfast and lunch as well and has an extensive coffee bar with a courtyard bocce ball. One parent just back from touring Emory said St. Cecilia in Buckhead is a must try for its seafood-centric Mediterranean menu. Parents of current students rave about Two Urban Licks for rotisserie fare and live blues in a hip, industrial warehouse and Cooks and Soldiers serving Basque-style tapas.

Foodie Favorites: Our most trusted food loving couples' son just moved to Atlanta so expect constant updates on new stellar places to dine. From a recent visit they raved about One Eared Stag (also good for lunch and brunch) and Boccoluppo, both located in the Inman Park neighborhood. Another night they loved their meal at Kimball House, located in a former 19th century train depot serving seasonal farm to table entrees. They love Ponce Street Market, and hit it up early morning for Pancake Social’s sourdough waffles.

Local Attractions: With a wealth of activities, restaurants, and parks why rush back home, but instead, stay and explore this Southern Belle of a city. Enjoy the Coca Cola Factory, CNN Tour, and "hipster neighborhood" Little Five Points. Stone Mountain has so many different attractions; ones that top our list are the laser show, the high-speed cable car ride, Geyser Towers and Sky Hike. Walk or bike The Beltline or visit the Georgia Aquarium, Botanical Gardens, Center for Human Rights, the Football Hall of Fame, and the Museum of Natural History. If you are spending a few days in Atlanta, it’s worth getting the Atlanta CityPASS that gets you admissions discounts at many of the above locations.  On campus, allow time to visit The Michael C. Carlos Museum housing the most extensive art collection in the Southeast, with pieces from around the world. For the active, you can spend hours at Lullwater Park, comprising over 100 acres on campus with walking and hiking trails as well as a view of the president of Emory’s home.