Just across the Chattahoochee River from Atlanta sits the unincorporated town of Vinings. Located in Cobb County with a population of 18,857, the town has an interesting history. Once called Paces, after Hardy Pace, an early settler of Atlanta, Vinings was a construction site for the railroad. Later, the union army occupied Vinings during Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. After recovering, Vinings was officially recognized as a community in 1904.
Since then, Vinings has long been a popular shopping and business district. Over the years, commercial development has boomed even more. Now, single-family, townhouse and apartment projects are clustered among high-rise office towers and small retail centers.
According to Trulia, Vinings’ has 90 properties for sale and 29 rentals available. The prices range from the $167,000’s to over $3 million.
Households are mostly white collar with 44.4 percent having bachelor’s degrees and 21.7 percent having graduate degrees. Most people are between ages 35 to 54 with 11.9 percent having children. These children attend sought after and highly ranked schools, including Teasley Elementary, Campbell Middle and Campbell High.
With easy access to I-285, I-75 and Cobb Parkway, residents have an easy commute to work and recreation.
If searching for things to do in Vinings, here are just some of the many options:
Shopping and Dining
- Vinings Jubilee. Located in the heart of Vinings at 4300 Paces Ferry Road, Vinings Jubilee is a collection of boutiques, restaurants and unique specialty stores. The center includes Fab’rik, Hemline, J. McLaughlin and LOFT. There are eight tasty restaurants at Vinings Jubilee including Another Broken Egg Café, Café at Pharr, Cold Stone Creamery, Mellow Mushroom, Paces & Vine, SOHO and Stockyard Burgers & Bones.
- Canoe. Tucked way along the peaceful banks of the Chattahoochee River, lies one of the country’s most acclaimed restaurants. Canoe offers a rich, flavorful experience for all your senses. Some of the delicious dishes you can enjoy are slow braised rabbit, Australian lamb sirloin, maple duck breast, and American red snapper.
- Cumberland Mall. Home of some of the best shopping, dining and entertainment near Vinings, Cumberland Mall includes department stores, specialty shops and restaurants. Dining options include The Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Starbucks, Stoney River Legendary Steaks and P.F. Changs.
- South City Kitchen – Vinings. This restaurant specializes in Southern classics with a sophisticated spin. Some dishes they serve are “Nashville Hot” fried catfish, Carolina trout and seared salmon. They also offer brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the Chicken & Buttermilk Waffle is a fan favorite.
- Old Vinings Inn. Once serving as a post office, general store and filling station, this house has been turned into a tasteful Southern dining experience. With seasonal changes to the menu you’re bound to find a meal you enjoy. Some current dishes are shrimp & grits, blackened Atlantic Salmon, country meatloaf, vegetable pasta and candied bacon as an appetizer.
Entertainment and Recreation
- Taylor-Brawner Park. Site of the former Brawner Hospital, Taylor-Brawner Park opened in 2009. The 12-acre park features walking trails, a gazebo, a large playground, a picnic pavilion, adult swings, a seating area for concerts and a fountain. A renovated 100-year-old hospital building is also on the property, and can be rented for meetings and parties.
- Silver Comet Trail. Traveling through Cobb, Paulding and Polk counties, the Silver Comet Trail is 61.5 miles long and starts in Smyrna. The trail is perfect for walkers, hikers, bicyclists, rollerbladers, horses and dog walkers.
- Tower Stage. Located below the clock tower in Vinings Jubilee, Tower Stage holds events and gatherings throughout the year and is the area’s newest meeting place. These include magic shows, jazz concerts, comedy shows, cooking demonstrations and much more.
- Chattahoochee River. With the river running through the city, there are many outdoor areas located nearby to enjoy. The trail closest to Vinings is the West Palisades trail. Attached is the map to walk this part of the Chattahoochee.
Historical Attractions
- The Old Pavilion. One of the earliest surviving structures in Vinings, the Old Pavilion was built in 1874 by the Western & Atlantic Railroad. It encouraged residents to venture out of the city for day trips. Additionally, Atlantans would ride to the Pavilion by train or carriage to visit the cool bluffs of the Chattahoochee and picnic under the building. Now, the building is available for rent for weddings, receptions, parties and other events.
- The Yarbrough House. Built in 1880 by Samuel Yarbrough for his wife, granddaughter of Hardy Pace, the Yarbrough House has served as a home, teahouse, restaurant and inn. In 1993, Piedmont Hospital purchased the house and gave it to the Vinings Historic Preservation Society. Now, it has been restored to its 1880s original design.
- The Pace House. This historic house was built with the remains of Hardy Pace’s 17 room antebellum home. The Pace House served as General Sherman’s temporary headquarters where he planned the siege of Atlanta. Today, the home hosts weddings, family reunions and other events.
- Hermi’s Bridge. Built in 1904, this $10,000 bridge replace ferry service across the Chattahoochee at Vinings. For 70 years, this bridge was the only connector between Vinings and Buckhead. The bridge was preserved for pedestrians in the 1970’s when Fulton County made plans to replace the bridge with a modern two-lane concrete bridge. The bridge was named in 1983, for a drunk driving victim at her husband’s request.
With amazing places to live, things to do and places to see, Vinings should be one of your top destination. To learn more about the city, visit here.