Location: Lithonia
Top Things to do in Lithonia
The 10 Best Things to Do in Lithonia, United States
Lithonia is a city in eastern DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The city's population was 1,924 at the 2010 census. Lithonia is in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Restaurants in Lithonia
1. Arabia Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By 441paml - Johns Creek, Georgia
My husband and I are always trying to find new and different things to do in Atlanta even after living here since 1982. We research and come up with something cool and interesting about once or twice a month. Last Saturday we went to hike Arabia Mountain and it was great! With my being a professional photographer, it was a fun experience and a beautiful place. I highly recommend everyone visiting and seeing this very large piece of granite with beautiful views, along with great hiking trails.
2. Stone Mountain Carving
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 923 reviews
A huge carving of three Confederate heroes, Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis, on the face of the mountain.
Reviewed By Ayla M - Lafayette Parish, Louisiana
This is an amazing mural. This was a treat on our trip. If you are a history buff it’s a must see. Love it!!
3. Monastery of the Holy Spirit
Overall Ratings
5 based on 187 reviews
Visitors are welcome year-round to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, the inspirational home of Georgia’s Trappist Monks. With more than 2,300 acres of contemplative space, the Monastery is less than an hour from Atlanta’s international airport. The new Monastic Heritage Center – a 17,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art museum – is educational, interactive and kid-friendly. There is also a bonsai garden, store and cafe. At the Abbey Gift Shop, which is the largest Christian bookstore in Georgia, visitors can purchase monk-made biscotti, fruitcake and fudge, all of which the monks sell in an effort to be self-sustaining and feed the local poor. You can also see the Norman Gothic architecture of the Abbey Church and take a quiet stroll along the lake, or spend time in prayer and meditation.
Reviewed By Maria G - Dunwoody, Georgia
The Monastery of the Holy Spirit is located in a beautiful wooded area with a lake. The monks pray 5 times a day and welcome 'quiet' visitors to their chapel. The gift shop has a wonderful selection of gourmet and religious gifts. The museum is very interesting.
4. Panola Mountain State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Home to a rare, pristine monadnock, Panola Mountain State Park provides you an oasis near Metro Atlanta to play, unwind, learn or discover the diverse natural and cultural heritage of the piedmont region.
Reviewed By roadtripfamof5 - Atlanta
The only way to access the mountain is to go with a park ranger. The trail will take you through a softwood, and then a hardwood forest, and later around the small lake and cabins of the original land owner. You'll stop at several old moonshining sites. The hike to the mountaintop is gradual, and once you get there you'll see unique vegetation and a glimpse of both Stone Mountain and the Atlanta skyline in the distance. The hike takes between three and four hours. Anyone in moderate condition or better can manage it with ease. Our six year-old completed the walk without complaint. You just have to ensure that children do not step on the fragile lichens on the mountain face. The cost is $10 per person. Check the website for dates and times.
5. Lenora Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By Lanie550 - Snellville, Georgia
This is an excellent Gwinnett County Park. There's something for everyone to do here. Recreational sports, family reunions, dog park, beautiful lake and miles of walking trails. I love this Park!
6. Your Dekalb Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 578 reviews
Reviewed By Brittany D
They don't always have a consistent inventory, but it's worth getting the bulk of your meats and produce here. Love how most of their foods are natural or organic and all the produce says exactly where it's imported from. To me it's important to know where your food comes from and this market is very transparent. They have a large fish and meat section with their poultry being all natural. Their high turn over of products due to the constant masses of people shopping their keeps things coming in fresh. Well worth checking it out!
7. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
Open to one and all, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was inaugurated in August of 2007 after only 17 months of construction time utilizing 1.3 Million volunteer hours. The Mandir is comprised of 3 types of stone (Turkish Limestone, Italian marble, and Indian pink sandstone). More than 34,000 individual pieces were carved by hand in India, shipped to the USA and assembled in Lilburn like a giant 3-D puzzle.
Reviewed By Nicki K - Atlanta, Georgia
I recently got to visit the gorgeous, elegant Hindu temple again. It's that wonderful not to show visitors, especially those into Bollywood. We wanted to wear sarees, start striking a pose, and take pictures.
I've been going since it first opened in 2007. I got to see just land in Lilburn behind Walgreens, across the street from Publix turn it into one of the most gorgeous temples ever. Many volunteers made this possible.
A lot of people do not realize that you do *not* have to be Indian or even Hindu to enter. Just visit, with an open heart and mind. Yes, it's gated but the guard will just ask for your name and let you through. Simple as that. You would think something so gorgeous, you would have to pay a fee. Every now and then, when the temple host a 5k, they will ask for a donation but you don't have to give but I donate during that time.
Another thing, during Diwali (Hindu Festival of Lights), usually in late October to early November, there's a huge Diwali festival with fireworks. It's jam packed with police officers directing traffic. Many visitors will park as far as Bryson Park to catch the charter bus to attend this festival. If you haven't passed the temple at night, you will miss all the different colors that flashes, you'll see the temple turn red to blue to purple to yellow, you name it. Just so gorgeous. Makes me want a DSLR just to capture these moments. My regular digi and phone don't do justice.
You can go inside the Mandir! Yes, there's more to the exterior beauty, you see the inner beauty. Before going in, you must take off your shoes. There are slotted shelves for you to store away your shoes. There's even a sink to wash your hands. In the summertime, if you're dress in skimpy outfits (really short shorts, cleavage, lots of skin), you will be asked to cover up. No worries, a blanket or cloth will be provided. Yes, I was one of those :/
Do visit when sacred shrines are open! You get to see what really goes on, When you don't, the shrines are closed and locked. You won't see the prayers, especially with some of the men doing a certain prayer bow (looks almost like a form of exercise). There are donation boxes at each of the shrines if you want to donate. I've donated a few times to Rama & Shiva (popular & famous couple of Hinduism), Ganesh (elephant god), & Hanuman (monkey god), only cause I've seen them in Bollywood movies. Don't judge.
The only downfall is that you cannot take pictures inside the temple. There is a point where you cannot step beyond to take pictures too. Even though I sadly wish I could, I respect and understand.
There's a gift shop where you can visit. Indian snacks are also available for sale. If you are really hungry, go across the temple, still in the gated area, to Baps Shayona to grab some appetizers. I love their samosas and pistachio ice cream.
Another tidbit I learn about the temple is that it's Gujarati. If you're not into the Indian culture like I am, it probably doesn't mean anything to you but to me, it did. There are also classes to learn how to speak and write Gujarati.
Yeh Mere India. I love this place. I feel so serene when I come here and always take visitors and never have anyone been disappointed.
BTW, it's FREE. No admission prices. If you would like, you can donate inside the temple.
8. Hill Valley Riding Ranch
Overall Ratings
3 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By livelife h - Decatur, Georgia
If you never been horseback riding before then this is the place for you. They have a person walking along side with each horse. Not ideal if you are not a first time rider. The staff are nice and accommodating and you can tell they love what they do. Very affordable and they have a nice trail.
9. Stone Mountain Park SkyLift Cable Car
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Reviewed By Hspringer1
My family really enjoyed the skylift! They loved getting to walk out and enjoy the view from so high up. Their are snacks and a gift shop at the top too!
10. The Mall at Stonecrest
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By phillymomma6367 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We're visiting from Philly, so this was our first time. Seemed larger from the outside, but we didn't visit the anchor stores (Dillards and Sears). Seemed very busy, full of teens, who were surprisingly well behaved. Very family friendly with a movie theatre and huge activity center upstairs. Wide range of stores.
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