Downtown Atlanta packs many of the city’s most popular attractions into a walkable area, with MARTA stations, hotels, and major highways close by. Whether you live in metro Atlanta or are visiting for a weekend, downtown is where you’ll find big-name sights, historic landmarks, and family-friendly activities all within a few blocks.
Below is a practical guide to attractions in Atlanta’s downtown core—what to expect, how to get around, and tips for making the most of your visit.
Downtown Atlanta generally centers around:
Key MARTA stations serving downtown include Five Points, Peachtree Center, GWCC/CNN Center, and Georgia State. If you’re staying at a downtown hotel, many of the attractions below are 10–15 minutes’ walk apart.
The World of Coca‑Cola is one of downtown’s most recognizable attractions, exploring the history and global impact of Atlanta’s hometown beverage brand.
What to expect:
Location:
121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Near the GWCC/CNN Center and Peachtree Center MARTA stations.
Tip: This attraction can get busy on weekends and school holidays. Visiting earlier in the day usually means shorter lines.
The Georgia Aquarium, often cited as one of the largest in the world, is a major downtown highlight, especially for families and marine-life enthusiasts.
Highlights include:
Location:
225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Local tip: If you live in metro Atlanta, watch for resident discounts or off-peak pricing options that may be available on certain days.
Adjacent to the park, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights connects Atlanta’s central role in the Civil Rights Movement with ongoing human rights issues worldwide.
What you’ll find:
Location:
100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
This museum is often recommended for visitors who want to understand Atlanta’s role in civil rights, and it pairs well with a visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District just east of downtown (short drive or streetcar ride).
While the former CNN Center space is evolving, the area around it is still a central hub leading into:
This part of downtown is especially active during conferences, sports games, and concerts, so plan for crowds and traffic on major event days.
Originally built for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Centennial Olympic Park now serves as a central green space surrounded by many of downtown’s biggest attractions.
Features:
Why it matters for visitors:
It’s a convenient meeting spot and a great place to take a break between attractions like the Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
On the western edge of downtown, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium is home to:
Location:
1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
You can get there via the GWCC/CNN Center or Vine City MARTA stations, or walk from central downtown in 15–20 minutes depending on where you start.
Local tip: The stadium is known for relatively budget-friendly concession pricing compared to many venues, but lines can be long at peak times. Arriving before gates open gives you extra time to explore the building’s public art and fan areas.
State Farm Arena, adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park, hosts:
Location:
1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
If you’re staying downtown, walking or using MARTA is often quicker than driving and parking on event nights.
While technically just east of the main downtown core, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is often part of a downtown itinerary because it’s so closely tied to Atlanta’s identity.
Key sites within the park area include:
Location (Visitor Center):
450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Easily reached by Atlanta Streetcar from the Peachtree Street corridor, or a short drive or rideshare from central downtown.
The Georgia State Capitol, with its recognizable gold dome, is a historic and political landmark at the southern edge of downtown.
What you’ll find:
Location:
206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334
The Capitol sits near the Georgia State and Five Points MARTA stations. Security procedures and visiting hours can vary, so it’s wise to check ahead if you want to go inside.
Next to Centennial Olympic Park, the Chick‑fil‑A College Football Hall of Fame appeals to fans of college sports and interactive exhibits.
Highlights:
Location:
250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
This is a popular stop for visitors in town for games at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, especially during football season and major bowl events.
Downtown has a mix of historic theaters, performance spaces, and smaller venues, especially near Peachtree Street and Fairlie‑Poplar.
While some of Atlanta’s largest performing arts venues are in Midtown (such as the Fox Theatre), downtown’s spaces tend to offer more intimate shows and easy access via MARTA.
The Fairlie‑Poplar area, roughly around Luckie Street, Walton Street, and Forsyth Street, is known for:
It’s a good area for a short walking tour if you’re interested in older downtown buildings and want to see a different side of the city beyond the big attractions.
Just south of Five Points MARTA, Underground Atlanta is a historic site and shopping/entertainment complex that has gone through multiple redevelopment phases.
Even without going inside, this area gives a sense of Atlanta’s older street grid and its evolution over time.
| Attraction | Primary Focus | Approximate Area/Landmark Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Aquarium | Marine life, family activity | Centennial Olympic Park |
| World of Coca‑Cola | Brand history, tasting | Centennial Olympic Park |
| National Center for Civil and Human Rights | Civil rights, human rights | Centennial Olympic Park |
| Centennial Olympic Park | Public park, fountain | Central downtown green space |
| Mercedes‑Benz Stadium | Sports, concerts | West of downtown core |
| State Farm Arena | Basketball, concerts | Near CNN/GWCC and Centennial Olympic Park |
| College Football Hall of Fame | Sports museum, interactive | Centennial Olympic Park area |
| Georgia State Capitol | Government, state history | South end of downtown |
| Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park | Civil Rights history | East of downtown, accessible via Streetcar |
| Rialto Center for the Arts | Performing arts | Fairlie‑Poplar / Georgia State University |
| The Tabernacle | Concerts | Near Centennial Olympic Park |
MARTA Rail
Atlanta Streetcar
Walking
Driving & Parking
Exploring downtown Atlanta attractions can easily fill a day or an entire weekend. With major museums, sports venues, historic sites, and walkable streets concentrated in a relatively compact area, it’s a natural starting point for understanding how the city looks, moves, and tells its story.
