If you’re planning to explore Atlanta’s big-name attractions, the Atlanta CityPASS is one of the simplest ways to bundle your tickets and often save money. Whether you live in the metro area and want to play tourist for a weekend, or you’re visiting from out of town, understanding how CityPASS works specifically in Atlanta can help you decide if it’s right for you.
Atlanta CityPASS is a discounted attraction bundle that lets you visit several of the city’s most popular sights with one purchase. Instead of buying individual tickets at each venue, you:
It’s designed for people who plan to hit multiple major attractions in a short window—for example, a long weekend or a family visit where you want to see “all the big things.”
While details can change over time, Atlanta CityPASS has generally focused on the core downtown and nearby attractions that many visitors already plan to see.
Commonly included or offered as options:
You typically get automatic admission to a couple of anchor attractions, plus your choice among several others. The exact combination may vary, so it’s important to check the current lineup when you’re ready to buy.
You generally:
Some people purchase before arriving in Atlanta so they can start sightseeing immediately.
Your CityPASS is activated the first time you scan it at one of the included attractions in Atlanta.
From that activation date:
This makes it a good fit for short trips or local “staycations” where you plan to do your sightseeing within about a week.
Many Atlanta attractions now use timed-entry reservations, especially:
With CityPASS, you often:
Always check each attraction’s current reservation policy before you go.
At each participating Atlanta attraction, you’ll typically:
Keep your pass handy; staff may ask to see it again if you’re moving between exhibit areas, or if the attraction issues wristbands or separate entry stubs.
Atlanta CityPASS usually focuses on general admission.
Commonly included:
Usually not included (or may require extra payment):
If there’s a special exhibit you care about—like a limited-time dinosaur exhibit at Fernbank or a seasonal event at Zoo Atlanta—check whether those are bundled in general admission or priced separately.
The specifics may change, but here’s a simple reference-style overview of the typical CityPASS attractions in Atlanta and what many people go for.
| Attraction | Area of Atlanta | What It’s Known For | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Aquarium | Downtown / Centennial Olympic Park | One of the largest aquariums in the world, huge tanks, whale sharks, belugas | Families, couples, first-time visitors |
| World of Coca-Cola | Downtown | Brand museum, tasting room with sodas from around the world | Shorter visit, brand fans, kids |
| Zoo Atlanta | Grant Park | Panda habitat, diverse animals, walkable grounds | Families, slower-paced day |
| National Center for Civil and Human Rights | Downtown | Civil Rights Movement exhibits, human rights galleries | Adults, teens, history and social studies interests |
| College Football Hall of Fame | Downtown | Interactive exhibits, football memorabilia, immersive displays | Sports fans, groups |
| Fernbank Museum of Natural History | Druid Hills | Dinosaurs, natural history, outdoor forest trails | Kids, science enthusiasts |
Use this table to sketch out whether you can realistically fit enough of these into your schedule to make CityPASS worthwhile.
Whether Atlanta CityPASS is “worth it” depends on how you plan your time.
It’s usually most valuable if:
It may be less useful if:
For Atlanta residents, CityPASS can make sense for:
To get the most out of CityPASS, it helps to group attractions by location and time of day.
These spots are all in or near the Centennial Olympic Park area:
A common plan:
If you have a second day downtown, you could:
These are not easily combined with all the downtown attractions in a single day unless you move quickly. Many people plan:
These are general time estimates that help you map your CityPASS days:
Plan buffer time for parking, security lines, and walking between attractions, especially downtown.
Many Atlanta-area residents approach CityPASS as a way to:
If you already know you’ll visit Georgia Aquarium + World of Coca-Cola + one or two more attractions within a short period, CityPASS often makes planning easier, even for locals.
Here are practical, Atlanta-specific pointers:
Reserve prime-time slots early 🕒
Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola can get busy on weekends, holidays, and summer afternoons. If you’re locked into a particular day, book entry times ahead.
Think about traffic and parking 🚗
Downtown Atlanta traffic can be heavy around rush hour and major events at State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Build in extra time if you’re driving in for a timed reservation.
Use MARTA when it makes sense
The Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center and Peachtree Center MARTA stations put you within walking distance of several downtown attractions covered by CityPASS, which can help you avoid parking fees and congestion.
Watch attraction hours
Zoo Atlanta and Fernbank may close earlier than the downtown venues. Check closing times so you don’t arrive too late in the day.
Mix indoor and outdoor stops in extreme weather
Atlanta summers can be very hot and humid. You may want to start outdoors (Zoo Atlanta) early, then move to indoor attractions like the Aquarium or museums in the afternoon.
Most Atlanta CityPASS attractions:
For families with kids:
Check each attraction’s guidelines for:
Here’s how the CityPASS attractions line up with the city layout, helpful if you’re planning lodging or deciding whether to drive or use MARTA:
Downtown Cluster:
Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and College Football Hall of Fame are all near Centennial Olympic Park and the Georgia World Congress Center.
Grant Park:
Zoo Atlanta is in a historic neighborhood southeast of Downtown with tree-lined streets and older homes.
Druid Hills / East Atlanta:
Fernbank Museum of Natural History is in a residential, wooded area east of Midtown, not far from Emory University.
Staying downtown or in Midtown usually gives you the simplest access to the majority of CityPASS attractions.
CityPASS is not ideal if your plans look like:
In those cases, buying one-off tickets to a single place you really care about—such as the Aquarium—may be more sensible.
Use this quick self-check to see if Atlanta CityPASS is likely to work for you:
If most of these fit your situation, Atlanta CityPASS is likely to be a practical, cost-effective way to experience Atlanta’s headline attractions in a focused, organized way.
