Exploring Atlanta’s Cabbagetown CSX Wall Murals: A Local’s Guide to One of the City’s Most Iconic Street Art Spots

The Cabbagetown CSX Wall Murals are one of Atlanta’s most recognizable and ever-changing outdoor galleries. Running alongside the railroad tracks at the edge of Cabbagetown, this long concrete wall has become a canvas for local and visiting artists, giving the neighborhood its bold, colorful character.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are just trying to understand how the city’s street art scene works, this guide breaks down what the CSX wall is, where it is, what to look for, and how to experience it respectfully and safely.

What Are the Cabbagetown CSX Wall Murals?

The CSX wall is a long retaining wall that lines the railroad tracks (owned by CSX Transportation) along the edge of Cabbagetown, near the historic Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts and the intersection of Wylie Street SE and surrounding side streets.

Over time, this wall has turned into:

• An informal outdoor art gallery featuring murals, tags, stencils, and large-scale pieces
• A rotating canvas where older works are regularly painted over with new art
• A destination for photographers, art lovers, and people walking the BeltLine or exploring Cabbagetown and Reynoldstown

The CSX wall is closely associated with the larger Krog Street Tunnel and Wylie Street mural corridor, forming one of the densest stretches of street art in Atlanta.

Where the CSX Wall Is and How to Get There

You’ll find the Cabbagetown CSX wall primarily along:

Wylie Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, running between Krog Street NE and Flat Shoals Avenue SE / Moreland Avenue SE, with the railroad tracks just behind the wall.

Getting There from Around Atlanta

By car:

• From downtown or midtown, head east on I-20 or DeKalb Avenue, then cut south toward Cabbagetown (via Boulevard SE, Moreland, or Krog).
• Street parking is available on nearby residential streets, but it can be tight. Always observe parking signs, driveways, and resident-only restrictions.

By MARTA:

• Use Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station (East/West line).
• From the station, it’s roughly a 15–20 minute walk south toward Wylie Street SE and the BeltLine.

On foot or by bike via the BeltLine:

• The murals are near the Eastside Trail of the Atlanta BeltLine.
• Exit near Krog Street / Wylie Street and follow Wylie SE east or west along the tracks.

Why the CSX Wall Matters in Atlanta’s Street Art Scene

Cabbagetown’s CSX wall is part of what makes Atlanta known for large-scale, public-facing street art.

Locals and visitors value this wall because:

• It showcases a mix of styles: large murals, lettering, characters, and abstract art.
• It reflects Atlanta’s creative energy, especially in established arts neighborhoods like Cabbagetown, Reynoldstown, and the Old Fourth Ward.
• It connects directly to other major street art landmarks, including:
  • Krog Street Tunnel (just west along Wylie Street)
  • Murals around Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts
  • Works visible from the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

For people trying to understand how street art works in Atlanta, the CSX wall is a powerful example of how private structures, railroad property, and neighborhood identity intersect.

What You’ll See Along the CSX Wall

The wall changes constantly, but there are patterns in what you’re likely to see.

Common Types of Artwork

• Full-wall murals: Large pieces with characters, scenes, or abstract visuals
• Lettering and graffiti-style writing: Names, crews, and stylized text
• Stencils and paste-ups: Smaller, repeated images or paper-based art
• Layered paint: Older pieces partially visible under new work

Because the wall is frequently repainted, don’t expect the same pieces every visit. Many Atlantans treat returning to the CSX wall like checking on a rotating gallery.

When to Go for the Best Experience

• Daytime (late morning to afternoon):
  • Best for seeing details
  • Easier to walk and photograph safely
• Early evening:
  • Softer light for photos
  • More people around, especially on weekends

Night visits are common but less practical for appreciating the art and can raise safety concerns, especially near active tracks and under-lit stretches.

Is the CSX Wall Official or Legal?

The situation around street art in Atlanta is complex and location-specific. A few general points:

• The railroad tracks and some adjacent structures are CSX property, not City of Atlanta property.
• Much of the artwork on the wall is not traditional “commissioned public art” but exists in a space that’s become informally accepted as an art corridor.
• The area around Wylie Street SE and the Krog Street Tunnel has, over time, grown into a kind of recognized street art zone, even though many pieces are still unsanctioned in a strict legal sense.

For the average visitor, this mainly means:

• You can walk, view, and photograph the murals from public streets and sidewalks.
• You should not climb fences, walk on the tracks, or enter restricted railroad areas.
• Painting on active railroad property or other private property without permission can carry legal consequences, even if nearby walls have art on them.

How to Visit Respectfully and Safely

Because the CSX wall is part of a real neighborhood and active rail corridor, some basic guidelines help everyone:

Safety Tips 🚶‍♀️

• Stay off the tracks. Trains can be quiet and fast; railroad property is restricted for a reason.
• Use sidewalks and shoulders. Stick to Wylie Street SE and cross only at safe points.
• Be aware of traffic. Cars, bikes, and scooters use the same narrow roads and sometimes travel quickly.
• Visit during daylight if you’re unfamiliar with the area.

Respect for Neighbors and the Community 🏡

• Keep noise low. People live right next to these murals.
• Don’t block driveways or alleyways. Parking frustrations are a common local concern.
• Pack out trash. Treat the whole corridor like a shared outdoor gallery.

Photography Etiquette 📷

• Photos for personal use are generally accepted.
• Avoid blocking sidewalks or streets for long stretches with tripods or large groups.
• If you’re doing commercial shoots, it’s common practice to:
  • Respect artists’ signatures when framing images.
  • Look into any location permissions that may be required for commercial work.

Pairing the CSX Wall with Other Nearby Street Art Spots

A lot of Atlantans experience the CSX wall as part of a self-guided street art walk. A common route:

1. Start at Krog Street Tunnel

   • Near Krog Street NE & Wylie Street SE
   • One of Atlanta’s most famous graffiti and street art spots

2. Walk east along Wylie Street SE

   • This is where you’ll encounter long stretches of the CSX wall murals
   • Continue toward Flat Shoals Avenue SE / Moreland Avenue SE

3. Explore Cabbagetown’s side streets

   • Look for smaller murals, painted fences, and art on side buildings
   • The area around Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts (near Carroll Street SE / Boulevard SE) often has visible artwork

4. Connect to the BeltLine Eastside Trail

   • From Wylie or nearby streets, head north to pick up the trail
   • You’ll find more murals and installations along the way, especially near Edgewood, Old Fourth Ward, and Ponce City Market

Quick Reference: Visiting the Cabbagetown CSX Wall Murals

If You Want to Learn More About Street Art in Atlanta

If you’re curious about how street art fits into the city’s broader public art landscape, a few official touchpoints can help provide context:

• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
  City Hall Annex (often associated with public art programs)
  55 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main City information line: (404) 330-6000

This office is connected to many of the city’s formal public art and mural initiatives, which can help you understand the difference between commissioned works and informal street art like much of what you see along the CSX wall.

Tips for Atlantans Bringing Visitors

If you live in Atlanta and want to show off the CSX wall to friends or family:

• Plan a short loop:
  • Park once (legally) near Cabbagetown.
  • Walk Krog Street Tunnel → Wylie Street / CSX wall → a few Cabbagetown blocks.
• Time it around food or coffee in nearby areas like Cabbagetown, Inman Park, or along the BeltLine.
• Remind visitors that the art they’re seeing could be gone or changed within weeks—part of what makes this stretch uniquely Atlanta.

The Cabbagetown CSX Wall Murals are one of the clearest windows into how Atlanta blends railroad history, neighborhood life, and a thriving street art culture into a single, vivid corridor. Visiting with attention and respect lets you experience that creative energy the way locals do.