Krog Street Tunnel Graffiti: Atlanta’s Ever‑Changing Street Art Landmark

Few places capture Atlanta’s creative energy like the graffiti-covered walls of Krog Street Tunnel. What looks like just a shortcut between Cabbagetown and Inman Park is actually one of the city’s most-famous, constantly changing street art galleries.

Whether you live here, just moved to Atlanta, or are in town for a weekend, this guide walks you through what to expect, how to visit, and how Krog Street Tunnel fits into Atlanta’s broader street art and mural scene.

Where Is Krog Street Tunnel and What Is It?

Location:
Krog Street Tunnel runs under the rail tracks between Wylie Street SE (Cabbagetown) and Krog Street NE (Inman Park), just south of the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail.

• Rough reference point: near 1 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
• Connects two historic intown neighborhoods
• Walkable from the BeltLine, Krog Street Market, and Carroll Street in Cabbagetown

What it is:
Krog Street Tunnel is a public passageway for cars, cyclists, and pedestrians whose walls, ceilings, and even ground are covered in layers of graffiti, murals, tags, and wheat-paste art. Unlike a single commissioned mural, the tunnel is known for:

• Constant change – artwork is painted over regularly
• Mix of styles – from polished murals to quick tags and stencils
• Local and visiting artists – including many Atlanta-based graffiti writers and muralists

To many Atlantans, it functions as an open, unofficial canvas and a symbol of the city’s DIY arts culture.

Why Krog Street Tunnel Matters in Atlanta’s Arts Scene

Krog Street Tunnel is more than a photogenic backdrop. It sits at the intersection of Atlanta’s arts, history, and neighborhood identity.

A Living Layer of Local History

• The tunnel sits along old rail infrastructure that helped shape intown Atlanta.
• Over time, the tunnel’s walls have held political messages, memorials, tributes, event announcements, and neighborhood statements.
• Residents and visitors often recognize certain names, characters, and styles that reappear over the years.

While city policy sometimes seeks to control or remove graffiti in other areas, Krog Street Tunnel has effectively become a de facto street art zone, where a lot of expression is tolerated informally.

A Landmark for Street Art and Murals

Even though most pieces don’t last long, Krog Street Tunnel is often mentioned alongside:

• The Living Walls murals and other curated projects around the city
• Large legal murals in neighborhoods like Old Fourth Ward, Edgewood, and West End
• Independent walls along the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

For many people, a visit to Krog Street Tunnel is a natural stop on a self-guided Atlanta street art tour.

What to Expect When You Visit

The Look and Feel

When you walk or drive through, expect:

• Dense layers of paint – no blank concrete anywhere
• Bright colors and overlapping letters, characters, and phrases
• Street-level texture – drips, stickers, paste-ups, and paint splatters

Because it’s a tunnel, it can feel:

• Loud – traffic noise echoes
• Dim – lighting is functional, not decorative
• Busy – with pedestrians, photographers, cyclists, and passing cars

It’s not a polished gallery; that rawness is part of its appeal.

Atmosphere and Crowd

Daytime is usually a mix of:

• Neighbors walking between Cabbagetown and Inman Park
• Tourists and locals taking photos
• Runners and cyclists connected to the BeltLine

At night, there may be:

• Fewer families and more artists or nightlife foot traffic
• Occasional small photoshoots or videography sessions

Many people visit during daylight for clearer photos, easier parking, and better visibility.

How to Get to Krog Street Tunnel

By Car

You can drive through the tunnel, but there’s no parking inside it. Instead, look for:

• Street parking in Cabbagetown near Wylie St SE and Carroll St SE
• Street parking in Inman Park near Krog St NE and Lake Ave NE
• Pay attention to permit-only and time-limited signage in residential areas.

From most parking spots nearby, the walk to the tunnel is only a few minutes.

By MARTA

1. Take MARTA rail to Inman Park / Reynoldstown Station (Blue/Green line).
2. Walk about 15–20 minutes using DeKalb Ave NE and local streets, or connect via scooter/bike-share if available.

You can also reach the area by bus depending on current MARTA routes; check the latest schedule from the MARTA customer information line at 404-848-5000.

Via the Atlanta BeltLine

Many visitors combine Krog Street Tunnel with a BeltLine walk:

• From the Eastside Trail, exit near Edgewood Ave or the Krog Street Market area.
• Walk a few blocks along Krog Street toward the railroad tracks until you reach the tunnel.

This route also lets you see several BeltLine murals along the way.

Best Times to Visit (And Get Great Photos)

Krog Street Tunnel is open 24/7, but some times work better depending on what you want.

For Casual Visits

• Late morning to late afternoon:
  • Better natural light for photos
  • More people around
  • Easier to see details on the walls

For Photography and Video

📝 Tips for shooting Krog Street Tunnel:

• Aim for early morning for softer light and fewer vehicles.
• Expect constant motion – cars, bikes, and walkers moving through your frame.
• Bring a wide-angle lens if you want to capture wall-to-wall scenes.
• Consider shooting just outside each end of the tunnel to get full mural views with daylight.

Some photographers also walk Wylie Street in Cabbagetown, where longer-running murals and curated pieces are often easier to frame than the constantly changing interior of the tunnel.

Is the Graffiti Legal? How It Really Works in Atlanta

Krog Street Tunnel sits in a gray area that visitors often ask about.

Graffiti vs. Murals in Atlanta

In general, unsanctioned graffiti (tags, throw-ups, unpermitted pieces) on public or private property can be considered vandalism under city laws, while murals are usually:

• Commissioned or approved by a property owner
• Sometimes coordinated with neighborhood groups or arts organizations
• Often more permanent and protected

Around Atlanta, the City of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs and other agencies may be involved in formal mural programs, while Code Enforcement or the ATL311 system handle graffiti complaints and removal for affected properties.

How That Applies to Krog Street Tunnel

In Krog Street Tunnel:

• There is constant repainting and overlapping.
• Artists often treat it as a shared, rotating canvas.
• The tunnel has gained a reputation where graffiti is more tolerated than in many other locations, though it is not formally a “legal wall.”

Visitors should understand:

• Painting without permission is generally not allowed in most parts of the city.
• Property owners can request removal of graffiti on their buildings through official channels.
• The tunnel’s status comes more from longstanding community practice and tolerance than from a specific legal designation.

For questions or to report graffiti in other parts of the city, residents commonly use:

• ATL 311 (City of Atlanta)
  • Phone: 3‑1‑1 (inside city limits) or 404-546-0311 (outside)
  • Can provide information on graffiti removal in public spaces and guidance for property owners

Safety and Practical Tips for Visiting

Krog Street Tunnel is a public space under a roadway, so a little preparation helps.

Pedestrian Safety

• Stay to the side: There are narrow sidewalks on each side of the tunnel; keep out of the vehicle lane.
• Watch for bikes: Cyclists also use the tunnel as a connector.
• Use extra care at night: Lighting is basic; many people prefer daytime visits.

Personal Comfort

• It can be noisy from cars and echoes.
• The tunnel may smell like exhaust or fresh spray paint at times.
• Wear comfortable shoes; you’ll likely walk nearby streets to see more art.

If you’re sensitive to noise or enclosed spaces, briefly walking through and spending more time at the entrances might feel better than lingering deep inside the tunnel.

Respecting the Space

While the tunnel is often treated as an open canvas, visitors typically:

• Avoid touching wet paint
• Don’t damage or scratch surfaces beyond what’s already there
• Keep personal belongings and trash with them (no littering)

There are no restrooms or visitor facilities at the tunnel itself; plan to use nearby businesses (such as in Krog Street Market or along Carroll Street in Cabbagetown) as needed, following their policies.

How Often Does the Graffiti Change?

One of the reasons Krog Street Tunnel is so famous is its fast turnover.

• New work can appear overnight.
• A detailed piece might be visible for days or weeks, then get partially or fully covered.
• Bigger themes (like major events or community emotions) sometimes show up in waves.

This means:

• Every visit is different. There is no fixed collection.
• Photos you see online might not match what you see in person.
• If you love a particular piece, take your photos right away; it may be gone soon.

For locals, this constant evolution keeps the tunnel interesting as a recurring stop, not just a one-time attraction.

Exploring Street Art Around Krog Street Tunnel

Krog Street Tunnel works best as part of a broader walk through the area if you’re interested in murals and street art.

Wylie Street SE (Cabbagetown)

Just on the Cabbagetown side of the tunnel, Wylie Street SE features:

• Larger, more structured murals on retaining walls and buildings
• Works that often last longer than pieces inside the tunnel
• A mix of commissioned art and community-driven additions over time

Many Atlanta street art fans consider Wylie Street and nearby blocks a must-see in their own right.

BeltLine Eastside Trail

From the tunnel, you’re close to several well-known mural clusters on the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, including:

• Walls under and near Edgewood Ave
• Murals between Edgewood Ave and Irwin St / Lake Ave
• Occasional new installations and rotating works as you head toward Old Fourth Ward

These areas typically feature large-scale, sanctioned murals that contrast with the more chaotic layering inside Krog Street Tunnel.

Nearby Neighborhood Spots

While wandering the area, you might also see:

• Small murals on businesses in Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward
• Painted walls, roll-up doors, and utility boxes along side streets
• Occasional tags and stencils that show how deeply street art is woven into intown Atlanta

Walking rather than driving lets you catch many of these small but interesting pieces.

Visiting with Kids, Out-of-Town Guests, or Groups

Many Atlanta residents bring friends, family, or visitors to Krog Street Tunnel as a quick “this is real Atlanta” stop.

With Kids

Parents often:

• Visit midday, when visibility is best and traffic is lighter.
• Stay to one side and keep kids on the raised sidewalk.
• Use the experience as a way to talk about art vs. vandalism, public space, and self-expression.

Because the tunnel’s art constantly changes, there may occasionally be language or imagery you’d prefer to avoid. If that’s a concern, you might:

• Walk through briefly
• Spend more time on Wylie Street murals or BeltLine murals, which are often more curated

With Visitors

Many locals combine Krog Street Tunnel with:

• A meal or coffee at Krog Street Market
• A walk on the BeltLine
• A stroll through Cabbagetown’s narrow streets and Inman Park’s historic homes

For out-of-town guests, it gives a quick, vivid sense of Atlanta’s creative side beyond more formal museums and attractions.

Quick Reference: Krog Street Tunnel at a Glance

If You Want to Learn More or Take Action

If your interest goes beyond visiting and you want to:

• Report graffiti in other parts of Atlanta
• Learn about official mural programs
• Understand the city’s stance on graffiti and public art

You can start with:

City of Atlanta – ATL 311

• Dial 3‑1‑1 (inside city limits) or 404-546-0311
• Can connect you with departments handling graffiti removal, code enforcement, and public space maintenance.

City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (commonly involved in public art and murals)

• City Hall Annex (check latest address and hours before visiting)
• Can provide information on city-supported arts programs and public art guidelines.

These city resources focus on formal public art and property maintenance, not on individual pieces inside Krog Street Tunnel, but they’re useful if you’re an Atlanta resident navigating mural projects or graffiti issues elsewhere.

Krog Street Tunnel graffiti is one of the clearest windows into Atlanta’s living, breathing street art culture. It’s messy, loud, and constantly changing—but for many people, that’s exactly what makes it worth experiencing in person.