What Atlanta Is Really Known For: A Local’s Guide to the City’s Identity

Atlanta is known for a lot of things at once: civil rights history, film and TV production, hip-hop and music, Southern food, big-city business, diverse neighborhoods, and sports—all wrapped in a famously tree-filled, traffic-heavy metro.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are just trying to understand the city better, it helps to see how these pieces fit together.

Atlanta’s Role in Civil Rights and Black History

Atlanta is best known nationally as a center of the Civil Rights Movement and a hub of Black culture and leadership.

Key historic sites and institutions

Some of the most important places in Atlanta’s identity are clustered around Auburn Avenue and the downtown area:

  • Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
    450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
    Includes Dr. King’s birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center. Locals and visitors come here to understand how Atlanta shaped Dr. King’s life and work.

  • The King Center (The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change)
    449 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
    Focuses on nonviolence, social justice, and preserving King’s legacy. Many Atlantans visit on MLK Day and for major commemorations.

  • Auburn Avenue (“Sweet Auburn”)
    Once called the “richest Negro street in the world,” it was a powerhouse of Black business, churches, and community life. You’ll still find historic churches and institutions that give a direct look into Atlanta’s Black history.

  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights
    100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
    Near Centennial Olympic Park, this modern museum connects Civil Rights history in Atlanta with global human rights issues. It’s a common stop for local school groups and visitors.

Atlanta is also home to several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including:

  • Spelman College
  • Morehouse College
  • Clark Atlanta University
  • Morris Brown College
  • Interdenominational Theological Center

Together, they form the Atlanta University Center (AUC) on the west side, a key center of Black scholarship, activism, and culture.

“The Hollywood of the South”: Film and TV in Atlanta

In recent years, Atlanta has become widely known as a major film and television production hub.

Why Atlanta is big in film

Atlanta’s reputation as the “Hollywood of the South” comes from:

  • Favorable production incentives
  • A wide variety of urban, suburban, and rural locations
  • A strong base of local crews, studios, and support services

If you live here, you’ve likely seen:

  • Yellow filming signs on city streets
  • Road closures for productions in Midtown, Downtown, or around the Old Fourth Ward
  • Familiar Atlanta landmarks appearing in blockbuster movies and TV series

Notable film and TV areas

  • Tyler Perry Studios
    1 Tyler Perry Studios Way, Atlanta, GA 30310
    Built on the historic Fort McPherson site in southwest Atlanta, it’s one of the largest film studios in the country.

  • Trilith Studios (in nearby Fayetteville)
    While outside city limits, many metro Atlanta residents work there, and lots of Atlanta scenes are shot nearby.

  • Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the Westside
    Skyscrapers, historic neighborhoods, and industrial spaces are frequently used as stand-ins for other cities—or as themselves.

For residents, film production is part of everyday life: extra traffic, temporary detours, and occasional celebrity sightings are now common.

Atlanta’s Music Scene: Hip-Hop, R&B, and Beyond

Atlanta is known around the world for its music, especially hip-hop, trap, and R&B.

Hip-hop capital

Atlanta has been a major center of hip-hop for decades. The city is closely associated with:

  • Southern hip-hop and trap music
  • Influential artists, producers, and labels
  • A steady pipeline of new talent from neighborhoods, local studios, and clubs

If you’re in Atlanta, you’ll hear the city’s sound everywhere—from club nights in Midtown and Buckhead, to block parties and local festivals, to car stereos at every intersection.

Live music & venues

A few well-known performance spaces within the city:

  • State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303) – major concerts and tours
  • Fox Theatre (660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308) – historic venue for music, Broadway shows, and special events
  • Tabernacle (152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303) – popular mid-size concert hall
  • Smaller spots and clubs across East Atlanta Village, Old Fourth Ward, Little Five Points, and Midtown regularly showcase local artists.

Atlanta is also known for its gospel, R&B, and alternative music scenes, influenced by its churches, colleges, and diverse communities.

Arts, Culture, and Museums

Beyond music and film, Atlanta has a rich arts and cultural scene that shapes what the city is known for.

Major museums and cultural institutions

  • High Museum of Art
    1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
    Known for its permanent collection and rotating exhibitions, it’s the centerpiece of the Midtown arts district.

  • Atlanta History Center
    130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
    Explores Atlanta and Georgia history, including exhibits on the Civil War, civil rights, and the 1996 Olympics, plus historic homes and gardens.

  • Michael C. Carlos Museum (Emory University)
    571 South Kilgo Cir NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
    Noted for its Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and African art collections.

  • Center for Puppetry Arts
    1404 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
    Features puppetry from around the world and a large Jim Henson collection, popular with families.

Theater, dance, and performance

Atlanta is known for a busy performing arts calendar, including:

  • Alliance Theatre (part of the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown) – respected for new plays and classic productions
  • Atlanta Ballet – one of the oldest professional ballet companies in the U.S., often performing at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
  • Numerous independent theaters and improv spaces across the city

Residents and visitors can find performances ranging from experimental theater to major touring productions in any given week.

Food, Dining, and Atlanta’s Take on Southern Cuisine

Atlanta is known for Southern food with a modern twist, plus a wide mix of international flavors. Locals talk as much about where to eat as where to go.

What people associate with Atlanta food

Common highlights include:

  • Southern staples: fried chicken, biscuits, collard greens, mac and cheese, peach cobbler
  • Soul food and BBQ: found in neighborhoods all over the city
  • International cuisine: especially in and around Buford Highway, known for its diverse Asian, Latin American, and other global restaurants
  • Modern Southern and farm-to-table: especially in Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Midtown, and Westside

Atlanta is not just about traditional Southern dishes; it’s also known for:

  • Food halls and mixed-use developments with multiple eateries
  • Neighborhood-specific favorites, from tacos to vegan restaurants
  • A strong brunch culture on weekends

Food is a big part of how locals experience different neighborhood cultures, whether you’re in West End, East Atlanta Village, Grant Park, Buckhead, or elsewhere.

A Major Business and Transportation Hub

Atlanta is known as a regional economic powerhouse and a major transportation crossroads.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

  • Located at 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Known for being one of the busiest airports in the world

For residents, this means:

  • Frequent direct flights to many national and international destinations
  • Heavy daytime traffic on I-75/I-85 (“the Connector”) and surrounding highways
  • A constant flow of business travelers and visitors

Corporate and business presence

Atlanta is home to numerous Fortune 500 and large companies, especially in:

  • Downtown and Midtown – government, education, major offices
  • Buckhead – financial services and corporate offices
  • Perimeter area (just outside city limits) – large office parks and headquarters

The city is widely recognized as a logistics, tech, media, and corporate center for the Southeast.

Sports, Events, and Big-Stage Moments

Atlanta is known for its sports culture and for hosting major national events.

Professional sports teams

Within the city, you’ll find:

  • Atlanta Falcons (NFL) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  • Atlanta United FC (MLS) – also at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Atlanta Hawks (NBA) – State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303

Nearby in Cobb County, the Atlanta Braves (MLB) play at Truist Park, which many locals still associate strongly with “Atlanta” sports even though it’s outside city limits.

Major events Atlanta is known for

  • 1996 Centennial Olympic Games – left a legacy of venues and public spaces, including Centennial Olympic Park
  • High-profile games and events hosted at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena
  • Large conventions and expos at the Georgia World Congress Center

Sports are a big part of local identity, from college football rivalries to Atlanta United fan culture.

Neighborhood Diversity and “The City in the Forest”

Atlanta is known for its tree canopy and neighborhood variety.

“City in the Forest”

From above, Atlanta is strikingly green. Residents know the city for:

  • Tree-lined residential streets in many intown neighborhoods
  • Large parks like Piedmont Park (400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306) and Grant Park (537 Park Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312)
  • Ongoing efforts to protect and expand the tree canopy, even as development continues

Distinct neighborhoods

Each area has its own feel; some of the names you’ll hear most often include:

  • Midtown – arts district, high-rises, nightlife, museums
  • Downtown – government, tourism, arenas, convention centers
  • Buckhead – upscale shopping and business centers
  • Old Fourth Ward – historic, rapidly redeveloped, close to the BeltLine
  • Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, and Morningside – historic homes, restaurants, walkable streets
  • West End – historic neighborhood, close to the Atlanta University Center, strong cultural and community roots
  • Little Five Points – known for its alternative, artsy vibe
  • East Atlanta Village – nightlife, music, and neighborhood bars

Atlanta is also recognized for its suburban and exurban sprawl, with many people who say they’re “from Atlanta” actually living in the broader metro area.

The Atlanta BeltLine and Urban Change

In recent years, Atlanta has become known for the Atlanta BeltLine, which has reshaped parts of the city.

What the BeltLine is

The Atlanta BeltLine is a multi-use trail and redevelopment project built along former railway corridors, designed to connect neighborhoods with:

  • Walking and biking trails
  • Parks and greenspaces
  • Mixed-use developments and public art

Key sections like the Eastside Trail (running through Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and into Midtown) are popular with residents and visitors for:

  • Walking and biking
  • Access to restaurants and shops
  • Frequent public art installations and events

The BeltLine is also part of wider conversations in Atlanta about growth, affordability, and neighborhood change, as it has increased property values and development in adjacent areas.

Festivals, Pride, and Cultural Events

Atlanta is known for a busy calendar of festivals and cultural celebrations that reflect its diversity.

Common types of events you’ll see throughout the year include:

  • Music and arts festivals in parks like Piedmont Park, Grant Park, and the Westside
  • Atlanta Pride festivities, centered around Piedmont Park and Midtown, with events and parades drawing visitors from across the region
  • Neighborhood festivals in Inman Park, Little Five Points, East Atlanta, and other areas that highlight local art, food, and music
  • Cultural and heritage celebrations organized through community organizations, schools, and local cultural centers

For many residents, these events are a central part of Atlanta’s community life and identity.

How Locals Experience What Atlanta Is Known For

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, all of these elements show up in everyday life:

  • You might commute past historic civil rights landmarks on Auburn Avenue.
  • See a film crew shutting down a street in Midtown.
  • Catch a concert or a game at State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
  • Walk or bike along the BeltLine, passing public art and new developments.
  • Spend weekends exploring neighborhood restaurants, food halls, and cultural festivals.
  • Fly in and out of Hartsfield–Jackson, sharing the city with visitors from across the world.

In short, Atlanta is known for being a civil rights capital, a cultural and creative hub, a transportation and business center, and a city of diverse neighborhoods and green spaces—all changing and growing, all at the same time.