Can You Still Tour CNN in Atlanta? What to Know Now

If you lived in or visited Atlanta a few years ago, touring CNN Center downtown was a classic thing to do. Many people still search for those behind‑the‑scenes news tours—but the experience has changed significantly.

Here’s a clear, Atlanta‑specific look at whether you can tour CNN now, what happened to the CNN Center tours, and what news‑related experiences are still possible in the city.

Can You Tour CNN in Atlanta Today?

No, the public CNN Studio Tours in Atlanta are no longer operating.

For many years, CNN offered guided walking tours at CNN Center in Downtown Atlanta, where visitors could:

• Ride the huge escalator into the globe structure
• Look into live newsrooms and control rooms
• Learn how broadcasts were produced and aired

Those public tours were discontinued, and CNN’s presence at CNN Center has been scaled back as operations have shifted and the building moves toward a different future use.

If you’re planning a trip to Atlanta or you’re a local showing friends around, you should not expect to be able to buy a ticket and tour CNN like before.

What Happened to the CNN Center Tours?

Over time, CNN changed the way it used its Atlanta facilities:

• Public tours were phased out and ticket sales stopped.
• Office space and operations shifted away from CNN Center, 190 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303.
• The building itself has been moving toward redevelopment and new uses beyond serving as CNN’s public face.

Because of these changes, the old CNN tour entrance, ticket counter, and visitor flow are no longer set up for walk‑in guests.

If you see older guidebooks, blog posts, or reviews mentioning CNN tours, they are referring to a past attraction that is now closed to the public.

Is CNN Center Still Worth Visiting?

If you’re already downtown, you might wonder whether it’s still worth walking past.

What you can generally expect now:

• The building is no longer a major tourist attraction like it once was.
• You may see signage and the recognizable CNN logo, but not the busy tour groups that used to gather there.
• Some interior spaces have changed or may be in transition as the property is redeveloped.

There is no official, regular public access for news‑watching, studio viewing, or guided walks through CNN’s workspaces.

If you’re just sightseeing:

• You can still view CNN Center from the outside as part of a broader walk around Downtown.
• Plan your “downtown loop” around other nearby stops rather than CNN itself as an anchor.

Alternatives: Other Media & News Experiences in Atlanta

If you were hoping for a media, broadcasting, or journalism‑themed activity in Atlanta, there are other experiences to consider.

1. National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Location:
100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

While not a TV news tour, this museum:

• Explores civil rights history and modern human rights, including how media coverage shaped public understanding.
• Offers exhibits that connect strongly to storytelling, journalism, and public information.

It’s a good option if you’re interested in how news and communication shape society, and it’s very close to the old CNN Center location near Centennial Olympic Park.

2. College and University Media Programs (For Students and Educators)

Atlanta’s universities have student media and journalism programs that sometimes host events, panels, or open houses:

• Georgia State University (Downtown Atlanta)
• Georgia Tech (Midtown)
• Emory University (Druid Hills area)

For people considering media careers, contacting these schools’ communication, journalism, or broadcasting departments can provide:

• Campus tour opportunities
• Insight into student newsrooms and radio or TV studios
• Occasional public lectures or events featuring journalists and media professionals

These are not CNN tours, but they offer a local, real-world media environment you can actually visit.

3. Public Broadcasting and Local Stations

Atlanta has several local TV and radio stations and a public broadcasting presence. While they generally do not offer daily, ticketed tours like CNN once did, they may:

• Host open house events or community days periodically
• Participate in career days, school visits, or professional networking programs

If you’re especially interested in broadcasting:

• Look up major local TV stations (for example, those serving the Atlanta metro area) and check whether they list any community outreach or events.
• Teachers and group leaders sometimes arrange special visits or virtual tours by contacting station community relations offices.

If You Want a “Behind‑the‑Scenes” Atlanta Experience

If the appeal of a CNN tour was getting behind the scenes of how things work in a big operation, Atlanta still offers some options—just in different fields.

Here are some ideas that locals and visitors often enjoy:

While none of these are CNN, they still provide an inside look at how large-scale experiences are produced in Atlanta.

Tips for Former CNN Tour Fans Visiting Atlanta

If you remember the old CNN tour fondly or had it on your bucket list, here’s how to reframe your visit:

• Don’t plan dedicated travel time or budget for a CNN tour. It’s no longer available.
• If you’re staying downtown, use CNN Center and State Farm Arena as landmarks, but focus your activities on open attractions nearby.
• Consider building an itinerary around the Centennial Olympic Park area, which can still fill a significant portion of a day with walkable stops.

You can also:

• Look for public talks, panels, or festivals in Atlanta that feature journalists or media professionals. Large event spaces, universities, and cultural institutions often host these, especially during festivals or conference seasons.

How to Double‑Check Current Status Before You Go

Since Atlanta is constantly changing, it’s wise to confirm what’s open when you’re planning your day:

• Search for the latest information on CNN Center and any attraction you’re interested in.
• Check official websites or phone numbers for museums and venues near Centennial Olympic Park.
• If you’re organizing a school or group trip, call ahead to confirm whether any special programs or behind‑the‑scenes options are available.

In summary: you can’t tour CNN in Atlanta anymore in the way people once did, but you can still explore the city’s broader media, history, and cultural scene. If you adjust your expectations and plan around Atlanta’s current attractions, you can still have a full, interesting, and news‑adjacent experience in and around downtown.