Atlanta Underground: What It Is, Where It Is, and How It Fits Into Today’s Downtown

If you spend any time in downtown Atlanta, you’ll probably hear people mention “Underground Atlanta” or just “the Underground.” It can be confusing if you’re expecting a subway system or a hidden tunnel network. In Atlanta, Underground Atlanta is something different: a historic, mostly street-level and below-street-level district that has gone through several major reinventions.

This guide explains what Atlanta Underground is, how it developed, what you can expect there today, and how it fits into the broader downtown area.

What Is Atlanta Underground?

Underground Atlanta is a historic commercial and entertainment district in downtown Atlanta centered roughly around Five Points, just south of the downtown business core.

At its simplest:

• It’s a set of streets, storefronts, and old viaduct-level walkways that sit partially below today’s modern street grade.
• It has been used over the years as a shopping center, nightlife hub, cultural space, and event venue.
• It’s located near the intersection of Alabama Street, Pryor Street, and Central Avenue, extending under and around the viaducts that carry modern traffic.

Historically, the area developed where Atlanta’s early railroad tracks, depots, and warehouses once dominated. As the city raised street levels and built bridges over the railroad corridors, a semi-“underground” layer of old streets and storefronts was created. That hidden-feeling space became what people now call Underground Atlanta.

A Brief History of Underground Atlanta

Understanding what Underground Atlanta is today makes more sense when you see how it has changed over time.

Atlanta’s Early Railroad Core

In the 19th century, downtown Atlanta grew up around its railroad lines and depots, especially near what’s now Five Points. The area that is now Underground Atlanta was:

• A hub of freight and passenger rail activity
• Lined with warehouses, hotels, shops, and saloons
• Crisscrossed by rail lines at ground level

As train traffic and street traffic increased, the city faced a problem: how to keep wagons, early cars, and pedestrians moving safely over the busy tracks.

The Creation of the “Underground” Feel

In the early 20th century, Atlanta built concrete viaducts (elevated roadways) to allow streets to pass above the tracks. Streets like:

• Alabama Street
• Walton Street
• Mitchell Street

were effectively raised up, while the original street level and many of the original front doors and sidewalks remained below. This lower level turned into:

• Service corridors
• Storage areas
• Semi-forgotten pedestrian passages

For decades, these old storefronts and walkways under the viaducts sat largely unused or hidden, which is how the area developed its “underground” identity.

1960s–1970s: Rebirth as a Nightlife and Entertainment District

In the 1960s, local entrepreneurs saw potential in the old brick buildings and cobblestone streets beneath the viaducts. The city and developers worked to:

• Restore historic façades
• Reopen pedestrian streets like Alabama Street at the lower level
• Recruit restaurants, bars, clubs, and specialty shops

By the 1970s, Underground Atlanta had become a well-known entertainment and nightlife district, with:

• Live music venues
• Jazz and blues clubs
• Themed bars and restaurants
• Shops aimed at tourists and locals

For a time, it was one of Atlanta’s signature attractions.

Late 20th Century: Decline and Redevelopment Cycles

Over the following decades, Underground Atlanta went through multiple cycles of popularity and decline:

• Changes in shopping habits (more malls, then more online shopping)
• Shifts in downtown foot traffic
• Concerns about safety and maintenance
• Competition from other entertainment districts (like Buckhead and later Midtown)

The city and private owners repeatedly tried to refocus the area—with:

• Enclosed mall-style retail phases
• Family-oriented entertainment phases
• Festival marketplaces and seasonal events

None of these models fully matched how downtown residents, commuters, and visitors were actually using the area long-term.

21st Century: Transition to a New Mixed-Use & Cultural Space

In the 2010s and 2020s, Underground Atlanta began another major transformation. The property shifted to new private ownership with plans to turn it into a mixed-use district that blends:

• Residential units
• Art and creative spaces
• Event venues
• Food and beverage concepts
• Public plazas and outdoor gathering spots

Current and future uses continue to evolve, with a stronger emphasis on:

• Local artists and creative communities
• Public events, festivals, and performances
• Incremental, adaptive reuse of old structures rather than one single mall-style concept

If you visit today, what you see is part historic site, part work-in-progress redevelopment.

Where Exactly Is Underground Atlanta?

If you’re trying to find Underground Atlanta on a map or navigate to it in person, it helps to know its basic footprint.

General location:

• Downtown Atlanta, south of the central business district
• Centered near Five Points (the intersection of Peachtree, Marietta, and Edgewood Avenues)
• Close to the Five Points MARTA Station, with easy rail access

Approximate boundaries often associated with Underground Atlanta:

• North: Alabama Street SW
• South: Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW
• West: Central Avenue SW
• East: Pryor Street SW and Peachtree Street SW area

You’ll often hear specific streets and landmarks associated with Underground Atlanta, including:

• Alabama Street SW – one of the main historic corridors, with lower-level walkways under the viaducts
• The railroad gulch and adjacent viaducts
• Proximity to:
  • Five Points MARTA Station
  • Peachtree Street
  • Downtown government and office buildings

What Underground Atlanta Is (and Isn’t) Today

If you’re living in or visiting Atlanta and want to know what you’ll actually find at Underground Atlanta right now, here’s a practical snapshot.

What You Can Generally Expect

Depending on current programming and tenants, Underground Atlanta may include:

• Event and performance spaces

  • Indoor and outdoor stages
  • Concerts, festivals, and cultural programming

• Art and creative spaces

  • Galleries or studios
  • Murals, installations, and pop-up exhibits

• Food and beverage options

  • Restaurants or quick-service spots (these can change over time)
  • Bars or nightlife options, depending on current tenants

• Public plazas and walkways

  • Areas to walk, sit, and explore the historic under-viaduct architecture
  • Occasional markets or vendor events

Because the district is still evolving, specific businesses may open, close, or relocate, and offerings can shift year to year.

What It’s Not

It’s easy to confuse Underground Atlanta with other concepts. Here’s what it is not:

• ❌ Not Atlanta’s subway system

  • That’s MARTA, and its downtown lines run near and under the area, but “Underground Atlanta” refers to the historic commercial district, not the transit network.

• ❌ Not a fully enclosed underground mall

  • Some parts feel below street level, and there have been enclosed retail phases, but the space is more of a multi-level district woven around and under viaducts.

• ❌ Not a single-purpose tourist attraction

  • It’s now better understood as part of the fabric of downtown, with a mix of locals, creatives, and visitors using the area.

Quick Overview: Key Facts About Underground Atlanta

How to Get to Underground Atlanta

Because Underground Atlanta sits in the heart of downtown, it’s relatively easy to access whether you live in the city or are visiting.

By MARTA

The most straightforward way is via MARTA rail:

• Take any rail line that connects to Five Points Station.
• Exit the station toward Alabama Street / Peachtree Street.
• Underground Atlanta is just a short walk from the station exits, with signs generally pointing you toward the district.

This is often the easiest and quickest way to get there, especially during events or peak downtown traffic.

By Car

If you’re driving:

• Head to downtown Atlanta, aiming for the streets around Alabama St SW, Central Ave SW, Pryor St SW, and Peachtree St SW.
• Look for nearby public parking decks and surface lots; many are shared with downtown offices and attractions.
• Allow extra time during:
  • Weekday rush hours
  • Major events at nearby venues (such as games or concerts)

Because parking rules and rates change, check posted signs and pay stations on arrival.

On Foot or By Bike/Scooter

If you’re already staying or working in downtown:

• You can walk from many hotels and offices along Peachtree Street, heading south toward Five Points.
• Bike and scooter access is common on downtown streets, but pay attention to traffic patterns, one-way streets, and posted regulations, especially near the viaducts and MARTA stations.

Why Underground Atlanta Matters to the City

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, Underground Atlanta is more than just a cluster of shops or venues. It plays several roles in the city’s identity and development.

A Window Into Atlanta’s Growth

The area helps you see how Atlanta evolved:

• From a railroad town to a modern metropolis
• From ground-level train corridors to viaducts and layered streets
• From hidden storage spaces to a renewed focus on arts, culture, and public life

Walking through Underground Atlanta, you can spot historic brick walls, old signage, and cobblestone-like surfaces that contrast with the glass-and-steel towers above.

A Test Case for Downtown Revitalization

The ongoing redevelopment of Underground Atlanta is part of a broader effort to:

• Increase residential living in downtown
• Support local artists and small businesses
• Create more 24/7 activity rather than only 9-to-5 office crowds
• Make better use of historic buildings and underused spaces

For locals, what happens at Underground Atlanta often reflects wider trends in:

• Urban planning
• Cultural funding
• Public-private partnerships

If you’re curious about where downtown Atlanta is heading long-term, watching this district’s progress can provide useful clues.

Tips for Visiting or Exploring Underground Atlanta

If you’re planning to check out Underground Atlanta, a little preparation helps you get the most out of your visit.

Check What’s Happening Before You Go

Because the district is still evolving, offerings can vary:

• Look up current events, concerts, or festivals scheduled for the space.
• Check whether any specific venues or galleries you’re interested in are currently open and their hours.

Programming may expand on weekends, in the evenings, or during special events and holidays.

Plan Around Downtown Conditions

Downtown Atlanta can feel very different depending on the day and time:

• Weekdays: More office workers, heavier daytime traffic.
• Evenings and weekends: More event-driven crowds if there are concerts, games, or festivals nearby.

If you prefer a quieter look at the historic architecture, aim for earlier in the day when events are not in full swing.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

As with any busy urban district:

• Stay aware of traffic, especially near viaducts, crosswalks, and bus lanes.
• Keep track of personal belongings in crowded areas.
• Use well-lit routes and main pathways when walking at night.

These are standard downtown-city precautions and apply across most of central Atlanta.

How Underground Atlanta Fits With Nearby Attractions

If you’re already visiting downtown, Underground Atlanta can easily be part of a broader itinerary. The district is within walking distance or a short MARTA ride from several major attractions, such as:

• The central Five Points area and surrounding historic streets
• Government and office buildings in the City Hall and Fulton County area
• Other downtown cultural and entertainment options reachable via MARTA from Five Points

For residents, it can also function as:

• A potential venue for local meetups or events
• A space to experience public art and performances
• A tangible connection to the city’s historical layers

In everyday Atlanta conversations, when someone refers to “Atlanta Underground” or “Underground Atlanta,” they’re talking about this historic, partially below-street-level district in downtown—a place shaped by the city’s railroad roots, viaduct construction, past nightlife phases, and ongoing efforts to create a more vibrant, mixed-use urban core.