Atlanta Visitor Centers: Where to Go and What to Know in the ATL

If you’re planning time in Atlanta, Georgia—whether you’re visiting for a weekend, just moved here, or playing tour guide for friends—an Atlanta visitor center is one of the easiest ways to get your bearings, pick up maps, and learn what’s worth your time.

Atlanta doesn’t have just one central visitor center; instead, you’ll find several key welcome and information hubs around the city, especially in major tourist and convention areas. This guide walks you through where they are, what they offer, and how to use them to make the most of your time in Atlanta.

What Is an Atlanta Visitor Center?

An Atlanta visitor center is typically a staffed location where you can:

• Get free maps and printed guides
• Ask face-to-face questions about what to see and do
• Learn about neighborhoods, transit, and walkable routes
• Find info on events, attractions, and tours
• Sometimes purchase or learn about attraction passes or local tours

Most visitor centers in Atlanta are geared toward tourists and convention attendees, but locals also use them for:

• Discovering new things to do with visiting family
• Finding walking tours, museums, and historic sites
• Getting brochures for out-of-town guests
• Learning about festivals, sports, and arts events

Key Atlanta Visitor Centers and Welcome Hubs

1. Downtown & Convention Area Information Hubs

Downtown is where a lot of visitors spend their time, thanks to attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, CNN Center area, and the Georgia World Congress Center. You’ll often find information desks or welcome areas tied to these venues or nearby hotels.

Common services at these hubs include:

• Printed maps of downtown Atlanta
• Guidance on walking routes between major attractions
• Information on audio tours, bus tours, and city passes
• Directions to MARTA stations and streetcar stops

If you’re attending a conference at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) or staying near CNN Center / Centennial Olympic Park, look for visitor information desks in lobbies and main corridors. They are some of the most convenient “unofficial visitor centers” in the city.

2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Visitor Information

If you’re flying into Atlanta, your first visitor help desk will likely be at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Typical airport visitor information services include:

• General information about Atlanta neighborhoods and attractions
• Tips on MARTA from the airport into downtown and Midtown
• Assistance figuring out rideshare pickup zones and shuttle options
• Basic printed maps and attraction brochures

This is a great place to stop if you want to plan your first day before you leave the terminal, especially if you’re not familiar with Atlanta’s layout.

3. Centennial Olympic Park Area Information Points

The Centennial Olympic Park area, in the heart of downtown, functions as a major visitor hub even if it’s not labeled a single “Atlanta Visitor Center” building.

Around and near Centennial Olympic Park you’ll find:

• Staffed kiosks or information counters in nearby attractions and hotels
• Printed materials for Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, College Football Hall of Fame, and National Center for Civil and Human Rights
• Guidance on walking between the park, State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the Georgia World Congress Center

If you’re staying in a hotel in this area, the hotel concierge desk will likely act as your closest visitor center, with up-to-date, hyper-local advice.

4. Neighborhood-Level Visitor Resources

Atlanta’s main visitor centers and desks cluster around downtown and the airport, but many neighborhoods have their own information spots:

Midtown

Midtown, known for Piedmont Park, the High Museum of Art, and a dense mix of restaurants and nightlife, offers:

• Information counters in major hotels and cultural institutions
• Neighborhood maps highlighting walkable routes, BeltLine access points, and MARTA stations

If you’re staying near Midtown Station or Arts Center Station, visitor-style help is usually available at hotel desks or in larger arts venues.

Buckhead

Buckhead, Atlanta’s upscale shopping and business district, often supports visitors through:

• Concierge and information desks at major hotels
• Printed guides to shopping (Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza), dining, and nightlife

This is useful if your trip centers around business meetings, shopping, or North Atlanta dining.

Atlanta BeltLine & In-Town Neighborhoods

While the Atlanta BeltLine doesn’t function as a traditional visitor center, it is one of the city’s top attractions. Along the BeltLine and in neighborhoods like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Virginia-Highland, you can usually find:

• Maps and information boards at parks and trailheads
• Staff or volunteers at some parks and community centers who can point you to local highlights

If you’re exploring on foot or by bike, these local info points can work almost like distributed visitor centers.

What You Can Get at an Atlanta Visitor Center

Visitor centers and information desks around Atlanta typically offer similar core services. Here’s a quick comparison of what you can usually expect:

✅ = Commonly available  ⚪️ = Sometimes / limited

How Locals in Atlanta Can Use Visitor Centers

Visitor centers and information desks aren’t just for out-of-towners. If you live in Atlanta, these resources can still be very useful:

• Hosting out-of-town guests
  Pick up brochures and maps so visitors can explore while you’re at work.

• Planning a “staycation”
  Ask about lesser-known museums, historic sites, or walking tours that even longtime locals miss.

• Understanding transit for special events
  For big events near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or the GWCC, visitor and hotel info desks often have practical advice about parking, MARTA routes, and street closures.

• Finding family-friendly activities
  Staff can help match your group—kids, older adults, mixed ages—to activities that are feasible in a single day without too much driving.

Tips for Getting the Most from an Atlanta Visitor Center

To make your stop at any Atlanta visitor center or info desk more productive:

1. Be Clear About Your Time and Interests

When you talk with staff, share:

• How long you’ll be in Atlanta
• Whether you prefer walking, MARTA, rideshare, or driving
• What you’re most interested in (history, food, sports, arts, outdoors, kid-friendly, nightlife)

This helps staff suggest realistic itineraries instead of just listing every attraction.

2. Ask for Neighborhood-Based Suggestions

Atlanta is very neighborhood-driven. Instead of asking “What should I do?” try:

• “What are must-see spots near Centennial Olympic Park?”
• “If I’m staying in Midtown without a car, what can I walk or take MARTA to?”

You’ll often get more practical, walkable ideas this way.

3. Use Printed Maps with Transit

Visitor centers often have simple, tourist-friendly maps that mark:

• MARTA rail lines and stations
• Major attractions
• Walkable corridors like Peachtree Street, the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, and downtown streets between Centennial Olympic Park and nearby venues.

Combine that printed map with:

• A MARTA map (often available side by side)
• Real-time info on your phone, if you use it, to double-check timing and routes.

4. Ask About Current Events and Closures

Atlanta can be impacted by:

• Festivals and parades (which may affect streets near downtown and Midtown)
• Sports games and concerts at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and Truist Park
• Occasional attraction renovations or adjusted hours

Visitor center staff and hotel concierges are typically aware of what’s happening that week, so ask:

• “Is there anything big going on downtown tonight I should know about?”
• “Are there any road closures or major detours near [your destination]?”

What to Ask at an Atlanta Visitor Center (Sample Questions)

To get focused, Atlanta-specific guidance, consider questions like:

• “What’s the easiest way by MARTA to get from the airport to downtown or Midtown?”
• “If I have one day in Atlanta with kids, what would you recommend nearby?”
• “Which attractions are within walking distance of Centennial Olympic Park?”
• “How can I get from downtown to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail without a car?”
• “Are there any free or low-cost things to do in the downtown or Midtown area this weekend?”

Questions like these lead to clear, actionable answers rather than long, generic lists.

When a Visitor Center Isn’t Nearby: Other Reliable Info Sources in Atlanta

If you’re not close to a formal visitor center or information desk, you can still find reliable local guidance:

• Hotel front desks and concierge services
  In downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead, these often operate like mini visitor centers.

• Major attraction ticket counters
  Spots like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and High Museum of Art often have staff who can talk you through nearby options and transit.

• MARTA station agents (at staffed stations)
  Helpful for figuring out routes, buying or loading a Breeze Card, and understanding which station is closest to your destination.

• Parks and recreation offices or ranger/attendant stations
  Useful in and around areas like Piedmont Park or major city-run facilities.

Quick Checklist Before You Visit an Atlanta Visitor Center

Before you go, jot down or keep in mind:

• ✅ Where you’re staying (address or nearest MARTA station)
• ✅ How much time you have each day
• ✅ Any must-see attractions already on your list
• ✅ Whether you’ll mostly walk, drive, or use MARTA
• ✅ Any mobility needs (strollers, wheelchairs, avoiding steep walks, etc.)

Sharing these details with visitor center or hotel staff helps them give you targeted, Atlanta-specific advice that actually fits your plans.

For anyone spending time in Atlanta—visitor, new resident, or long-time local playing host—making use of Atlanta visitor centers, information desks, and neighborhood info spots can save time, reduce stress, and help you experience more of what the city really has to offer.