Atlanta Welcome Centers: Your Guide to Visitor & Information Hubs Around the City

If you’re searching for an “Atlanta welcome center”, you’re probably looking for a place where you can get maps, local advice, attraction information, and practical help navigating the city.

Atlanta doesn’t have just one single “official” welcome center. Instead, there are several visitor and information centers run by different agencies and organizations that serve a similar purpose.

This guide breaks down the main welcome-style centers in Atlanta, what each one offers, where they’re located, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Main Types of Welcome Centers in Atlanta

When people say “Atlanta Welcome Center,” they usually mean one of these:

• Tourism & visitor centers – focused on attractions, events, and neighborhoods
• Transportation welcome/info centers – at the airport or major transit points
• State-operated visitor information centers nearby – for travelers driving into Atlanta
• Convention & business-focused centers – for meetings, events, and trade shows

Each plays a slightly different role, but they all help you get oriented in and around Atlanta, Georgia.

1. Atlanta Tourism & Visitor Information Centers

These centers are ideal if you’re visiting Atlanta or even if you live here and want to explore more of what the city offers.

Centennial Olympic Park / Downtown Visitor Support

The Centennial Olympic Park area in downtown is one of Atlanta’s most active visitor zones. While there isn’t always a single permanent “welcome center” storefront, you’ll find:

• Staffed information desks inside major attractions (such as nearby museums and venues)
• Maps and brochures about Atlanta attractions, tours, and events
• Guidance on walking routes in downtown, including to the Georgia World Congress Center, State Farm Arena, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium

If you’re staying in a downtown hotel, the hotel concierge often works closely with local tourism organizations and can provide the same type of information you’d expect from a formal welcome center: brochures, suggestions, and help with bookings.

Best for:

• First-time visitors staying downtown
• People attending events in the Centennial Olympic Park / stadium district
• Anyone wanting to explore walkable downtown sights

2. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport Information Desks

For many people, their first “welcome center” to Atlanta is actually at the airport.

Airport Visitor & Information Services

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

Inside the airport, you’ll typically find information desks and help counters near baggage claim and main concourses. These serve as a de facto welcome center for:

• Basic city information and directions
• Transit options into Atlanta (MARTA, taxis, rideshare, shuttles)
• Printed information on major attractions and hotel areas

You can often ask about:

• The quickest way to get to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the Perimeter area
• How to use MARTA from the airport (the station is directly connected to the Domestic Terminal)
• Accessible transportation options

Tip 🧳: If you’re flying in and want to get oriented fast, start at the information desk in your arrival terminal. They can point you to current brochures, transit maps, and visitor resources relevant to where you’re staying in Atlanta.

3. Georgia State Welcome Centers Near Atlanta (For Drivers)

If you’re driving to Atlanta from another state, your first “welcome center” experience may be at a Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) or Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Visitor Information Center just outside metro Atlanta.

These aren’t inside the city limits but are frequently used by travelers heading into Atlanta.

Examples of Nearby State Visitor Information Centers

While specific locations can change, Georgia typically operates visitor centers on major interstates entering the state, such as:

• I‑75 (south of Atlanta) – often used by travelers coming from Florida or South Georgia heading toward Atlanta
• I‑85 (south and northeast of Atlanta) – common for travelers from Alabama or the Carolinas
• I‑20 (east and west of Atlanta) – used by travelers from Alabama, Augusta, and beyond

At these state-run locations, you can usually find:

• Free maps of Georgia and the Atlanta metro area
• Booklets on Atlanta attractions, hotels, and dining
• Restrooms and picnic areas
• Staff who can give routing advice to and through Atlanta

Best for:

• Road-trippers who want to plan their Atlanta stop before entering the city
• Drivers needing paper maps or route recommendations

4. Convention, Event & Business-Focused Welcome Services

If you’re in Atlanta for a conference, trade show, or large event, your “welcome center” may be built into the venue itself.

Georgia World Congress Center Area

Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC)
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

Large events at GWCC or nearby venues often feature:

• On-site information booths specifically for the conference
• Staff who can help with basic city navigation and restaurant suggestions
• Printed guides featuring downtown and Midtown Atlanta

Though these are not general public welcome centers, they function as customized welcome hubs for attendees.

Best for:

• Convention & trade show attendees
• Business travelers staying near Centennial Olympic Park or within convention blocks

5. Neighborhood & Community Information Hubs

Atlanta is made up of distinct neighborhoods, and several areas have localized information points that act like mini welcome centers.

Midtown Atlanta

Midtown is one of the most walkable and visitor-friendly parts of the city, with cultural institutions such as the High Museum of Art, Woodruff Arts Center, and Atlanta Symphony Hall.

Many Midtown hotels, residential buildings, and cultural venues provide:

• Brochures highlighting Midtown restaurants, arts, and nightlife
• Area maps showing Piedmont Park, the BeltLine Eastside Trail, and MARTA stations
• Staff who can suggest walking routes and events

Buckhead

Buckhead is known for shopping, dining, and business travel.

Large mixed-use developments and hotels here often maintain:

• Lobby information stands with local area guides
• Printed materials about shopping districts such as Buckhead Village
• Directions to MARTA stations and brief transit help

Atlanta BeltLine & Parks

While there isn’t a single BeltLine “welcome center” for all users, you’ll find:

• Trailhead kiosks with maps and rules at many BeltLine access points
• Signage explaining nearby neighborhoods and connections
• Staffed programs at some parks (such as Piedmont Park) where you can ask basic location questions

Best for:

• Residents exploring more of their own city
• Visitors who want to focus on one specific neighborhood rather than all of Atlanta at once

6. What You Can Expect From an Atlanta Welcome or Visitor Center

Most welcome-style centers in or around Atlanta provide similar basic services. These commonly include:

Typical Services

• Printed maps (downtown, citywide, or statewide)
• Attraction and event brochures
• Directions to major destinations (Atlanta attractions, hotels, districts)
• Information on public transportation (especially MARTA)
• General safety and neighborhood guidance (where it’s easy to walk, how late transit runs, etc.)

Some may also offer:

• Hotel and lodging information
• Suggestions for family-friendly, budget-conscious, or luxury activities
• Guidance on parking in busy areas like downtown and Midtown

7. Quick Comparison: Which Atlanta “Welcome Center” Fits Your Situation?

8. Practical Tips for Using Atlanta Welcome & Visitor Resources

A few simple strategies can help you get the most out of these centers:

• Ask specific questions. Instead of “What should I do in Atlanta?” try “I have one afternoon downtown—what can I walk to from here?”
• Bring your phone. Staff can often help you save locations on your map app or show you the best MARTA route in real time.
• Use them for safety and logistics. Ask about the best time to travel, where to park, and whether certain attractions are easier to reach by transit or car.
• Combine paper maps with apps. Paper maps from welcome centers give a big-picture view of Atlanta’s layout; apps help with live directions once you start moving.

9. If You Live in Atlanta: How “Welcome Centers” Can Still Help You

Even long-time Atlantans can benefit from visitor-style information centers and desks:

• Discover new exhibits, festivals, and seasonal attractions you might have missed
• Pick up maps and guides to help out-of-town guests navigate the city
• Learn about day trips and nearby destinations that are easy drives from Atlanta

Hotels, major attractions, the airport, and state visitor centers all provide free printed materials that can make hosting visitors or exploring new neighborhoods easier.

In practice, “Atlanta Welcome Center” usually means a combination of airport desks, hotel concierges, attraction information counters, and nearby state visitor centers that work together to help you understand and enjoy Atlanta.

Whether you’re flying in, driving through, attending an event, or already living in the city, there’s almost always a welcoming information point within reach to help you navigate Atlanta with confidence.